UAE Bank Account Opening Assistance

Business-focused legal support for bank account opening assistance in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with

Bank Account Opening Assistance

We provide hands-on, personalized assistance to navigate UAE bank requirements, ensuring a smooth and successful account opening for individuals and corporations.

In-depth description

We understand that opening a bank account in the UAE can be a challenging process. Our service provides close, customized guidance, leveraging our relationships with local banks to streamline your application. We personally assist you in preparing all necessary documentation to ensure a smooth, successful, and swift account opening experience.

Scope of work

  • Provide close, customized guidance to streamline the corporate bank account opening process.
  • Our scope includes advising on the most suitable banks, preparing the extensive KYC documentation file, and leveraging our network to facilitate introductions with bank relationship managers to ensure a successful and swift account opening.

Price range

AED 2,500 – AED 300,000
Cumulative assessment – billed Hourly or Lump Sum (concluded with a Success Fee).

Primary Determinants of Pricing
Digital bank account for a UAE-owned company, AED 2,500+.
Bank account held by a company with foreign corporate ownership, AED 25,000+.
Bank account for companies with complex ownership structures, multiple shareholders, sensitive UBO jurisdictions, or higher-risk sectors such as gold trading or defensefor a standard, AED 100,000 – 300,000+ (potential success fees).

Deliverables

  • A complete and reviewed KYC application package.
  • A successful opening of the corporate bank account.

Is opening a UAE bank account proving harder than expected?

Has a UAE bank rejected your corporate account application?

Rejections are rarely explained. We identify the KYC gap, fix the file, and leverage our banking network to reopen the process.

Are you a newly incorporated company needing a bank account fast?

Without a corporate account, business operations cannot start. We accelerate the process with a fully prepared application.

Does your company have complex or foreign ownership?

Multi-layered structures face the highest KYC scrutiny. We prepare the documentation that answers every bank question in advance.

Are you struggling to get a relationship manager at a UAE bank?

We leverage existing banking relationships to facilitate introductions, reducing the time and uncertainty of cold applications.

Frequently asked questions

UAE banks apply strict AML/KYC requirements following the country’s upgraded anti-money-laundering reforms. High-risk sectors, complex structures or opaque ownership trigger additional scrutiny. Many banks are selective. Thorough document preparation and professional advisor involvement significantly improve account opening success rates.
For straightforward businesses with clean documentation, account opening can take two to eight weeks. Complex corporate structures, cross-border ownership or regulated activities can extend the process to three to six months, or result in rejection. Having a professional advisor coordinate the application significantly improves success rates.
 
Standard requirements include: trade license, memorandum and articles of association, UBO declarations, passport copies of all owners and signatories, proof of address and business description. Additional documents are commonly requested during KYC review, especially for holding companies or structures with non-resident directors.
Most UAE banks require at least one in-person meeting, typically with the company’s authorised signatory. Remote account opening is available at some banks for specific client profiles but is the exception rather than the norm. Banks use the initial meeting to assess the business purpose and beneficial ownership.

Highest scrutiny applies to financial services and crypto-related businesses, holding companies without operating substance, businesses involving cash-intensive activities, cross-border structures with opaque ownership, and businesses connected to certain high-risk jurisdictions. Professional guidance is particularly valuable in these cases.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Robin Cordeiro

Associate – Corporate and Regulatory Consultant

Denise Chanakira​

Associate – Corporate and Regulatory Consultant

Get in touch

Other services you might need

A UAE corporate bank account is the operational foundation of any business. These services are closely linked to the account opening process.

Business Set-Up in the UAE - All Free Zones & Mainland

Account opening is part of the setup process. We handle incorporation and banking in a single coordinated engagement.
Learn more

Regulatory Compliance for UAE Businesses

Banks require evidence of regulatory compliance during KYC. We prepare your compliance documentation in advance.
Learn more

AML/KYC - Compliance for Financial Institutions

For regulated entities, AML and KYC frameworks are a bank account prerequisite. We build them before you apply.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

UAE bank account opening has become genuinely difficult. Our preparation makes the difference between approval and rejection.

1.

KYC preparation first

We prepare your full KYC file before any bank is approached – anticipating the documents, questions and due diligence standards of your target bank. Preparation separates

2.

Bank-matching advice

We advise on which banks best match your business profile, sector and structure before you apply. Approaching the wrong bank wastes months. Our guidance targets the right

3.

Cross-border fluency

International companies and complex structures face heightened bank scrutiny. We present your profile accurately and compellingly – addressing questions that typically cause

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.

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Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
  • Commercial Agency – Contract Drafting and Litigation
  • Rent-Sales Contract – Contract Drafting, Contract Management and Litigation
  • Logistic Services Contract
  • IT Services Contract
  • Intermediary Contract
  • Other Services Contract
Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
  • FIDIC Larger or more complex projects (the Construction Contract)
  • FIDIC Contractor doing the Design (Plant and Design-Build Contract)
  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
  • Assistance for Management of the Contract
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
  • Drafting Offer Letter and Employment Contract
  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
  • Registration of Employee with Labour Authorities
  • Assistance During Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Termination Strategy and Execution
  • Litigation Services
HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
  • Labour Legislation Memo and Manual
  • Analysis of Remuneration Trends, Structures and Composition
  • Labour Taxation
  • Industry Practice reg. bonus, schedule, overtime, leave, length of service, etc.
Business Set-Up and Maintenance
  • Comparative Study on Options Available
  • Legal Memorandum on Corporate and Tax Laws
  • Set-Up Services (Company, Immigration, Labour, Banking, Tax)
  • Nominee Services (Regulated Activity)
  • Shareholders Agreements
  • Board of Directors Structuring
  • Dissolution, Liquidation, Bankruptcy Proceedings
  • Litigation/Arbitration (Manager or Shareholders Dispute)
  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
  • Tenancy Opportunities and Contract Advisory
  • Medical Insurance Advisory
  • Banking Advisory
  • School Advisory
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
  • Tax Situation Review
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
  • Legal Representation for the Purchase/Sales
  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
  • Assistance with tenants or holidays home management firm
Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
  • Cancellation of Project
  • Disputes regarding Lands
  • Disputes regarding Permits and Licenses
  • Dispute with Engineer or Contractor
Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
  • Change of Name
  • Transcription of Marriage or Divorce
  • Legalisation Services with Consulate and Embassies
Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
  • Assault, Sexual Abuse, Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Household Theft
  • Threat, Insult, Defamation, Harassment
  • Social Media Crimes
  • IT Crimes
  • Stealing or Misappropriation of Personal Data
  • Narcotics
Business Crimes
  • AML issues
  • Cryptocurrency and other Investment related Scams
  • Breach of Trust
  • Deception and Fraud
  • Theft of business secrets
  • Insolvency related Crimes
  • Accounting Crimes
  • Interpol
Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Marriage involving two persons of different nationality
  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws