How to File FBAR from the UAE

If you are an American living in the UAE with UAE bank accounts, you may need to file FBAR (FinCEN Form 114). This guide walks you through the process step by step, with UAE-specific details.

Who Needs to File

You must file FBAR if the aggregate value of all your foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the calendar year. This includes bank accounts and investment accounts held in the UAE or any other foreign country.

Step-by-Step Filing Process

Step 1: Identify All Foreign Accounts

List all foreign financial accounts. For the UAE:

• UAE bank accounts (Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq, FAB, HSBC UAE)
• Investment accounts at UAE brokers
• Accounts in other countries

Step 2: Get Account Statements

Log in to each bank's online banking and download statements showing the maximum balance. For UAE banks:

• Emirates NBD: Online banking → "Accounts" → "Statements"
• ADCB: Online banking → "Accounts" → "Statements"
• Mashreq: Online banking → "Accounts" → "Statements"

Step 3: Convert to USD

The UAE uses the dirham (AED), which is pegged to the US dollar at 3.6725. This peg simplifies currency conversion. Convert all balances to USD using the Treasury Department's year-end exchange rate (or the pegged rate).

Step 4: File Electronically

FBAR is filed electronically through FinCEN's BSA E-Filing System.

Step 5: Keep Records

Keep copies for 5 years.

Deadlines

FBAR is due April 15, with automatic extension to October 15.

Common Mistakes

1. Not aggregating across countries — If you have accounts in the UAE and elsewhere, combine them.
2. Using wrong exchange rate — Use Treasury year-end rate (or pegged rate 3.6725).
3. Filing FBAR with your tax return — FBAR is filed separately with FinCEN.
4. Assuming AED/USD peg means no reporting — UAE accounts are still foreign and reportable.

How FileAbroad Can Help

FileAbroad prepares FBAR filings for Americans with foreign accounts in the UAE and other countries.

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FileAbroad explains U.S. federal tax and U.S. international information-reporting consequences of documented foreign facts. It does not provide foreign-country legal or tax representation, valuation opinions, banking or remittance advice, or advice on what a foreign authority will accept.

Scope statement reviewed 2026-08-30 · FileAbroad product/content owner