Dubai’s banks offer a wide range of conventional and Islamic credit cards, but approvals hinge on a few non-negotiables: your residency documents, income, debt burden, and credit history with the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB). This guide explains the exact steps, eligibility rules, documents, and the costly mistakes to avoid in 2025.
At a Glance: Eligibility Checklist
- Age: 21+ is typical for UAE cards (issuer specific).
- Residency & ID: Valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID are usually required.
- Income: Minimum salary depends on the card/bank (many products start around AED 5,000–8,000).
- Debt Burden: UAE’s 50% Debt Burden Ratio (DBR) cap applies to your total monthly obligations.
- Credit History: AECB credit report/score influences approval and limit.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Check your DBR (Debt Burden Ratio). Add up monthly repayments across loans and cards. Banks assess whether your total obligations stay within UAE’s 50% DBR limit.
- Get your AECB report (includes your credit score). Pulling your own report won’t hurt your score and helps you spot issues before applying.
- Shortlist cards. Compare minimum salary, annual fee, APR/finance or profit rate, foreign transaction fees, lounge access, and 0% installment plans. Use reputable comparison portals and the bank’s Key Facts Statement (KFS).
- Prepare documents. See the checklist below. Self-employed applicants should add trade licence and company bank statements.
- Apply online or in-branch. Salary transfer is not always mandatory, but may improve approval/limits on some cards.
- On approval, activate and set autopay. To avoid charges, set full payment or at least the minimum due by the due date.
Documents You’ll Need
- Passport copy, UAE residence visa page, Emirates ID
- Salary certificate and/or employment letter (salaried)
- Recent bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
- Trade licence and company bank statements (self-employed)
- Optional: AECB credit report to pre-check your profile
Eligibility by Profile
Salaried Residents
Most banks require you to be 21+ with minimum monthly income set by the specific card. Proof of income and stable employment help.
Self-Employed Residents
Expect additional requirements such as a minimum average bank balance, trade licence, and longer bank statement history. For some cards, banks may request a fixed deposit as security.
New to the UAE or Thin Credit File
If you lack local history, consider a secured credit card (limit backed by a fixed deposit) for 6–12 months to build your AECB score before upgrading.
Rates & Fees You Should Actually Check
- APR / Finance or Profit Rate: Many conventional cards price monthly finance charges around the low-3% p.m. range; Islamic cards quote a monthly profit rate. Always verify the current KFS for your specific card.
- Interest-free period: Usually up to ~55 days when you pay in full by the due date.
- Foreign transaction fee: From 22 September 2025, many UAE issuers apply a ~3.14% fee on overseas card purchases/withdrawals. Budget for this when you travel.
- Cash advance costs: Expect a per-transaction fee plus a higher daily finance/profit rate from the transaction date, with a lower cash limit than your total credit line.
- Over-limit fee & late fees: Charged if you exceed your credit limit or miss the due date; amounts and triggers are detailed in the bank’s KFS/charges schedule.
Pro tip: Always download the bank’s latest Key Facts Statement (KFS) or “Schedule of Charges” for definitive, product-specific numbers.
Islamic vs Conventional Cards
Islamic (Sharia-compliant) cards avoid interest (riba) and instead use structures such as Ujrah (fee-based) and disclose a monthly profit rate. Functionally, you’ll still see charges for late payments, cash withdrawals, or installments—so read the KFS carefully and compare total costs against conventional cards.
10 Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
- Applying before you have Emirates ID/residency. Most issuers won’t approve without it.
- Ignoring your DBR. If your monthly debt payments would exceed the 50% DBR cap, approval is unlikely.
- Not checking your AECB report. Errors or old defaults can derail an otherwise strong application.
- Multiple applications in a short time. Too many hard checks can depress your score and trigger rejections.
- Underestimating foreign fees. The new ~3.14% overseas fee adds up—consider cards with fee waivers or use local-currency payments.
- Relying on cash advances. They attract immediate finance/profit charges and separate fees.
- Missing the minimum due. Triggers late fees and interest/profit on the average daily balance.
- Going over limit. Over-limit fees can apply even once per cycle if you breach your limit briefly.
- Misreading “0%” plans. Zero-interest installments may still have processing fees or penalties for early settlement.
- Overlooking KFS fine print. All definitive limits, fees, and rates live in the bank’s KFS—always download the current version.
FAQ
What is the minimum salary to get a credit card in Dubai?
It depends on the bank and product. Many entry-level cards start around AED 5,000 monthly salary, with premium cards requiring more. Always check the bank’s eligibility page for the specific card.
Can I get a card without a UAE credit history?
Possibly—with a secured card backed by a fixed deposit. Use it to build AECB history for several months, then upgrade.
Do I need to transfer my salary to the issuing bank?
Not always. Salary transfer can help with approvals or limits at some banks but is not a universal requirement.
How important is the AECB score?
Very. Lenders use it to gauge your risk, set limits, and price your borrowing. You can purchase your AECB report (which includes your score) directly.
What about foreign transaction fees?
As of late 2025, many UAE issuers apply around 3.14% on foreign transactions. If you travel frequently, look for cards that waive or offset this cost.
Authoritative Resources
- Central Bank of the UAE — Debt Burden Ratio (DBR) guidance
- Al Etihad Credit Bureau — Get your credit report/score
- Emirates NBD — Credit card eligibility & documents
- Emirates NBD — Credit Card Fees & Charges (KFS/Schedule)
- Emirates Islamic — Important information & profit rate (Islamic cards)
- UAE Government Portal — About AECB & credit credibility
- Market comparison — Credit card comparison (UAE)
- News — Foreign transaction fees moving to ~3.14%
Disclaimer: Banks update fees and eligibility criteria periodically. Always confirm the latest Key Facts Statement and eligibility page of your chosen card before applying.
