Hi Daniel

Yes, Israeli passport holders can open business bank accounts in the UAE, provided the company is legally established and all regulatory requirements are met. Nationality alone is not a barrier to opening a corporate account. Like every international applicant, you'll need to satisfy the bank's KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) requirements.

To apply, banks will generally ask for:

• A valid UAE Trade License (Mainland or Free Zone).
• Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum & Articles of Association (MoA/AoA).
• Proof of your company's registered office address, such as an Ejari or lease agreement.
• A board resolution or authorization for the account signatories, where applicable.

For the shareholders and directors, banks typically require:

• Valid passport copies.
• UAE residence visa and Emirates ID (if you're a resident), or overseas proof of address if you're applying as a non-resident.
• Personal bank statements and documents showing the source of funds.
• A clear business profile explaining your company's activities and expected transactions.

We recently assisted an overseas entrepreneur with international shareholders who established a UAE Free Zone company. The bank carried out its standard compliance review, requested additional documentation regarding the company's activities and source of funds, and once everything was verified, the corporate account was approved successfully.

My advice is to focus on preparing a complete compliance file rather than worrying about your nationality. Banks are primarily interested in understanding your business, verifying the ownership structure, and ensuring the expected transactions align with your licensed activities.