Opening a Bank Account in the UAE: Documents, Banks and Fees

A UAE bank account is one of the first things you need after arriving. Your employer needs it for your salary, your landlord may want post-dated cheques, and your utility bills, school fees and phone plan are all easier to manage from a local account. The process is simple once you have the right documents, but the details differ between banks, and fees add up if you choose the wrong account type.

This guide covers what you need as a resident, what non-residents can do, what accounts cost, the main banks and digital banks, and how credit cards, cheques, credit scores and sending money home work. For the wider picture, see our banking, money and tax guide.

What you need as a resident

Banks are regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE and must verify who you are before they open an account. Expect to provide:

• Emirates ID, or the Emirates ID application receipt at some banks if your card has not arrived yet.
• Passport, with a copy of the page showing your photograph and details.
• UAE residence visa, or the entry permit while the residence visa is being processed.
• Salary certificate or employment contract, or a job offer letter. Some banks open a basic account with an offer letter and a visa, then move you to a salary account when payroll starts.
• Proof of address, such as a tenancy contract, an Ejari certificate, a utility bill, or a letter from your employer.
• A UAE mobile number and an email address, because one-time passwords and statements are sent there.

Self-employed applicants and freelancers are usually asked for a trade licence or freelance permit and a few months of bank statements from abroad.

Applications can often be started in the bank's app or website. Some banks complete the whole process online, while others require a branch visit for a face-to-face identity check. See our moving to the UAE checklist for the full order of paperwork.

Non-resident options

You do not always need to be a resident. Some banks offer non-resident accounts to people who own property, run a business, work overseas but invest in the UAE, or visit often. The requirements are tighter:

• A higher minimum balance, often well above the figures for resident accounts.
• Proof of source of funds and an overseas address.
• Limits on the products you can get, such as no credit card or overdraft in some cases.

Visitors on a tourist visa generally cannot open a normal current account. If you are planning to move, wait until your visa is in place, or ask the bank whether it can start the application on an entry permit.

Minimum balance and fees

Banks usually offer two kinds of personal account.

Salary-transfer accounts

If your salary is paid into the account, many banks waive the minimum balance as long as the salary stays above a threshold. Salary-transfer accounts often come with benefits such as a higher credit card limit, a better loan rate, and fee waivers on transfers. Check what happens if you change employer, because some banks switch you to a standard account and start charging fees.

Non-salary accounts

For a basic current or savings account that does not receive your salary, the bank asks you to keep a minimum balance. Typical figures as of 2026 are AED 3,000 to AED 5,000, with premium accounts requiring far more. If you fall below the minimum, you pay a monthly fall-below fee, commonly in the region of AED 25 to AED 50. Always ask for the bank's current tariff, because each bank sets its own limits and charges.

Other charges to ask about:

• Debit card annual fees (often waived).
• International transfer fees and correspondent bank charges.
• Cheque book charges and returned-cheque fees.
• Dormant account fees if the account is unused for a long period.

A good habit is to read the key facts statement before you sign, and to ask about each charge in writing.

The main banks

The UAE has a mix of local and international banks. Names you will often see:

Bank	Notes
Emirates NBD	Largest in Dubai, with a big branch and ATM network. Also runs the Liv digital brand.
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)	Abu Dhabi based and the largest bank by assets.
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)	Strong retail products and a big app.
Mashreq	Dubai based, with the Mashreq Neo digital account.
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB)	The oldest Islamic bank, with Sharia-compliant accounts.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)	Another major Islamic bank.
RAKBANK	Popular with retail customers and small business owners.

Islamic banks offer accounts structured on Sharia principles, with profit-sharing instead of interest. They are open to non-Muslims as well.

Digital banks

Several banks now offer fully app-based accounts that you can open from your phone in minutes:

• Wio, a digital bank with personal and business accounts.
• Mashreq Neo, with a low or no minimum balance on the digital account.
• Emirates NBD Liv, aimed at younger customers and designed for mobile.
• RAKBANK digital and other app-led offerings from traditional banks.

Digital banks are good for fast onboarding, instant card controls and low fees. The trade-offs are a smaller or no branch network, and sometimes lower credit limits. Many people keep a digital account alongside a main salary account. Always confirm that the bank is licensed by the Central Bank and read the current terms before you transfer money in.

Your IBAN

Every UAE account has an IBAN, the International Bank Account Number. UAE IBANs have 23 characters: the letters "AE", two check digits, a three-digit bank code and a 16-digit account number. You will need your IBAN for salary transfers, bill payments and incoming international transfers. You can find it in your banking app or statement.

Cheques and why they matter

Although card and app payments are everywhere, cheques are still common for rent, deposits, car purchases and some business payments. Landlords often ask for post-dated cheques for the year, which means your account must hold enough money on each date.

• A bounced cheque can lead to bank charges, a legal complaint and problems with your credit record. Treat every cheque as a firm promise.
• Keep cheque books safe and record each cheque's number and date.
• Many landlords now accept bank transfers or the Dubai Rental platform for payments. See our renting a home guide.

Credit cards and the Al Etihad Credit Bureau

Banks usually set a minimum monthly salary for credit cards, commonly AED 5,000 to AED 8,000, though the exact threshold depends on the card. Some banks offer secured cards against a fixed deposit for people who do not meet the salary rule.

Your credit record is held by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), the federal credit bureau. It gives you a credit score between 300 and 900, based on your loan and card history, payments on time and enquiries. Lenders check the score before approving cards, loans and mortgages. You can request your report and score through the AECB's app or website, and it is smart to check it once a year.

Good habits that help your score:

• Pay at least the minimum, ideally the full balance, on every card on time.
• Do not apply for many cards or loans at once.
• Keep your utilisation low.
• Close accounts properly when you leave the UAE. Unpaid cards and loans can lead to a legal case and a travel ban.

For borrowing for property, see our mortgage calculator.

Sending money home

Remittances are a big part of life in the UAE. There are two main routes:

• Exchange houses. Companies such as Al Ansari Exchange and Lulu Exchange have branches across the country and offer cash pick-up and bank deposit abroad. Fees and exchange rates vary, so compare the total amount the recipient gets, not just the fee.
• Bank transfers and apps. Your bank can send international transfers, and many banks and licensed apps offer transfers to specific countries at lower fees. Bank transfers can have fixed fees plus intermediary bank charges.

Tips: compare the rate to the mid-market rate, check the delivery time, use only licensed providers, and keep your receipts. Our currency converter helps you check rates.

The dirham and the US dollar

The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997 at about AED 3.6725 per US dollar. This keeps exchange-rate risk low if you hold dollars, and it means changes in US interest rates tend to be followed by UAE rates. If you send money to a country whose currency moves against the dollar, such as India or the Philippines, your dirhams' value in that currency will move with the dollar.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open a UAE bank account without a salary?

Yes. Many banks offer a standard account with a minimum balance, typically AED 3,000 to AED 5,000, if you can show your visa and proof of address.

Can tourists open a bank account in the UAE?

Usually not for a normal current account. Non-resident accounts are available at some banks, with higher requirements.

What happens if I fall below the minimum balance?

You are normally charged a monthly fall-below fee, often in the range of AED 25 to AED 50, until the balance is restored. Salary-transfer accounts may avoid this.

How do I check my credit score in the UAE?

Through the Al Etihad Credit Bureau, using its app or website with your Emirates ID. The score runs from 300 to 900.

Is the dirham pegged to the dollar?

Yes. The rate is fixed at about AED 3.6725 per US dollar.