Complete guide to UAE's banking ecosystem. From account opening to mortgages, investments, and financial planning - everything you need for your financial success in the Emirates.
Access official banking authorities and regulated financial institutions for secure banking and investment services
Step-by-step guide to opening your UAE bank account
Valid Emirates ID
Original and copy
Passport
With valid UAE visa
Salary Certificate or Employment Letter
Recent, on company letterhead
Proof of Address
Utility bill or tenancy contract
Recent Salary Slip
Last 3 months (some banks)
Initial Deposit
AED 3,000 - 5,000 (varies by bank)
Minimum Salary Requirements
Most banks require a minimum monthly salary of AED 5,000 - 10,000 for standard accounts
Valid Passport
With UAE entry stamp
Reference Letter
From home country bank
Proof of Address (Home Country)
Recent utility bill or bank statement
Initial Deposit
AED 20,000+ (higher for non-residents)
Limited Options
Not all banks offer accounts to non-residents. ENBD, Mashreq, and RAKBANK have non-resident programs with higher minimum balances
Research and compare banks based on your needs
Prepare all required documents
Schedule branch visit or apply online
Complete forms and verification
Get debit card & activate account
Processing Time: 1-7 days (instant for some digital banks)
Open your UAE bank account in minutes with Wio Bank's 100% digital platform. No minimum balance, instant account opening, and modern banking features designed for today's lifestyle.
Instant Opening
Account ready in minutes
Zero Balance
No minimum required
100% Digital
All from your phone
Largest bank in UAE
Extensive branch network
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
Comprehensive services
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Largest in MENA region
Oldest private bank
Innovative digital banking
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
Sharia-compliant banking
Dubai Islamic Bank
Sharia-compliant services
RAK Bank
Customer-focused banking
International banking
Global connectivity
Liv by Emirates NBD
cbd now (CBD)
YAP
Wio Bank
Instant account opening, no minimum balance
Citibank UAE
Standard Chartered
Barclays
Premium services, higher minimums
Credit cards, mortgages, loans, and financial products
Minimum Salary:
AED 5,000/month
Annual fee: AED 0-500
Minimum Salary:
AED 10,000-15,000/month
Annual fee: AED 500-1,500
Minimum Salary:
AED 25,000+/month
Annual fee: AED 1,500-3,000+
Important Information
Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio
Eligibility
Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio
Benefits
Interest Rate
3-5% per year
Variable or fixed
Processing Fee
1% of loan
Up to AED 10,000
Property Insurance
0.3-0.5%
Of property value/year
Loan Term
Up to 25 years
For expats
Loan Amount
Up to AED 500,000 (or 20x monthly salary)
Interest Rate
4-8% per year (reducing balance)
Repayment Period
1 to 5 years (60 months)
Processing Fee
1-3% of loan amount
Minimum Salary
AED 5,000 - 10,000/month (varies by bank)
Employment
At least 6 months with current employer
Age
21-60 years
Credit Score
Good credit history with no defaults
Debt Burden Ratio
Total monthly debt payments should not exceed 50% of salary
Note:
Central Bank regulations limit total monthly loan repayments to 50% of your gross salary to prevent over-indebtedness
Transfer Fees
AED 25-100
Per transaction + exchange rate markup
Processing Time
1-3 days
Depends on destination country
Transfer Fees
AED 10-30
Lower fees, better rates
Processing Time
Minutes-1 day
Often instant to major corridors
Popular Services:
Al Ansari Exchange
UAE Exchange
Western Union
Lulu Exchange
Our team can guide you through account opening, financial services, and all banking needs
Get instant answers to your questions about banking and financial services
Chat NowAlways pay credit card bills and loans on time. Late payments negatively impact your AECB credit score and future borrowing ability.
Keep required minimum balance to avoid monthly fees. Consider zero-balance digital banks if you want fee-free banking.
Download your bank's app for easy transfers, bill payments, and account management. Most UAE banks have excellent mobile apps.
Read the fine print on account fees, ATM charges, international transfer costs, and early loan settlement penalties.
Enable SMS and email alerts for transactions to detect fraud quickly and stay on top of your spending.
For international transfers, compare rates between banks and exchange houses. Exchange houses often offer better rates.