UAE lets tourists open digital bank accounts in minutes and get debit cards for cashless payments

Biometric sign up turns arrival into instant payments

UAE tourists can now open digital bank accounts and receive debit cards within minutes of arriving, using a biometric-based onboarding process. The initiative is led by the UAE Central Bank in collaboration with ICP and ADCB, enabling instant cashless payments. Officials say it will improve financial inclusion, speed up the country’s digital payments ecosystem, and make the visitor experience smoother.