How to Open a Bank Account in the GCC: A Complete Guide for Expats
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Hassan Rahim
- . October 31, 2025
- . Update: October 31, 2025 8:00 pm
It is a must to open a bank account in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like, for instance, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, for expatriates who wish to deal with the local finances and eventually gain financial stability in the region. The journey of bank account opening in the GCC is quite simple and fast as it usually takes from one day to two weeks depending on the account type and your residency status. Expat banks, namely Emirates NBD, Qatar National Bank, and the National Commercial Bank of Saudi Arabia, give the best services to people who are living abroad, and many banks now even offer the possibility of opening a bank account digitally through apps and web platforms.
Documents Required for Residents
For those foreigners who live in the country, the minimum required documents are: your original passport plus a copy, a residence visa that is still valid, and a national ID card from the UAE or an equivalent from your GCC country. A salary certificate from the HR department of your employer is demanded by most banks, and they might also require address verification, in the form of a utility bill or lease agreement for instance. There’s a bank that permits you to open an account before you even get your Emirates ID; they consider your application form as a temporary document.
Options for Non-Residents
Restrictions for non-residents are a little bit more extensive, however, they are still able to set aside some money in a savings account in most GCC countries. Moreover, the nationals from the GCC countries are the ones who benefit the most since the cross-border agreements allow them to open accounts with their national IDs issued from their home countries. Non-resident accounts usually do not provide checkbooks, however, they do issue cards for cash withdrawals. Depending on the policy, the following requirements might arise: a bank reference letter from the home country, six months of statements, proof of income source, and a commitment to maintaining a minimum balance.
Digital Banking Revolution
The banking industry of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has gone through a considerable transformation in year 2025. A large portion of the banks have started offering online account opening services and among them is Emirates NBD which guarantees account activation in a day for approved applications. On the other hand, digital-only banks like Wio Business and Mbank have reached the maximum minimum of only 3-5 days for their approval process with no or negligible balance requirements. The trend of the digital banking world not only has given the customers more access to banking services but also still keeps the compliance with the KYC regulations and the anti-money laundering measures strictly enforced.
