Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards in the UAE

A balance transfer (BT) lets you move outstanding credit card debt from one bank's card to another at a promotional interest rate, typically 0% or low APR for 6-12 months. It's offered by most UAE banks as a plan you apply for on an existing card.

BT promotional terms change frequently. As of recent campaigns, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, FAB, and Emirates Islamic have all run 0% BT plans with 6-12 month tenures. Confirm the current offer with the specific bank before applying.

Yes, usually. Most UAE banks charge a one-time processing fee on the transferred amount (typically 1-3%, with a minimum fee around AED 99-200). This fee applies even when the promotional rate is 0%.

UAE BT plans typically run 6, 9, or 12 months at 0% or low promotional APR. Tenure varies by bank and current campaign. After the tenure ends, the remaining balance reverts to the standard card APR (up to 3.45% per month per Central Bank cap).

No. UAE banks offer BT only for balances on other banks' credit cards. To consolidate at the same bank, you typically use an installment plan or a personal loan instead.

Applying for a new credit card triggers an AECB inquiry (a 'hard pull') which can cause a minor short-term dip. The BT itself doesn't directly affect your score, but successfully paying off the BT plan on time improves your payment history. See our AECB credit score guide for details.

0% interest is offered for the promotional BT tenure only (typically 6-12 months). The card itself still charges standard interest on any new purchases or remaining balance after the BT tenure ends.