While not all of the documents listed below will be required for each and every business looking to open a new bank account, they will cover the gamut of what is typically asked for:

·      Your certificate of registration and/or incorporation

·      Your company’s Articles of Association and Memorandum

·      Your share certificates

·      Your trades licence(s)

·      Copies of shareholder passports

·      Board Resolutions that enables accounts to be opened by an authorised Company Officer

·      Reference letters (for compliance purposes)

·      Invoices and receipts (for compliance purposes)

·      Copies of any applicable contracts and agreements (for compliance purposes)

On top of all of the documents listed above, there are also a few supporting materials that, while not strictly necessary for the process, can go a long way towards building credibility with the banks in question. Namely, a richly detailed, robust business plan alongside a corporate website that outlines any suppliers or partners will help paint a more complete picture of your operations and establish greater trust between you and your banker. 

Ultimately, opening a bank account in Dubai is necessary, but not always as straightforward as foreign-owned businesses looking to incorporate might expect. While this article has painted a clearer picture of some of the challenges that you’ll be required to overcome, it’s important to remember that many of the more nuanced variables will depend entirely on the unique circumstances surrounding your operations. That’s why the experience and guidance of those that have established themselves as an authority is so valuable to those foreign-owned businesses looking to make a splash by incorporating in Dubai.