UAE visitors can open digital bank accounts in minutes with new ‘Tourist Identity’ initiative

The United Arab Emirates has launched a Tourist Identity initiative allowing visitors to open digital bank accounts within minutes of arrival.

The Central Bank of the UAE, working with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, introduced the biometric-based service to enable instant, paperless account opening for non-residents.

What is the UAE's Tourist Identity initiative?

The Tourist Identity is a digital identity assigned to visitors upon arrival in the UAE. It uses biometrics and facial recognition to verify identity and links directly to ADCB's mobile banking app. This allows tourists to open a bank account instantly, access a digital debit card, and make cashless payments without paperwork or branch visits.

How does the digital bank account opening process work?

When visitors arrive in the UAE, they receive a Tourist Identity through a fully digital process powered by biometric verification. This identity connects to ADCB's mobile banking application, enabling account opening within minutes.

Users can then access services including digital debit cards and the UAE's instant payment infrastructure.

The initiative integrates with the UAE's national payment ecosystem. This includes the Jaywan domestic card scheme and the Aani instant payment platform, giving tourists access to the same payment infrastructure used by residents.

Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, assistant governor for banking operations and support services at the central bank, said the initiative connects visitors to this ecosystem from the moment they arrive.

Why is the UAE launching instant bank accounts for tourists?

Officials said the initiative is designed to boost financial inclusion and accelerate the country's shift toward a cashless payments economy.

Previously, non-residents could open some UAE bank accounts, but the process required extensive documentation and considerable processing time.

The new system replaces that model with a digital identity-led approach that reduces both paperwork and friction.

Major General Suhail Juma Al Khaili, acting director general of citizenship at the identity authority, said the system enables multiple sectors to serve visitors through advanced identification technologies.

ADCB Group CEO Ala'a Eraiqat said the bank's participation reflects efforts to align financial innovation with the UAE's growing tourism sector.

What does the initiative mean for the UAE's position as a financial hub?

Al Dhaheri said the initiative contributes to ease of doing business and delivers a secure banking experience for visitors from arrival.

The UAE has positioned digital finance and tourism as complementary priorities, and the Tourist Identity initiative brings the two together directly.

Eraiqat added that ADCB's involvement is intended to strengthen the country's standing as a global financial hub.