Don’t have a salary certificate? You can still open a fully digital account with a UAE IBAN. Here’s how Huru makes it simple for expats, freelancers, and low-income workers.
Introduction: Banking shouldn’t be a privilege
For too long, access to banking in the UAE has been tied to formal employment — and a salary certificate has been the golden ticket. But what happens if you’re a freelancer, part-time worker, self-employed, or just new to the country?
Most traditional banks in the UAE require:
- A salary certificate from your employer
- A minimum monthly salary (typically AED 3,000 or more)
- An employer with a bank tie-up
- Sometimes even employment history or tenancy proof
That immediately shuts the door on thousands of people — despite the fact that they earn and spend money in the UAE like everyone else. It’s an outdated model in a rapidly evolving world.
Huru is changing that.
What is a salary certificate & why it’s a barrier
A salary certificate is an official letter from your employer that confirms your job title, salary, and employment status. While it’s a reasonable document for credit or loans, requiring it for basic account access excludes a massive population:
- New joiners who haven’t received their first salary
- Construction workers or drivers on daily wages
- Freelancers without fixed incomes
- Domestic workers without formal contracts
- Small business owners or sole traders
When banking access is limited, people turn to unsafe alternatives — like storing cash, using someone else’s account, or taking informal loans. That increases risk and makes financial freedom harder to achieve.
The Huru solution: No salary certificate, no problem
At Huru, we believe access to financial services is a basic right, not a luxury for the few. That’s why we’ve designed our onboarding process to remove friction and include every eligible customer, regardless of income type or employment structure.
Here’s how Huru helps you open an account with a UAE IBAN without a salary certificate:
Digital-only onboarding
No paperwork. No bank visits. Start with your Emirates ID and phone. Open an account from your home or job site — in under 5 minutes.
Zero balance requirement
No minimum balance and no low-balance fees, so your account can stay empty. A monthly maintenance fee of AED 2.10 applies.
Instant IBAN and Visa prepaid card
Once you’re verified, you get a UAE IBAN to receive money from UAE accounts — including salaries and freelance payments. You also receive a virtual Visa card immediately, with the option to request a physical one.
Local & global money capabilities
Pay bills, transfer money abroad, receive salary, shop online, withdraw cash — all from one account with a UAE IBAN, without needing a formal job contract.
Who can benefit from this?
Huru’s onboarding model is built for real people, not just ideal banking profiles. If any of these sound like you, you’re welcome here:
- Newly arrived expats looking to settle in quickly
- Freelancers offering services online or offline
- Gig workers or part-timers with multiple income streams
- Drivers, cleaners, cooks, and caretakers
- Women managing informal family businesses from home
- Anyone waiting on job documentation or in probation periods
How to open a Huru account in minutes
Here’s what the process looks like — no long forms, no branch appointments:
- Download the Huru App (available on iOS and Android)
- Sign Up with Your Emirates ID — we verify it instantly
- Complete a Quick KYC Check — a short video selfie or face scan
- Receive Your UAE IBAN Instantly
- Start Using Your Account — add money, make payments, or send remittances
Your virtual Visa card is available in-app the moment your account is live, and you can use it for online shopping, subscriptions, and digital wallets. Need cash or prefer a physical card? You can request delivery in a few taps.
Why this matters?
Access to an account with an IBAN is more than convenience — it’s a gateway to stability. With Huru, you can:
- Receive and store money securely
- Avoid high-fee cash transfer services
- Build a financial history for future credit
- Track your expenses digitally
- Start saving using in-app saving pots
Most importantly, you won’t need to depend on friends, employers, or agents just to manage your own money.
Final thoughts: Inclusive finance for the real UAE
In a country built by hardworking people from all over the world, it’s time banking caught up.
Whether you’re sending money home, paying your Etisalat bill, or saving for your future — you deserve an account that works for you, not against you. With Huru, no salary certificate means no problem.
Download the app today and take your first step toward financial freedom — on your own terms.