In 2025, the process of opening a corporate bank account in the UAE requires particular attention to document preparation and adherence to compliance standards. FLEXZO experts have prepared a step-by-step guide to help you complete this process efficiently and without delays.
STEP 1. DOCUMENT PREPARATION
At the initial stage, it is recommended to prepare all documents required for opening a bank account to ensure a more efficient bank selection process.
1. Personal documents of shareholders and account signatories
If there are multiple shareholders, the authorized signatory must be a UAE resident and provide proof of address in the UAE.
2. Corporate documents of the UAE company and business plan
These documents must be up to date and clearly indicate the ownership structure and shareholding percentages.
It is also advisable to prepare a business plan, including:
3. Proof of shareholders’ source of income
For the most common case — verification through active business activity — you will need:
For both the account signatory and shareholders, personal bank statements for the past six months are required by default.
- CV (resume)
- Passport
- Visa
- Emirates ID
- Proof of residential address in the UAE (utility bill, Ejari, or NOC if you share accommodation — in this case, the main tenant must also provide their Ejari and utility bill)
If there are multiple shareholders, the authorized signatory must be a UAE resident and provide proof of address in the UAE.
2. Corporate documents of the UAE company and business plan
- Certificate of incorporation
- Trade license
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Lease agreement
- Any additional documents as required
These documents must be up to date and clearly indicate the ownership structure and shareholding percentages.
It is also advisable to prepare a business plan, including:
- Key counterparties, their countries, currencies, and the types of goods or services involved
- The currencies required for account operations and the company’s estimated annual turnover across its bank accounts
3. Proof of shareholders’ source of income
- Prepare documents confirming the source of funds in English (machine translation is acceptable if the original text is clearly legible).
- Sources of funds and income may vary.
For the most common case — verification through active business activity — you will need:
- A translated trade license or company registry extract (showing the company is active, its business activities, and legal details)
- The company’s corporate bank statement for the past six months
For both the account signatory and shareholders, personal bank statements for the past six months are required by default.
STEP 2. CHOOSING A BANK
Review the conditions offered by different banks and select the one that best fits your business model and operational specifics.
Popular options include: Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB).
The main requirement for any UAE bank is to maintain a minimum balance on the account.
The required amount typically ranges from AED 50,000 (≈ USD 13,600) for standard accounts, while more complex or high-risk businesses may be required to invest in banking products — starting from AED 500,000 and above.
If the account balance falls below the minimum threshold, the bank may charge a monthly maintenance fee ranging from AED 150 to AED 500.
At FLEXZO, we provide tailored recommendations to help you choose the right bank — ensuring that your business maintains the necessary functionality without incurring excessive costs.
Popular options include: Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB).
The main requirement for any UAE bank is to maintain a minimum balance on the account.
The required amount typically ranges from AED 50,000 (≈ USD 13,600) for standard accounts, while more complex or high-risk businesses may be required to invest in banking products — starting from AED 500,000 and above.
If the account balance falls below the minimum threshold, the bank may charge a monthly maintenance fee ranging from AED 150 to AED 500.
At FLEXZO, we provide tailored recommendations to help you choose the right bank — ensuring that your business maintains the necessary functionality without incurring excessive costs.
STEP 3. SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
We strongly recommend scheduling a personal meeting with a bank representative after completing the first two steps.
Recommended banking procedures include an in-person meeting with the beneficial owner and account signatory before the formal submission of the application to the bank.
Some banks, however, allow you to initiate the application remotely through KYC verification, with a personal visit required only after the account is opened — to verify identity, collect the bank card, and activate the account.
Some banks, however, allow you to initiate the application remotely through KYC verification, with a personal visit required only after the account is opened — to verify identity, collect the bank card, and activate the account.
STEP 4. COMPLIANCE REVIEW
After the banker submits your documents to the bank’s back office, it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to receive feedback or additional requests from the compliance department.
At this stage, you will have a clearer understanding of the likelihood of account approval and can decide whether to submit a parallel application to another bank.
⚠️ Important: Communication with the bank is conducted in English — your company’s representative should be fluent or accompanied by a qualified interpreter.
To increase the chances of approval, provide:
At this stage, you will have a clearer understanding of the likelihood of account approval and can decide whether to submit a parallel application to another bank.
⚠️ Important: Communication with the bank is conducted in English — your company’s representative should be fluent or accompanied by a qualified interpreter.
To increase the chances of approval, provide:
- The company structure;
- A detailed business description;
- Contracts with initial clients (if available).
STEP 5. ACCOUNT APPROVAL AND ACTIVATION
After successful verification, you will receive:
In case of rejection, request the reason, address the comments, and reapply with another bank — each UAE bank has a different risk tolerance level.
- Account details;
- Online banking access;
- Instructions for making the initial deposit (if required).
In case of rejection, request the reason, address the comments, and reapply with another bank — each UAE bank has a different risk tolerance level.
Instead of navigating dozens of banks, completing complex forms, and waiting indefinitely — entrust this process to FLEXZO.
👥 WE WILL:
- Analyze your profile and business risks;
- Select the most suitable bank;
- Review and prepare your documentation;
- Support you through every step until your account is successfully opened.
Contact us — and we’ll handle the bureaucracy for you.
