Is Sarwa regulated in the UAE?

Yes. Sarwa is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and operates from within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in Dubai, UAE.

What types of accounts does Sarwa offer?

Sarwa offers a robo-advisory managed portfolio account, a self-directed trading account called Sarwa Trade, and a cash savings product called Sarwa Save. Each product has its own eligibility criteria and fee structure, which are detailed on the official Sarwa website.

Can expatriates living in the UAE open a Sarwa account?

Sarwa is designed to serve UAE residents, including expatriates. You will typically need a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID as part of the account opening process. Specific documentation requirements should be confirmed on the Sarwa website.

What does Sarwa invest in?

Sarwa's managed portfolios are constructed using exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to global equity and fixed income markets. Portfolio allocation is determined based on a risk assessment completed during onboarding.

How does Sarwa charge fees?

Sarwa charges a management fee on the robo-advisory product. The self-directed trading product has a different fee structure. Current fee rates are available on the official Sarwa website, as they are subject to change.

Does Sarwa offer an Islamic or Sharia-compliant investment option?

Sarwa has previously offered a Sharia-compliant portfolio option. Users should check the current Sarwa website to confirm the availability and details of any Islamic investment account.

How do I deposit funds into a Sarwa account?

Sarwa supports bank transfers for funding accounts. Accepted deposit methods and any associated minimums should be confirmed directly on the Sarwa website or through their customer support, as these details may change.

Can I open a Sarwa account if I am based in another GCC country?

Sarwa is primarily authorised to operate in the UAE under its DFSA licence. Residents of other GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, or Oman should contact Sarwa directly or check the official website to confirm whether they are eligible to open an account.

Sarwa Review for United Arab Emirates Residents (2026)

Sarwa is a UAE-based digital investment platform founded in 2017 and headquartered in Dubai. It is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and operates within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Sarwa offers automated portfolio management (robo-advisory), self-directed trading, and a cash savings product, targeting retail investors including expatriates residing in the UAE.

Sarwa at a glance

Reference data from public sources. Confirm details on the broker's own website.

Broker	Sarwa
Regulator	DFSA
Minimum deposit	5 USD
Fees	0.50 to 0.85 percent AUM
Arabic interface	Yes
Available in	UAE

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What stands out

+Regulated by the DFSA within the DIFC, providing a recognised regulatory framework for UAE-based investors.
+Offers both robo-advisory (managed portfolios) and self-directed trading under one platform, giving users access to multiple investment approaches.
+Portfolios are built using low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) covering global equity and fixed income markets.
+The platform is available via web browser and mobile app on iOS and Android.
+Sarwa provides a socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolio option for users who wish to align investments with ESG criteria.
+Account opening is conducted fully online, with no requirement to visit a physical branch.
+Sarwa offers a practice account feature allowing users to explore the platform before committing real funds.
+Customer support is available in English and Arabic.

Things to know

-Sarwa's managed portfolio service is designed for passive, long-term investors; the platform may be less suited to users seeking active trading tools or advanced charting features.
-Investment exposure is primarily through ETFs rather than direct stock or bond selection, which may not align with all investor preferences.
-The self-directed trading product (Sarwa Trade) and the managed portfolio product are separate services with different fee structures; users should review both on the official website before opening an account.
-Sarwa is authorised by the DFSA and primarily serves UAE residents; availability and account eligibility for residents of other GCC countries should be confirmed directly with Sarwa.
-As with all investment products, portfolio values can go down as well as up; past performance does not guarantee future results.
-Minimum deposit requirements and fee schedules are subject to change; users should verify current figures on the official Sarwa website before applying.
-Sarwa's cash savings product (Sarwa Save) is a separate offering and may carry different terms and conditions from the investment accounts.

What to check when comparing Sarwa with other brokers

Headline figures rarely tell the full story for an expat brokerage account. Run through this checklist before opening any account:

-Regulator and licence. Look the broker up on the regulator's public register. The Official sources section below links the register where applicable.
-Eligibility for residents of United Arab Emirates. Not every broker accepts every nationality or residency status. Confirm with the broker before applying.
-Markets and instruments. Check the exchanges you need (US, LSE, Xetra, Tadawul, ADX, DFM) and the product types (stocks, ETFs, bonds, options) are actually supported on your account tier.
-Commission, spread, and FX. A low headline commission can be offset by a wide FX spread on non-base currency trades. Read the full schedule of charges.
-Funding options. Local bank transfer in your salary currency is usually fastest and cheapest. Card funding can be quicker but may add fees.
-Custody, segregation, and protection. Look at where your assets are held, whether they are segregated from the broker's own funds, and what investor-protection scheme (if any) applies.
-Tax treatment. Fund domicile and your tax residency affect dividend withholding and reporting. Consult a qualified tax adviser for your situation.

Opening a Sarwa account from United Arab Emirates

Visit the Sarwa website and start the account-opening flow.
Enter your personal details as they appear on your government-issued ID, including your address in United Arab Emirates.
Upload your identity documents. Most brokers request a government-issued ID, a proof of address, and sometimes a recent bank statement. Document requirements vary by broker - follow what Sarwa asks for.
Complete the suitability questionnaire. Regulators require brokers to gather basic information about your financial knowledge and risk tolerance.
Wait for the broker's verification. Timelines vary by broker and by applicant.
Fund the account using a method offered by the broker. Available payment options and currencies vary - check the broker's funding page for current details.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Sarwa regulated in the UAE?: Yes. Sarwa is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and operates from within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in Dubai, UAE.
What types of accounts does Sarwa offer?: Sarwa offers a robo-advisory managed portfolio account, a self-directed trading account called Sarwa Trade, and a cash savings product called Sarwa Save. Each product has its own eligibility criteria and fee structure, which are detailed on the official Sarwa website.
Can expatriates living in the UAE open a Sarwa account?: Sarwa is designed to serve UAE residents, including expatriates. You will typically need a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID as part of the account opening process. Specific documentation requirements should be confirmed on the Sarwa website.
What does Sarwa invest in?: Sarwa's managed portfolios are constructed using exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to global equity and fixed income markets. Portfolio allocation is determined based on a risk assessment completed during onboarding.
How does Sarwa charge fees?: Sarwa charges a management fee on the robo-advisory product. The self-directed trading product has a different fee structure. Current fee rates are available on the official Sarwa website, as they are subject to change.
Does Sarwa offer an Islamic or Sharia-compliant investment option?: Sarwa has previously offered a Sharia-compliant portfolio option. Users should check the current Sarwa website to confirm the availability and details of any Islamic investment account.
How do I deposit funds into a Sarwa account?: Sarwa supports bank transfers for funding accounts. Accepted deposit methods and any associated minimums should be confirmed directly on the Sarwa website or through their customer support, as these details may change.
Can I open a Sarwa account if I am based in another GCC country?: Sarwa is primarily authorised to operate in the UAE under its DFSA licence. Residents of other GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, or Oman should contact Sarwa directly or check the official website to confirm whether they are eligible to open an account.

Official sources

Verify Sarwa's regulatory status on the DFSA Public Register.

Sarwa review for United Arab Emirates residents