Open a Bank Account in Dubai & UAE

account_balance

Resident Current Account

Current Account — For Residents

Most Common

The standard account for living and working in Dubai. For those with a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. Includes debit card, chequebook, online banking, salary deposit and rent payments.

check_circle Valid residence visa + Emirates ID required

check_circle Debit card, chequebook and online banking

check_circle For salary deposit and rent payments

check_circle Often zero balance with salary transfer

warning Without salary transfer, min balance or monthly fee applies

Suggested banks:

Emirates NBD FAB ADCB Mashreq RAKBANK

payments

Min salary AED 3,000 — 5,000 Depending on the bank

savings

Savings Account

Savings — Interest / Profit

Earns Profit

For saving money with interest (or Sharia profit at Islamic banks). Best for holding funds, not daily use. Easy to open with passport and Emirates ID; some banks offer it to non-residents too.

check_circle Interest or Sharia profit on balance

check_circle Open with passport and Emirates ID

check_circle For residents and some non-residents

warning Usually no chequebook

warning Min balance ~AED 3,000 or a fee applies

Suggested banks:

Emirates NBD ADCB Dubai Islamic Bank ADIB

payments

Min balance AED 3,000+ Depending on bank and account

account_balance_wallet

Salary Account

Salary Transfer Account

Zero Balance

An account where your monthly salary is paid via the WPS system. Needs a salary transfer letter from your employer. Usually zero minimum balance with perks like loans, overdraft and discounts.

check_circle Usually zero minimum balance

check_circle Perks: loans, overdraft and discounts

check_circle Free debit card and chequebook

warning Salary transfer letter from employer needed

warning Salary must be paid through WPS

Suggested banks:

Emirates NBD Mashreq ADCB FAB

payments

Min salary AED 3,000 — 5,000 Depending on the bank

public

Non-Resident Account

Non-Resident — No Visa Needed

No Visa

For people without a UAE residence visa. Only some banks offer it. Usually a savings account (no chequebook), with a high minimum balance and strict source-of-funds checks. Opening is often in person.

check_circle No UAE residence visa needed

check_circle For investors and property owners

warning Only some banks offer it

warning Usually no chequebook

warning Needs foreign address proof, bank statements and a reason for the account

warning High min balance and strict source-of-funds checks

Suggested banks:

Emirates NBD Mashreq ADCB RAKBANK HSBC

payments

Min balance AED 15,000 — 100,000 Depending on bank; priority banking higher

smartphone

Digital Bank Account

App-Based — Instant Opening

Open in App

Fully app-based banks like Liv (by Emirates NBD), Mashreq Neo and Wio. Open in minutes with Emirates ID and passport plus video verification, no branch visit. Often zero minimum balance.

check_circle Open in minutes via the app

check_circle Video KYC, no branch visit

check_circle Often zero minimum balance

check_circle Instant virtual card for online use

warning Needs Emirates ID and sometimes a min salary

Digital brands:

Liv (Emirates NBD) Mashreq Neo Wio E20

payments

Often free Zero min balance on most plans

business_center

Business Account

Corporate / Company Account

Companies

For companies and freelancers holding a UAE trade license. Requires the license, MOA and shareholder documents. Longer process with more compliance review. Suitable for Mainland and Free Zone companies.

check_circle For freelancers, Free Zone and Mainland companies

check_circle Corporate card, payment gateway and business banking

warning Trade license, MOA and certificate of incorporation

warning All shareholders passports, Emirates ID and Ejari tenancy

warning 6-month bank statements and proof of activity (contracts or invoices)

warning Around 5 working days and compliance review

Suggested banks:

Emirates NBD Mashreq RAKBANK Wio E20

payments

Min balance AED 10,000 — 50,000 Depending on bank and company type

person Personal Account Documents

Original documents along with copies

For Residents (with visa & Emirates ID)

badge

Passport (with residence visa page)

how_to_reg

UAE residence visa

credit_card

Emirates ID or its registration form

work

Salary certificate or NOC letter from employer For salary accounts

home

Proof of address: utility bill or Ejari If requested by the bank

For Non-Residents (in addition to passport)

receipt_long

6-month home-country bank statements + bank reference letter No UAE account needed — from your current bank

public

Proof of home-country address and reason for the account

payments

Proof of source of income (payslips, ownership or investment)

business_center Business Account Documents

Around 10 to 15 documents — company or freelancer

store

Valid trade license Freelancer: a freelance permit instead

verified

Certificate of incorporation

description

Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA / AOA)

gavel

Share certificates and board resolution Naming the authorized signatories

groups

Passport and Emirates ID of all shareholders and directors

verified_user

Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) declaration

home

Ejari tenancy or office lease

receipt_long

3 to 6 month bank statements and source of funds

lightbulb

Business plan and proof of activity (contracts or invoices)

Open a Bank Account in Dubai & UAE

person Personal Account Documents

business_center Business Account Documents

Which account and bank fits you?

Request Submitted

Bank	Min Salary	Min Balance	Digital	Islamic
Emirates NBD	AED 5,000	AED 3,000	check_circle Liv	cancel
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)	AED 5,000	AED 3,000	App banking	cancel
ADCB	AED 5,000	AED 3,000	check_circle	cancel
Mashreq	AED 5,000	AED 3,000	check_circle Neo	cancel
RAKBANK	AED 3,000	AED 3,000	check_circle	Islamic unit
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB)	AED 5,000	AED 3,000	App banking	check_circle
ADIB	AED 5,000	AED 3,000	check_circle	check_circle
Wio	—	check_circle Zero	check_circle	cancel

Open a Bank Account in Dubai & UAE

person Personal Account Documents

business_center Business Account Documents

Which account and bank fits you?

account_balance Bank Account Service Request

Request Submitted