How to open a bank account in Dubai as a non-resident

Just landed in Dubai? If you’re a UK expat planning on an extended stay, you’re probably making plans to open a local bank account. The good news is, with Dubai being the most populous city in the UAE and a major business hub, you’ll have lots of financial institutions to choose from.

But how do you go about opening a bank account in Dubai? Read on for everything you need to know, including what documents you’ll need, an overview of local banks and whether there are any fees. And of course, what your options are as a foreigner living and banking in Dubai.

We’ll also show you a non-bank alternative for managing your money in Dubai. Open a Wise account and you can send, spend, convert and receive 40+ currencies, at the mid-market exchange rate, all for low fees*.

How to open a Dubai bank account as a non-resident?

You should find it pretty easy to open a Dubai bank account as a UK national, as long as you have the right documents. It should be quite quick too, taking just a few working days.

If you’re not yet living in the emirate, you may be restricted to savings accounts only. These accounts also have minimum and maximum balance stipulations.¹

To open a current account, you’ll usually need to provide your Emirates ID or registration form, along with your residence or work visa and a UAE phone number (not all banks will need this). You’ll only have these once you move to Dubai.¹

Do you need a bank account in Dubai?

It isn’t absolutely mandatory to have a local bank account in order to move to Dubai.

You may be able to manage without one, and remember that you can always make use of multi-currency solutions such as the Wise account to send, spend and receive money.

But you might find that everyday things like paying taxes, rent and bills is more difficult without any kind of local or international current account. Even things like getting paid by your employer, signing up for a mobile phone contract and buying property can be more of a headache.

So, it could be worth doing it to make life easier for yourself.

Can you use your UK bank account in Dubai?

If you don’t want the hassle of dealing with banks in an unfamiliar country, you might be tempted to keep using your UK account while in Dubai.

But is this actually possible? It all depends who you bank with in the UK.

Major UK banks such as Barclays only let you keep your account when moving overseas if you meet certain conditions. For example, if you’re a UK Crown employee or you’re only planning to live abroad for a short term (less than 6 months) before returning to the UK.²

Other banks approach things a little differently. For example, international bank Santander says it will continue to service accounts when the holder moves abroad. You won’t be able to open a new one though, unless you’re a permanent UK resident.³

So if you’re a Santander customer, you should in theory be able to continue using your UK account in Dubai. The only drawback is that Santander doesn’t have retail banking operatives there, so you won’t be able to access branches and ATMs if you need them.

Can you open a bank account in Dubai as a British expat?

Yes, you can open a bank account in Dubai as a new arrival from the UK.

However, you’ll need to have your documents in order, including your Emirates ID and residence visa. And you might also need proof of a local address.

Can you open a Dubai bank account online as an expat from the UK?

In Dubai, it used to be the case that you had to visit a bank branch in person to open an account. But things have changed, and many Dubai banks now let you apply online for accounts - and the process seems quite quick and easy. You can even do it via a mobile banking app with some banks.

For example, major bank Emirates NBD lets you apply online and submit your supporting documents by uploading them. According to Emirates NBD, your account will be opened in as little as 1 working day, as long as your documents are in order. You’ll get your debit card in the post a few days later.⁴

However, not every applicant will be eligible to open an account online. You’ll need to check with the bank whether this service is available to non-residents and non-citizens. In some cases, you might still need to visit the bank in person to verify your ID and/or sign some paperwork.

Can you open an account as an international student?

Some Dubai banks also offer accounts for students and young people, often in the form of savings accounts or banking packages.

For example, there’s the Youth Package at Emirates NBD for people aged 18 to 25. It has no minimum balance, no account opening fees, a debit card and customised savings plans.⁵

What documents do you need to open a bank account in Dubai?

The requirements for opening an account vary between banks. But here’s an idea of what documents and details you’ll need to provide:

While it can vary from bank to bank, the documents you’ll likely need are:¹

• Proof of ID
• Proof of residence status
• Emirates ID
• Proof of salary.

Proof of ID

All banks will accept a valid passport as proof of ID, although you could also use a national identity card.

Proof of residence status

You’ll need to provide proof of your visa if you’re a new resident of the UAE, whether this is a residence, work or the UAE Golden visa.

Emirates ID

Some banks may ask to see your Emirates ID card, although you can provide this later if you don’t have it yet. Your registration form for your ID card may suffice instead.

Proof of salary

The best way to get this is to ask your employer (or their HR/payroll) department for a salary certificate or statement. You could also check with the bank whether a recent payslip may be acceptable.

Other requirements

Depending on the bank, you may also be asked for one or more of the following:

• A recent utility payment receipt or signed rental contract to confirm your address
• A letter of recommendation from another bank, like the one you use in your home country
• A UAE mobile number.

Best Dubai bank accounts for expats

There are several banks operating in Dubai, many with international branches. So it could be worth checking whether your home bank has a branch there. You may be able to switch your account over, or at least benefit from reduced ATM fees.

Unsurprisingly for a region with such a diverse international population, Dubai also has a broad selection of international banks. These could be worth investigating if you’re looking for familiarity and English-speaking customer service (although most Dubai banks will also offer this).

To help you find the best Dubai bank account for expats, let’s take a look at four of the country’s biggest banks:

• First Abu Dhabi Bank
• Emirates NBD
• Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
• Dubai Islamic Bank.

First Abu Dhabi Bank

The largest bank in the UAE, First Abu Dhabi Bank was formed in 2017 after the merger of two banking giants - National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and First Gulf Bank.

It offers a range of current and savings accounts, including the FAB One Account. You can open it via mobile app, and it has everything you need for everyday banking including a debit card and a few extra perks.

Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD formed in 2007 after a merger between Emirates Bank International (EBI) and the National Bank of Dubai (NBD), becoming one of the largest banking groups in the UAE. It’s headquartered in Dubai.

The bank has a wide selection of accounts and banking packages, as well as cards, loans and business bank accounts.

For everyday money management, there’s a Standard Current Account which comes with a debit card and can be opened in a foreign currency if needed.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)

Formed back in 1985, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) may be headquartered in Abu Dhabi but it offers a wide range of banking services in Dubai. It serves personal, private and business customers.

Current accounts on offer at the bank include the ADCB Current Account, designed for people working in the UAE. It offers all the essentials for everyday money management, including online and mobile banking.

And if you’re looking to start a business in Dubai, ADCB also has a range of business accounts and services available.

Dubai Islamic Bank

One of the largest Islamic banks in the UAE, Dubai Islamic Bank has been operating since 1975. It offers a range of services, accounts and products which adhere to Shari’ah (Sharia) law principles.

For everyday banking, there’s a choice of accounts - including the Al Islami Current Account and Johara Current Account, both of which come with a debit card.

Other banks and alternatives worth looking into

Along with traditional banks, Dubai also has a number of digital banks to choose from. This includes:

• Liv - a licensed digital bank from Emirates NBD aimed at young people, which offers accounts, cards, loans and more all managed via mobile app.
• YAP - a neobank without any physical branches which offers digital accounts and cards. It isn’t licensed, but works with partners such as RAK Bank to offer some services.
• Mashraq Neo - a UAE neobank owned by Mashraq, one of the oldest banks in the Middle East. It offers app-managed digital accounts and debit cards.

You can also check out non-bank alternatives, which don’t have a banking licence but offer services such as accounts, payments and cards.

This includes the money services provider Wise, which has a multi-currency account, international debit card, transfer services and handy mobile app available to use in Dubai.

Sign up for a Wise account 🌍

What are the banking fees and costs in Dubai?

There are some fees and charges you need to know about before you open your new bank account in Dubai.

This includes fees for money transfers, debit cards and monthly maintenance fees.

These vary between banks, but take a look below for a rough idea of what costs to expect.

Transaction/fee type	Typical fee
Opening an account	Usually free6
Monthly fee (for failure to maintain minimum monthly balance requirement)	0 to 26.25 AED6
ATM cash withdrawal	Usually free at your bank’s ATMs
Getting a debit card	Usually free
Domestic payments (i.e. within Dubai)	1.057 to 5.256 AED
International payments (i.e. to the UK from Dubai)	Up to 52.507 AED + additional SWIFT charges

Is there a free Dubai bank account for non-residents?

There are many accounts in Dubai that have no monthly fees, and that are free to open. However, you’ll need to keep a minimum balance (set by the bank) in your account or there will be a fee to pay.

Wise – An international alternative to a bank account

Need to manage your money in multiple currencies or send transfers back home to the UK? There are alternatives to using a bank, such as Wise.

Open a Wise account and to send money in 40+ currencies (including AED and GBP) you’ll only pay a small, transparent fee*.

Better still, you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate for your foreign currency transactions. So if you still have bills to pay back home, you’ll benefit from a fair conversion rate.

Importantly, you can open a Wise account in advance of your move to Dubai. This means you’re not left without a payment method while you’re waiting for your new bank account to be opened.

Open your Wise account 🌍

Here are some of the benefits for using Wise to send money:

• Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork
• Fully trackable transfers
• Fast transfer times
• Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications
• Dedicated support for large sum transfers
• Low, upfront, transparent fees*

You can also get a Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7 and use it to spend like a local in the UAE and 150+ countries worldwide. There are no hidden fees, and you can even connect your Wise card to digital wallets like Google Pay or Apple Pay.

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Sources used:

1. Expatica - how to open a bank account in the UAE
2. Barclays - living or moving outside the UK
3. Santander - Brexit and Santander
4. Emirates NBD - opening an account with Emirates NBD
5. Emirates NBD - youth package
6. Emirates NBD - fees and charges for personal banking
7. First Abu Dhabi Bank - fees and charges

Sources last checked on date: 15-July-2024