Banks in UAE for non resident bank account for Foreign companies and individuals
Opening a bank account in UAE as a nonresident means you are able to hold the bank account in the country, without any connections in the country.
For international companies looking to open a corporate bank account for their business registered overseas, it is possible to do so without any physical nexus (relations) to the country, in this case, UAE.
This means foreign companies can open a bank account in any Emirate in UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah).
How a foreign legal entity can open a business bank account in the UAE:
- Company is not required to to registered in UAE.
- It is not necessary to have suppliers/customers based in UAE.
- It is not necessary to register a branch of a foreign company in any Emirate in UAE.
- Not necessary to have any tax registration number assigned to the foreign company.
- Foreign companies interested to open a non resident corporate account in UAE, does not need to rent an office Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah or Umm Al Quwain or.
- There is no requirement to have employees in UAE
How to Open an Offshore Bank Account for Companies in UAE
Which banks in UAE can open bank account for international companies?
Not all banks in UAE are accepting international companies.
UAE banks that open accounts for foreign companies will request a minimum deposit amount to be deposited, and the business activity needs to be within the bank’s acceptable risk appetite.
- Business owners that do not company registered in UAE but are interested in opening a personal bank account in UAE, can also open at the banks listed below.
The decision of banks in UAE to accept or reject international customers changes from time to time, the options may have updated since this article has been published.
- The below table serves as a potential guideline as to which banks can accept foreign customers, with a indication as to the amount UAE banks require to open a non resident offshore bank account in United Arab Emirates.
Branches of all banks in UAE listed in the below category can accept international customers, no matter where the bank is located.
- Which means, regardless of whether you apply in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, or Fujairah, the process and where eligibility requirement remains the same.
- Relationship managers from various banks can be assigned to asssist with the bank account opening process.
Since opening an offshore bank account for a foreign company requires a considerable amount of time longer than opening than an onshore bank account in UAE, for Freezone or Mainland company that is registered in UAE, relationship managers can obtain an approval prior to the clients visit to the bank.
- It is necessary to visit the bank in person in order to complete the bank account opening process
| Bank | Offshore / International | Offshore / Personal |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) | 1M AED | 1M AED |
| Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) | NA AED | 250K AED |
| Arab Bank | — | 400K AED |
| Banque Misr UAE | 800K AED | 400K AED |
| Commercial Bank International (CBI) | — | 300K AED |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) | 0 AED | 500K AED |
| Dubai Islamic Bank | 1M AED | 350K AED |
| Emirates NBD | — | 500K AED |
| Emirates Islamic | 500K AED | — |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) | 500K AED | — |
| Investbank | — | 1M AED |
| Mashreq | — | 500K AED |
| National Bank of Fujairah | No AED | 4M AED |
| RAKBANK | 25K AED | 25K AED |
| Standard Chartered Bank | — | 1M AED |
| United Arab Bank | 4M AED | — |
| Zand Bank | 1M AED | — |
Documents required to open an offshore bank account in UAE are the same for all banks, in all Emirates.
Opening an offshore or international bank account in the UAE involves standard KYC, AML, and source-of-funds checks.
Average time to open an offshore bank account for international companies or individuals takes between 4–6 weeks
1. Personal Identification Documents
- Valid passport for all shareholders/directors.
2. Proof of Address
- Utility bill (electricity, water, internet)
3. Bank Reference & Financial Profile
- Personal bank reference letter
- Recent bank statements (last 6 months)
- Owner and manager CV
4. Source of Funds
- Salary slips or employment contract
- Dividend statements
- Sale of asset documents (property, shares, business exit)
- Inheritance or gift documentation
- Audited financial statements (for international companies)
5. Employment or Business Documents
If Employed
- Employment letter stating role, salary, and tenure
For Business Owner / Investor
- Board resolution authorizing account opening
- Business bank statements (6–12 months)
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Proof of business activity (contracts, invoices)
- Shareholder register
- Trade license / company incorporation documents
6. Tax & Compliance Declarations
- Tax residency declaration
- FATCA / CRS self-certification
- Declaration of politically exposed person (PEP) status (if applicable)
7. Additional (Bank-Specific) Requests
Depending on risk profile, banks may also request:
- Video or in-person interview
- Business plan (for new companies)
- Explanation letter for complex structures
- Enhanced due diligence documents for high-risk jurisdictions
How BUH consulting can assist
Our team will work with you to understand your requirements, eligibility criteria and apply for your business and personal bank account with the most suitable banks and assign relationship managers from banks in UAE that can onboard your account for your company or personal use.
BUH Consulting coordinates directly with bank-appointed Relationship Managers, to secure initial approvals before your arrival, reducing the time it takes to open an offshore account in UAE.
Contact information
For a tailored solution, contact us to discuss about your requirements.
Email: – sam@buh-consulting.com
Phone: +971585086656
Whatsapp: +971585086656
Telegram: BUHConsultingAE