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Best Zero Balance Account in UAE - Opening Process & Eligibility

Bank accounts provide valuable services to users and facilitate personal and business transactions, adding ease to life. Sometimes, one doesn't have any money, and at that point, one may wonder about an online bank account opening with a zero balance account in UAE. Yes, you read it right. It is not a possibility but a reality in the UAE. The cherry on top is its easy and straightforward process of opening an account.

Bank accounts provide valuable services to users and facilitate personal and business transactions, adding ease to life. Sometimes, one doesn't have any money, and at that point, one may wonder about an online bank account opening with a zero balance account in UAE. Yes, you read it right. It is not a possibility but a reality in the UAE. The cherry on top is its easy and straightforward process of opening an account.

A zero-balance account in the UAE, as the name indicates, allows individuals to maintain a bank account without the obligation of maintaining a minimum balance. In the UAE, several financial institutions have recognised the importance of these accounts in enhancing financial convenience. 

With the surge in popularity, zero balance accounts have become essential in enhancing access to banking services for a wide array of residents and expatriates in the country.

Eligibility Criteria to Open 0 Balance Bank Account Online

Here are the eligibility criteria to open an online bank account opening with zero balance in UAE -

  • Nationality residents
  • Minimum Monthly Salary Required at least AED 5000
  • Age: Depends on the bank

Documents Required to Open Zero Balance Bank Account Online

The following is the list of documents required to open an online bank account opening with zero balance in UAE -—

  • Emirates ID
  • Valid Passport
  • UAE Residence Visa
  • Salary Transfer Certificate (if employed individual)
  • Trade Licence (if self-employed individual)
  • Residence Proof

Features of Zero balance account

Attractive Interest Rates          

Individuals get high and competitive fixed interest rates on their deposits of up to 0.10%. This percentage is applicable on the entire balance and paid into the account on monthly basis.

Money Saving Strategy

Customers have the option to top up their savings via lump sum deposits or recurring monthly payments.

Zero Maintenance         

Bank account holders are not required to maintain any minimum balance to keep their accounts active.

Zero Fee 

The bank does not charge any fee for holding a bank account. It is totally no minimum salary zero balance account.

Easy Ways to Deposit Money

Individuals have the option to deposit their money via three different ways- online money transfers, telegraphic transfers, and cheque deposit machines

Money Transfers in Multiple Currencies       

Customers can transfer their money locally and internationally in multiple currencies.

Convenient Withdrawals     

The bank allows customers to withdraw their money through online banking and telegraphic transfers.

How Does a Zero Balance Account in the UAE Work?

Zero balance accounts work like just any other bank account. You can initiate transactions, credit and debit money using a debit card/ATM/cheque, or make use of it for online purchases, paying your utility bills, and others — just like any other account.

The only difference is in the minimum balance fees. As there’s no minimum balance requirement with such accounts, no charges are levied even if your account has no money in it.

Banks usually levy considerable charges on a monthly/yearly basis if a stipulated minimum balance is not maintained. However, with a zero-balance account in the UAE, you never have to worry about the same.

How can you apply for an online bank account opening with zero balance in UAE -?

Technology has made everything easy and convenient for people, and it is easy to get things done. You can apply for a online bank account opening with zero balance in UAE -by following these steps.

Choose any bank that has no requirement of a minimum amount in the account

  • Open the application form
  • Provide the required information and documents
  • No minimum salary zero balance account; provide proof of income if required.
  • Double-check the information you provided
  • Submit the application

Important Points to Keep in Mind

Before choosing an online bank account opening with zero balance in UAE, keep these factors in focus.

  • There should be no deposit requirement
  • There are no monthly or annual charges
  • The online platform is secure and beneficial.
  • What services are provided on account opening?
  • What are the eligibility criteria for a selected bank?
  • Number of transactions allowed per month

Best Zero Balance Saving Account UAE?

Individuals can opt for any of the following no-minimum balance accounts in the UAE:

1. HSBC Esaver Account

The HSBC E-Saver account is available for residents of the UAE, including both salaried and non-salaried individuals. As an individual, you can open a zero-balance account online in the UAE. It's worth mentioning that holders of the HSBC E-Saver account cannot obtain a chequebook or a debit card.

Let’s look into the primary benefits of having an HSBC E-Saver account in the UAE —

Eligibility Criteria and Documents Required

For Non-HSBC Sole Account Applicants

  • Documents Required
  • The applicant must be a UAE resident.
  • Original passport (for all customers)
  • Valid UAE residence visa (for non-GCC national customers only)
  • Original Emirates identification card (for all customers)
  • Proof of UAE residence in the form of either a utility bill/rental/lease agreement/title deed and employment letter

For Non-HSBC Joint Account Applicants

  • Original passport (for all customers)
  • Valid UAE residence visa (for non-GCC national customers only)
  • Original Emirates identification card (for all customers)
  • Proof of UAE residence in the form of either a utility bill/rental/lease agreement/title deed and employment letter

2. ADIB Smart Banking Account

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank offers a Smart Banking account for all individuals aged above 18 years. It allows residents to open a zero-balance account in UAE, irrespective of their employment status. No matter if you are a salaried employee, it is best bank to open a zero-balance salary account for a homemaker or even a self-employed individual; this ADIB account offers you the convenience of effective financial management by keeping your money safe in the bank account.

Mentioned below are the detailed key advantages of the ADIB Smart Banking account     

Bonus Credit Upon Salary Transfer           

Customers can enjoy salary bonus if they transfer their salaries to an ADIB account it can also act as a Zero balance salary account.

Attractive Profit Rates         

ADIB offers competitive interest rates on savings.

Enjoy Offers and Discounts on Smart deals.

Individuals can avail of more than 1500 deals and exclusive discounts via the Smart Deals application.

Free Money Transfer

Customers can make 1 free domestic and international transfer every month.

Eligibility Criteria and Documents Required

For Income-based Applicants

  • The account must be entirely for personal use.
  • No minimum salary, zero balance salary account.
  • The applicant must be either a salaried individual or a business owner's partner.

For non-income-based applicants

  • Applicants who are housewives and hold a housewife visa status.
  • The account must be used for personal use only.
  • In the case of a student, the minimum age of the applicant must be 24 years old, and the individual must have a student ID.
  • Valid Emirates ID (applicable to both UAE nationals and residents)
  • Valid UAE residence visa
  • Original passport

3. Emirates NBD Liv. Account

Emirates NBD Liv. bank account levels up your financial management knowledge by teaching you smarter money control. Using this account is easy and convenient as it has a friendly user-interface.

Given below are the primary advantages of using this zero-balance account in the UAE :         

Smart Savings Individuals can save smart with the easy automated savings feature.

Zero Paperwork

There is no need for paperwork. Individuals can seamlessly access banking facilities online without any hassle.

Competitive Interest Rates

Bank account holders can earn up to 2% interest rates annually and track their progress on the bank’s app conveniently.

Early Learning About Money Management

The liv. account is specifically curated for children and teenagers

Access to Free Cheque Book

On-demand cheque book facility is available for Emirates NBD Liv. Account holders. Those who earn more than AED 10,000 per month receive a free cheque book for one year.

Easy and Quick Payments

With this account, individuals can simply add beneficiaries and make instant money transfers.

24/7 Customer Service Support

The customer support team is available round the clock for relevant assistance.

Ensures Security       

The bank guarantees multi-layered authentication for transactions and accounts.

4. Commercial Bank of Dubai Esaver Account

The Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) ESaver saving account in UAE allows customers to open their accounts in a few minutes. This account helps in earning high returns with ease and flexibility.   The following are the key features and benefits of this zero-balance account in the UAE :

Advantages of Zero balance account    

Zero Maintenance

The bank does not ask for maintaining a minimum account balance or does not charge any maintenance fee to keep the account active.

Attractive Interest Rates

Customers can earn up to 1.25% interest rates on their monthly average balances.

Online Banking Convenience          

Individuals can access their bank accounts, fetch associated information, and even download monthly statements swiftly with the online banking service.

Instant Account Opening

Existing CBD customers can instantly open an Esaver account through the online banking channel.

Easy Money Transfers and Payments

The bank allows up to 3 debits every month with this account.

5. FAB iSave Account

FAB iSave Account is one of the best zero balance accounts in the UAE. Individuals who hold an account earn higher interest rates on their savings over the years. The following table lists all the features and benefits of the zero-balance account in the UAE:

Features and Benefits     

Zero Maintenance

FAB iSave account is a zero-balance account in the UAE, which means customers are not required to maintain a minimum balance to keep their account active.

Unlimited Withdrawals

Individuals can make unlimited cash withdrawals with this bank account.

Currency

The FAB iSave bank account is available in AED currency.

Attractive Interest Rates

Customers can earn an interest rate of 5.25% per year on new funds. (It is applicable on funds deposited from 1st May 2023 to 31st December 2023.

Instant Account Opening

Applicants can quickly open bank accounts via the online banking service.

Prompt Customer Service Support

The customer support team is available round the clock for assistance.

6. RAKBANK Fast Saver Online Account

The RAKBANK Fast Saver Online account is a zero-balance account, which helps customers to gain high interest in their savings. Check out the features and benefits of using the zero-balance account in the UAE below:

Features and Benefits    

Availability of Currency      

The account is available in USD and AED currency.

Zero Maintenance     

Customers are not required to pay any fee even if they do not have any amount in their accounts. No minimum salary zero balance account.

Issuance of Debit Card         

RAKBANK offers a complimentary debit card upon opening an account.

Online Monthly Statement   

Individuals can easily get their monthly bank statements online on their registered email ID.

Benefits of Zero balance account

Ease of Transaction :

A zero balance account not only secures your savings but also provides you the ease of transaction in the UAE. You can make a limited number of withdrawal transactions on your account but the deposit limit on this account is usually decent. Though it is more stringent about the withdrawals than the current account, its liquidity is much better than other deposit accounts.

Keeping track of the transaction:

One of the many benefits of a zero-balance account in UAE is that you can keep an eye on your transactions and regularly consider your expenditure. This allows you to save more money on your savings account.

Offers from bank

Banks in UAE offer a variety of offers on opening a savings account. As a smart customer, you should carefully compare the best savings account offers on various banks before settling for it.

Interest Rate

The most significant benefit of a Zero balance account is that it provides a decent interest rate on your savings. Though the interest rate is less than a fixed deposit account, it still betters the interest rate offered on other accounts. The interest rates on savings accounts in the UAE vary according to the banks. You may find it useful to compare the bank offers and interest rates.

Conclusion

The valuable opportunity of a 0-balance account in UAE is a step towards the financial stability of users. Before choosing any bank, gather all the information related to fees and other relevant charges so you don’t have to face any problems later. It is also important that the bank you select is reliable, in a suitable location and provides favourable conditions to its customers.

FAQs

Yes, expats can open zero balance accounts in the UAE provided they have relevant ID proof.

As per the definition, zero balance accounts don’t require you to maintain any minimum balance. However, a few banks and financial institutions may ask you to transfer your salary to your account to keep it a zero balance one.

Some of the top zero balance accounts across the UAE are CBD Esaver Account FAB iSave Account RAKBANK Fast Saver Online Account HSBC e-Saver Account

Yes, some banks allow minors to have zero balance accounts along with their guardians.

No, salary transfer is not mandatory. It entirely depends on the bank you choose.

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