What banking costs
Go through Step 1 to 6 to start. Pick only what you need and watch your total build as you go.
STEP 3 OF 6
Set up banking
A banking service that gets your company an actual account: document prep, bank matching, meeting support, follow-up, all managed, so you’re not stuck explaining your business twice, guessing which bank will say yes.
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AED 0
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UAE banking solutions
UAE Banking Solutions
Opening a business in the UAE means navigating a banking landscape that can be complex for newcomers. We simplify it, helping you choose the right structure, get compliant, and start banking with confidence.
01.
Digital Corporate Bank
Fast-track your business banking with fully digital corporate accounts and quick onboarding.
02.
Physical Corporate Bank
Full-service corporate accounts with traditional UAE banks for higher limits and financing.
03.
Corporate Digital Wallets
Set up multi-currency digital wallets to hold, send, and receive funds globally.
04.
Personal Bank Account Support
Get complete guidance opening a personal UAE bank account for your team.
05.
Payment Gateway Setup & Coordination
We handle payment gateway setup and integration so you accept payments seamlessly.
What makes us stand out
From setup to growth, backed by 5-star service.
Trustworthy reputation
Individualised solutions
All-around services
Hassle-free, fast and efficient
Excellence and professionalism
Dedicated support
F
Faisal Sabir
6 reviews · 13 photos
Great experience with ChooseUAE. Working with the Choose UAE team was excellent from start to finish. They guided me through the entire process, kept everything transparent, and handled the paperwork efficiently. Communication was quick and professional, which made everything stress-free. My business bank account was opened without any complications. Highly recommend their services for anyone setting up in the UAE.
R
Roland Tuazon
2 reviews
I had a great experience with the ChooseUAE team throughout my visa application process. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail made the entire process smooth and stress-free. ChooseUAE to anyone looking for reliable and efficient visa assistance.
D
ABDUL SUHAIL
2 reviews
Efficient. Reliable. Trustworthy. The team at Choose UAE understands the local landscape better than most and delivers with precision. What impressed me most was their transparency—no hidden costs, no false promises, just consistent results. They’ve become a long-term partner for our business needs, and I’d confidently recommend them to anyone looking to establish or expand in the UAE.
How it really works
UAE bank onboarding, step by step
What actually happens between sending your documents and getting your IBAN, and where most applications get stuck.
Preparation
DAY 0Check your optionsEligibility reviewWe check your nationality, activity, shareholders and source of funds before you pay, to see which banks fit.
DAY 0Prepare documentsBusiness and funds infoWe prepare the business activity explanation, source of funds statement and shareholder profiles the bank needs.
Bank onboarding
DAY 1–3Bank introductionMeeting and identity checksOne meeting with a bank representative, in person or by video call, covering your business and expected transactions.
DAY 3–13Compliance reviewBank's own checksThe bank reviews your documents and transactions against its own rules. We follow up with the bank while you wait.
Account opened
DAY 5–14Account openedIBAN issuedOnline banking activates immediately. Total time is 5 to 14 days, and the same general flow applies to payment methods.
What we need
Documents required
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Trade License
Power of Attorney (POA)
Proof of address, any one
Title deed or UAE VAT filing
Valid Ejari or tenancy contract
Utility bill, issued within the last 3 months
Bank statement, issued within the last 3 months
Partner documents, if applicable
Valid Emirates ID
Valid passport copy
Valid visa, if applicable
Trade License or Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Shareholder structure, optional
Board Resolution, if more than one manager is appointed
Additional documents may be required depending on the bank.
Why people get declined
The five real reasons
The activity reads as high-risk
Crypto, general trading with vague counterparties, precious metals, consultancy with no named clients. The activity you chose on the license follows you into every compliance review.
No verifiable UAE presence
A mailbox address is not a presence. Compliance teams check whether the address is real and whether the tenancy matches the license.
The source-of-funds story is thin
Where the initial capital comes from and where revenue will come from must be documented, not asserted. This is where most self-filed applications fail.
Shareholder nationality or residence mix
Certain nationality combinations trigger enhanced due diligence. It is not fair, it is not something we control, and pretending otherwise wastes your month.
No trading history at all
A brand new entity with no contracts and no invoices is harder. Bringing even one signed contract or draft invoice to the meeting changes the conversation materially.
Frequently asked
Banking questions people actually ask
Effective 1 June 2026, the minimum age for both personal and business accounts is 18 (previously 21).
Most banks prefer one, but it’s not always mandatory. A business center Ejari is accepted by all banks, and free zone lease agreements are accepted by digital banks.
Existing credit cards and loans stay active, there’s no need to proactively notify the bank. New credit cards and loans can be harder to secure as a self-sponsored investor, since banks scrutinize trade licenses and often require proof of monthly payroll. Interest rates may also be higher. Day-to-day personal banking is unaffected.
You’ll need a separate corporate account. Business and personal finances must stay distinct and cannot be used interchangeably.
A company account is opened in the company’s name and used strictly for business transactions like expenses and invoice revenue. A personal account is for individual income only, business-related deposits into it can trigger bank scrutiny or even closure. Company performance doesn’t affect personal credit, and the two should never mix.
Their UAE branches still require a UAE residence visa. Banks with no UAE presence follow that country’s own regulatory requirements and may involve tax substance rules. Offshore options like Switzerland, Singapore, or Hong Kong exist but come with stricter requirements and higher minimum balances.
No, each account must be registered under the specific company name. Banks generally require full incorporation documents, a UAE residence visa for the shareholder, and proof of physical address.
A digital account usually takes three to ten days. A traditional bank takes two to six weeks, most of which is the bank’s own compliance review. A one-week turnaround at a traditional bank would be a best case, not the norm.
No. Approval is the bank’s decision, not ours or anyone else’s.
For most traditional banks, yes, a face-to-face or video KYC meeting is part of onboarding. Several digital providers complete it remotely.
Traditional banks commonly ask for AED 10,000 to 50,000 as an average monthly balance, with a fee if you fall below it. Digital accounts usually ask for nothing.
Yes, it’s a real, regulated account with an IBAN that receives salary payments, pays suppliers, and satisfies your license. What it typically won’t provide is cheques, cash deposits, or credit facilities.
Crypto and virtual assets, general trading with unnamed counterparties, precious metals, and money-services adjacent activities.
No. Our fee covers file preparation and the introduction only.
Generally no. Gateway providers settle into a corporate account and will ask for it during onboarding, along with a customs code if you sell physical goods.
It’s usually a compliance query rather than a closure, the bank wants documentation for a transaction. The fix is nearly always providing paperwork that should have been on file from the start.