Just landed in Dubai or Abu Dhabi? The 10 best credit card offers for new immigrants in UAE make building a financial life fast, rewarding, and stress-free. Designed for expats earning AED 5,000+ with no mandatory salary transfer, these cards deliver up to 10% cashback on groceries, fuel, and dining, plus welcome bonuses worth AED 300–600 and zero annual fees in the first year. Whether you’re from Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, or anywhere else, these 2025–2026 offers help you earn while you settle — no long credit history required.
Banks like HSBC, ADIB, Emirates NBD, and Mashreq now approve applications in minutes using only your Emirates ID, passport, visa, and salary proof. Here are the top 10 cards ranked by real-world value for newcomers.
| Rank | Card Name | Bank | Min. Salary | Annual Fee | Key Rewards & Welcome Bonus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HSBC Live+ Credit Card | HSBC | AED 5,000 | Free 1st year | 6% cashback groceries/utilities (AED 150 cap), 10% dining, AED 300 welcome on AED 3,000 spend | Everyday essentials |
| 2 | ADIB Cashback Visa Platinum | Abu Dhabi Islamic | AED 5,000 | Free (waivable) | 5% supermarkets & fuel (AED 200 cap), AED 300 welcome, free lounge access | Fuel & grocery savers |
| 3 | Emirates NBD Titanium | Emirates NBD | AED 5,000 | Lifetime free | 2 Skywards Miles/AED intl., 50% off Vox cinemas, AED 500 bonus miles | Cinema & travel lovers |
| 4 | Mashreq Solitaire | Mashreq | AED 5,000 | Free 1st year | 10% online shopping (AED 150 cap), free Careem Plus, AED 250 welcome | Online shoppers |
| 5 | RAKBANK Titanium | RAKBANK | AED 5,000 | Lifetime free | 5% groceries/fuel, free roadside help, AED 400 referral | Budget-conscious expats |
| 6 | Standard Chartered Platinum | Standard Chartered | AED 5,000 | Free (waivable) | 10% school fees cashback, unlimited lounges, AED 500 welcome | Families with kids |
| 7 | FAB Cashback Card | First Abu Dhabi | AED 5,000 | Free 1st year | Up to 5% unlimited on select categories, AED 1,000 welcome (highest) | Maximum cashback hunters |
| 8 | Emirates Islamic Cashback | Emirates Islamic | AED 5,000 | Free (waivable) | 10% supermarkets & fuel first 90 days, then 4%, Sharia-compliant | Islamic banking users |
| 9 | Citi PremierMiles | Citibank | AED 8,000 | Free 1st year | 1.5 miles/AED, 50,000 bonus miles, no FX fees | Frequent travelers |
| 10 | CBD Smiles Visa Signature | Commercial Bank | AED 5,000 | Free 1st year | 5 Smiles points/AED, 50% off Talabat, AED 400 welcome | Food delivery addicts |
All cards accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, and offer 0% installment plans (6–36 months) on electronics, travel, and furniture — perfect for furnishing your new apartment.
How to Sign Up in Under 10 Minutes (New Immigrant Checklist)
- Documents Needed: Passport + visa page, Emirates ID (front & back), salary certificate or 3-month bank statement, tenancy contract or utility bill.
- Apply Online: Visit the bank’s official website or app → “Apply Now” → upload docs → e-signature → instant pre-approval (90% cases).
- Delivery: Card arrives in 2–5 working days; activate via SMS or app.
- No Salary Transfer Required on most cards above — just proof of income.
Tip: Apply within your first 30 – 60 days in the UAE — banks love fresh residents!
Rewards That Actually Matter for Immigrants
- Groceries & fuel: 5–10% cashback (save AED 300–600/month).
- Welcome bonuses: AED 250–1,000 credited within 60–90 days.
- Travel perks: Free airport lounges, 0% forex markup, instant Etihad/Skywards miles.
- Lifestyle: 50% off Vox/Reel cinemas, Buy-1-Get-1 on Careem, Talabat, Noon.
Payment Flexibility You’ll Love
- 0% installment plans (6–36 months) on everything from iPhones to flights.
- Balance transfer at 0% for 6–12 months (great if you have debt back home).
- 55-day interest-free grace period — pay in full, pay zero profit.
- Auto-pay setup to avoid late fees (AED 199–250).
Final Advice for New Immigrants
Start with HSBC Live+ or FAB Cashback if your salary is AED 5,000–8,000 — highest welcome + everyday savings.
Pay your bill in full every month – UAE interest rates can reach 42% APR.
Use comparison sites like yallacompare.com or soulwallet.com to see live offers.
Ready to grab your first UAE credit card? Click the bank links above and apply today — your AED 300–1,000 welcome bonus is waiting!
Which card are you applying for first? Drop it in the comments