One Evaluation Phase
1-Step Challenge
A single assessment with one profit target and a static maximum drawdown. Accounts from $5,000 to $400,000.
- 10% profit target
- 5% daily loss limit
- 6% static drawdown
- No time limit
River Valley Capital / UAE Traders
Prop Firm UAE: Funded Trading Programmes for Dubai and UAE Traders
Looking for a prop firm that accepts traders in the UAE? River Valley Capital offers 1-Step, 2-Step and Instant Funding accounts from $5,000 to $500,000, with up to a 90% profit split. This guide shows the rules in Gulf Standard Time and the points to check before you buy.
- 1-Step, 2-Step & Instant Funding
- Accounts up to $500,000
- Up to 90% Profit Split
- cTrader, DXtrade, MatchTrader, PropX
Last updated
Choose Your Route
Three Funded Trading Programmes for UAE Traders
River Valley Capital offers three ways to trade a funded account. Each one has its own evaluation path and risk rules, so the right choice depends on how you trade, not on the headline account size.
Two Evaluation Phases
2-Step Challenge
Two assessment phases with separate targets and a wider static drawdown. Accounts from $5,000 to $500,000.
- 8% then 5% profit targets
- 5% daily loss limit
- 8% static drawdown
- No time limit
No Evaluation
Instant Funding
Start on a funded account without a challenge, with a trailing drawdown instead of a static one. Accounts from $5,000 to $100,000.
- No profit target
- 5% daily loss limit
- 8% trailing drawdown
- KYC needed before your first payout
Programme Comparison
Compare the Rules Side by Side
The table below sets out the main rules of each programme. Account sizes and fees are listed in US dollars, so the dirham cost depends on the AED peg to the US dollar and your bank or card's fees on the day you pay.
| Feature | 1-Step | 2-Step | Instant Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account sizes (USD) | $5K to $400K | $5K to $500K | $5K to $100K |
| Evaluation phases | One | Two | None |
| Profit target | 10% | 8% / 5% | Not applicable |
| Daily loss limit | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum drawdown | 6% static | 8% static | 8% trailing |
| Time limit | None | None | Not applicable |
| Profit split | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% |
The standard profit split is 80%, and a 90% Profit Split Upgrade is available as an add-on. See current fees for every account size on the Accounts page.
Gulf Standard Time
Trading the Rules on Gulf Standard Time
Most prop firm rules are written in New York time. For a trader in the UAE, the key times fall in the small hours, so it helps to convert them before you start.
When the Daily Loss Limit Resets
River Valley Capital's daily loss limit resets each day at 5:00 PM New York time. In the UAE that is about 2:00 AM Gulf Standard Time when New York is on standard time, and about 1:00 AM when the US is on daylight saving time.
Positions you hold through the UAE night count towards the trading day that ends at that reset, so plan overnight trades with the daily limit in mind.
Market Sessions From the UAE
The Asian session overlaps the UAE morning, the London session opens in the UAE early afternoon, and the New York session opens in the UAE evening, which is the busiest window for US pairs and indices.
News Events in the UAE Evening
Opening a position within 3 minutes before or after a news event is not allowed. Major US data releases, such as US employment and inflation figures, usually land in the UAE evening, so check the economic calendar before trading at those times.
Trading Hours by Product
Trading hours are set by the liquidity provider for each product. You can check them inside the platform: in cTrader under the symbol's Market Hours, in DXtrade under Instrument Info, and in MatchTrader under the symbol's Info.
Before You Buy
What UAE Traders Should Check First
A funded trading programme is a commercial agreement, so read the terms with the same care you would give any financial product. These are the points UAE traders ask about most.
Eligibility
River Valley Capital accepts traders from all countries except OFAC-listed countries, subject to applicable laws and the company's discretion. You must be at least 18, or the minimum legal age where you live.
The SCA, DFSA and FSRA
Financial services in the UAE are regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) at federal level, with the DFSA in the DIFC and the FSRA in ADGM covering the financial free zones. A funded programme is a private commercial arrangement, so before you pay, check who you are contracting with, where that company is based, and how it describes its accounts.
Funded Accounts Are Notionally Funded
After you pass an assessment, your funded account is notionally funded: the account size sets your trading level, and it may not match the capital held with the liquidity provider. This does not change your trading conditions.
Tax on Your Payouts
The UAE does not charge personal income tax, so individual trading payouts are generally not taxed. UAE corporate tax can apply to some business activity, and your residency and visa status matter, so confirm your own position with a UAE tax adviser.
Currency and Payments
Fees, account sizes and payouts are in US dollars. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.6725, so the AED value is stable, though your bank or card provider may still add conversion fees.
Verification
You will need to complete identity verification (KYC) and sign a trader agreement. For 1-Step and 2-Step accounts this happens after you pass, and the funded account is usually issued within 24 to 48 business hours. For Instant Funding it is needed before your first withdrawal.
Markets and Leverage
What You Can Trade
You can trade the products the liquidity provider streams into the platforms, including forex pairs and CFDs on indices, commodities, metals and cryptocurrencies.
| Market | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|
| Forex | 50:1 |
| Gold (XAUUSD) | 10:1 |
| Silver and other metals | 5:1 |
| Indices | 10:1 |
| Oil | 1:1 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 2:1 |
Trade on cTrader, DXtrade, MatchTrader or PropX (formerly GooeyPro). Expert advisors are allowed, within the programme's rules on prohibited trading.
Payouts
How Payouts Work for UAE Traders
Your first withdrawal from a funded account can be requested at any time. After that, you can request a withdrawal once every 30 days from your trader dashboard. The standard split is 80% to you, or 90% with the Profit Split Upgrade add-on.
When a withdrawal is approved, River Valley Capital also takes its share of the gains, and the maximum drawdown locks at the account's starting balance unless you bought the Drawdown Lock Removal add-on. Withdrawing all of your profit would breach the maximum drawdown, so always leave a buffer. The prop firm payout calculator shows what you receive and a recommended withdrawal that keeps one.
For Instant Funding accounts, the minimum withdrawal is the greater of $100 or 1% of the starting balance. Read the full payout rules in the FAQ before you buy.
Get Started
How to Start a Funded Account From the UAE
- 01
Pick a Programme
Compare the 1-Step, 2-Step and Instant Funding rules above and choose the structure that suits your strategy and trading hours.
- 02
Choose Your Account Size
Open the account selector, pick an account size and platform, and review any add-ons before checkout. Fees are shown in US dollars.
- 03
Trade Within the Rules
Complete the evaluation if your programme has one. Keep track of the daily reset at about 1:00 to 2:00 AM Gulf Standard Time and avoid opening trades around news events.
- 04
Verify and Get Paid
Complete KYC and the trader agreement, then request withdrawals from your dashboard once every 30 days, after your first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prop Firm UAE FAQs
Can UAE traders join River Valley Capital?
Yes. River Valley Capital accepts traders from all countries except OFAC-listed ones, subject to applicable laws and the company's discretion. You must be at least 18 years old and responsible for meeting any rules that apply in the UAE.
Is prop firm trading legal in the UAE?
Financial services in the UAE are regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), with the DFSA in the DIFC and the FSRA in ADGM covering the financial free zones. A funded programme is a private commercial arrangement, so check who you are contracting with and how it describes its accounts before you buy.
Do UAE traders pay tax on prop firm payouts?
The UAE has no personal income tax, so individual trading payouts are generally not taxed. UAE corporate tax can apply to some business activity and your residency status matters, so confirm your position with a UAE tax adviser.
What time does the daily loss limit reset in the UAE?
The daily loss limit resets at 5:00 PM New York time, which is about 2:00 AM Gulf Standard Time on US standard time and about 1:00 AM during US daylight saving time.
Can I pay and get paid in dirhams (AED)?
Fees, account sizes and payouts are in US dollars, paid and withdrawn by bank wire, Rise or crypto. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.6725, so the AED value is stable, though your bank or card may add conversion fees.
Which markets are best to trade from the UAE?
The Asian session overlaps your morning, London opens in your early afternoon and New York in your evening, the busiest window for US pairs and indices. Leverage is up to 50:1 on forex, 10:1 on gold and indices, 5:1 on other metals, 1:1 on oil and 2:1 on crypto.
How do I pass a River Valley Capital challenge from the UAE?
Reach your programme's profit target without breaking the 5% daily loss limit or the maximum drawdown. Track the daily reset at about 1:00 to 2:00 AM Gulf Standard Time and avoid opening trades within 3 minutes of a news event.
Which account size should UAE traders choose?
Account sizes run from $5,000 to $500,000 in US dollars. With the dirham pegged to the dollar your AED cost is stable, so pick the size whose daily loss limit matches how much you are comfortable risking in a day.
Which prop firm platforms can I use in the UAE?
River Valley Capital accounts run on cTrader, DXtrade, MatchTrader and PropX (formerly GooeyPro). Your own expert advisors and strategies are allowed within the prohibited-trading rules.
Who do UAE traders contract with, and are fees refundable?
Assessments are run by Prop Account LLC, which receives the fee and signs the Trader Agreement with you if you qualify. River Valley Capital is the trading name of Xaura Evaluation Limited, a London company that remains responsible for its claims about the evaluations. Challenge fees and add-ons are non-refundable.
Your Next Step
Start Your Funded Account From the UAE
Compare the programmes, check the rules in Gulf Standard Time and choose the account size that fits your trading.