Documents Required for Opening a Bank Account in Dubai

1) Personal Accounts — UAE Residents

Bring these as standard

Passport (with valid UAE residence visa)
Emirates ID (if still “under process,” many banks accept a temporary receipt and ask for the card later)
Proof of income (e.g., salary certificate, recent pay slips, or last 3 months’ bank statements)
Proof of UAE address (e.g., tenancy contract/Ejari, utility bill, title deed, or an employer letter stating your housing address)

Good to know

Banks may request extra KYC items (e.g., tax self-certification under CRS/FATCA, or additional statements for higher activity levels).
If your Emirates ID is pending, some banks open the account and give you time to submit it; certain features can be limited until final verification.

2) Personal Accounts — New to the UAE / Non-Residents

Non-residents are usually offered savings/call accounts; debit cards or checkbooks can be limited. Expect tighter document checks:

Passport (original)
UAE entry stamp/visit visa copy (if applicable)
Proof of address (home country or UAE; e.g., utility bill or tenancy)
Bank reference/intro letter and last 3 months’ bank statements from your current bank

Tip: Not every bank serves non-residents, and minimum balances can be higher. If you are relocating, starting the process after your visa and Emirates ID are issued usually gives you more options.

3) Business (Company) Accounts — LLC / Sole Establishment / Free Zone

Most banks follow a similar corporate KYC pack. Bring originals plus clear copies.

Core company documents

Trade licence and commercial registration
Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA/AA) and any amendments
Board resolution (if MOA doesn’t already grant authority to open/operate/close bank accounts)
UBO (ultimate beneficial owner) identification and shareholding structure chart
Passports & Emirates IDs of all shareholders and authorised signatories (for non-resident owners: passport + visa status)
Company address proof (Ejari/tenancy, utility or sustainability contract, or bank-accepted alternatives)
Source-of-funds proof: last 3 months’ bank statements (company; if new, many banks accept UBO/shareholder statements)
Profiles/CVs of authorised signatories/shareholders (requested by some banks)

If there is a corporate shareholder (layered ownership)

Certificate of incorporation/registry extract
MOA/Articles, share certificates, and a recent incumbency
Notarised board resolution/POA authorising account opening
UBO passports
For entities outside the UAE, key documents may need MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) attestation

Free zones & special cases

DIFC and other free zones follow the same banking laws; keep a clear UBO register and provide UBO disclosures on request.
Freelancers with a recognised freelance permit can usually open business accounts (or use personal accounts where appropriate—confirm with your bank).

Practical notes

Some banks accept companies “under formation” and allow you to submit Emirates ID or address proof within a set period.
At least one authorised signatory often needs a valid UAE residence visa.
Expect CRS/FATCA and other compliance forms during onboarding.

4) Why Banks Ask for More (KYC/AML in Plain English)

UAE banks must perform Customer Due Diligence: identify customers and beneficial owners, verify addresses and income, understand the source of funds, and monitor accounts. Extra requests (additional statements, tax forms, or clarifications) are normal and policy-driven.

5) IBAN in the UAE

Every new account is issued a UAE IBAN (AE…). It is required for domestic and international electronic transfers, and appears on statements and inside banking apps.

6) Joint, Student & Other Edge Cases

Joint personal accounts: both applicants complete KYC; many banks require an in-branch visit to set signing instructions.
Students/minors: banks may ask for guardian IDs/consents; check the specific bank’s page.
Digital onboarding: several banks allow in-app opening for residents; documents still must be verified and some features may be limited until final checks clear.

7) Quick Prep Checklist

Passport (+ UAE visa page if resident)
Emirates ID (or processing receipt)
Salary certificate / pay slips / last 3 months’ statements
Proof of UAE address (Ejari/tenancy, utility bill, title deed, or employer letter)
For non-residents: home-country address proof + last 3 months’ statements; bank reference/intro letter
For companies: trade licence, MOA/AA (+ amendments), board resolution/POA, UBO IDs & structure, corporate shareholder docs (MOFA where needed), company address proof, 3 months’ statements (company or UBOs)
Tax/self-certification forms (CRS/FATCA) if requested

Note: Requirements can differ by bank and are updated from time to time. Always double-check the latest list on your chosen bank’s website before you apply.