Best first credit cards in the UAE
Our top picks for a first credit card are Citi Simplicity, which charges no fees of any kind, ADCB Essential Cashback for flat cashback on everything, and Mashreq Cashback for 5% on dining with no minimum spend. All three are free for life and accept a AED 5,000 monthly salary.
Our top picks
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1
Citibank UAE
Citi Simplicity Credit Card
No annual, late payment, cash advance or over-limit fee, ever, plus 0% instalment plans. Rewards are limited to a monthly talabat discount, so it suits someone who mainly wants a low-cost card.
Fee: Free for lifeSalary: AED 5,000
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2
ADCB
Essential Cashback Credit Card
Free for life with 1% to 1.25% cashback on everything and no categories to track. No cashback in months you spend under AED 1,000.
Fee: Free for lifeSalary: AED 5,000Top rate needs: AED 1k/mo
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3
Mashreq
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card
Free for life with 5% on dining in the UAE and abroad and no minimum spend.
Fee: Free for lifeSalary: AED 5,000
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4
RAKBANK
RAKBANK Red Cashback Credit Card
Free for life with up to 1.5% cashback (max AED 300 a month) and one free international money transfer a month.
Fee: Free for lifeSalary: AED 5,000
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5
Emirates NBD
noon One Visa Credit Card
Free for life, with up to 20% back as noon credits if you already shop on noon.
Fee: Free for lifeSalary: AED 5,000
Picks are chosen by Joe Hickman, founder of MoneyVS, from each bank's published terms. Banks can't pay for placement. How we choose.
All 36 cards
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0%matchFree for lifeEmirates NBD
U By Emaar Family Credit Card
5% back as Upoints at Emaar malls, hotels and restaurants
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchFree for lifeEmirates NBD
Darna Select Visa Credit Card
6.25% back as Darna Points at Aldar destinations
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchFree for lifeEmirates NBD
SHARE Visa Platinum Credit Card
4% back as SHARE Points at Majid Al Futtaim (malls, Carrefour, VOX)
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchFree for lifeEmirates NBD
LuLu 247 Titanium Credit Card
Up to 3.5% back as LuLu Points at LuLu
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus0% balance transfer, no processing fee (transfer a balance from another bank).
- 0% balance transfer
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0%matchFree for life
Emirates NBD
noon One Visa Credit Card
Up to 20% back as noon credits across noon, noon Food and NowNow
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 5k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 500 when you spend AED 5,000 within 60 days; 1-year noon One membership (included).
- Cinema offers
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0%matchFree for lifeEmirates NBD
Mastercard Titanium Credit Card
Up to 1 Plus Point per AED 100
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
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0%matchFree for lifeEmirates NBD
Go4it Gold Credit Card
5 Plus Points per AED 400 at weekends
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
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0%matchEmirates NBD
Webshopper Credit Card
1 Plus Point per AED 200
- Annual fee
- AED 52.5
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
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0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Cashback Credit Card
5% on fashion, dining and groceries
- Annual fee
- AED 315
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- AED 3k/mo
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
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0%matchIslamicFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Cashback Islamic Credit Card
5% on groceries, fuel and dining (max AED 300 a month for UAE nationals, AED 200 for expats)
- Annual fee
- AED 315
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
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0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB ADNOC Rewards Credit Card
15% back at ADNOC stations including fuel (max AED 150 a month)
- Annual fee
- AED 315
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- AED 3k/mo
Welcome bonus300,000 ADNOC points (AED 300) (sign up and pay the annual fee).
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
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0%matchFree for lifeFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
du Credit Card
15% back in FAB Rewards on du bills, devices and plans
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- AED 2.5k/mo
No welcome bonus right now
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0%matchFree for lifeFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Rewards Indulge Card
5 FAB Rewards per AED online
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
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0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Rewards Active Credit Card
5 FAB Rewards per AED on sports, golf, gyms and sports apparel
- Annual fee
- AED 315
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
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0%matchFree for lifeFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB SHARE Platinum Credit Card
4% back in SHARE points at Mall of the Emirates, City Centres, Carrefour and VOX
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchFree for lifeADCB
talabat ADCB Credit Card
35% back on your first 10 talabat orders a month (up to AED 35 an order)
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 5k in 45 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 750 talabat credit (AED 200 if you already have an ADCB card) when you spend AED 5,000 within 45 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
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0%matchIslamicFree for lifeADCB
talabat ADCB Islamic Card
35% back on your first 10 talabat orders a month (up to AED 35 an order)
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 5k in 45 days
- Top rate needs
- AED 2.5k/mo
Welcome bonusAED 750 talabat credit (AED 200 if you already have an ADCB card) when you spend AED 5,000 within 45 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
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0%matchADCB
Shukran ADCB Credit Card
10% back as Shukrans at Centrepoint, Babyshop, Home Centre, Max, Emax and other Shukran brands
- Annual fee
- AED 262.5 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 8k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 1,000 in Shukrans (AED 1,200 for UAE nationals, AED 200 if you already have an ADCB card) when you spend AED 8,000 within 60 days.
- Cinema offers
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0%matchIslamicADCB
Shukran ADCB Islamic Card
10% back as Shukrans at Centrepoint, Babyshop, Home Centre, Max, Emax and other Shukran brands
- Annual fee
- AED 262.5 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 8k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 1,000 in Shukrans (AED 1,200 for UAE nationals, AED 200 if you already have an ADCB card) when you spend AED 8,000 within 60 days.
- Cinema offers
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0%matchFree for lifeADCB
ADCB LuLu Titanium Credit Card
3.5% back as LuLu Points at LuLu
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
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0%matchFree for lifeADCB
TouchPoints Titanium & Gold Credit Card
Up to 0.5 TouchPoints per AED
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Cinema offers
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0%matchIslamicFree for lifeADCB
Islamic TouchPoints Gold Card
Up to 0.5 TouchPoints per AED
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchFree for life
ADCB
Essential Cashback Credit Card
1.25% cashback in months you spend AED 5,000+
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- AED 1k/mo
Welcome bonusUp to AED 250 (Apply through select ADCB digital channels (see bank terms)).
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
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0%matchFree for life
Mashreq
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card
5% on dining in the UAE and abroad
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 5k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 500 (AED 100 if you already have a Mashreq card) when you spend AED 5,000 within 60 days.
- Cinema offers
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0%matchMashreq
Mashreq Platinum Plus Credit Card
10 Vantage points per AED on supermarkets, fuel and dining
- Annual fee
- AED 313.95
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 5k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 750 (AED 200 if you already have a Mashreq card) when you spend AED 5,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
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0%matchHSBC UAE
HSBC Live+ Credit Card
6% on dining (max AED 200 a statement)
- Annual fee
- AED 313.95 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- AED 3k/mo
Welcome bonusUp to AED 600 cashback (get the card (new HSBC credit card customers only)); AED 100 cashback (first use in a mobile wallet); AED 100 cashback (get a supplementary card and use it).
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
- Golf
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0%matchFree for life
Citibank UAE
Citi Simplicity Credit Card
No fees of any kind
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
-
0%matchIslamicDubai Islamic Bank
Consumer Cashback Reward Card
Up to 3% on supermarkets, fuel, bills, Salik and Nol, and school fees
- Annual fee
- AED 210 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- AED 3k/mo
No welcome bonus right now
-
0%matchIslamicFree for lifeAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank
ADIB Smiles Visa Classic Card
Smiles points on spend
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus5,000 Smiles points (sign up).
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0%matchIslamicFree for lifeEmirates Islamic
Emirates Islamic Amazon Platinum Card
Up to 6% back on Amazon.ae (Prime)
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 10k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusUp to AED 250 in Amazon points (Prime members) when you spend AED 10,000 within 60 days; Up to AED 250 more (Prime members) when you spend AED 2,500 within 60 days.
- Cinema offers
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0%matchFree for life
RAKBANK
RAKBANK Red Cashback Credit Card
Up to 1.5% cashback on local and international spends
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
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0%matchFree for lifeCommercial Bank of Dubai
CBD One Credit Card
Up to AED 135 cashback a month at selected merchants (noon, Amazon, Talabat, Careem, Netflix, cinemas, coffee chains and more)
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- AED 5k/mo
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
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0%matchCommercial Bank of Dubai
CBD Yes Rewards Credit Card
3% back at ENOC/EPPCO when you spend under AED 2,500 a month (max AED 75)
- Annual fee
- AED 199 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus20,000 Yes Rewards (worth AED 200) (use the card within 90 days of issue (new cards only)).
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
- Valet parking
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0%matchCommercial Bank of Dubai
CBD Smiles Visa Platinum Credit Card
5 Smiles per AED on e& (Etisalat), the Smiles app and elGrocer (max 10,000 a month)
- Annual fee
- AED 208.95 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 200 off a hotel booking through Smiles Unravel (code arrives within 30 days of issue).
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0%matchIslamicSharjah Islamic Bank
SIB Cashback Covered Card
10% cashback on online spends and Apple Pay / Samsung Wallet (max AED 300 a month)
- Annual fee
- AED 199 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
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0%matchAl Masraf
Al Masraf Platinum Mastercard
Al Masraf points you can convert to cashback (earn rate not published on the bank's page)
- Annual fee
- AED 150
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
No cards fit those filters yet.
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Questions people ask
What is the easiest credit card to get in the UAE?
No card is guaranteed, but the lowest minimum salary UAE banks publish is AED 5,000 a month. 48 cards open to everyone accept it, 22 of them free for life. Banks also check your employer and credit history before they approve you.
Should my first credit card have an annual fee?
It doesn't need to. Every card on this page is free for life or costs AED 320 a year or less, so you can build a UAE credit history without paying much to keep the card.
How do I avoid interest on my first credit card?
Pay the full statement balance by the due date every month. If you pay only the minimum, the rest of the balance is charged interest (or profit on an Islamic card) at the rate in the bank's key facts statement.