Planning a UAE company? Book a short online meeting and we'll recommend the right route.
Book a consultationA business bank account is essential for any UAE company — to receive payments, pay suppliers and staff, and keep company and personal money separate. It's also, for many founders, the slowest part of setting up. Here's how the process works and how to make it smoother.
Who can open a business account
- Mainland companies — licensed by the emirate's economic department (in Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism).
- Free zone companies — such as IFZA, DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC or ADGM entities. Banks may ask for more detail on where and how you trade.
- Offshore companies — accepted by some banks, usually with stricter due diligence.
Documents banks usually ask for
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum and articles of association and share certificate
- Passports, visas and Emirates IDs of shareholders, managers and signatories
- Proof of residential address
- Business plan or company profile, with expected turnover and transaction flows
- CVs of the owners
- Evidence of business activity: contracts, invoices, letters of intent or a lease
- Source-of-funds and source-of-wealth information
Step by step
- Choose suitable banks. Large local banks, international banks and digital business banks each have different appetites, minimum balances and fees. Pick banks that serve businesses like yours.
- Prepare a consistent file. Your licence activities, business plan and supporting documents should all tell the same story.
- Apply and attend verification. Most banks require the signatory to attend a meeting or video verification.
- Compliance review. The bank runs KYC and anti-money-laundering checks and may ask follow-up questions.
- Activation. Once approved, you receive account details, online banking and cards.
Timelines vary from about two weeks to a couple of months, depending on the bank, your activity, nationalities involved and how complete your file is.
Tips for a smooth application
- Make sure your licence activities match what you actually do.
- Show real activity — contracts, invoices or signed clients help a lot.
- Be ready to explain where the initial capital comes from.
- Answer compliance questions quickly and consistently.
- Don't apply to many banks at once with an incomplete file.
We help clients choose the right banks and prepare a complete file — see bank account opening assistance.
This article is general information, reviewed in October 2026. UAE rules, thresholds and fees change, so please speak to us or the relevant authority before acting on it.