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AboutBest credit cardsMy CardsOffersKredit PerksBanksLoyalty ProgramsCalculatorsAccountsPick me a cardChatGPT AppSecure Collect

Please send feedback and feature requests to team@kredit.ae

For partnerships please reach out to partner@kredit.ae

SMART SPEND - FZCO, License No. 68272, Legal address: Building A1, Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed on this website are the property of their respective owners. They are used for identification and informational purposes only, and their use does not imply affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from any trademark owner. If you are a trademark owner with concerns, please contact us and we will address them promptly.

Kredit publishes independent editorial content and card comparisons to help users evaluate credit card options. We may earn a commission when users click certain links, submit an application, are approved, or open an account with partner institutions. Compensation may affect how and where products appear on the site. We do not cover every available card, and our editorial analysis is produced independently and is not reviewed, approved, or influenced by card issuers, banks, or partners before or after publication.

Kredit is a product of SMART SPEND - FZCO, a licensed entity under the International Free Zone Authority (IFZA), UAE

Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

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Get notified about UAE latest credit card products

Get notified about UAE latest credit card products

Best Credit Cards Without an AECB Check in the UAE

Best Credit Cards Without an AECB Check in the UAE

No UAE credit card skips the AECB check, but a fixed-deposit-secured card is the usual alternative.

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The cards below are widely available options from AED 5,000 salary. Each still goes through the AECB check, an affordability assessment, and the bank's own underwriting, and approval is always the bank's decision.

Best Credit Cards Without an AECB Check in the UAE compared

A side-by-side snapshot of annual fees, salary requirements, and standout benefits.

CardAnnual feeMin. salaryWhy it stands out
Liv Cashback Credit Card
Liv Cashback Credit Card
FreeAED 5,000Standard unsecured card — AECB, affordability, and bank underwriting checks apply
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card
FreeAED 5,000Standard unsecured card — published salary eligibility does not guarantee approval
ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card
ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card
FreeAED 5,000Standard unsecured card — creditworthiness and affordability checks apply
Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card
FreeAED 10,000Standard unsecured card — final approval is the issuing bank's decision
CardAnnual feeMin. salaryWhy it stands out
Liv Cashback Credit Card
Liv Cashback Credit Card
FreeAED 5,000Standard unsecured card — AECB, affordability, and bank underwriting checks apply
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card
FreeAED 5,000Standard unsecured card — published salary eligibility does not guarantee approval
ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card
ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card
FreeAED 5,000Standard unsecured card — creditworthiness and affordability checks apply
Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card
FreeAED 10,000Standard unsecured card — final approval is the issuing bank's decision
Liv Cashback Credit Card

Liv Cashback Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
HighlightStandard unsecured card — AECB, affordability, and bank underwriting checks apply
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card

Mashreq Cashback Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
HighlightStandard unsecured card — published salary eligibility does not guarantee approval
ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card

ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
HighlightStandard unsecured card — creditworthiness and affordability checks apply
Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card

Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 10,000
HighlightStandard unsecured card — final approval is the issuing bank's decision

August Spotlight

Emirates NBD

Three Emirates NBD credit cards spanning everyday rewards to premium travel — the ENBD noon One Visa Card earns up to 20% back as noon Credits on noon Food with no annual fee, the ENBD Voyager World Credit Card earns 6 Voyager Miles per AED 1 on the Voyager Travel Portal with complimentary airport lounge access, and the premium ENBD Voyager World Elite doubles that to 12 Voyager Miles per AED 1 with added airport transfers and fast-track privileges.

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ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card Design
4.1/5

EMIRATES NBD

ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • No Annual Fee
  • Welcome Bonus: AED 500 when you spend AED 5,000 in the first two months
  • Get 20% back as noon credits when you spend on noon food
  • Get 5% back as noon credits when you spend on noon
ExploreLearn more about ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card credit card benefits and features
ENBD Voyager World Credit Card Design
EXCLUSIVE OFFER
3.9/5

EMIRATES NBD

ENBD Voyager World Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 12,000+
  • 75,000 Miles after AED 35,000 spend
  • No Annual Fee
  • 6 Voyager Miles on every AED spent on Voyager Travel Portal
  • 3 Voyager Miles on every AED spent on other travel bookings
ExploreLearn more about ENBD Voyager World Credit Card credit card benefits and features
ENBD Voyager World Elite Credit Card Design
EXCLUSIVE OFFER

EMIRATES NBD

ENBD Voyager World Elite Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 25,000+
  • 150,000 Miles after AED 70,000 spend
  • No Annual Fee for the first year
  • 12 Voyager Miles on every AED spent on Voyager Travel Portal
  • 6 Voyager Miles on every AED spent on other travel bookings
ExploreLearn more about ENBD Voyager World Elite Credit Card credit card benefits and features

What to know about the AECB check

1.

Every UAE credit card requires an AECB check

UAE Central Bank consumer-protection standards require lenders to assess a customer's ability to repay, examine their credit record, and verify information with a credit-information agency before granting credit. No UAE credit card, including one secured by a fixed deposit, bypasses this assessment.

2.

The alternative is a card secured against a fixed deposit

Some banks may issue a credit card against money you place in a fixed deposit. The deposit is held as collateral and may determine the credit limit. This can be an alternative when an unsecured card is not available, but it does not remove identity, affordability, or credit-bureau checks, and approval remains at the bank's discretion.

3.

Ask for the secured-card terms in writing

Ask your bank whether it offers a fixed-deposit-backed credit card, the minimum deposit, how the credit limit is set, whether the deposit is locked, and what happens if a payment is missed. Review the card's Key Facts Statement, fees, and interest or profit rate before agreeing.

4 cards in the UAE

Liv Cashback Credit Card Design

LIV DIGITAL BANK BY EMIRATES NBD

Liv Cashback Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • Free for life
  • Up to 2% Cashback on all spends
  • Cashback or Skywards Miles
  • 2 Free Movie Tickets + 20% off on F&B at VOX Cinemas
ExploreLearn more about Liv Cashback Credit Card credit card benefits and features
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card Design
3.4/5

MASHREQ BANK

Mashreq Cashback Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • No Annual Fee
  • AED 500 Welcome Bonus
  • Unlimited 5% Cashback on dining.
  • 1% Cashback on international spends (non-dining)
ExploreLearn more about Mashreq Cashback Credit Card credit card benefits and featuresApplyApply for Mashreq Cashback Credit Card credit card
ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card Design

ABU DHABI COMMERCIAL BANK (ADCB)

ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • No Annual Fee
  • Welcome Bonus: AED 350
  • Up to 1.25% cashback on all spends
  • 0.75% on select categories
ExploreLearn more about ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card credit card benefits and features
Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card Design

EMIRATES ISLAMIC

Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 10,000+
  • No Annual Fee for the first year
  • Welcome Offer: AED 500 Cashback points
  • Up to 8% cashback on your spends
  • Switch between Lifestyle or Travel cashback category
ExploreLearn more about Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card credit card benefits and featuresApplyApply for Emirates Islamic Switch Cashback Credit Card credit card

How to ask for a fixed-deposit-backed credit card

Follow these steps to complete your application.

1.Contact a bank where you hold or can open a fixed deposit and ask whether secured credit cards are currently available
2.Request the minimum deposit, available card types, credit-limit ratio, fees, and deposit-release conditions in writing
3.Submit the bank's required identity, income, affordability, and credit-bureau information
4.Read the Key Facts Statement and confirm that you can afford the repayments before accepting the card

Eligibility criteria

General requirements for credit card applications in the UAE. Exact thresholds vary by bank and card tier.

Minimum age21 years
Monthly salaryAED 5,000–10,000
EmploymentSalaried employees or self-employed professionals
ResidencyUAE residents with a valid Emirates ID and residence visa
Credit historyAECB credit score is checked; a clean record strengthens approval
Minimum age21 years
Monthly salaryAED 5,000–10,000
EmploymentSalaried employees or self-employed professionals
ResidencyUAE residents with a valid Emirates ID and residence visa
Credit historyAECB credit score is checked; a clean record strengthens approval

Always confirm the latest eligibility details with the issuing bank before applying.

Documents you will need

Prepare these before you start an application. Some banks accept digital uploads; others require originals at a branch.

UAE nationals

1.Emirates ID
2.Khulasat Al Qaid (Family Book)
3.Salary certificate (less than 30 days old)
4.Bank statements — last 3 months
5.Passport copy

Expats & residents

1.Emirates ID
2.Valid passport with residence visa page
3.Salary certificate or employment letter
4.Bank statements — last 3 months
5.Proof of address (utility bill or tenancy contract)

The final list of required documents may differ based on the bank and card. Self-employed applicants may also need a trade licence and audited financial statements.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Best Credit Cards Without an AECB Check in the UAE

No. Every UAE credit card application requires an AECB check and an affordability assessment. A card backed by a fixed deposit still goes through the bank's required checks and approval process.

Ask your bank whether it offers a credit card secured against a fixed deposit. Also obtain your AECB report, correct any errors, and address overdue obligations before applying again. Do not submit multiple speculative applications, and remember that no alternative guarantees approval. If income is the constraint, our minimum salary guide explains what each salary tier unlocks, and a prepaid card uses your own funds with no credit-bureau check.

You place money in a fixed deposit that the bank holds as collateral for the card. The bank sets the credit limit and card terms, often with reference to the deposit. You still receive monthly statements and must make repayments; the bank may use the deposit if you default, subject to the agreement.

Some UAE banks may offer or require a credit card backed by a fixed deposit for eligible customers. Availability and terms vary and may not be advertised as a separate card product, so ask the bank directly and confirm the current conditions before placing a deposit.

No. The fixed deposit provides collateral; it is not an exemption from the bank's creditworthiness, affordability, identity, or credit-bureau checks. Approval and the final credit limit remain subject to the bank's policy.

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