Saxo Bank gives stock access but is not a bank.
I wanted a local bank which did both, otherwise I will do Saxo + Local bank
You can open with citibank.ae they offer brokerage and accounts. I was with them a while ago but not no more.
Anything to note or was they just a "normal" bank?I don't need anything strange, just multicurrency, debit/credit card and the major markets
From Dubai I only want CRS protection. My reasoning is that a bank in the UAE will be ok with me having just a PO Box in the UAE and with me being resident just visiting twice a year, while banking in another nation while being resident in the UAE just with a residency visa might cause problems down the road (this is only my thinking), especially if the battle between the OECD and the UAE intensifies. I mean, every country has its risks I suppose. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, I'll think about it, I know that it's wise not to put too many eggs in the same basket.Nothing note worthy. They offer everything but are not cheap. They closed my account last year as citi no longer offer services to non-resident account holders.
Do you really want to hold your money and stocks in Dubai? That is suicide to keep them both in a country with no democracy and whose ruler is is a brutal dictator whose own wife and daughter ran away from him. Think wisely.....I mean really wisely over where you hold your money.
Personally I would keep only the cash you need in Dubai. If you want another possible bank and brokerage solution outside Dubai then try BGL BNP Paribas. Minimum 50k needed to open.
https://www.directinvest.bgl.lu/en/become-a-client/
From Dubai I only want CRS protection.
My reasoning is that a bank in the UAE will be ok with me having just a PO Box in the UAE and with me being resident just visiting twice a year,
while banking in another nation while being resident in the UAE just with a residency visa might cause problems down the road (this is only my thinking),
I'll think about it, I know that it's wise not to put too many eggs in the same basket.
So why didn't you say that in first place. I could have just told you upfront its a waste of time what your planning.
I mean we are talking about 150k a year, not millions.
Yes, it is correct. I suggest you Dubai based www.gofreelance.ae It will cost you around 4k USD per year. Your name will be your company and no need to pay for accounting or audit etc because not required. You can receive your earnings to your personal bank account.The cost for freelance license and residency visa is <$4k per year if I remember correctly, possibly even less.
So the cost really isn’t that bad.
But of course it would be wise to rent an apartment.
it's 4k USD a year for residency visa + freelance licence, and I don't need to fake living there, as I will be resident in another country where I have no ties (I rent a house without a contract and don't even have a bank account), where I actually live 5 months a year. With no CRS the other country will have no way of knowing what I'm doing in the UAE and all my work is remote, so money will go from US / UK companies to my UAE bank.Have you done the maths on cost of living and setting up and maintaining a company in UAE? Would be great if you shared your approximate costs here and we can see how that will eat into your bottom line.
You may be better of looking for another solution for 150k.
yes this is exactly what I have in mindYes, it is correct. I suggest you Dubai based www.gofreelance.ae It will cost you around 4k USD per year. Your name will be your company and no need to pay for accounting or audit etc because not required. You can receive your earnings to your personal bank account.
And to be clear I totally understand what you are saying, UAE is not a democracy, they are under pressure with falling oil prices, they introduced VAT, anything could happen. But there are countries in Europe where there is democracy, but something like Cyprus might happen soon, as there is no more money and they will need to get money from savings inn the banks. So I understand I'm taking risks, but I don't think my money will disappear overnight entirely in the UAE, and I can survive a Cyprus like thing in exchange for no tax. Of course I might be wrong, time will tellAvoid the UAE for banking any significant amount of money. Only a fool would place large amounts under a dictatorship in a volatile region of the world.