How to Open a FAB Bank Account Online in the UAE

You can open a FAB account entirely in the FAB Mobile app with an Emirates ID and a video selfie. Sign-up takes minutes and needs no paperwork.

The account you can pick depends on your income. The app starts at AED 3,000 a month for the Personal Current Account, moves to AED 10,000 for FAB One and the Etihad Guest Account, and reaches AED 50,000 for the Elite range.

This route is open to UAE nationals and UAE residents.

What you need before you start

• A valid Emirates ID
• An iPhone or Android phone with a working camera for the video selfie. FAB Mobile runs on the latest iOS or Android version and the two versions before it, and it is available in English and Arabic.
• A Wi-Fi or mobile data connection
• Income or a deposit that meets the account you want (see the table further down)

Open the account in FAB Mobile

1. Download FAB Mobile from the Apple App Store, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery.
2. Open the app, choose the account or credit card you want, and tap sign up.
3. Verify your Emirates ID when the app asks for it.
4. Complete the security verification, which includes the video selfie.
5. Enter your employment and income details, then submit the application.

You can open an account in minutes, and the same sign-up flow works for FAB credit cards.

If you already hold a FAB product, tap the menu in the top right corner of the home screen and choose Apply for a new product under Products Manager.

Which account fits your income

Each account has its own entry level, listed here from lowest to highest.

Account	What the app asks for	Main perks
Personal Current Account	Monthly income of AED 3,000 or more	Free Mastercard debit card, first cheque book free, airport lounge access across the Middle East up to 4 times a year
Personal Savings Account	Average minimum monthly balance of AED 3,000	Free Platinum Mastercard debit card, airport lounge access across the Middle East
FAB One Account	Monthly income of AED 10,000 or more	No minimum balance charges, free Platinum Mastercard debit card, 4 free cash withdrawals at any UAE ATM
Etihad Guest Account	Monthly income of AED 10,000 or more	500 bonus Etihad Guest Miles on your first salary transfer, 1 free international remittance a month
Elite Current Account	Monthly income of AED 50,000 or more	Free international remittances, airport lounge access
Elite Savings Account	Monthly income of AED 50,000 or more	Multi-currency accounts, no minimum balance, first international remittance free each month
Etihad Guest Elite Account	Monthly income of AED 50,000 or more	1,000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles on your first salary transfer, no minimum balance

The Islamic Current Account follows the same rule as the Personal Savings Account: an average minimum monthly balance of AED 3,000.

Here is how the thresholds sort out in practice:

• AED 3,000 to 9,999 a month: the Personal Current Account is the current account you qualify for.
• AED 10,000 to 49,999 a month: choose between FAB One and the Etihad Guest Account. FAB One suits you if you want no minimum balance charges and FAB Rewards, which pay 40 Rewards for every AED 100 you spend. The Etihad Guest Account only makes sense if your salary will move to FAB, because the 500 miles arrive with the first salary transfer.
• AED 50,000 or more a month: the three Elite accounts. Etihad Guest Elite is the miles option, and Elite Savings is the one for holding several currencies.

Self-employed and non-salaried applicants can still qualify. FAB One swaps the AED 10,000 monthly salary for an initial deposit of AED 10,000, and the Personal Current Account is open to salaried, self-employed and non-salaried applicants.

FAB One also has a catch worth knowing: the Rewards paid on your account balance need an average monthly balance of AED 10,000.

iSave is opened after your first account

iSave is not one of the accounts you pick at first sign-up. FAB opens it instantly inside FAB Mobile or Online Banking for people who already hold a FAB account, and it is limited to UAE residents with a valid Emirates ID.

It has no minimum balance, no monthly fee and no limit on withdrawals. The 5.60% yearly rate applies only to new funds deposited between 1 September 2026 and 31 December 2026. The standard rate is up to 2.465% a year on balances below AED 500,000.

So if a high savings rate is the goal, open a current account first and add iSave from the app afterwards.

Opening an account at a branch

If you prefer to apply in person, bring these to a FAB branch:

• The completed account opening form
• A copy of your valid passport, resident visa or Emirates ID, with the originals
• Proof of income

FAB can ask for additional documents case by case. There are over 60 FAB branches across the UAE.

After the account is open

• Online Banking transactions are approved inside FAB Mobile once you register with your Emirates ID and a video selfie. Online card payments can be approved with a tap, without a one-time password.
• The Cards tab lets you freeze a card, or block it and order a replacement.
• You can register FAB Mobile on up to three devices.
• The steps for checking your balance are in the guide on how to check your FAB bank balance, and the FAB salary check guide covers what to do once your first salary lands.
• Report suspicious activity to the 24-hour contact centre on 600 52 5500, or +971 2 681 1511 from outside the UAE.

FAQ

Can I open a FAB account online without visiting a branch?

Yes. FAB Mobile handles the whole sign-up with your Emirates ID and a security verification, and no paperwork is involved.

Who can open a FAB account online?

UAE nationals and UAE residents who meet the requirements of the account they choose. FAB offers accounts for both salaried and non-salaried individuals.

Do I need a salary to open a FAB account online?

Not always. The Personal Current Account is open to salaried, self-employed and non-salaried applicants, and FAB One accepts a AED 10,000 initial deposit in place of a AED 10,000 monthly salary. The Personal Savings Account looks at your average monthly balance of AED 3,000 instead of income.

How long does it take to open a FAB account online?

A few minutes, once your Emirates ID and the security verification are done.

Can I open an iSave account as my first FAB account?

No. iSave opens inside FAB Mobile or Online Banking for people who already have a FAB account, so start with a current account.

What if FAB Mobile is locked after I sign up?

Tap Forgot PIN on the login screen and follow the steps to regain access to your mobile banking.

How many phones can I use FAB Mobile on?

Up to three devices.

Checklist for sign-up day

• Match your monthly income to the table above and pick the account.
• Keep your Emirates ID and a charged phone with a working camera nearby.
• Download FAB Mobile and complete the Emirates ID and video selfie verification.
• Transfer your salary if you chose the Etihad Guest Account, so the bonus miles are triggered.
• Add iSave from inside the app once the first account is open.