Emirates Islamic publishes eight business packages: the cheapest, Tajer and E-Trader, need AED 3,000 but are only for UAE and GCC national owners; Digital costs AED 236.25 a month with AED 10,000, all fees including VAT.
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Emirates Islamic is a registered brand name of Emirates Islamic Bank PJSC, an Islamic bank licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE and launched in 2004. Its chairman is also Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates NBD Bank PJSC, and the Emirates NBD Group CEO sits on its board. Its business current account is structured as Qard Hasan and earns no profit.
Emirates Islamic publishes eight business packages: Emarati Absher, Tajer/E-Trader, Businesswomen, Digital, Premium, Gold, Platinum and Diamond, with minimum monthly average relationship balances from AED 3,000 (Tajer/E-Trader) to AED 3,500,000 (Diamond). Absher is for companies with at least one Emirati shareholder or authorised signatory, and Tajer and E-Trader are only for UAE and GCC national-owned businesses.
The application can start online, but the bank's pages say an in-branch visit is required for document verification and final account activation.
Data last reviewed: 3 October 2026
Figures published by the bank itself, not estimates. A fee position with no published value is not printed.
| Plan | Monthly fee | Min. average balance | Fall-below fee | Local transfer (AED) | International transfer | Account closure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tajer / E-Trader | Nil | AED 3,000 | AED 315 per month | AED 10.50 | AED 15.75 per transfer | AED 210 within 6 months; fall-below free for the first 12 months; UAE and GCC owners only |
| Emarati Absher Business Account | AED 105 | AED 5,000 | AED 52.50 per month | AED 21 | AED 31.50 per transfer | AED 210 within 6 months; no minimum for the first 6 months; Emirati owner or signatory |
| Businesswomen Account | AED 105 | AED 10,000 | AED 315 per month | AED 10.50 | AED 15.75 per transfer | AED 210 within 6 months; fall-below free for the first 12 months |
| Digital | AED 236.25 | AED 10,000 | AED 52.50 per month | AED 1.05 | AED 21 per transfer | AED 210 within 6 months |
| Premium | AED 131.25 | AED 50,000 | AED 315 per month | AED 21 | AED 31.50 per transfer | AED 210 within 6 months |
| Gold | Nil | AED 150,000 | AED 446.25 per month | AED 10.50 | AED 26.25 per transfer | AED 210 within 6 months |
| Platinum | Nil | AED 400,000 | AED 682.50 per month | Free | AED 15.75 per transfer | AED 210 within 6 months |
| Diamond | Nil | AED 3,500,000 | AED 2,100 per month | Free | Free lowest per transfer | AED 210 within 6 months |
A reference card from the bank profile. A row is printed only when its field is filled.
The minimum is a monthly average relationship balance, and the fall-below charge is not taken if you have active finance or an active brokerage account with the bank's broker. Closing an account within 6 months costs AED 210; opening and online banking are free. The schedule says its fees include VAT, while clause 9(c) of the business terms says fees are exclusive of VAT; the Tajer page quoting AED 300 (AED 315 with VAT) supports the schedule.
Current accounts are for all entities licensed to operate in the UAE: sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs and free zone companies have their own document lists, and foreign-registered entities are listed too; offshore companies are not mentioned. Signatories must be at least 18. Rules for freelancers, non-resident owners and turnover are not published.
You can start online through the bank's digital business banking journey, but the bank's own pages also say a branch visit is needed to verify original documents. Stated times differ by package: as little as 24 hours for the Emarati Business offer and a few working days for Businesswomen, subject to due diligence.
Since 13 September 2026 a Central Bank of the UAE regulation for SME customers requires banks to complete account opening within three business days for applicants assessed as low risk, counted from the full set of documents, and caps other delays at two weeks; banks may not charge a closing fee once an account has been open for six months.
Sources, checked 3 October 2026: Business banking schedule of charges; Business key fact statement; Business banking packages; Documents to open an account; CBUAE SME customer protection regulation (C 2/2026).
A quick read on where this bank is usually a stronger fit - and where another bank may serve you better. This is editorial guidance, not eligibility.
Business owners anywhere in the UAE who want Sharia-compliant banking: current accounts are open to all entities licensed to operate in the UAE, including free zone entities. Emirati founders can use the Absher package, UAE and GCC national-owned e-commerce startups with an ADDED or DED licence can use Tajer or E-Trader, and SMEs and trading companies can choose among the Premium, Gold, Platinum and Diamond packages.
Companies that want a fully remote account opening: Emirates Islamic says an in-branch visit is required for document verification and final account activation. Founders without an Emirati shareholder or signatory cannot use the Absher package, and the Tajer and E-Trader packages are limited to UAE and GCC national-owned businesses. Freelancers should check first, since no freelancer offer is published.
Practical onboarding considerations - not bank criticism. Outcomes depend on the bank's own review.
| Account type | Who it suits | |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate bank account for a UAE company | Mainland and free zone companies that need a business account in their own name | View service |
| Personal bank account for a resident or investor | Residents, investors and shareholders opening an account in their own name | View service |
| Fintech and digital business account (EMI) | Companies that need a fast digital account instead of a traditional bank | View service |
| KYC and bank document preparation | Applicants asked for extra documents, source of funds or business proof | View service |
| Reapplication after a bank account rejection | Companies already refused by a bank and reapplying | View service |
From request to activation - what happens and how long it takes.
Emirates Islamic states no single opening time: as little as 24 hours for the Emarati Business offer and a few working days for the Businesswomen account, after due diligence. An in-branch visit is needed to verify original documents.
A practical checklist. Complete documents do not guarantee approval - the bank makes the decision.
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Emirates Islamic package pages list: company profile and trade licence; commercial registration and Chamber of Commerce certificate; valid passport, Emirates ID and residence visa copies for all shareholders; share certificate (if applicable); Articles of Association, partnership documents or board resolution; and additional documents as required for KYC. All original documents must be presented for verification. Free zone entities also need the certificate of incorporation issued by the free zone authority and a copy of the share certificate.
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Get bank account supportTajer and E-Trader: no relationship fee and an AED 3,000 minimum, with the fall-below charge free for 12 months, then AED 315 a month. They are only for businesses owned by UAE or GCC nationals with the matching e-licence.
From AED 3,000 on Tajer and E-Trader, AED 5,000 on Absher from the 7th month, AED 10,000 on Digital and Businesswomen, AED 50,000 on Premium, up to AED 3,500,000 on Diamond.
The schedule of charges and key fact statement say yes; clause 9(c) of the business banking terms says fees are exclusive of VAT. Ask the bank to confirm in writing for your package.
Most packages have no nationality rule. Tajer and E-Trader are for UAE and GCC owners, Absher and the Emarati Business offer need an Emirati shareholder or signatory.
Yes. It is not charged if you keep the balance, have any active finance with the bank or an active brokerage account with its broker. New Tajer, Absher and Businesswomen accounts also get a free introductory period.
You can start online, but the bank says a branch visit is required to verify documents and activate the account.
AED 210 if you close within 6 months. No closing fee after 6 months is published.
Emirates Islamic Bank PJSC was launched in 2004 and is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. Its chairman is also Vice Chairman of Emirates NBD and the Emirates NBD Group CEO sits on its board.
Other UAE business banks with a comparable profile, by bank type or banking model.
Money rows - Source: Emirates Islamic Business Banking Schedule of Charges and Business Key Fact Statement (January 2025), VAT included, retrieved 2026-10-03.
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