| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Consultant fee, one bank applicationPreparation and introduction. Approval is the bank's decision. | AED 1,000–5,000 |
| Consultant package, two to three banksAsk what is refunded if all applications are declined. | AED 3,000–8,000 |
| Business plan and KYC file preparationOften bundled into the consultant fee. Check. | AED 500–2,000 |
| Certified legal translation, per pageNeeded for Arabic or foreign-language documents. | AED 100–200 |
| Minimum balance, traditional business accountHeld in the account, not spent. Fees apply below it. | AED 10,000–50,000 |
| Minimum balance, premium business packageComes with relationship manager and higher limits. | AED 50,000–100,000 |
| Monthly service fee below minimum balanceTypically, depending on the bank. Ask for the tariff in writing. | AED 50–250 |
Indicative market ranges in AED, excluding 5% VAT unless stated. Not government tariffs and not quotes: always ask for a written quote.
What moves the price
- Shareholder profile. Non-resident owners and complex ownership chains take longer and cost more to prepare.
- Business activity. Trading, cross-border payments and crypto-related activity face deeper compliance checks.
- Licence type and address. A flexi-desk address is harder with some banks than a leased office.
- Bank choice. Digital banks open faster with lower minimums; traditional banks need more documents.
How to read these prices
These are indicative ranges compiled by the Moathaq editorial team from published rate cards, public tariffs and typical market prices. They are not government tariffs and they are not quotes. Last reviewed: October 2026. Your quote will differ, so always ask for a written quote before work starts.
Consultant fees buy preparation, introductions and guidance. They do not buy an account. Minimum balances are your own money held at the bank, so they belong in your cash plan, not in the consultant's invoice. The consultant fees are typical Dubai prices; in the other emirates they are often similar or somewhat lower.
Our guide to opening a company bank account in the UAE in 2026 covers timelines, documents and what happens after a refusal.
How to get a fair quote
Ask what the consultant does for the fee, how many banks it will approach and what happens to the fee if the bank declines. A fair answer is a partial or full refund, or a free second application, written in the agreement.
Verify the consultant's own trade licence first, and pay a company account that matches the licence name.
Red flags
A consultant who tells you to send the same file to many banks at once is trading on volume. Each application leaves a record with the bank.
Frequently asked questions
Can a consultant guarantee a UAE business account?
No. Banks decide under Central Bank rules. Fees of AED 1,000 to 5,000 pay for preparation and introduction only.
How much should I keep in a new business account?
At least the bank's stated minimum, often AED 10,000 to 50,000. Keep more if you pay suppliers from the account.
