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Credit Cards and Low Credit Scores in the UAE

Credit Cards and Low Credit Scores in the UAE

A low AECB score narrows the route rather than closing it.

See cards

Last updated: October 25, 2026

A fixed deposit is the published alternative: several banks let a deposit held with the bank stand in for the income test, and the cards below are the entry-tier options at those banks. Every application still includes a creditworthiness assessment, and approval remains the bank's decision.

Entry-tier cards at banks that publish a fixed-deposit route

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

CardAnnual feeMin. salaryWhy it stands out
ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card
ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card
FreeAED 5,00020% back as noon credits on noon Food, 5% on noon.com
ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card
ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card
FreeAED 5,0004% back at Carrefour and Al-Futtaim brands, free for life
ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card
ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card
FreeAED 5,0006.25% back as Darna Points at Aldar destinations, 0.75% elsewhere, free for life
Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card
AED 367.50AED 5,0005% cashback on electronics and telecom spend including Sharaf DG
Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card
Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card
FreeAED 5,00010% cashback on fuel (including ADNOC) and RTA transport
Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card
FreeAED 5,000Pick the categories your cashback applies to from the EI+ app
DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card
DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card
AED 210AED 5,0003% Sharia-compliant cashback with a lower salary threshold
CardAnnual feeMin. salaryWhy it stands out
ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card
ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card
FreeAED 5,00020% back as noon credits on noon Food, 5% on noon.com
ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card
ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card
FreeAED 5,0004% back at Carrefour and Al-Futtaim brands, free for life
ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card
ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card
FreeAED 5,0006.25% back as Darna Points at Aldar destinations, 0.75% elsewhere, free for life
Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card
AED 367.50AED 5,0005% cashback on electronics and telecom spend including Sharaf DG
Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card
Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card
FreeAED 5,00010% cashback on fuel (including ADNOC) and RTA transport
Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card
FreeAED 5,000Pick the categories your cashback applies to from the EI+ app
DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card
DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card
AED 210AED 5,0003% Sharia-compliant cashback with a lower salary threshold
ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card

ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
Highlight20% back as noon credits on noon Food, 5% on noon.com
ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card

ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
Highlight4% back at Carrefour and Al-Futtaim brands, free for life
ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card

ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
Highlight6.25% back as Darna Points at Aldar destinations, 0.75% elsewhere, free for life
Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card

Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card

Annual feeAED 367.50
Min. salaryAED 5,000
Highlight5% cashback on electronics and telecom spend including Sharaf DG
Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card

Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
Highlight10% cashback on fuel (including ADNOC) and RTA transport
Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card

Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card

Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
HighlightPick the categories your cashback applies to from the EI+ app
DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card

DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card

Annual feeAED 210
Min. salaryAED 5,000
Highlight3% Sharia-compliant cashback with a lower salary threshold

October 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.

See all
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
  • AED 500 bonus on AED 5,000
  • 20% back in credits on noon Food
  • 5% back in credits 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 on AED 35,000
  • No Annual Fee
  • 6 Miles/AED on Voyager Portal
  • 3 Miles/AED on other travel
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 on AED 70,000
  • No Annual Fee for the first year
  • 12 Miles/AED on Voyager Portal
  • 6 Miles/AED on other travel
ExploreLearn more about ENBD Voyager World Elite Credit Card credit card benefits and features

Why choose Credit Cards and Low Credit Scores in the UAE

1.

Every application includes a creditworthiness check

UAE Central Bank consumer-protection standards require lenders to assess affordability and creditworthiness, including verification with a credit-information agency. A listed minimum salary is only one eligibility condition and does not predict approval.

2.

A fixed deposit can secure the credit limit

Several UAE banks publish this route in their own eligibility criteria: an applicant who does not meet the minimum income can open a fixed deposit with the bank, holding the minimum deposit required for the card being applied for. The deposit stands in for the income test and may determine the limit. It does not replace the identity, affordability or credit-bureau checks, and availability, deposit amount, fees and approval remain the bank's decision.

3.

Review the report before applying

Get your own AECB report, check it for errors, and address overdue obligations before making another application. Avoid submitting several speculative applications because each bank applies its own policy and an application is not guaranteed to be approved. See our [AECB credit score guide](/blog/aecb-credit-score-uae-check-your-report-improve-it) for more information.

7 cards in the UAE

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
  • AED 500 bonus on AED 5,000
  • 20% back in credits on noon Food
  • 5% back in credits on noon
ExploreLearn more about ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card credit card benefits and features
ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card Design

EMIRATES NBD

ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • No Annual Fee
  • 4% back at Majid Al Futtaim
  • 0.75% cashback on other spends
  • Buy 1 get 1 at VOX Cinemas
ExploreLearn more about ENBD SHARE Platinum Credit Card credit card benefits and features
ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card Design

EMIRATES NBD

ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • No Annual Fee
  • 6.25% cashback on all spends at Aldar destinations
  • 0.75% cashback on spends at non-Aldar locations.
  • Complimentary Darna Silver tier status
ExploreLearn more about ENBD Darna Select Visa Credit Card credit card benefits and features
Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card Design

EMIRATES ISLAMIC

Islamic

Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • Annual Fee: AED 367.50
  • 5% Cashback on telecom
  • 5% Cashback on electronics
  • Up to 1% cashback on all local and international spends
ExploreLearn more about Emirates Islamic Cashback Credit Card credit card benefits and features
Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card Design

EMIRATES ISLAMIC

Islamic

Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • No Annual Fee
  • 10% Cashback on RTA Transport
  • 10% Cashback on Fuel
  • 2.25% Cashback on Other Spends
ExploreLearn more about Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card credit card benefits and featuresApplyApply for Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card credit card
Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card Design

EMIRATES ISLAMIC

Islamic

Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • No Annual Fee
  • 10,000 EI SmartMiles Welcome Bonus
  • Up to 2.25 EI SmartMiles per AED 1 spend
  • Up to 2 Buy 1 Get 1 complimentary movie tickets each month
ExploreLearn more about Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card credit card benefits and featuresApplyApply for Emirates Islamic Flex Credit Card credit card
DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card Design

DUBAI ISLAMIC BANK

Islamic

DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card

  • Salary: AED 5,000+
  • Annual Fee: AED 210
  • 3% cashback on groceries, auto & education
  • 3% cashback on bills
  • 3% cashback on Salik & nol
ExploreLearn more about DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card credit card benefits and featuresApplyApply for DIB Consumer Cashback Reward Credit Card credit card

What to do before applying

Follow these steps to complete your application.

1.Obtain your AECB credit report and check the accounts, balances, and payment history for accuracy
2.Contact the relevant lender or AECB if information appears incorrect, and resolve overdue obligations where possible
3.Ask your bank whether it offers a credit card secured against a fixed deposit and request the current terms in writing
4.Compare the Key Facts Statement, annual fee, profit or interest rate, and deposit restrictions before accepting any 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+
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+
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 Credit Cards and Low Credit Scores in the UAE

It may be possible, but no card or score guarantees approval. The bank must assess your creditworthiness and affordability and may consider income, existing obligations, payment history, and its own lending policy. Ask the bank whether a fixed-deposit-backed card is available if you do not qualify for an unsecured card.

There is no single approval score for UAE credit cards. Each lender applies its own underwriting policy and considers more than the score, including verified income, existing obligations, payment history, and affordability. Meeting a card's published minimum salary does not guarantee approval.

Kredit cannot predict approval from a score alone. The issuing bank decides after assessing your complete application, credit report, income, existing obligations, and affordability. Consider reviewing your AECB report or asking your bank about a fixed-deposit-backed card before applying.

No UAE credit card should be presented as bypassing the required creditworthiness assessment. A fixed-deposit-backed credit card uses your deposit as security, but the bank still performs its required checks and decides whether to approve the application. A prepaid card uses your own loaded funds, needs no credit check, and is not a credit card.

There is no guaranteed timeline or score increase. Credit information changes as providers submit updated data, and every lender applies its own policy. Check your current report, correct any errors, make payments on time, and avoid unnecessary applications. See the AECB credit score guide for more information.

No. No UAE credit card can be presented as guaranteed or 'easy' approval, whatever your score — the bank must complete its creditworthiness and affordability assessment and decides case by case. If income rather than score is the constraint, review the minimum salary for a credit card and options on a low salary. Otherwise, correct any errors on your AECB report and ask your bank about a fixed-deposit-backed card.

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