A company registered in the UAE, on the mainland or in a free zone, can open a corporate account with Emirates NBD. The bank asks for the licence, the attested memorandum and articles of association (MOA/AOA), the passports and Emirates IDs of all partners and signatories, and a tenancy contract. The online application is available if at least one signatory is a UAE resident. The decision to open the account rests with the bank.
What the bank needs
The requirements below are from the Emirates NBD website, as of October 2026 (checked 17.10.2026).
Company
- a company registered in the UAE and operating in trading, manufacturing, contracting, transport, professional services or services; for a multi-layer structure where the owner is another company, the application procedure is clarified with the bank;
- a valid trade licence or certificate of registration from any UAE registration authority;
- attested MOA/AOA, board resolution, partnership agreement and all amendments to them;
- a tenancy contract as proof of address;
Owner and signatories
- valid passports and Emirates IDs of all partners and authorised signatories;
- for an online application, at least one signatory must be a UAE resident;
- access to the application is confirmed with a one-time password (OTP).
What compliance usually asks about
Beyond the official list, the bank may request additional documents. In practice, these are a description of the business and the website, contracts or invoices with counterparties, proof of the source of funds (statements, tax returns, documents on the sale of assets) and the owner's CV. The set depends on the type of activity and the countries the company works with.
Emirates NBD packages and minimum balances
The bank offers several business packages. Terms as of 17.10.2026 according to emiratesnbd.com:
| Package | Minimum monthly average balance | Monthly fee | Fee if the balance falls below the minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect (first 30 days free) | none | AED 249 | — |
| Prime | AED 50,000 | AED 99 | AED 150 |
| Proprietor (for a sole establishment) | AED 50,000 | none | AED 250 |
| Preferred | AED 200,000 | none | AED 300 |
| Prestige | AED 500,000 | none | AED 750 |
| Platinum | AED 3,500,000 | none | AED 1,500 |
A separate Emirati Business package is for entrepreneurs who are UAE nationals. The fees in the table exclude 5% VAT (the Schedule of Charges shows amounts including VAT, for example AED 261.45 for Connect). Tariffs and balances are set by the bank; the full list of fees is in the Schedule of Charges on the Emirates NBD website.
Opening timelines
According to Emirates NBD, after the full set of documents is submitted, the bank reviews the application and the documents, then opens the account and sends access to businessONLINE. The account is the last step in the chain: the company and licence, then the company card (Establishment or Immigration Card), the residence visa and Emirates ID, and only then the bank. All partners and signatories need an Emirates ID, so the application cannot be put together without a visa. If compliance asks questions, it takes longer; we allow 2–8 weeks from submission. This is a guide, not a commitment.
Common reasons for refusal
The bank is not obliged to explain a refusal, and no one can guarantee that an account will be opened. Problems most often arise when:
- the structure is multi-layered (the owner is another company) and the documents on the ultimate beneficial owners have not been collected;
- no signatory is a UAE resident, or the Emirates ID has not yet been issued;
- the articles of association are not attested, or there is no tenancy contract to confirm the address;
- the source of the initial funds is not confirmed by statements and documents;
- the activity in the licence does not match the actual business, and the counterparties are in higher-risk countries;
- the expected balances do not cover the requirements of the chosen package.
What Parallax does
Parallax supports the opening of a corporate account through a licensed partner in Dubai.
- We assess the profile: ownership structure, activity, counterparties, source of funds.
- We choose a package to match the expected balances and transactions.
- We put together the KYC package and fill in the application.
- We prepare answers to compliance questions and handle the correspondence with the bank until a decision is made.
- After opening, we help set up businessONLINE.
We do not work with sanctions evasion schemes or nominee owners; the decision to open an account always rests with the bank. The price is in euros, excluding 5% VAT. We fix the exact scope and fees in the estimate before payment; the bank's balances and fees are paid according to its tariffs.
Account, company and visa: one process
If you do not have a company yet, start with it: company registration in the UAE. Residence visa and Emirates ID: see the UAE residence page. Once the company account is open, you will need Corporate Tax registration and accounting. If the bank needs the founder's legalised documents, see the document attestation page.
Prices
| Service | What is included | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate account with Emirates NBD | Preparation of the KYC package for the company and the owner, submission to Emirates NBD and support until the account is opened. The decision rests with the bank. | €4,400 | Order |
Prices in euros, excluding 5% VAT. We fix the exact scope and government fees in a quote before payment. Services are provided together with a licensed partner in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources
- Emirates NBD: Open Business Bank Account Online (requirements, documents, packages) — checked 17.10.2026
- Emirates NBD: Business Accounts — checked 17.10.2026