For any business operating in a digital or hybrid environment, the ability to accept online payments is not a growth feature, it is a basic requirement. New companies that cannot accept card payments or receive funds from international clients are commercially constrained from day one. 

Dubai South Business Hub has partnered with Telr, one of the region's leading payment gateway providers, to give licence holders structured access to compliant, scalable payment infrastructure from the point of registration. This partnership is part of the broader Corporate Partnerships Program available to all DSBH founders. 

About Telr 

Founded in 2014, Telr operates across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Jordan, serving e-commerce startups, SMEs, and enterprise merchants. Telr holds PCI DSS 4.0 Level 1 certification, the highest level of payment security compliance, and supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, regional e-wallets, and local payment schemes. Its platform is built entirely in-house, providing flexibility and responsiveness to merchant needs. 

The Payment Infrastructure Gap for New Free Zone Businesses 

Establishing a merchant account typically requires an active UAE trade licence, a corporate bank account in good standing, and merchant underwriting documentation. For newly licensed companies simultaneously establishing banking arrangements, this sequential dependency can delay online payment acceptance by several weeks, a significant commercial gap for businesses ready to trade. 

Without a payment gateway, companies are limited to bank transfer invoicing, which is slower and higher-friction for clients. For e-commerce, professional services, or consultancy businesses, this directly impacts early revenue velocity. 

What Telr Offers DSBH Founders 

Online Payment Gateway with Multi-Method Support 

Telr's gateway enables businesses to accept card payments through their website, mobile app, or e-commerce platform. The hosted payment page integration means merchants do not need their own PCI DSS certification. This is especially valuable for companies registered under the e-commerce and digital services activity categories available at DSBH. 

Example: An e-commerce founder selling products internationally can accept payments in multiple currencies from UAE and overseas customers through a single Telr integration, without managing separate payment processors. 

Pay-by-Link and Invoicing Tools 

For businesses without a fully built website, Telr's Pay-by-Link lets you collect payments via a link shared on email or WhatsApp, a highly effective channel in the UAE's business communication environment. Invoicing tools within the platform support professional billing workflows for service-based businesses. 

Fraud Protection Included at Every Tier 

Telr's anti-fraud tools, machine learning risk scoring, 3D Secure authentication, and configurable fraud rules, are included across all pricing tiers. Newly established companies get enterprise-grade protection from their very first transaction. 

Eligibility and Access 

All active DSBH DWC-LLC licence holders can apply for a Telr merchant account. For parallel support with corporate account opening and financial compliance, access banking and taxation support through Beyond Hub. Use the Business Setup Cost Calculator to estimate full setup and operational costs including payment gateway fees. 

Getting Started with Telr 

DSBH licence holders can initiate their Telr merchant account application, explore available payment methods, and review integration options at telr.com. Online registration and integration documentation are available from the point of approval. 

Start your business with the right ecosystem. 

Explore company setup opportunities at Dubai South Business Hub where licensing, banking, payments, and more come together in one founder-first ecosystem. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can a newly registered DSBH company apply for a Telr merchant account? 

Yes. Telr accepts applications from newly incorporated UAE entities. You will need your trade licence, corporate bank account details, and standard business documentation. Telr's onboarding is designed for SMEs, with rapid online registration and straightforward integration documentation. 

Does Telr require a developer to integrate? 

Telr offers multiple integration options. Its hosted payment page requires minimal development effort and can be implemented by non-technical users. API and SDK options are available for businesses with in-house development capability. Ready-made plugins for major e-commerce platforms reduce the technical barrier further. 

Is Telr compliant with UAE financial regulations? 

Yes. Telr operates with local acquiring licences in the UAE and holds PCI DSS 4.0 Level 1 certification. All cardholder data is processed within a fully regulated and audited security environment, meeting the compliance standards expected by UAE banking partners and the Central Bank of UAE.