Minimum salary for UAE credit cards
This is the monthly salary each bank publishes as its minimum, across the 170 cards open to anyone who meets it. 43 of those cards don't publish a minimum salary, so they aren't counted below.
| Minimum monthly salary | Cards | Share |
|---|---|---|
| AED 5,000 | 48 | 38% |
| AED 5,001 to 10,000 | 19 | 15% |
| AED 10,001 to 15,000 | 27 | 21% |
| AED 15,001 to 20,000 | 7 | 6% |
| AED 20,001 to 30,000 | 20 | 16% |
| Over AED 30,000 | 6 | 5% |
On a salary of AED 10,000 you can apply for 67 of these cards, on AED 15,000 for 94, and on AED 30,000 for 121. See the cards for AED 5,000, AED 10,000, AED 15,000 and AED 30,000.
Lowest minimum salary at each bank
| Bank | Lowest published salary | Cards at that salary |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates NBD | AED 5,000 | 9 |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank | AED 5,000 | 8 |
| Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | AED 5,000 | 1 |
| ADCB | AED 5,000 | 12 |
| Emirates Islamic | AED 5,000 | 1 |
| Dubai Islamic Bank | AED 5,000 | 3 |
| Mashreq | AED 5,000 | 2 |
| Citibank UAE | AED 5,000 | 1 |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai | AED 5,000 | 5 |
| RAKBANK | AED 5,000 | 2 |
| HSBC UAE | AED 5,000 | 1 |
| Sharjah Islamic Bank | AED 5,000 | 1 |
| Al Masraf | AED 5,000 | 1 |
| InvestBank | AED 5,000 | 1 |
| United Arab Bank | AED 6,000 | 1 |
| Wio Bank | AED 7,000 | 1 |
| National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain | AED 8,000 | 1 |
| National Bank of Fujairah | AED 9,000 | 1 |
| Ajman Bank | AED 10,000 | 3 |
| Standard Chartered UAE | AED 30,000 | 1 |
Free cards for a AED 5,000 salary
22 free for life cards accept a AED 5,000 salary, including ENBD U By Emaar Family, FAB du, talabat ADCB, Mashreq Cashback, Citi Simplicity, ADIB Smiles Visa Classic, Emirates Islamic Amazon Platinum and RAKBANK Red Cashback. See all cards for a AED 5,000 salary or our best first credit cards.
Salary isn't the only check
Meeting the minimum salary lets you apply; it doesn't guarantee approval. Banks also look at your credit history with the Al Etihad Credit Bureau, your employer and how much you already owe. Some cards are only for UAE nationals or for a bank's private or priority clients, whatever your salary.
Questions people ask
What's the minimum salary for a credit card in the UAE?
AED 5,000 a month is the lowest minimum UAE banks publish. 48 cards open to everyone accept it, 22 of them free for life.
Can I get a credit card with a salary under AED 5,000 in the UAE?
None of the cards we list publish a minimum salary below AED 5,000. 43 cards don't publish a minimum at all, so ask those banks directly.
What salary do I need for a travel card with airport lounge access?
The lowest published salary for a travel card with lounge access is AED 5,000, for ENBD dnata Platinum and RAKBANK Air Arabia Platinum.
What salary do I need for a premium credit card?
For cards with an annual fee of AED 1,500 or more that publish a minimum, requirements run from AED 15,000 to AED 50,000 a month; the median is AED 30,000.