UAE mainland: corporate bank account opening
Corporate bank CDD under the UAE federal framework: licences, ownership, signatories and funding evidence.
UAE mainland · Banks · Central Bank of the UAE
Corporate customers, including overseas companies · Account opening: AML/CDD review
By Matthew Lee
Logo: UAE government portal
Obtain incorporation or registration evidence, the current trade licence, constitution and registered and business addresses. The UAE registry guide identifies the relevant emirate or free-zone authority. Check a free-zone licence with its issuing authority; there is no single Dubai mainland search covering every UAE company.
Ownership and account authority
Articles 9–10 of Cabinet Resolution 134 of 2025 require corporate identity, representation and beneficial-owner checks. Identify individuals ultimately owning or controlling 25% or more, then apply the other-control and senior-management steps where required. Obtain records for intermediate corporate shareholders and agreements explaining nominee or voting rights.
Verify representatives and their authority. Check the memorandum's management powers and obtain the resolution or power of attorney covering the account and signatories.
Funding and approval
Record expected payments, counterparties and countries. Obtain the contracts, investment agreements or loan documents needed to substantiate the proposed activity. A trade licence lists licensed activities; it does not supply the terms of a transaction.
Apply enhanced measures to higher-risk cases and the relevant PEP approvals and funding enquiries. Complete verification on the federal framework's timing conditions and resolve sanctions findings before permitting activity.
Update CDD after ownership, management or operator changes. Article 25 sets a minimum five-year retention requirement, with separate starting events for relationship and transaction records.