Best Welcome Bonus & Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards UAE
UAE welcome bonuses range from AED 350 to AED 2,500 in cashback.
See cardsLast updated: - Sourced from official issuer documents and product pages.
Other offers include airline, hotel and Emaar loyalty points. Spend thresholds and windows vary widely — verify that the target matches your normal spending before applying.
A welcome bonus is only valuable if (a) you'd hit the spend anyway and (b) its value clears the first-year annual fee with margin. Treat the bonus as a one-shot subsidy, not a reason to over-spend. Use the UAE Welcome Offer Index for the market-wide structured offer inventory; use this page for the decision framework and card comparison. For cards that also earn well month after month, see the best credit cards in the UAE.
Best Welcome Bonus & Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards UAE compared
A side-by-side snapshot of joining fees, salary requirements, and standout benefits.
| Card | Joining fee | Min. salary | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
 | AED 735 | AED 15,000 | AED 1,000 equivalent welcome bonus in Tamayaz Points after AED 40,000 spend in 60 days |
 | Free | AED 25,000 | 150,000 Voyager Miles after AED 70,000 spend within 3 months of issuance, first year only, plus a Kredit-exclusive AED 500 cashback offer on AED 5,000 spend within 30 days of card issuance |
 | AED 735 | AED 15,000 | Up to 175,000 EI SmartMiles: 75,000 on fee payment plus 100,000 after AED 20,000 spend in 60 days |
 | AED 2,625 | AED 30,000 | Up to 200,000 Etihad Guest Miles: 40,000 on joining fee + 60,000/100,000 on AED 90,000/AED 120,000 spend in first 6 months |
 | AED 3,148.95 | AED 30,000 | Up to 100,000 Skywards Miles: 35,000 on joining fee + 40,000 on USD 25,000 spend in first 3 statements + 25,000 on USD 7,500 Emirates spend |
 | AED 2,625 | AED 5,000 | Up to 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points: 100,000 on card issuance plus 50,000 after USD 15,000 spend in 90 days, and 50,000 more for applications by 30 November 2026 |
 | AED 1,575 | AED 25,000 | Up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points with spend milestones including USD 15,000 in first 3 statements |
 | Free | AED 30,000 | UAE Nationals only: double Emaar UPoints for 3 months plus 10,000 UPoints after USD 10,000 spend in the first 3 billing cycles; up to 25,000 combined |
 | Free | AED 25,000 | AED 2,500 welcome cashback after AED 9,000 spend in first 2 months |
 | Free | AED 5,000 | Up to AED 1,200 welcome bonus after AED 8,000 spend in first 60 days |
 | AED 2,625 | AED 30,000 | Up to 200,000 Etihad Guest Miles with campaign tiers including AED 200,000 spend in first 6 months |
| Card | Joining fee | Min. salary | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 735 | AED 15,000 | AED 1,000 equivalent welcome bonus in Tamayaz Points after AED 40,000 spend in 60 days |
| Free | AED 25,000 | 150,000 Voyager Miles after AED 70,000 spend within 3 months of issuance, first year only, plus a Kredit-exclusive AED 500 cashback offer on AED 5,000 spend within 30 days of card issuance |
| AED 735 | AED 15,000 | Up to 175,000 EI SmartMiles: 75,000 on fee payment plus 100,000 after AED 20,000 spend in 60 days |
| AED 2,625 | AED 30,000 | Up to 200,000 Etihad Guest Miles: 40,000 on joining fee + 60,000/100,000 on AED 90,000/AED 120,000 spend in first 6 months |
| AED 3,148.95 | AED 30,000 | Up to 100,000 Skywards Miles: 35,000 on joining fee + 40,000 on USD 25,000 spend in first 3 statements + 25,000 on USD 7,500 Emirates spend |
| AED 2,625 | AED 5,000 | Up to 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points: 100,000 on card issuance plus 50,000 after USD 15,000 spend in 90 days, and 50,000 more for applications by 30 November 2026 |
| AED 1,575 | AED 25,000 | Up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points with spend milestones including USD 15,000 in first 3 statements |
| Free | AED 30,000 | UAE Nationals only: double Emaar UPoints for 3 months plus 10,000 UPoints after USD 10,000 spend in the first 3 billing cycles; up to 25,000 combined |
| Free | AED 25,000 | AED 2,500 welcome cashback after AED 9,000 spend in first 2 months |
| Free | AED 5,000 | Up to AED 1,200 welcome bonus after AED 8,000 spend in first 60 days |
| AED 2,625 | AED 30,000 | Up to 200,000 Etihad Guest Miles with campaign tiers including AED 200,000 spend in first 6 months |
Tamayaz World Credit Card
Joining feeAED 735
Min. salaryAED 15,000
HighlightAED 1,000 equivalent welcome bonus in Tamayaz Points after AED 40,000 spend in 60 days
ENBD Voyager World Elite Credit Card
Joining feeFree
Min. salaryAED 25,000
Highlight150,000 Voyager Miles after AED 70,000 spend within 3 months of issuance, first year only, plus a Kredit-exclusive AED 500 cashback offer on AED 5,000 spend within 30 days of card issuance
Emirates Islamic Flex Elite Credit Card
Joining feeAED 735
Min. salaryAED 15,000
HighlightUp to 175,000 EI SmartMiles: 75,000 on fee payment plus 100,000 after AED 20,000 spend in 60 days
ENBD Etihad Guest Visa Elevate Credit Card
Joining feeAED 2,625
Min. salaryAED 30,000
HighlightUp to 200,000 Etihad Guest Miles: 40,000 on joining fee + 60,000/100,000 on AED 90,000/AED 120,000 spend in first 6 months
ENBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
Joining feeAED 3,148.95
Min. salaryAED 30,000
HighlightUp to 100,000 Skywards Miles: 35,000 on joining fee + 40,000 on USD 25,000 spend in first 3 statements + 25,000 on USD 7,500 Emirates spend
Marriott Bonvoy ADIB Visa Infinite Card
Joining feeAED 2,625
Min. salaryAED 5,000
HighlightUp to 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points: 100,000 on card issuance plus 50,000 after USD 15,000 spend in 90 days, and 50,000 more for applications by 30 November 2026
ENBD Marriott Bonvoy World Elite
Joining feeAED 1,575
Min. salaryAED 25,000
HighlightUp to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points with spend milestones including USD 15,000 in first 3 statements
ENBD U By Emaar Visa Infinite Emirati Credit Card
Joining feeFree
Min. salaryAED 30,000
HighlightUAE Nationals only: double Emaar UPoints for 3 months plus 10,000 UPoints after USD 10,000 spend in the first 3 billing cycles; up to 25,000 combined
Mashreq Solitaire Credit Card
Joining feeFree
Min. salaryAED 25,000
HighlightAED 2,500 welcome cashback after AED 9,000 spend in first 2 months
ADCB Shukran Credit Card
Joining feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
HighlightUp to AED 1,200 welcome bonus after AED 8,000 spend in first 60 days
FAB Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
Joining feeAED 2,625
Min. salaryAED 30,000
HighlightUp to 200,000 Etihad Guest Miles with campaign tiers including AED 200,000 spend in first 6 months
Bonus type
Best cashback welcome bonus
These cards pay the signup offer as direct cashback — credited against your statement balance without redemption windows, partner programs, or expiry conditions.
MASHREQ BANK
Mashreq Solitaire Credit Card
- Welcome Bonus: AED 2,500
- 6 points per AED on international purchases
- Unlimited Fitness First Visits
ABU DHABI COMMERCIAL BANK (ADCB)
ADCB Shukran Credit Card
- Welcome Bonus: up to AED 1,200
- 10% back as Shukrans on spends at Shukran brands
- Up to 1.5% back as Shukrans on all other spends
Bonus type
Best airline miles welcome bonus
These cards offer high-volume airline miles on signup — Skywards or Etihad Guest — with spend thresholds that unlock tranches over the first few months.
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Etihad Guest Visa Elevate Credit Card
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575
- Welcome Offer: Up to 200,000 Miles
- 10 Miles per AED 10 spend on Etihad
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575
- Bonus: Up to 100,000 Skywards Miles
- Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver membership
FIRST ABU DHABI BANK (FAB)
FAB Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
- Bonus: Up to 200,000 Etihad Guest Miles
- 7.5 Etihad Miles per AED 10 spent
- Fast track to Etihad Gold membership.
Bonus type
Best hotel and lifestyle points bonus
These cards credit welcome bonuses in hotel or lifestyle points programs — Marriott Bonvoy, EI SmartMiles, or Tamayaz — suited to frequent hotel guests and Emaar ecosystem users.
ABU DHABI ISLAMIC BANK (ADIB)
Marriott Bonvoy ADIB Visa Infinite Card
- Welcome bonus: up to 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
- 8 Marriott Bonvoy points per USD 1 at Marriott properties
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Marriott Bonvoy World Elite
- Welcome Bonus: Up to 150,000 Points
- 6 points per USD 1 at Marriott hotels
- Gold Elite Status with Marriott
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD U By Emaar Visa Infinite Emirati Credit Card
- UAE Nationals only
- Up to 25,000 welcome UPoints
- 7.5% value back at Emaar
Why choose welcome bonus cards
1.
Higher first-year value
A welcome offer can offset all or part of annual fees when your early spend pattern matches the required threshold.
2.
Cashback and miles options
Some cards pay the signup offer in cashback, while others offer bonus miles or points for travel-focused redemptions.
3.
Fast way to compare offer terms
This page helps you compare bonus amount, spend window, salary requirement, and ongoing rewards in one place.
4.
Useful for planned big purchases
If you have upcoming expenses, timing your application can help unlock the bonus without changing normal spending behavior.
Tools & calculators
Put the comparison into your own numbers, or open the underlying market data before you choose.
Data tool
Welcome Offer Index
Browse the structured market inventory of signup bonuses, fee waivers and offer deadlines.
Calculator
Rewards calculator
Enter your monthly spend and compare the AED value different UAE cards could return.
Calculator
Miles & points to AED
Convert major UAE airline and rewards-programme balances into an estimated AED value.
11 cards in the UAE
LIV DIGITAL BANK BY EMIRATES NBD
Tamayaz World Credit Card
- Salary: AED 15,000+
- Annual Fee: AED 735
- Welcome Bonus: AED 1,000 equivalent
- 10% cashback at Union Coop
- 3% cashback on international spends
3.8/5
EMIRATES ISLAMIC
Emirates Islamic Flex Elite Credit Card
- Salary: AED 15,000+
- Annual Fee: AED 735
- EI SmartMiles welcome offer
- 3.75% cashback on international spend
- Unlimited rounds of golf
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Etihad Guest Visa Elevate Credit Card
- Salary: AED 30,000+
- Joining Fee: AED 2,625
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575
- Welcome Offer: Up to 200,000 Miles
- 10 Miles per AED 10 spend on Etihad
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
- Salary: AED 30,000+
- Joining Fee: AED 3,148.95
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575
- Bonus: Up to 100,000 Skywards Miles
- Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver membership
ABU DHABI ISLAMIC BANK (ADIB)
Marriott Bonvoy ADIB Visa Infinite Card
- Salary: AED 5,000+
- Annual Fee: AED 2,625
- Welcome bonus: up to 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
- 8 Marriott Bonvoy points per USD 1 at Marriott properties
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Marriott Bonvoy World Elite
- Salary: AED 25,000+
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575
- Welcome Bonus: Up to 150,000 Points
- 6 points per USD 1 at Marriott hotels
- Gold Elite Status with Marriott
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
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD U By Emaar Visa Infinite Emirati Credit Card
- Salary: AED 30,000+
- First year free
- UAE Nationals only
- Up to 25,000 welcome UPoints
- 7.5% value back at Emaar
MASHREQ BANK
Mashreq Solitaire Credit Card
- Salary: AED 25,000+
- Annual Fee AED 1,500 +5% VAT
- Welcome Bonus: AED 2,500
- 6 points per AED on international purchases
- Unlimited Fitness First Visits
ABU DHABI COMMERCIAL BANK (ADCB)
ADCB Shukran Credit Card
- Salary: AED 5,000+
- No Annual Fee for the first year
- Welcome Bonus: up to AED 1,200
- 10% back as Shukrans on spends at Shukran brands
- Up to 1.5% back as Shukrans on all other spends
FIRST ABU DHABI BANK (FAB)
FAB Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
- Salary: AED 30,000+
- Annual Fee: AED 2,625
- Bonus: Up to 200,000 Etihad Guest Miles
- 7.5 Etihad Miles per AED 10 spent
- Fast track to Etihad Gold membership.
How to apply for a welcome offer card
Follow these steps to complete your application.
1.Shortlist cards by signup value, annual fee, and minimum salary requirement
2.Read the spend threshold and timeframe carefully before submitting your application
3.Apply online with Emirates ID, passport/visa, salary proof, and recent bank statements
4.Track eligible transactions in the first billing cycles to make sure you hit the bonus conditions
Eligibility criteria
General requirements for credit card applications in the UAE. Exact thresholds vary by bank and card tier.
| Minimum age | 21 years |
| Monthly salary | AED 5,000–30,000 |
| Employment | Salaried employees or self-employed professionals |
| Residency | UAE residents with a valid Emirates ID and residence visa |
| Credit history | AECB credit score is checked; a clean record strengthens approval |
| Minimum age | 21 years |
| Monthly salary | AED 5,000–30,000 |
| Employment | Salaried employees or self-employed professionals |
| Residency | UAE residents with a valid Emirates ID and residence visa |
| Credit history | AECB 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 Welcome Bonus & Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards UAE
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