The Central Bank of the UAE has eliminated the Dh5,000 minimum salary requirement for personal loans. Experts see this as a transformative step for the UAE, providing broader access to finance for personal and investment needs.
Despite the removal, AbdulAziz Abdullah Al-Ghurair, chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, mentioned in a recent interview with Khaleej Times that not everyone in the workforce will qualify for personal loans, as many are in low-income brackets and may not meet the eligibility criteria.
Some banks still list a Dh5,000 minimum salary for personal loans on their websites. According to the UAE Central Bank, personal loans to residents reached Dh547.7 billion by the end of Q3 2025, up Dh74.4 billion or 15.7% year-over-year.
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For UAE residents seeking cash, these banks offer personal loans:
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB):
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UAE nationals can borrow up to Dh5 million with a salary transfer account, with or without a FAB credit card, at 4.7% to 6.2% annual interest and a 365-day grace period.
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Expatriates can access up to Dh2 million with a 275-day grace period and 5.44% to 7.2% interest annually.
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Applicants must be 21+, employed by government, semi-government, or reputable private companies, with a minimum salary of Dh7,000.
Emirates NBD:
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Offers up to Dh4 million for Emiratis and Dh3 million for expatriates with competitive interest rates.
Mashreq Bank:
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Loans up to 20x your salary, max Dh2 million.
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Requires Dh5,000 minimum salary for approved companies; Dh10,000 for others.
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Must be confirmed employee for 6+ months.
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First EMI deferral up to 90 days.
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB):
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Interest rates from 5.24% for nationals, 6.49% for expatriates.
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Offers up to 2x salary draft with flexible criteria.
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Loans secured against salary and end-of-service benefits.
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1.05% processing fee.
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Repayment terms from 6 to 48 months.
Commercial Bank International:
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Borrow up to 20x your salary.
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Includes insurance for unforeseen events.
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National Bank of Fujairah:
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Loans up to 20x monthly salary, max Dh1 million for expats, Dh3 million for nationals.
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Repayment up to 48 months.
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Interest rate 5.25%.
Ras Al Khaimah Bank (RAKBank):
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Applicants must be 21+ with a minimum salary of Dh5,000.
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Interest from 5.49% per annum.
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Salary transfer to bank until loan repayment.
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Minimum AECB score of 541 required.
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Employment with bank-approved employer required.
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Repayment up to 48 months for nationals and expats; 60 months for UAE Armed Forces staff.
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB):
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Loans up to Dh5 million with Takaful coverage up to Dh100,000 and instalment deferment option.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (Adib):
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Up to Dh3 million financing for nationals, Dh2 million for expatriates.
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Profit rate reduced from 4.59% per annum.
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Flexible repayment up to 48 months.
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Two instalment postponements without fees.
Note: Information sourced from UAE banks’ websites. Each bank may have additional terms and calculators for eligibility and repayment. Khaleej Times advises contacting banks for further details.
