The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates decreed last November that the customers of banks and other financial companies had to submit identifying documents to their service providers before a deadline of 28 February; the banks are now suspending the accounts of those who did not comply.

Last year's circular stated that anyone who did not present his identifying documents to his bank(s) would find it impossible to make withdrawals from automated teller machines and would have his debit and credit card transactions blocked, until such time as the bank(s) received his Emirates ID.

All customers - identified or not - are reportedly still able to withdraw cash personally at tills in branches.