How to open a business account in the UAE

How to open a business account in the UAE (2026 guide)

To open a business account in the UAE you need a valid trade licence, identification and ownership documents for everyone who owns or directs the company, and a description of your business activity. Traditional banks can take several weeks, and longer for free zone, offshore or non-resident-owned companies. A regulated alternative can open an account in 24 to 48 hours.

Business account or corporate account: what it means in the UAE

A business account, sometimes called a corporate account, holds your company's funds, receives payments from customers and pays your suppliers and staff. In the UAE you can open one in two ways: through a traditional bank, or through a regulated financial institution that offers business accounts.

Hubpay is the second kind. Hubpay is a leading B2B fintech licensed by ADGM and regulated by the FSRA, a regulated alternative to a traditional bank account. You get a dirham account with an AED IBAN, multi-currency accounts and international payments, without the branch visits and long waits that come with the traditional route.

Who can open a business account in the UAE?

This is where the two routes differ most. Traditional banks apply stricter checks to free zone, offshore and non-resident-owned companies, and success rates for those applications are lower. Hubpay onboards UAE-licensed entities across the board.

• Mainland, free zone and offshore licences

• Resident and non-resident ultimate beneficial owners

• 100 per cent foreign-owned companies

• Startups through to established corporates

If you have a valid UAE trade licence, you can apply, whether your owners live in the UAE or overseas.

Documents you need to open a business account in the UAE?

Requirements vary by company type, but most applications ask for the same core set:

• Valid UAE trade licence

• Certificate of incorporation and Memorandum and Articles of Association

• Passport copies for all shareholders and directors

• Emirates ID for resident signatories

• Proof of business address and a description of your activity

• Corporate Tax registration (TRN, Federal Tax Authority)

Non-resident owners may also need notarised and attested passport copies and overseas proof of address. Exact requirements are confirmed during onboarding based on a risk assessment.

How long does it take to open a business account in the UAE?

Through a traditional bank, opening a corporate account commonly takes several weeks, and offshore or non-resident structures can take considerably longer because of enhanced due diligence and in-person verification.

Hubpay's onboarding is fully digital. Most companies are up and running in 24 to 48 hours, with verification handled online and requirements confirmed post-onboarding based on risk assessment. There is zero minimum balance and a 30-day free trial.

How to open a business account with Hubpay, step by step:

1. Visit hubpay.io and apply online with your company details.

2. Upload your trade licence and ownership documents.

3. Complete KYC verification for shareholders and directors.

4. Receive your AED IBAN and start sending and receiving payments.

Choosing the right account

Hubpay has three tiers, all with a 30-day free trial and zero minimum balance.

See full details on the pricing page.

How Hubpay supports UAE businesses?

Hubpay brings your account, currencies and payments into one regulated place, with more than $2.6bn processed for UAE businesses. You get a multi-currency account, named virtual IBANs in 30+ currencies, transparent FX and payments to 85+ countries, opened in 24 to 48 hours.

Still forming your company? Start with our guide to setting up a business in the UAE. Want an account with no idle-capital requirement? See how a zero balance business account works.