How to open a business account in the UAE from the UK

If you have a business in the UAE or if you’re opening a business there, you’ll need a business account to manage your money, and to keep your business finances separate from your private finances. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best business account options available, how to open a business account in the UAE as well as how to get started without going there.

Key points: UAE business account

• Open a UAE business account with a bank, or choose a specialist digital provider which covers AED among other currencies, like Wise or Revolut

• UAE bank account options are often split out by business size, or transaction requirements

• To open an account with a UAE bank you’ll need a locally registered business and full suite of documents for verification

• UAE banks may be able to offer digital onboarding and verification - providers like Wise and Revolut are fully digital and offer a streamlined in app application

• UAE banks offer international transfers with varied fees depending on the account plan you select - compare the costs against specialist services

Can I open a business bank account in the UAE as a non-resident?

Yes, you can open a business account in the UAE from the UK. You’ll have a couple of basic options depending on your needs and preferences.

If you have a UAE registered business and meet other eligibility requirements, you may be able to open a UAE business account with an Emirati bank. Or, you might choose to open an account in the UK which can hold and handle AED among other currencies. Multi-currency business accounts which support AED, GBP and more are available from providers like Wise and Revolut, which we’ll look at in a moment.

Can I open a business bank account online in the UAE?

Yes, it is possible to open a UAE business banking account online. Some banks in the UAE offer online and digital account opening, but this is subject to meeting other eligibility and documentation requirements. You may still require branch visits to complete the process.

As an alternative, providers like Wise and Revolut offer a fully digital application, verification and onboarding experience which you can manage with your phone or laptop.

What is the best bank for a business account in the UAE?

Ultimately, the best account for you will depend on your individual business needs. To help you figure out if an account with a bank based in the UAE, or a digital alternative which offers global coverage will work best for you, we've got a quick overview. After that we have more information on each provider and bank, including Wise and Revolut as specialists, and Emirates NBD and Mashreq as bank services, to start your research.

*Details correct at time of research - 12th March 2025

Wise business account

Great for: Digital account to support 40+ currencies, with no ongoing fees and mid-market exchange rates

Wise Business accounts allow you to hold 40+ currencies, send payments to 160+ countries, and spend with your linked debit or expense cards in 150+ countries. You can also receive payments to Wise with local and SWIFT details in 8+ currencies. Whenever you need to convert currencies you get the mid-market exchange rate, with low, transparent fees - and there’s no minimum balance or monthly charge to worry about.

Best features:

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies including AED and GBP with the mid-market rate

• Send and receive AED international payments conveniently and with low fees

• No ongoing fees and no minimum balance to pay

• Get debit and expense cards for you and your team

Revolut business account

Great for: Choice of digital multi-currency account tiers which all support receiving, holding and sending AED payments

Revolut has different business account plans for UK based customers, which all offer ways to hold, send, spend and receive 25+ currencies including AED and GBP. You can choose a basic plan and pay as you go, with no monthly charge, or take a plan with monthly fees which has more features and no-fee transactions included.

Best features:

• Hold and exchange 25+ currencies, including GBP and AED

• Receive AED without needing to convert to GBP unnecessarily

• Get virtual and physical debit cards for easy spending and cash withdrawals

• All accounts offer some weekday currency conversion with the Revolut rate and no additional fee

Emirates NBD business account

Great for: Choice of 6 different banking packages, from digital only to full service premium products, depending on need

You can open one of a selection of Emirates NBD business accounts subject to your eligibility, with options to get your account set up online if you have the right documentation. The most basic package is designed for people who only need digital services, and there are also much more complex and feature packed packages which you can trade up to as our business grows.

Best features:

• Choose from several different AED denominated banking packages

• Get a debit card for spending and withdrawals

• Low overseas transfer fee online 0 AED - 52.5 AED depending on plan, with higher fees in branch

• Full suite of financial services offered for UEA businesses

Mashreq business account

Great for: Choice of different account tiers including some with multi-currency features, and some with no ongoing maintenance fees

There are several different options for a Mashreq business account, from a basic digital package for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and startups through to a premium account which has lots of features and lifestyle perks attached. Fees, features and eligibility rules vary a lot depending on the account you select. Some accounts offer multi-currency features to allow you to get paid in foreign currencies easily.

Best features:

• Several different account tiers to suit different customer needs

• Multi-currency accounts available on some plan options

• Send payments globally, with fees from 0 AED - 75 AED depending on plan

• Online application available for eligible businesses

What is the process for opening a business bank account in the UAE?

The exact process you need to follow to open a UAE business bank account will vary depending on the provider you choose, your entity type, the account you select and other factors. Some UAE business accounts can be opened online without having to visit a branch in person, but you do need to have the standard documents required for this to be feasible. As an alternative which can be more flexible, you may choose to open a business account online with a provider like Wise or Revolut. You still need to get verified, but digital first providers often have more intuitive processes which are easier to navigate.

How to open a business account in the UAE online?

You might be able to open a business account online in the UAE with a bank, or you can choose a digital provider instead. If you want the broadest selection of supported currencies, a digital provider like Wise might be a good fit, with 40+ currencies including AED and GBP all in one account.

 Here’s how to open a business account with Wise as an example:

1. Download the Wise app or open the Wise desktop site

2. Click Sign up and create an account with your email, Facebook, Google or Apple ID

3. Follow the prompts to enter the personal, business and contact details needed

4. Upload your business, ID and address documents

5. Once your account has been verified you can open an AED balance in Wise to start to transact

Requirements to open a business bank account in the UAE

As a general rule you’ll need to meet the following requirements to open a business bank account in the UAE:

• You must be 18 or older

• Your business must operate in the UAE

• Your business entity type may need to be single layer

Different requirements may apply to specific accounts, including a minimum turnover or entity type.

What do you need to open a business bank account in the UAE?

The documents you need to open a business bank account in the UAE may vary based on your entity type and the bank you pick. Let’s take a look at what’s normally needed.

Here is a list of documents usually needed to open a UAE business account:

• Your valid Trade License or Certificate of Incorporation from any of the UAE issuing authorities

• Valid Passports of all partners and authorized signatories

• Memorandum of Association / Article of Association / Board Resolution

• Six month’s bank statement of the company, or for yourself for a new company

Fees to open a UAE business account

Different UAE banks and specialist providers will have different fee structures for their business accounts and services. Some accounts are free to open but have monthly fees, while others don’t have monthly fees but there is a minimum balance requirement. If you fall below this balance then an extra fee is applied.

It’s very important to review all the fees which may apply to your business account, including ongoing fees and transaction costs. Some fees may be unexpected, including foreign transaction and international charges, or early closure fees if you decide the account isn’t for you. Invest a bit of time before you apply to review all the possible costs so there are no surprises.

Conclusion: Opening a UAE business account

There are plenty of options to open a UAE business account, either with a UAE bank or with a specialist provider which offers business accounts that can hold and exchange AED alongside other currencies like GBP.

If you want to use a UAE bank you’ll need to review the different account package options as there are many to choose from. If you struggle to find the right balance of convenience and fees, take a look at options from digital providers instead.

Services like Wise and Revolut can be a flexible option which let you manage your business finances across many major currencies without needing to worry about minimum balance rules or monthly charges. Compare your options, including Wise, which lets you hold and exchange 40+ currencies, and send and receive payments in currencies including AED and GBP easily and with the mid-market rate.