Hi everyone, I’m Omar from Launch Company AE. I see a lot of new founders getting excited about the low entry costs of certain northern emirates or newer hubs, but there is one thing rarely mentioned in the brochures: The Banking Appetite.
In 2026, a trade license is easy to get, but a corporate bank account is a privilege. Many entrepreneurs rush into freezone company registration based purely on the cheapest price, only to find out later that top-tier banks have a 'low appetite' for specific jurisdictions or vague activity descriptions.
Here is a quick tip for those starting out: Before you pay for your license, ask your consultant if your chosen Free Zone is on the 'approved list' for the bank you want to join. Some banks are much stricter with 'Virtual Office' setups than others. If you plan to scale, spending an extra AED 2,000–3,000 on a more established zone like IFZA or Meydan can save you six months of banking headaches.
I’m happy to answer any questions about which zones currently have the smoothest path for KYC and AML compliance. Has anyone else struggled with bank onboarding even after getting their license?
In 2026, a trade license is easy to get, but a corporate bank account is a privilege. Many entrepreneurs rush into freezone company registration based purely on the cheapest price, only to find out later that top-tier banks have a 'low appetite' for specific jurisdictions or vague activity descriptions.
Here is a quick tip for those starting out: Before you pay for your license, ask your consultant if your chosen Free Zone is on the 'approved list' for the bank you want to join. Some banks are much stricter with 'Virtual Office' setups than others. If you plan to scale, spending an extra AED 2,000–3,000 on a more established zone like IFZA or Meydan can save you six months of banking headaches.
I’m happy to answer any questions about which zones currently have the smoothest path for KYC and AML compliance. Has anyone else struggled with bank onboarding even after getting their license?