How to Open a Deriv Account in the UAE: Step by Step Guide With Screenshots

Deriv now has a dedicated platform made just for people who live in the United Arab Emirates. Signing up takes about 10 minutes, and you get a free demo account with AED 10,000 in virtual funds straight away. This guide shows every screen in the order you will see it, with screenshots, plus the small mistakes that slow most people down.

👉 If you already know Deriv is the broker you want, you can open your Deriv UAE account here and follow along in a second tab. Otherwise, read on first.

What You Need Before You Start

• An email address or phone number you can access right now
• Proof that you live in the UAE: your Emirates ID, UAE driving licence or residence visa, a passport, or a GCC national ID
• A proof of address dated within the last 3 months, such as a DEWA or other utility bill, a bank statement or a government letter
• A phone or laptop with a camera for the selfie check
• A card or e wallet in your own name for deposits

Part 1: Create Your Deriv UAE Account (About 3 Minutes)

Step 1: Open the Signup Page and Choose the UAE

Go to the Deriv signup page and tap Open account. The first screen asks where you live, because Deriv shows different products to each region. Choose United Arab Emirates, then tap Sign up.

Tip: Choose the UAE only if you actually live there. Your account is opened with Deriv’s UAE company, and your residence documents must match.

Step 2: Choose How You Want to Sign Up

Pick Sign up with Google, Facebook or Apple, or type your email address or phone number. Google or Apple is the fastest. Email gives you a login that does not depend on a social media account.

Tip: Use an email or number you check every day. Deriv sends security codes and withdrawal confirmations there.

Step 3: Verify Your Email

Deriv sends a 6 digit code to your email. Type it in to continue. No code? Check your spam folder. You can request a new code after 60 seconds, and after three wrong attempts you have to wait 10 minutes.

Step 4: Set Your Password

Choose a password with at least 8 characters, then tap Create Account. Use a password you do not use anywhere else.

Step 5: Choose Demo or Real Trading

You now see two options. Try demo trading opens a practice MT5 account with AED 10,000 in virtual funds, no documents needed. Try real trading starts the short profile setup below. You can start on demo and come back to the real account whenever you are ready.

Part 2: Set Up Your Real Account (5 Short Screens)

A progress bar at the top shows where you are, from 1 of 5 to 5 of 5. The UAE version includes a short financial assessment, which UAE rules require before you can trade.

Step 6: Personal Details (1 of 5)

Enter your full name, country of birth and citizenship, exactly as they appear on your ID. Expats should choose their real country of birth and nationality, not the UAE. A small spelling difference is the most common reason verification gets delayed.

Step 7: Phone Number (2 of 5)

Your +971 code is filled in already. Add your mobile number, or tap Do it later. Adding it now helps with account security and recovery.

Step 8: Account Opening Reason (3 of 5)

Choose Additional revenue or Savings. This is a standard compliance question, so pick the one that honestly fits.

Step 9: Financial Assessment (4 of 5)

This step is a short series of multiple choice questions about your finances. Answer honestly, because they help decide whether leveraged trading suits you:

• Employment status: employed full time or part time, pensioner, self employed or unemployed
• Annual income and net worth: in AED bands, from less than AED 120,000 to more than AED 600,000
• Monthly essential expenditure: from less than AED 5,000 to more than AED 20,000
• Source of funds: select all that apply, such as salary, end of service gratuity or investments
• Source of wealth: such as savings over time, inheritance or sale of assets
• Education level

Tip: Never trade with money from a loan or credit card. If borrowed money is your main source of funds, trading leveraged CFDs is not right for you yet.

Step 10: Accept the Terms (5 of 5)

The last screen confirms that your account is opened with Deriv’s UAE company under UAE law, shows a risk warning and asks about Politically Exposed Person (PEP) status. Read the risk warning properly, since it explains that you can lose all the money you invest, then accept.

Part 3: Verify and Make Your First Deposit

Step 11: You’re All Set

Your profile is complete. Deriv shows recommended deposit methods for the UAE: credit card, e wallet and fiat onramp.

Step 12: Verify Your Identity

In the UAE you must verify your identity before your first deposit. Most checks are approved within minutes. You will need:

• A selfie for a liveness check, in good light without glasses or a hat
• An ID document: passport, UAE government ID such as your Emirates ID, driving licence or residence visa, or a GCC national ID
• Proof of address dated within the last 3 months: utility bill, bank statement or government letter (no screenshots, receipts or medical bills)

Tip: The name and date of birth on your documents must match your profile exactly. Fix any difference in your profile before you upload.

Step 13: Make Your First Deposit

Your dashboard shows Make your first deposit and an MT5 Standard CFDs account in AED. Tap Deposit now. The minimum is AED 15 (about $5) and the maximum is AED 50,000 per transaction. Deriv pays third party transaction fees, and the card or e wallet must be in your own name.

Demo or Real Account: Which Should You Start With?

	Demo account	Real account
Money used	AED 10,000 virtual funds	Your own money
Documents needed	No	Yes, before your first deposit
Can you withdraw?	No	Yes
Best for	Learning MT5 and testing a strategy	Trading once you are consistent on demo

Most beginners are better off spending at least a couple of weeks on demo first. It costs nothing, and it shows you how MT5 behaves before a mistake costs real money.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

I already have a Deriv account from another country

You need a separate account for the UAE platform, even if you already use Deriv elsewhere. The UAE platform is only for UAE residents.

I did not receive the verification code

Check spam and promotions folders, confirm the address is correct, and request a new code after 60 seconds. Do not create a second account.

My verification failed

It is almost always a blurry photo, an expired document, a proof of address older than 3 months, or a name that does not match your profile. Fix that specific issue and upload again.

My card deposit was declined

Make sure the card is in your own name and that your bank allows online trading payments. Otherwise try an e wallet.

What to Do Next

Practise on your AED 10,000 demo first, then work out a safe lot size with our position size calculator and check market moving news on the economic calendar. Curious about Derived Indices? Read what makes synthetic indices different. New to Deriv? Start with our Deriv review and what Deriv is and how it works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Deriv available in the UAE?

Yes. Deriv runs a separate platform for UAE residents, with AED accounts and local support.

What is the minimum deposit on Deriv UAE?

AED 15 (about $5) per transaction, up to AED 50,000. The same minimum applies to withdrawals.

What documents do I need to open a Deriv account in the UAE?

A selfie, an ID document such as your Emirates ID or passport, and a proof of address dated within the last 3 months.

Can I use my existing Deriv account in the UAE?

No. You need a new account on the UAE platform, which is only for UAE residents.

Which platform do UAE Deriv accounts use?

Deriv MT5, with CFDs on forex, gold and other commodities, stocks, indices, crypto and Derived Indices. A free demo with AED 10,000 is included.

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This post contains an affiliate link. If you sign up through the links above, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Trading involves risk and is not suitable for everyone. This is not investment advice.

Deriv offers complex derivatives, such as options and contracts for difference (“CFDs”). These products may not be suitable for all clients, and trading them puts you at risk. Please ensure you understand the following risks before trading Deriv products: (a) you may lose some or all of the money you invest in the trade; (b) if your trade involves currency conversion, exchange rates will affect your profit and loss. You should never trade with borrowed money or with money that you cannot afford to lose. Trading involves risk and is not suitable for everyone; this is not investment advice.