The short answer
UAE banks open corporate accounts after full due diligence on the company and its owners, including everyone holding 25% or more. Expect two to six weeks after the licence is issued. Incomplete files are declined far more often than complex ones, so the preparation decides the outcome.
What documents do banks ask for?
The trade licence, constitutional documents, shareholder and UBO details, passports and Emirates IDs of signatories, proof of address, a business plan with expected transaction volumes, and evidence of the source of funds. UBO means any natural person holding 25% or more of the capital or voting rights (Jafza guidance on Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023), and banks verify each one.
Why do banks decline applications?
Most often because something cannot be verified: an unclear source of funds, a shareholder in a high-risk jurisdiction without explanation, a business activity that does not match the expected transactions, or missing tenancy and substance evidence. Banks act under anti-money laundering rules and will decline rather than guess.
“Holds an interest of a minimum of 25% capital of the legal entity.”
How long does it take?
Usually two to six weeks after the licence is issued, depending on the bank, the shareholders' nationalities and how clearly the file explains the business. The account also matters for compliance: salaries go through WPS via an authorised bank or exchange house (UAE Government portal), and VAT and corporate tax payments run from it.
How do you improve the chances of approval?
By preparing one complete, consistent pack before the first meeting, choosing banks that suit the activity and shareholder profile, and briefing the signatories on the questions they will be asked. We follow the application through to activation, then set up the account in your bookkeeping.
Can you help offshore and free zone companies open accounts?
Yes. Offshore companies face the closest scrutiny because they cannot trade in the UAE and often hold assets or invoice abroad, so banks expect a clear explanation of activity, owners and source of funds, plus beneficial ownership records (JAFZA UBO guidance). We prepare that file and approach banks that accept the profile, rather than applying everywhere at once.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be in the UAE to open the account?
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Most banks require signatories to attend in person at least once, usually for identification and signing.
Can a free zone company open a UAE bank account?
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Yes. Banks treat free zone and mainland companies similarly, with due diligence on the activity and owners.
Is there a minimum balance?
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Many accounts have one; it varies by bank and account type. We compare options before applying.
Sources
- Ultimate Beneficial Owners and Intermediate Beneficial Owners (Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023) — Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza). Checked 16 October 2026.
- Payment of wages (Wage Protection System) — The official portal of the UAE Government (u.ae). Checked 17 October 2026.