Opening a bank account in Dubai
Personal or corporate, which banks say yes to whom, and what actually causes a rejection.
Bank onboarding delays more company setups and relocations than anything else, and it is not random. Every bank has an appetite: certain free zones, certain activities, certain nationalities, certain minimum balances. Knowing that before you apply saves weeks, because a rejection follows you to the next bank.
How we help
- 01Which banks currently accept your free zone and your activity
- 02The minimum balance each one expects, and the fee if you fall below
- 03Which documents to have ready so the file is not sent back
- 04Why applications get rejected, and what to do differently on the second
- 05How long each bank currently takes, from file to IBAN
What people are asking right now
Ranges from the market, not live listings. We move them when the market moves.
| Zone | Includes | From | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | 1 visa | AED 12,500 + | fast, popular with consultants |
| IFZA Dubai | 1 visa | AED 12,900 + | cheapest mainstream route |
| SHAMS (Sharjah) | 1 visa | AED 9,000 + | cheapest overall, Sharjah address |
| DMCC | 1 visa | AED 34,000 + | prestige, commodities, strong banking |
| DIFC | 1 visa | AED 30,000 + | common law, finance and legal |
| Mainland (DET) | per visa | AED 15,000 + | sell to the local market directly |
Swipe sideways for the rest
Tell us what you need
The more concrete you are, the more useful our answer.
Questions people ask first
Which bank is easiest?
It depends on your zone and activity more than on the bank. Some are quick for DMCC and slow for SHAMS. We check the current picture instead of repeating last year's advice.
What minimum balance should I expect?
AED 3,000 to 25,000 for personal accounts depending on the tier, AED 25,000 to 500,000 for corporate. Falling below usually costs a monthly fee rather than the account.
Can I do it from abroad?
Rarely for a full account. Most banks want the signatory in the branch once, and video onboarding is still the exception.
Other things we help with
Setting up a company in Dubai
Free zone or mainland, what each one really costs, and which banks open the account afterwards.
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Who it fits, what it costs in year one and at renewal, and where it falls short.
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What VARA actually regulates, what needs no licence at all, and what a licence costs.
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Tickets, tables and the weeks when the whole city drops its prices.
What we trackThe good ones, as they appear.
Free, no sign-up, leave whenever.
@dxbradar