UAE Tourist Identity: How the ADCB Instant Tourist Account Works
The Tourist Identity initiative lets visitors open a UAE bank account digitally. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) launched it on 30 April 2026 with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB). ADCB’s product is the Instant Tourist Account, which removes the branch visit and the paperwork that used to keep short-stay visitors out of local banking.
Your Tourist Identity is created at immigration when you enter the UAE, and the account is opened with biometric and facial recognition in the app, with no paper documents. The account is linked to the national payment systems Jaywan and Aani, so the digital card works across the UAE card network.
How to Open the Account
- Download the ADCB Mobile Banking app while you are in the UAE.
- Tap “New to ADCB? Start your journey”.
- Select “Accounts”.
- Choose “ADCB Instant Tourist Account” and complete the passport-based verification.
Who Can Open It
- Anyone aged 18 or older.
- Holders of a valid tourist or visit visa and passport.
- Visitors who are physically in the UAE. You cannot open the account before you arrive.
Holders of 96-hour and transit visas are not eligible, and joint accounts are not offered.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Currency | AED only |
| Minimum opening amount | Nil |
| Monthly fee | AED 26.25 including VAT, waived with a balance of AED 2,500 |
| Debit card | Digital by default, physical on request through uBank (fees apply) |
| Where the card works | UAE only: ATMs, shops, online payments, supported digital wallets |
| Account life | Exit date, visa expiry or six months, plus a 7-day grace period |
Limits Worth Knowing
- While the account is active you cannot open, hold or apply for other ADCB banking products.
- International transfers need a registered international account in your name.
- Any remaining balance is credited only to that registered international account.
- The account cannot be converted. If you get a residence visa, close it and open a new account.
For a side-by-side view with the other visitor option, read the UAE tourist bank account comparison, or see Mashreq NEO On Arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tourist get a debit card in the UAE?
Yes, through the ADCB Instant Tourist Account. The debit card is digital by default, and a physical card can be requested through uBank, with fees applying.
Can I use the tourist debit card outside the UAE?
No. The card works in the UAE only, at ATMs, shops, online and in supported digital wallets.
Where to go next
- Tourist bank account in Dubai: ADCB and Mashreq compared
- Mashreq NEO On Arrival for visitors
- UAE visit visa types and who qualifies
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