About

Why make this list?

alternative
“What are the best student bank accounts in the UAE?”

I had the same question a couple years back and there wasn't a reliable source I could find when I searched for it, so I thought that I should just compile a list together with the research I've done, so that I save time for other people doing the same search.

Banks

All banks that are currently offering accounts that work for students

...
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
ADIB

  • smartaccount
  • ISIC Student Account
...
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
ADCB

  • University Student Account
  • ADCB Hayyak
...
Emirates NBD
ENBD

  • Youth Banking
  • Liv
...
Mashreq
Mashreqbank

  • Neo Savings Account
...
Commercial Bank of Dubai
CBD

  • Savings Account
  • Esaver Account
  • Digi Account
...
Sharjah Islamic Bank
SIB

  • Digital Account

Now, let's go through what each account has to offer!

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Mashreq

Features

Neo Savings

Minimum Monthly income AED 0
Age 18+
Minimum Balance AED 3000
Monthly Charges AED 10 unless spending AED 1000
or maintaining AED 3000 balance
Closure Fee < 6 months AED 105
Closure Fee after 12 months AED 0
Number of withdrawals per month N/A
Cash withdrawal limit AED 15000
Interest rate p.a.(%) Up to 0.15%
Debit card Yes
Number of debits per month Unlimited
Transfer fees AED 1 locally
AED 25 internationally
Rewards or Discounts Assured AED 100 on each referral.
Travel, dining and lifestyle benefits
Hidden fees AED 25 fall below fee
AED 2 for withdrawal at non Mashreq ATMs
More Information

Commercial Bank of Dubai

Savings Account

Esaver Account

Digi Account

Features
Minimum Monthly income AED 0 AED 0 AED 0
Age 18+ 18+ 18+
Minimum Balance AED 5000 AED 0 AED 0
Monthly Charges AED 0 AED 0 AED 0
Closure Fee before 12 months AED 105 AED 105 AED 0
Closure Fee after 12 months AED 105 AED 105 AED 0
Number of withdrawals per month N/A N/A N/A
Cash withdrawal limit AED 10000 N/A AED 5000 initially
Interest rate p.a.(%) Up to 1.50% Up to 1.50% Up to 0.15%
Debit card Yes No Yes
Number of debits per month N/A 3 Unlimited
Transfer fees AED 1.05 locally
AED 10.50 internationally
AED 1.05 locally
AED 10.50 internationally
AED 1.05 locally
2 free before AED 10.50 internationally
Rewards or Discounts Attijari Points Rewards
Complimentary access to over 10 VIP lounges in GCC
No 20% cashback every month on select e-commerce transactions
Travel, dining and lifestyle benefits
Hidden fees AED 25 fall below fee No No
More Information More Information More Information