Business accounts: UAE
An honest assessment before work starts, the quote is fixed in writing.
The UAE is one of the world's busiest business hubs - companies relocate there, and so do their owners. We assist with corporate accounts at UAE banks for locally registered companies, as well as personal accounts at UAE banks. A corporate account is essential for any UAE company that wants to operate properly, while a personal account suits those living in or spending significant time in the Emirates.
UAE banks look critically at businesses with non-resident roots, so we begin by reviewing the company's profile and its beneficial owners. We then select a bank that genuinely works with such cases, prepare the documentation covering your activities and source of funds, file the application and support you through to the bank's decision.
What a UAE bank checks in a company
- A valid licence: mainland from the emirate's economy department or a free zone licence.
- Articles, list of partners and ultimate owners; the company keeps a beneficial owner register and files it with the registrar.
- Passports, residence visas and UAE identity cards of signatories and main owners.
- An office lease, business plan, contracts with clients and suppliers, source of capital.
- An in-person meeting with the signatory at a branch.
Opening usually takes 2 to 6 weeks. Minimum balances and fees differ by bank, and we agree them before applying.
We will calculate online the cost of opening an account for your company and maintaining it for a year.
Company taxes in 2026
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| Corporate tax | 0% on profit up to AED 375,000, ~$102,200, and 9% above |
| Small business relief | profit is treated as nil if revenue is no more than AED 3 million, ~$816,900; extended to 31 December 2029 |
| Qualifying free zone company | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest |
| VAT | 5%, registration above AED 375,000 of supplies in 12 months |
Corporate tax registration is mandatory for every company, even when no tax is due. More on our UAE taxes page.
Why UAE banks refuse
- No real office or staff: only a virtual desk.
- Owners or counterparties are linked to sanctioned countries.
- Turnover and payment countries do not match the licence.
- The source of capital is not documented.
Mainland or free zone: what to choose for the account
- A mainland company trades across the UAE market but needs a real office with a registered lease; the office size sets the number of staff visas.
- A free zone company works within the zone and with foreign clients, and a flexible desk is cheaper. Banks then check more strictly where the business really operates.
- The corporate tax return is filed within 9 months of the end of the tax period, even when no tax is due.
Fees
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| UAE corporate bank account opening assistance | $7 000 |
A virtual office is a common reason for refusal
The law does not stop you applying to a UAE bank on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: a company with only a virtual workstation and no staff, turnover and payment countries that do not match the licence, a source of capital without documents. Murblz support removes these risks: we help choose between the mainland and a free zone for the account, agree the minimum balance and service fees before filing, prepare the file and support the signatory meeting at the branch. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first filing.
The support fee depends on the bank, the company structure and turnover; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
See also
Company formation · Personal account · Investment property · All country programs
FAQ
Do I need a UAE company to open a corporate account?
Is a UAE residence visa required?
Do you help open a personal account in the UAE?
How long does a UAE company account take to open?
What is the UAE corporate tax rate in 2026?
Why does a UAE bank refuse a company?
When is the UAE corporate tax return due?
Which company is easier for a UAE account: mainland or free zone?
Do you need to register for corporate tax if there is no profit?
Want to open a company account in the UAE?
We pick a UAE bank or payment institution for your free zone or mainland company, prepare the pack with the business profile and follow the application through. The catalogue covers every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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