Bank Account Opening without the runaround.

We maintain active relationships with the major UAE commercial banks including Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank), Mashreq, and RAKBANK, as well as several regional Islamic banks. Each bank has different risk appetite, fee structures, and onboarding timelines. We match your company's jurisdiction, industry, and shareholder profile to the two or three banks most likely to approve your application quickly. All banks we work with are licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), so your deposits are held within a fully supervised financial institution.

Timelines vary by bank and business profile, but most of our clients receive a decision within two to four weeks of submitting a complete file. Simpler profiles — single shareholder, UAE free zone company, low-risk industry — can be approved in as little as ten business days. More complex structures (multiple nationalities, regulated activities, offshore shareholders) may take longer as the bank's compliance team conducts enhanced due diligence. We stay on top of the bank's KYC team throughout the process and chase any outstanding queries so you don't have to.

Core requirements across all UAE banks include: a valid trade licence, Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA), passport copies and Emirates IDs (or visa page) for all shareholders and directors, proof of residential address (utility bill or tenancy contract), and a business plan or description of activities. Some banks also request audited financials, existing bank statements, or evidence of transactions if your company is already trading. We provide you with a tailored document checklist as soon as we receive your company details, so nothing delays your submission.

Yes, for many banks and profile types. Several UAE banks now accept non-resident account opening for free zone companies, particularly where the beneficial owner holds a UAE residence visa. A minority of banks still require an in-person KYC meeting, especially for mainland companies or higher-risk industries. Where an in-person visit is unavoidable, we coordinate to make the trip as short as possible — typically a single day in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. We always flag the in-person requirement upfront so you can plan accordingly.

Yes. Alongside traditional UAE bank accounts, we advise on Wise Business, Revolut Business, and Mercury (for US-incorporated entities). These neo-banks are especially useful for companies that invoice internationally and need low-cost multi-currency wallets. They are not regulated by the CBUAE and cannot be used as the primary account for WPS (Wage Protection System) payroll, so most of our clients use a traditional UAE bank account as the primary account and a neo-bank as a complementary multi-currency tool. We help you set up and verify both.