Opening a business bank account in Dubai for non residents

When opening a business bank account in Dubai for non residents that is going to conduct business from there, whether it is a mainland operator that trades internally, is an offshore subsidiary of a foreign company, or is located inside one of the many free zones that can conduct business internationally, it is vital to set up an account with one of the commercial or digital banks that are based inside Dubai.

 

GBO serves as an authorized agent for company formation in Dubai, providing comprehensive assistance for opening bank accounts, managing tax obligations, and fulfilling all the requirements necessary for running an offshore business.

 

Every business, whether it is just starting up or it has a long history, needs the backing of a bank to help it manage its cash flow and credit. Growing a business without long-term support from a bank is almost impossible, especially now as the business environment is turning more and more into a paperless world that is wholly dependent on digital financial control.

With help from our team of business setup consultants in Dubai here at GBO we will help you to locate the perfect bank for your own specific business needs and to open all of the business banking channels quickly and cheaply. Banks in Dubai provide excellent business banking services.

Contact us for for setting up your new offshore Dubai company and bank accounts

WhatsApp us: +972504938469, email us: info@gbo-il.com

    What are the benefits of having your business bank account in a Dubai bank?

    A business bank account is needed to transfer funds, manage business cash flow, and control investments for any company established and active in Dubai.

    The main functions of a business bank account in Dubai are:

    • Cash flow management
    • Credit
    • Investment of assets
    • Currency conversion

     

    Cash flow management accepts deposits from third parties (customers, investors etc) on behalf of the company. Usually, this is done by bank-to-bank wire transfer from the paying bank. Another part of cash flow management by banks is in handling discounting of bills and to allow the company to make direct payments to employees for salaries, to suppliers for goods and services delivered to the company, and to meet regular business expenses through direct debit and credit card charges etc. Banks in Dubai also allow customers to pay suppliers by corporate cheques and drafts.

     

    Bank credit is an essential feature that any venture must be able to obtain, since running a business completely on shareholder capital is becoming increasingly difficult. A good banking relationship will be required so that the bank is able to advance funds to your company in the form of fixed loans, lines of credit, overdrafts etc. Bank credit can be in the form of a deposit into the company’s current account, where it can be used in the same way as the ordinary cash balance, or it can be in the form of an overdraft facility, where the company’s account can go into minus.

     

    Investment facilities provided by banks in Dubai cover normal cash management such as short-term deposits of surplus cash, medium-term investment in bank deposit accounts, and also equity investment in the local or international digital currency, bullion or stock markets.

     

    Currency conversion is an essential function in the operation of free zone companies in Dubai. By definition, free zone corporations can only do business with customers outside of the mainland UAE market. In such cases, most transactions will involve currencies other than Dubai dirham, such as dollars, euros, pounds and yen.

     

    How to open a company bank account in Dubai

    The criteria for opening a business bank account in Dubai differ between free zones and the mainland, and also between bank to bank. It’s important that you review and become familiar with these stipulations before submitting an application.

     

    How to open a corporate business bank account in Dubai

    Once you have satisfied the above requirements, you can apply to your chosen bank to open a business account. Different rules for local presence apply. Mainland and offshore companies must have a registered office inside the country, but some free zones allow companies to either operate totally online from remote offices, or to rent virtual space “on the cloud” in a free zone. A mainland company requesting to open a commercial bank account in Dubai is required to be physically located in the country.

     

    How to open a business bank account in Dubai for non residents

    Some banks allow fully digital online processing of new account applications. This involves filling out the required application form and submitting copies of all of the necessary documents via the internet, and conducting any follow-up interviews etc in digital meetings.

     

    What are the requirements for opening a business bank account in a Dubai free zone?

    Below is a basic list of the documents banks will require from you before they will consider an application to open an account. This is a general list, and each bank sets its own rules, which can also change depending on your type of business, whether you are applying for credit or special features, your own banking history and many more details. It’s important to get all of this in order before approaching the bank, so you should let us do the necessary work and save yourself time and the risk of a negative reaction.

     

    For a mainland company:

    • Trade license
    • Memorandum of Agreement and/or Articles of Association
    • Certified copies of the passports and visas of all executives, partners and shareholders, with passport photographs
    • Certified copy of the corporate share certificate
    • Any real estate tenancy agreement along with the Ejari contract
    • Historical bank statement for the past six months for executives, partners and shareholders of a new company, or of the holding company if this is a subsidiary of either a UAE or foreign company
    • Utility bills as proof of address
    • VAT certificate
    • For new companies – a business model or business plan, financial projections, company profile
    • CVs of all corporate signatories
    • List of existing or prospective customer and suppliers, or government tenders
    • Certified examples of the company’s invoices and receipts

     

    How to open an offshore bank account in a Dubai free zone?

    • Certified copy of the company’s UAE Trade licence
    • Certified copy of the Memorandum of Agreement and/or Articles of Association of the subsidiary
    • Certified copies of the passports and visas of all executives, partners and shareholders, with passport photographs
    • Any real estate tenancy agreement along with the Ejari contract
    • Historical bank statement for the past six months of the holding company
    • Utility bills as proof of address
    • VAT certificate
    • Certificate of good standing of the parent entity
    • Details of the parent entity’s foreign banks
    • CVs of all corporate signatories
    • List of existing or prospective customer and suppliers
    • Certified examples of the company’s invoices and receipts

     

    In most cases, these documents are mandatory.

     

    How long does it take to open a business bank account in Dubai?

    Before a bank will consider your application, you should have your company licence and UAE residency visa already on hand. Most banks will not process an application before these are available to view.

    Usually, banks will immediately open an account in your company’s name, but only so that you can deposit any stipulated minimum balance which guarantees the payment of all banking fees in case of rejection. No transactional business can be conducted until the account is formally opened. Depending on the specific details of your company and the kind of account you are applying for, the application may take anywhere from two weeks to several months. The bank will keep the account frozen with that minimum amount in the meantime.

    FAQ

     

    Which bank is best for company accounts in Dubai?

    Some of the most popular banks that offer business accounts in to non-resident companies in Dubai are:

    • Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) – My Business account
    • Emirates NBD – Business banking
    • Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) – Premium Current Account
    • FAB – Business Advantage Account
    • Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) – Business Elite Account.

     

    Can I open a business bank account in Dubai?

    A Dubai company registered as a Limited Liability Company and licensed for free zone or offshore trade, or a registered branch or subsidiary of another company in Dubai can open business accounts with local banks.

     

    Requirements for a Commercial Bank of Dubai company account opening

    When you are opening an account for a foreign-owned company in Dubai at the Commercial Bank of Dubai, you will need to give them a copy of your passport with the entry page stamped within the past six months. You require a certified transcript of a reference letter from your bank where you have a personal/corporate account in your country of origin.

     

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