BANK ACCOUNT OPENING IN UAE
OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT WITH ANY OF THE UAE’S MOST TRUSTED BANKS
Let our in-house experts make business bank account opening easy and convenient for you.
Opening a business bank account in the UAE can be a challenging process, as you need to go through several strict compliance procedures mandated by the UAE Central Bank. With our bank account opening service, this doesn’t have to be the case. Our team will assist you in opening a bank account, guiding you through each stage and ensuring you have a hassle-free experience.
Must Know
In-person application
Your physical presence will be required during the application, so you can meet the bank representative, sign the application form and submit the required documents.
In-person application
Online application: If you are outside of the UAE, you can initiate your bank account opening through an online process. Your presence will still be required either via a phone call or an online meeting. Once the application is approved, you will be required by the bank to come to the UAE to sign the account opening form.
OUR BANK ACCOUNT OPENING IN UAE
Client assessment
Our team will assess your company’s activities, operations, expected annual turnover and initial funds available for opening the account. Based on this information, our team will recommend the most suitable bank for your business.
Liaising with the bank
In case the bank requires further information or processes, we will communicate with them and assist you in completing the additional requirements. In some instances, if you are not available to meet the Contact Point Verification Agent, we can also act as your representative.
Documentation
We will assist you in collecting and preparing the documents required by the bank. These could include: Certified company incorporation documents... Company profile... Valid passport copies of all shareholders... Personal profiles (CVs) of all shareholders... 6 months personal bank statements of all shareholders... Emirates ID and residence visa copy of at least the signatory... A copy of your Ejari...
Bank Account Opening in UAE: An Entrepreneurs Guide
The UAE is one of the hottest up-and-coming countries for people to move to and attracts roughly 200,000 newcomers every year. It’s a place where you can enjoy the ocean, fast-paced city life, and so much more all in one place!
If you’re going to move to the United Arab Emirates, however, you need to have a bank account. Having a bank account (or several bank accounts) will make it easier for you to move money around and pay for goods and services in your new country.
To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a quick guide on how to open a bank account in UAE. Let’s dive in to learn everything you need to know about the UAE’s many banking services!
An Overview of Banking in the UAE
Before we dive into how to open a bank account in the United Arab Emirates, let’s take a minute to talk about the banking sector. The UAE has a banking system that’s regulated by a central bank.
Apart from the central bank, there is a total of roughly 50 international and local banks scattered throughout the country. The banking system is considered to be fairly stable thanks to the banks’ liquidity buffers and resilient capital levels.
Most banks in the UAE are funded by deposits. Their strong capital levels provide a large buffer that absorbs any losses.
The UAE has four different types of banks. These types of banks include:
Commercial banks
Investment banks
Industrial banks
Islamic banks
Islamic banks are a type of bank that has grown in popularity. In recent years, UAE banks have worked to expand their banking services to consumers using Islamic financial requirements. This is important for the many Islamic citizens living in the country.
At the moment, there are 23 Islamic bank windows and 8 full-fledged Islamic banks in the nation. These institutions make up nearly 20% of the UAE’s banking sector.
Aside from Islamic banks in the nation, the UAE banks also cater to foreigners and international consumers. They have adopted several international regulations and offer all their banking services in both Arabic and English.
A few international regulations that UAE banks comply with include:
International Accounting Standard
International Financial Reporting Standards
Capital Adequacy Regulations from the Basel III Regulations
Types of Bank Accounts in the UAE
The next thing to know about before looking into bank account opening in the UAE is what types of bank accounts you can open. There are several different types of bank accounts, which cater to both non-residents and residents of the UAE.
Current Accounts
An Emirates Islamic Current Account is a transaction account, which comes with a checking option for the accountholder. An Emirates Islamic Current Account comes with Debit card facilities, check-book, along with many other banking benefits.
A current account is ideal for transfers and transactions made on a daily basis. Your current account will come with a check-book, which is great for issuing rent checks to your landlord.
Banks in the United Arab Emirates usually allow you to open two types of current accounts. One type comes with salary transfers while the other does not.
If you have a job in the UAE, you can open an account at your employer’s bank to get your salary faster. If you use a different bank from your employer, it could take up to a few days for your salary to arrive.
You can open an Emirates Islamic Current Account for several major currencies, including USD*, GBP, AED, Euro, Yen, Saudi Riyal, Kuwaiti Dinar, Canadian Dollar, Qatari Riyal, Bahraini Dinar and Omani Riyal. However if you open your Current Account in a different currency it will not offer debit card and cheque book facility options.
When opening a Current Account the minimum balance requirement must maintain at least AED 3,000 in the account. However when your salary is transferred to the Current Account, the minimum balance requirement is waived.
Savings Accounts
Many people in the UAE open a savings account so that they can get the most out of their money. Savings accounts offer higher interest rates than checking accounts do, but provide limited access to funds. They also can cause penalties for withdrawals.
Savings accounts usually operate on either a variable or fixed interest rate. Within your savings account you can choose which currency you’d like to denominate your funds in.
Savings accounts can also be used as salary accounts. However, savings accounts do not usually come with a check-book, which can make them a little inconvenient for this type of use.
When opening a savings account is important to choose the right bank. The interest rate, minimum deposit and fees for your savings account will differ from bank to bank. While these amounts may be minor they can add up over an extended period of time, costing you money.
Investment Accounts
Another type of service you can take advantage of when opening a bank account in the UAE is an investment account. In the UAE, you can sign an investment agreement with any bank, which allows you to open an investment account.
The investment period for these usually ranges from 12 months to 10 years, but they can be longer, too. The investment agreement gives you a minimum assured ROI of 3-7% annually.
Just note that investment accounts come with minimum balances. The minimum required balance will vary depending on which bank you choose to partner with.
Offshore Accounts
The UAE is a haven for expats, which is why the nation offers offshore banks from jurisdictions the world over. This is especially true in Dubai, where many expats choose to live and work.
In the United Arab Emirates, anyone who holds a valid residence visa is eligible to open an offshore account and use it to import and export their funds. It’s considered to be a secure, stable, and reliable way of moving money and usually involves lower taxes than other banking options.
Offshore banking encompasses many different services in the United Arab Emirates. A few of these services include:
Asset protection
Wealth management
Portfolio management
Private bank accounts
Company formation
Inheritance planning
How to Open a Bank Account in UAE
How to Open a Bank Account in UAE
With all this information, you’re ready to go ahead and open a bank account in UAE. Doing so is very quick and efficient, and typically takes anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
To open either a current account or a savings account, UAE residents will need to provide the following documentation:
Your original passport as well as a copy
A copy of your UAE resident visa
A salary certificate
Your Emirates ID card or a copy of your registration form if you haven’t yet received it
If you’re a non-resident, you’ll only be able to open a savings account. Even though you won’t get a checkbook, you’ll still receive a debit card that you can use to withdraw money.
To open a savings account as a non-resident, many banks run background checks. Then, they request the following documents:
A recent utility bill
A reference letter from your home bank
The six most recent monthly bank statements from your home bank
Information proving consistent funding sources
These documents are needed to make sure that you really do have the means to maintain a bank account in the UAE. A Non-resident savings account can take a little longer to open thanks to the extra documentation.
Opening an Account on a Mobile Device
Another important thing to note about opening a bank in the UAE is mobile banking. In a society that’s focused on the latest technology, it’s no surprise that there are two banks that make it possible for you to open an account in their mobile phone banking app.
Whilst most banks will have a mobile banking function to help you transfer money and check your balance, they may not allow you to apply for new accounts through their mobile banking app.
Some of the banks that allow mobile account creation are Liv, which is backed by Emirates NBD; Neo, which is powered by Mashreq; and YAP, the UAE’s first independent digital banking platform.
To open a bank account with one of these banks, you’ll need to start by downloading the application. Then, scan your Emirates ID into the system.
From there, you’ll be guided through an account opening screen similar to those found online. Once the account is open, you’ll need to add some funds to get the account started.
As soon as your account has funds in it, you’re ready to go! In a day or two, a local delivery crew will contact you to let you know when they’ll deliver your new debit card.
The debit cards from these banks work internationally and at several different ATMs. Plus, your bank comes with a Swift code and IBAN account number so that you can easily make transfers using your new account.
Manage Your Money With Ease in UAE
Knowing how to open a bank account in UAE is important for living and working in this beautiful country. With this handy guide, it’s easy to open a bank account and control your finances.
Are you ready to move to the UAE to set up a business? Ibara can help! Get in touch with our team and we’ll help you navigate the process of moving to the UAE and opening a business there.