This guide covers the best bank accounts for expats in Dubai, what each is best for, common issues like minimum balance requirements, and how to open an account efficiently.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The “Mainstream” Requirement: Many standard UAE current accounts (like Emirates NBD or Mashreq) require either a salary transfer or a minimum monthly balance to avoid fees.
- Digital Speed vs. Costs: Some digital options can be opened quickly with just your Emirates ID, but fees still apply. For example, Mashreq NEO offers instant onboarding but charges fees if your balance falls below the threshold.
- Wio’s Subscription Model: Wio Personal is fantastic for tech lovers, but note that their plans often include a monthly fee (e.g., AED 49, VAT inclusive) if you don’t keep the required minimum average balance (check their specific plan rules).
- Liv.’s “Buffer” System: Liv. Uses a tiered system to waive fees. For instance, if you hold a combined balance (like AED 3,000 across your main and goal accounts), you avoid the monthly charge.
- Paperwork: For traditional bank accounts, expect the standard trio: Emirates ID + Passport + Visa. For salary accounts, you will almost always need a salary transfer letter, contract, or payslip.
Quick Comparison (What Most Expats Care About)
| Bank / Option | Best For… | Key Requirement to Avoid Fees | My Notes |
| Emirates NBD (Standard Current) | Salary earners who want branches + a chequebook | Salary transfer of AED 5,000+ OR min. balance of AED 3,000 | The popular “mainstream” choice. Good ecosystem if you want to add loans/cards later. |
| ADCB (Current Account) | Salary earners wanting a strong app + large network | Min. monthly salary of AED 5,000 (for UAE residents) | Strong reputation for service. Always check their specific segment rules on the charges page. |
| Liv. (Digital by ENBD) | Expats who want digital-first + simple fee avoidance | Example: No charge if total balances > AED 3,000; otherwise ~AED 25/month | Great “starter” digital option if you don’t need branch services often. |
| Wio Personal | People who like modern “money management” + savings | Plan-based: AED 49/month if you don’t meet the min. average balance | Very modern UX. Check the plan details carefully before committing. |
| Mashreq NEO | People who want fast digital onboarding | Example: “Fall below fee” applies if average balance < AED 3,000 | Read the Schedule of Charges before choosing your exact NEO account type. |
| RAKBANK (Current/Salary) | Mid-salary expats + practical features | Current account page mentions min. salary AED 3,000 | They often advertise salary transfer benefits like “no min balance” on specific products. |
| FAB (One Account/Elite) | Expats who want FAB offers + potentially no min-balance charges | FAB highlights “no minimum balance charges” for FAB One | Eligibility often depends on salary/deposit. Confirm your “tier” before applying. |
Important: Banks often change their fees and rules with little notice. Always review the latest Schedule of Charges on the bank’s website before applying.
My “Best Picks” by Expat Scenario
(What I’d recommend first based on your situation)
If you’re a salaried employee (most expats): Start with Emirates NBD or ADCB
If your salary is AED 5,000 or more, these banks are usually the most straightforward. They are designed for salary transfers, which helps avoid extra paperwork and unexpected fees.
- Emirates NBD Standard Current: Usually requires a salary transfer of AED 5,000 or a minimum balance of AED 3,000 for non-salaried customers.
- ADCB Current Account: Typically requires a minimum monthly salary of AED 5,000 for UAE residents.
Salary transfer accounts make approvals easier and provide access to additional services such as credit cards, chequebooks, and loans.
If you want a digital-first account (and hate branch visits): Liv. or Wio
Many new arrivals in Dubai choose this option if they prefer to manage all banking tasks on their phone and do not need to visit a branch.
- Liv: Their charges page usually gives a clear example: keep ~AED 3,000 total across your accounts to avoid the fee; otherwise, it’s around AED 25/month.
- Wio Personal: Their Key Facts Statement notes an AED 49 monthly fee (VAT inclusive) if the required minimum average balance isn’t achieved.
Digital banks can be convenient, but it is important to check that their fee structure matches your monthly balance to avoid unnecessary charges.
If your salary is lower (or you’re early in your Dubai journey): Consider RAKBANK
- RAKBANK: Its current account page states a minimum monthly salary of AED 3,000 for salaried individuals, making it accessible to mid-salary expats.
- They also frequently have salary transfer products that advertise no minimum balance requirements as a specific benefit.
If you’re not yet settled (new job, probation period, variable income), prioritise:
- Low monthly fees.
- Clear minimum balance rules.
- Quick support when something breaks.
Zero-Balance” Accounts: What it Really Means
In Dubai, “zero balance” is a marketing term that usually means “no minimum balance requirement,” but it doesn’t always mean “no fees.” It usually works like this:
- No minimum balance required IF salary is transferred.
- No minimum balance required IF you hold a specific plan.
- Or, the minimum is “hidden” as a requirement to avoid a monthly maintenance charge.
Examples to understand the pattern:
- Emirates NBD: You avoid issues via salary transfer or a minimum balance.
- Liv.: Uses logic like “Do X to avoid fee.”
- Wio: Plan-based minimum average balance requirement; otherwise, you pay a monthly fee.
The Golden Rule: Always ask, “What do I need to maintain to avoid a monthly fee?” rather than “Is it zero-balance?
Digital Banks vs. Traditional Banks (Real Life Differences)
Digital-first banks are great when you:
- Want fast onboarding and app controls.
- Don’t need branch services (like depositing physical cheques) often.
- Prefer clean UX and budgeting features.
Traditional banks are safer when you:
- Need chequebooks (still standard for rent in Dubai).
- Need branch support for complex issues.
- Want smoother access to credit products (loans/mortgages) later.
- Need broader corporate payroll compatibility
Note: Mashreq NEO markets fast onboarding (open in minutes with Emirates ID), but even in digital ecosystems, fees can apply if your balance drops (e.g., NEO Savings “falls below the fee” if under AED 3,000).
Documents Required to Open a Bank Account
While every bank varies slightly, most expats will need:
- Emirates ID (or the application receipt in some digital cases).
- Passport Copy
- Residence Visa Copy (if applicable/stamped).
- For Salary Accounts: Salary transfer letter, contract, payslip, or a statement showing salary credit.
- Emirates NBD explicitly lists Emirates ID and passport and outlines what they may request in salary transfer cases.
Time-saving tip: Keep a clear PDF scan and a clear phone photo of every document on your phone. You will need them constantly.
How Long Does It Take to Open an Account?
It depends on the method:
- Digital Onboarding: Very fast. Mashreq NEO claims you can open an account in minutes with a valid Emirates ID.
- Traditional Onboarding: Can take a few days to a week.
- Complex Profiles: If you are self-employed, newly arrived, or non-resident, expect extra checks.
In practice: Even when onboarding is “instant,” receiving your debit card, chequebook, or unlocking higher transfer limits often takes a few extra days.
Non-Resident Expats: Can You Open a Dubai Account?
Yes, you can, but options are more limited and usually targeted at higher-balance customers.
- RAKBANK promotes a non-resident account positioned around “Elite-type” banking.
Reality Check: Non-resident accounts usually come with:
- Higher minimum balance expectations.
- Fewer everyday banking features compared to resident salary accounts.
- More strict compliance and documentation checks.
Common Mistakes Expats Make (And How to Avoid Them)
If you do not meet the minimum balance requirements, a ‘free’ account may incur monthly fees of AED 25–49.
Choosing the wrong account type can lead to higher fees. For example, Emirates NBD’s savings account often requires a minimum balance of AED 5,000, which is higher than some current accounts.
If you apply during your probation period and your salary transfer is not yet active, you may have to pay account fees until the transfer begins.
Not checking international transfer costs: if you send money home regularly, pick a bank or app that makes remittances easy and doesn’t sting you with hidden charges. ENBD DirectRemit is worth looking at.
Pro Tip: Managing banking fees is just one part of your financial picture. To help you plan your wider expenses, check out our guide on the living in Dubai monthly budget for a family.
How to Choose the Right Account (Simple Decision Guide)
Use this as a shortcut:
- Salary AED 5,000+ and want a main bank with branches? Look at Emirates NBD Standard Current or ADCB Current Account.
- Want digital-first and you can maintain the balance rules? Look at Liv. or Wio Personal.
- Salary around AED 3,000 and want practical everyday banking? Check RAKBANK current/salary options.
- You want FAB offers and meet the eligibility? Check FAB One (confirm salary/deposit criteria).
FAQs: Best Bank Accounts for Expats in Dubai
What is the best bank account for expats in Dubai?
For most salaried expats, a salary-transfer current account is the best starting point because it usually waives fees and improves loan approvals. Emirates NBD and ADCB are the market leaders here and publish their minimum salary conditions clearly.
Can expats open a bank account in Dubai without a salary?
Yes, but you may need to maintain a minimum balance to avoid a monthly fee. For example, Emirates NBD lists a minimum balance option (usually AED 3,000) for non-salaried customers on its Standard Current Account.
Which Dubai bank account is easiest to open?
Digital onboarding is usually the fastest if you have a valid Emirates ID. Mashreq NEO specifically describes a quick account-opening flow that uses only the Emirates ID.
Are digital banks like Liv and Wio suitable for expats?
They can be excellent, especially if you prefer app-first banking, but you strictly need to understand the fee rules. Liv. Shows how combined balances help you avoid fees, and Wio’s Key Facts Statement explains when a monthly fee applies based on your plan.
Can a non-resident open a bank account in Dubai?
Yes, but some banks offer this only to affluent/savings customers. RAKBANK promotes a specific non-resident account proposition on their site.
What documents do expats need to open a bank account?
Commonly: Emirates ID, Passport, and (if relevant) salary proof. Emirates NBD clearly outlines these document requirements for salary transfer accounts on its website.
