Opening a bank account in the UAE
A personal account for a resident or a corporate account for a company — we match the bank to your profile, prepare the documents and support the application through to approval.
- We work with local and international banks
- We prepare you for compliance and the interview
- Support through to approval
- Re-application if refused
Which account do you need?
Pick your situation — and jump straight to the right section.
Personal account
For UAE residents with a visa or in the process of getting one — for salary, transfers, savings and everyday spending.
- Matching a bank to your needs (local / international, balance requirements)
- Preparing the document set
- Booking and accompanying you at the bank meeting
- Help activating the account, card and online banking
Corporate account
For Mainland and Free Zone companies, including new companies with no operating history.
- Profile analysis and shortlisting banks with realistic approval odds
- A business plan and activity description tailored to compliance
- Collecting and preparing the full document package
- Preparation for the bank interview
- Support through to approval and a re-application if refused
Personal account
A UAE resident needs a local account for everyday life: rent and DEWA payments, salary, transfers, savings and card payments.
What we need from you
- Passport
- Residence visa
- Emirates ID
- Proof of residential address
- Sometimes — proof of income or source of funds
The exact list depends on the bank.
How it works
Consultation and choosing the bank
Preparing the documents
The bank meeting
Activating the account and card
It usually takes from a few days — the exact time depends on the bank.
Corporate account
Opening a corporate account in the UAE is the most unpredictable stage. The bank assesses the activity, clients, turnover and economic substance, and preparing the application well matters more than the choice of bank.
Why banks refuse
An unclear activity description
The bank can't tell exactly how you earn and who your clients are.
No economic substance
No office, no website, no contracts — the company looks 'empty'.
High-risk client geography
Countries and industries on 'grey' lists complicate compliance.
An incomplete document package
Gaps and inconsistencies in the documents are a common cause of refusal.
What we need from you
- Licence and incorporation documents
- Establishment Card
- Owners' passports and visas
- A description of the activity and clients
- Proof of address / office
- If available — contracts and statements
The list is adjusted for each bank.
How it works
Profile analysis and bank shortlisting
Preparing documents and the business description
Submitting the application
The bank interview
Approval and activation
Timelines depend on the bank and the company profile — we give a realistic estimate after the analysis.
How we improve your approval odds
Marina Lebedeva — Banking Support Specialist
Analyses the banking profile, prepares KYC documents and shortlists suitable banks, handling communication through to the bank's decision.
We know specific banks' requirements
We work with the requirements of specific banks, not 'banks in general' — a short list tailored to each profile.
We prepare before filing, not after a refusal
We assemble the compliance-ready application in advance rather than fixing it after a refusal. A bank's first impression is hard to reverse.
We prepare you for the interview
We know what the bank will ask and how to answer, so the activity comes across as clear and transparent.
Why work with us
A specialist for every stage
A consultant selects the jurisdiction, a PRO specialist handles the paperwork, a banking specialist opens the account. Not one person doing 'a bit of everything'.
We're based in Dubai
We work on the ground in the UAE. We know how the procedures actually run in practice, not from a government-website description.
Timelines without surprises
We quote realistic timelines, not convenient ones. If a stage slips, you hear about it immediately — not after a month of silence.
Support after registration
The work doesn't end with the licence. Document renewals, new visas, PRO tasks, banking questions — we stay in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Most banks open accounts for residents with a visa and Emirates ID. Without a visa the options are limited — some banks have non-resident or savings programmes. We'll review your situation on a consultation and tell you what's realistic.
We'll match a bank to your case
Tell us about your case — we'll say which banks to approach, your odds and what to prepare.
We reply within one business day. No spam and no 'just checking in' calls.