Closing UAE bank account from abroad: everything you need to know

The UAE is a popular place to live and work - but when it’s time to move back to the US you’ll need to arrange to close down your bank account and any other financial services you’ve used while living there.

Closing a bank account in the UAE might mean paying a fee, and you might find you need a clearance form from your bank proving you have no outstanding debts as part of the immigration process when you leave.

Different banks have their own account closure processes - this guide walks through what may happen when it’s time to close your UAE account from abroad.

Can you close a UAE bank account from abroad?

Whether or not you can close your USE bank account from abroad depends on a few factors, including the specific bank and account, and your visa arrangements whilst in the UAE.

While closing your UAE account is sensible anyway, to avoid fraud risks or fees, for some people it’ll be mandatory to prove you have no outstanding debts - which means closing all accounts, and cutting up your credit cards, for example.

You might be able to close your account from abroad, either by mail or online, depending on your bank or provider. However, you’ll need to make sure your account has a zero balance before you start the process.

This means withdrawing any remaining funds if there are any, and adding funds to clear down any outstanding overdrafts or debts. Only once your account is in good standing will the bank allow you to close it. Fees might apply for the account closure - so understand this before you withdraw all your funds.

Can you close a UAE bank account online?

Many UAE banks do not allow online account closure - but some, such as ADCB®1, allow some customers to delete their accounts through the online banking system.

Check with your own bank if they have online or mobile account closing options, as this is a simple option where it’s available.

To close your account online you’ll usually still need access to the bank’s online or mobile banking system though - so you might need your UAE phone number to receive a password and log into the account to close it. If you no longer have the phone associated with your account you might need to pick an alternative option.

Closing your UAE bank account from abroad: step by step

The options available to close your UAE account from abroad will depend on who you bank with. Different banks have their own closure options, and while all offer rin person closure at a branch, this isn’t practical if you’ve already left. In this case, you’ll likely be able to pick one of the following options:

Close your UAE account online

Some UAE banks do allow some account holders to close their accounts by logging into online or mobile banking. Bear in mind that you’ll need to make sure your account is in good standing, and also you’ll still need to be able to securely access your online banking system.

If your bank sends an OTP or code to your phone as part of the 2 factor verification process, you must still be able to receive messages to that registered phone. If you no longer have the phone which is associated with your online banking network you’ll need to call the bank to check what other options are available.

Close your UAE account by mail

The second choice for many UAE banks is to complete an account closure request form and mail it to your bank. For some account types - such as business accounts - this is more commonly offered than online options.

You’ll be asked to give information about the account and why it's being closed, pay a fee and then mail in any account collateral like your passbook or cut up cards. The bank will then write to you to confirm the account has been deleted.

Close your UAE account through a representative

A final option available through some banks is to have a proxy visit the bank on your behalf. You’ll need to give some formal authority to any representative you use - such as a power of attorney.

This process is likely to involve paying a fee to a third party, but can still be an efficient option if you can’t visit the UAE yourself and your bank only allows in person account closures. Check your own bank's policies on using a representative to make sure you know what your opinions are heere.

What’s the best way to send money internationally?

Banks are certainly one option for sending money internationally, as are services like PayPal. But the problem with banks is they can often be slow, expensive and inconvenient. Luckily, there’s a better alternative out there.

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How much does it cost to close a UAE bank account?

Yor bank may charge you for closing your account, although this fee may be waived if you close within a fixed time period. To give you an idea, ADCB charges 105 AED for account closure2.

There may also be costs involved with transferring out any remaining funds, so it’s worth reading through the fee schedule for your specific account so you don’t run into unexpected charges.

How long does closing a UAE bank account take

The length of time it takes to close your UAE bank account depends on the specific bank and account, and the closure methods available to you. Call your bank if you’re unsure, to learn more about the time scales for different account closure options.

Tips and challenges for closing your UAE bank account

How you can close your UAE bank account will depend on who you bank with, as some banks require in person account closures. Other banks do allow you to close your account by mail or online, making this far easier if you're already back in the US.

Here are a few things to look out for when you’re closing your UAE account from abroad:

Use this guide to understand your options to close your UAE bank account from abroad, and do call your bank as soon as possible to learn about the options in your specific situation.

Sources:

1. ADCB - Close account online
2. ADCB fee schedule