Client story
Client Background
Where they started
Mikhail is an entrepreneur in logistics with a clear plan: purchase an office in Business Bay (Dubai's business district) for approximately 4.2 million dirhams, obtain a 10-year Golden Visa on this basis, and conduct business from the UAE. The capital is legitimate, the objective is clear—a standard business relocation task.
Why the standard route did not work
The complication arose at the banking level. Major conventional Dubai banks—Emirates NBD, Mashreq—are currently cautious toward clients from certain CIS countries, and Mikhail's Belarusian passport was impeding KYC completion. The issue was not capital legitimacy, but rather that the compliance policies of these banks are inherently suspicious of such passports.
What BRIDGES had to solve
The key was selecting the right bank. A new generation of tech-banks has emerged in Dubai, and among them is Wio—a bank that, with transparent, legitimate capital, is more favorable to CIS clients than conservative giants. For Mikhail, this meant: do not struggle with Emirates NBD, but approach an institution that would review his profile calmly.
Why a standard answer would not do
Mikhail contacted BRIDGES, understanding that the task was twofold: process a Golden Visa through the office while opening an operational bank account without encountering KYC barriers at conventional banks. Selecting the right bank aligned with his capital solved half the challenge.
I purchased an office in Business Bay for a Golden Visa; the capital is legitimate, but Emirates NBD and Mashreq were delaying KYC due to my Belarusian passport. Igor did not attempt to force these banks but immediately recommended Wio—a new tech-bank more favorable to legitimate capital from CIS countries. He prepared an audit of my business outside the CIS, opened an investment account there. The office was processed, and I obtained a 10-year visa. The right bank solved half the task.
