Opening a bank account
You need a UAE bank account to be paid, to pay rent and to get a credit card. Here’s what to bring and what to watch for.
In 30 seconds
- Bring your Emirates ID (or passport while you wait), residence visa and a salary certificate from your employer
- Opening can take up to 4 working days
- Ask for a salary account and a chequebook: landlords want cheques
What you need
- Your Emirates ID, or your passport while you wait. Some digital banks let you upload the ID later
- Your residence visa or other proof of residence
- A salary certificate or letter from your employer
Salary account or standard account?
| Salary account | Standard account | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum balance | Usually waived while your pay goes in | Often around AED 3,000 |
| Fee if you drop below | Usually none | Emirates NBD, for example, charges AED 26.25 a month |
| Credit cards | Easier to get | Banks ask for a salary certificate |
Getting paid
Salaries are paid into a UAE account through the Wage Protection System (WPS), which the government uses to check that people are paid on time. Since 1 June 2026, last month’s pay is due on the 1st. Your first pay can be late while your account is set up.
Credit cards
Entry-level cards typically need a salary of about AED 5,000 a month or more. Your UK credit history doesn’t transfer, so you start from zero. Credit, cheques and debts.
Running your own business
Get your business licence first, then your visa, then your accounts. Business accounts take longer and need your licence documents.
If something goes wrong
Complain to the bank first and wait 30 days. If you’re still unhappy, go to Sanadak, the free UAE banking and insurance ombudsman.
What to do next
- Open the account in week 2, once your residence is issued
- Order a chequebook if you’ll rent
- Pay any card on time from the start
- CBUAE: opening an account
- Emirates NBD: key facts
- Morgan Lewis: new WPS rules, June 2026
- ADCB: credit card tiers
- u.ae: complaints and Sanadak