Banking
Choosing the best bank for a business account in the UAE
The best bank is the one that will take your company, and that differs from one company to the next. Every UAE bank follows the same anti-money-laundering rules, but each has its own appetite for new companies, free zone licences and owners who live abroad. We know which one fits before you apply.
Bank account opening
Fixed price, one-off
1Your company
Bank account opening5,000.001,362
VAT250.0068
What we do for it
- 01Eligibility and profile assessment
- 02Documentation preparation
- 03KYC and compliance structuring
- 04Bank selection advisory
- 05Follow-up and coordination with the bank
- Wio
- Mashreq
- FAB
- ADCB
- Emirates Islamic
- Emirates NBD
- UBL
- RAKBANK
How to choose
Four things decide which bank fits
- 01
What your licence lets you do
Banks read the activity on your licence against what the account will be used for. A consultancy on a general trading licence is the most common reason a file stalls.
- 02
Where the owners live
A shareholder with a UAE residence visa makes every application easier. Owners who live abroad can still open an account, with stronger evidence of where the money comes from.
- 03
How established the company is
A company formed last month suits a bank that opens accounts for new companies every week. Audited accounts and real trade volumes open the door to banks built around larger businesses.
- 04
How the account will be used
Payroll and local suppliers, several currencies, or holding assets for a group. The account type, and the bank, follow from it.
The banks
UAE banks we open business accounts with
We work with named account-opening officers at each of these banks, and at others besides.
- Wio
- Mashreq
- FAB
- ADCB
- Emirates Islamic
- Emirates NBD
- UBL
- RAKBANK
RAKBANKRas Al Khaimah
RAKBANK has one of the longest-running small-business banking operations in the UAE, and it is the bank most often willing to look at a newly formed company.
Read the guideFABAbu Dhabi
FAB is the UAE's largest bank by assets, formed from the 2017 merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank.
Read the guide
Opening a UAE corporate account is the part that trips most people up
We know exactly what each bank's compliance team will ask, because we've done it a thousand times. Approval always rests with the bank, but a clean, well-briefed file is what makes it straightforward.
Questions about UAE business accounts
Straight answers on timelines, documents and what a bank actually decides.
Which bank is best for a new company in the UAE?
The one that opens accounts for new companies routinely and accepts your licence, your activity and your shareholders. That changes from company to company, so we tell you which bank fits yours on a free call, before you apply anywhere.
Can a non-resident open a business bank account in the UAE?
Yes, at several UAE banks, with enhanced due diligence: the bank looks harder at who the owners are and where the money comes from. We prepare that evidence before the application goes in. Approval rests with the bank.
How long does it take to open a corporate bank account?
Typically two to eight weeks, depending on the institution, your entity type, and how complex the compliance review is. Offshore entities and international shareholding structures usually sit at the longer end because they attract enhanced due diligence.
Who decides whether my account is approved?
The bank. Every UAE bank applies its own risk appetite and compliance criteria. What we control is the quality of your file: documentation, KYC profile and source-of-funds evidence prepared to the standard banks expect, which is what most rejections come down to.
Ready to open your UAE corporate account?
Bank account opening is a fixed price, ordered on its own or with your company setup. Or ask us first which bank suits you.
Bank Account OpeningI had a great experience with OMC. The entire process was smooth, professional, and well-organized. Kashif was extremely helpful with the company registration process and guided me through every step with patience and clarity. Zubair provided excellent support with tax accounting, making everything easy to understand and ensuring all requirements were handled correctly. Roxy was also very efficient in assisting with the bank account opening process, making it quick and hassle-free. I truly appreciate the team's professionalism, responsiveness, and dedication. I highly recommend Oxford Management Consultancy to anyone looking to start a business in the UAE.
Bank account opening · Fixed price, one-off
Bank account opening5,000.001,362
VAT250.0068