The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), together with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), has launched a digital bank account opening service under the Tourist Identity initiative.

The service allows non-resident visitors to open digital bank accounts using the Tourist Identity upon arrival in the UAE.

ICP issues the identity and uses biometric and facial recognition technologies to verify users. The authorities design it to enable secure digital onboarding without physical documentation.

Through integration between ICP’s platform and ADCB’s mobile banking application, visitors can open accounts within minutes and access banking services immediately, including digital debit cards for use upon issuance.

The initiative supports the UAE’s broader digital transformation and financial inclusion objectives, and aims to expand the use of digital payments while reducing reliance on cash.

It also connects users to the UAE’s national payment infrastructure, including the “Jaywan” card scheme and the “Aani” instant payment platform.

Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the CBUAE, said:

“By enabling instant digital onboarding and connecting visitors to the UAE’s national payment ecosystem, including the national payment scheme ‘Jaywan’ and the instant payment platform ‘Aani’, the initiative contributes to enhancing ease of doing business and delivering an integrated and secure banking experience for visitors from the moment they arrive in the UAE.”

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image by padastocker via Magnific