What we need first

Banking checklist

Personal and corporate banking documents that reduce back-and-forth with banks.

ChecklistBankingKYC

Audience

Applicants, founders, and finance teams

Intake Checklist: Banking

Documents typically required for UAE personal and corporate bank account applications. Exact requirements vary by bank.

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Personal Account

  • [ ] Passport (photo page, in colour)
  • [ ] UAE residency visa page
  • [ ] Emirates ID (front and back)
  • [ ] Proof of UAE address (EJARI tenancy contract or utility bill, ≤ 3 months old)
  • [ ] Salary certificate (from UAE employer, on letterhead, in AED)
  • [ ] 3–6 months bank statements from existing bank (showing salary credits or income)
  • [ ] Source of funds letter (if significant initial deposit expected)
  • [ ] Existing reference letter (some banks require this from your current bank)

Corporate Account

  • [ ] UAE trade license (current)
  • [ ] Certificate of Incorporation
  • [ ] Memorandum of Association (full document)
  • [ ] Board resolution authorising account opening and naming authorised signatories
  • [ ] Passport and Emirates ID for all authorised signatories
  • [ ] Passport, proof of address, and Emirates ID (if UAE resident) for all shareholders and UBOs
  • [ ] UBO Declaration form (bank's own format or UAE government standard)
  • [ ] 12 months financial projections or business plan
  • [ ] 12 months bank statements from existing corporate account (if the company is already trading)
  • [ ] Audited accounts (if company has been operating for more than 1 year)
  • [ ] Source of funds letter (explaining origin of initial capital)

Corporate — If Any Shareholder is an Overseas Company

  • [ ] Certificate of Incorporation (attested + certified Arabic translation)
  • [ ] Memorandum and Articles of Association (attested + certified Arabic translation)
  • [ ] Certificate of Good Standing (issued within 6 months, attested)
  • [ ] Register of Directors and Shareholders (attested)

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*Bank requirements vary and change. Qarar reviews each application against the target bank's current requirements before submission.*