Corporate bank account opening in the UAE
Your UAE business bank account, with a file the bank can say yes to.
Most account applications stall on questions the file should already answer: who owns the company, what it really does and where the money comes from. We build that file, shortlist the banks that fit your profile and stay with you until the account is live.
- KYC-ready fileOwnership, activity, funds
- Bank shortlistMatched to your profile
- One contactUntil the account is live
- No false promisesBanks decide, we prepare
Is this for you?
For founders who want the account open, not stuck in compliance
A good fit if you
- Have a new UAE mainland or free zone company and need its first account
- Have shareholders abroad, a holding company above you, or several owners
- Were declined before, or have been waiting on bank questions for weeks
- Trade across borders and need an account that fits that activity
Probably not for you if you
- Want an account guaranteed: approval is always the bank's decision
- Want to hide who owns or controls the company: no bank can accept that, and neither will we
Why accounts stall
What the bank's compliance team is actually checking
UAE banks follow Central Bank due-diligence rules. Gaps in any of these usually mean more questions, a long wait or a refusal.
- Ownership
Who really owns the company
Every person with 25% or more, traced through any holding companies abroad. A missing layer is the most common cause of delay.
- Activity
What the business actually does
The bank compares your licence, your profile and your expected transactions. A vague description invites questions.
- Funds
Where the money comes from
The opening deposit and expected turnover should match the story your documents tell.
- Fit
Applying to the wrong bank
Banks differ in the activities, nationalities and turnover they accept. Applying blind wastes weeks.
What is included
What we do for your account
- Profile reviewWe read your licence, ownership and activity the way a bank compliance officer would.
- Ownership chartEvery shareholder and beneficial owner, through every layer, on one page.
- Business profileWhat you sell, to whom, where, and your expected monthly activity.
- Source of fundsA clear explanation of the opening deposit and early revenue, with evidence.
- Bank shortlistBanks whose current requirements fit your activity, residency and turnover.
- Meetings and follow-upIntroductions, meeting preparation and answers to follow-up questions.
- Personal accountsFounder accounts once the residence visa and Emirates ID are issued.
- After openingKeeping licence, visa and UBO records current so the bank's periodic reviews go smoothly.
How it works
From licence to live account
You stay involved only where the bank needs you: signing, a meeting or a call with the relationship manager.
- Step 1
Profile check
We review your company, owners and activity, and flag anything a bank will ask about.
- Step 2
Bank file
Ownership chart, business profile, source of funds and supporting documents, prepared and consistent.
- Step 3
Bank shortlist
Banks matched to your profile, compared on requirements and minimum balance.
- Step 4
Application and meeting
We submit with you, prepare you for the meeting and answer follow-up questions.
- Step 5
Account live
IBAN, online banking and cards in place, with your records kept current for the bank's reviews.
The rules, with sources
What the UAE rules say about opening a company account
Each line links to the official source and shows when we last checked it.
| Topic | Position | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Who the bank must identify | The company itself (licence, memorandum and articles of association, senior managers), the person acting on its behalf, and every individual holding 25% or more of the ownership, traced through every layer. For higher-risk customers banks may go below 25%. | UAE Central Bank, guidance on legal personsChecked 26 October 2026 |
| What the bank must understand | The purpose of the account and the nature of the business, to build an expected activity profile. For higher-risk customers this can include invoices, licences, payroll records or a premises visit. | UAE Central Bank, guidance on legal personsChecked 26 October 2026 |
| When a bank must say no | If the bank cannot satisfy itself that it understands the company, including who owns and controls it, it must not open the account. | UAE Central Bank, guidance on legal personsChecked 26 October 2026 |
| Minimum balance and IBAN | Many banks require a minimum monthly balance, with a fee below it; amounts vary by bank. Every account has its own IBAN, mandatory for electronic payments. | u.ae, banking in the UAEChecked 26 October 2026 |
| If something goes wrong | Banking complaints that the bank does not resolve can be taken to Sanadak, the UAE's banking and insurance complaints unit. | u.ae, banking in the UAEChecked 26 October 2026 |
Fees
A fixed fee for the file and the follow-up
You pay us a fixed fee for preparing the file and seeing the application through. Any bank charges, such as account fees or a minimum balance, are the bank's and are shown separately.
What sets your cost
- Number of shareholders and ownership layers
- Whether owners are resident in the UAE
- Your activity and expected cross-border flows
- Whether you also need personal accounts
Bank charges are the bank's own and are always shown separately from our fee.
Get your number
Send us your licence and ownership on WhatsApp or book a free call, and you will have a fixed quote the same working day.
What we will not promise
Approval is the bank's decision under its own risk policy and the Central Bank's rules. We will not promise an account or a date. We will tell you honestly which banks fit your profile, prepare a complete file and keep you updated at every stage.
Client reviews
Clients on working with Aizaa
From the initial consultation through to the completion of the process, the team was very professional and supportive. They explained each step clearly, answered all my questions and kept me updated whenever there was progress. I particularly appreciated how responsive they were whenever I needed clarification. The entire experience was smooth and well organised, and I would be happy to recommend their services to anyone looking for professional assistance in the UAE.
Excellent service and very good communication throughout the process. Everything was explained clearly and handled professionally. I always received quick responses when I had questions, which made the whole experience much easier.
I had a very positive experience working with the team. From the beginning, they took the time to understand what I needed and guided me through the different steps in a clear and practical way. The communication was consistent, and I never felt that I was left without an update. Their attention to detail and willingness to assist made the process much more straightforward than I expected. Overall, I am very satisfied with the service.
Client feedback is published with the respective clients’ permission.
Bank account FAQs
Before you apply
Anything else? Ask on WhatsApp and the person who handles bank files will answer.
Can you guarantee my bank account will be approved?
No. Each bank makes its own decision under its own risk policy, and the UAE Central Bank expects banks to refuse a company whose ownership and business they cannot understand. What we control is the file: complete, consistent and clear about who owns the company, what it does and where its money comes from.
How long does it take to open a corporate bank account in the UAE?
It depends on the bank and on your profile. The UAE government portal notes that approval can take from a few hours to a few days for simple cases; company accounts that need compliance review usually take longer. We give you a realistic range for your case before you apply.
Do I need a UAE residence visa to open a company bank account?
Requirements are set by each bank. Many banks ask for the shareholders' and signatories' Emirates ID and residence visa, while some accept non-resident owners with extra checks. We shortlist banks whose current requirements fit your situation.
What documents does the bank ask for?
Typically the trade licence, memorandum and articles of association, share certificate or register, passports and (where available) Emirates IDs of shareholders and signatories, proof of address, a business profile and evidence of your activity such as contracts or invoices. Banks may ask for more, depending on your risk profile.
Is there a minimum balance?
Many UAE banks set a minimum monthly balance, with a fee if the balance drops below it. The amount differs by bank and account type, so we compare it for you before you choose.
Who are the ultimate beneficial owners the bank asks about?
Every individual who owns or controls 25% or more of the company, traced through any holding companies. If nobody reaches 25%, banks look at the senior managers. For higher-risk profiles a bank may record owners down to 5%.
Free, 30 minutes, no obligation
Get your bank file checked today
Send us your licence and ownership. You will speak to the person who prepares bank files and get an honest view of which banks fit.
You will speak with our team, led by Auj Afreen Ahmad and Tabish Ahmed.
- WhatsApp, fastest+971 55 786 7621
- Call+971 55 786 7621
- Emailinfo@aizaa.ae
- Office, by appointmentAl Shaikh Building 5, Al Khabaisi, Deira, Dubai
- HoursMonday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 GST
Waiting on a bank for weeks?
Send us the questions the bank asked and we will tell you what is missing.