The UAE Credit Score Is Calculated by ECB, and the New 3i Model Uses Two Ranges: 300–850 and 300–650
The UAE credit score is calculated by the federal credit information body Etihad Credit Bureau (ECB, often written AECB in older material), and under the new Credit Score 3i model people with established histories score 300–850 while new borrowers and new residents score 300–650, and ECB’s website says the two should not be compared on the number alone.
ECB launched Credit Score 3i at a media briefing in Abu Dhabi on 29 October 2026. Khaleej Times and Gulf News reported it the same day, and Emirates 24|7 followed on 30 October. Coverage focused on the longer look-back period and faster recognition of recovery after a default.
The launch is only the starting point. For foreign residents, the more lasting question is how this score works and where they stand in it.
Key Points
- Who should pay attention: Anyone living in the UAE or preparing to move there, especially people who have just arrived, have a default on record, plan to take out a mortgage, or are getting ready to leave.
- How to read the score: 3i looks at up to 36 months of credit behaviour and adds a separate score for people with thin credit files. A 300–650 score and a 300–850 score come from different models.
- The limits of recovery: After a default is settled, the score may reflect improvement within six months, but ECB says this is not guaranteed. The default itself can stay on the credit report for up to five years.
- How mortgages fit in: The Central Bank’s mortgage rules focus on debt burden and loan-to-value limits and set no minimum credit score in their text. How a lender uses the score is that lender’s decision.
How the UAE Credit Score Works: Who Calculates It, What It Uses and What It Means
The UAE credit score is a number that summarises how a person has handled credit and payment obligations. ECB compares it to a grade for creditworthiness, but ECB itself does not approve or reject loans.
Where UAE Credit Score Data Comes From
Data comes from banks, finance companies, telecom operators and water and electricity providers, and may also come from courts and government entities. Banks submit data daily and non-bank providers monthly. Individuals do not need to send anything to ECB.
The credit report covers the past 36 months. It includes card limits and usage, loan balances, telecom and utility payment records, returned cheques, overdue amounts and the last reported salary.
Two Scores: Mature and New-to-Credit
Credit Score 3i has two score types. The ranges and groups below all come from ECB’s Credit Score page and FAQs:
| Score type | Range | Who it covers | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mature Score | 300–850 | People with established credit facilities and sufficient history | Assessed on longer-term credit behaviour |
| New-to-Credit / New-to-Country Score | 300–650 | New borrowers and recent arrivals with limited credit history | For eligible people; can move to the Mature Score once history builds |
ECB states plainly that a New-to-Credit score of 650 is not the same as a Mature score of 650. They are different models for different populations, so each should be read within its own type.
Six Things That Influence a UAE Credit Score
ECB lists six factors on its website but does not publish their weightings:
- Credit utilisation: how much of your credit limits you have used.
- Active credit usage: your recent use of loans, cards and other facilities.
- Credit applications: your recent activity in applying for new credit.
- Payment behaviour: how consistently you pay on time.
- Payment history: your record of late or overdue payments.
- Cheque behaviour: your record of honoured and returned cheques.
Buying the credit report shows the main factors affecting your score, along with recommendations. ECB also cautions that a change in score should not automatically be attributed to a single facility or event.
What 3i Changed: Old and New Compared
Sources differ row by row, and earlier statements should be read separately from what was said at launch:
| Item | Before | Credit Score 3i | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look-back period | 24 months | Up to 36 months | ECB website; ECB statement via Arabian Business |
| Thin credit files | Some people struggled to get a meaningful assessment | Eligible people can receive a New-to-Credit score | ECB website; Arabian Business |
| Recovery after default | In November 2025, Gulf News reported people could stay in the “red zone” for up to 24 months | After settlement, improvement may show within six months; not guaranteed | Gulf News 2025; Khaleej Times 2026 |
| Score range | 300–900 (2023 report) | 300–850 and 300–650 | The National 2023; ECB website |
| Buy Now, Pay Later | Added to credit reports in 2026 | Appears on the report; does not affect the score under the current model | ECB FAQs |
Asked whether scores will rise or fall under 3i, ECB says the impact varies with each person’s profile and behaviour.
How to Check Your UAE Credit Score and What It Costs
You can use ECB’s website or app, or log in with UAE PASS through DubaiNow in Dubai or TAMM in Abu Dhabi. The prices below come from ECB’s website:
| Product | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Score | AED 10.50 | The score only |
| Credit Report | AED 84 (including VAT) | Score, score factors, payment history, credit accounts, inquiries, legal records and recommendations |
The score alone tells you the number. The report tells you why it is that number, and lets you check the underlying data for errors.
What High and Low Scores Mean
ECB says a better score can help secure more favourable loan terms and interest rates, but lenders decide according to their own policies. As of 30 October 2026, ECB’s 3i page lists no “good” or “excellent” bands.
Band tables found online mostly date from the older 300–900 range and should not be applied to 3i.
Where Foreign Residents Stand in the UAE Credit Score System: Four Situations
The system is the same for everyone, but what matters depends on where you are in your time in the UAE.
New Residents: Starting From Almost Nothing
If you hold no credit products, your credit report will contain only your personal information. 3i brings people with limited histories into scoring, so some may now receive a New-to-Credit score, but ECB has not published the exact eligibility criteria.
Overseas credit history has to be supplied separately, and ECB’s website does not say it feeds into the local score. Its Foreign Credit Report, obtained through Nova Credit, works on these terms:
- It is aimed at people who have been in the UAE for less than three years.
- As of 30 October 2026, ECB lists 13 countries: Australia, Austria, the Dominican Republic, Germany, India, Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
- Places not listed include the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore.
- It is only available through lenders subscribed to the product, is requested during a credit application, and needs your consent.
- A foreign score is only generated if credit was used within the last 24 months.
- The report is one input among many, and the lender decides how to use it.
Renters may meet the score too. ECB launched Tenant Screening on 17 May 2026, letting landlords request a prospective tenant’s score using their Emirates ID. The tenant must consent through UAE PASS, and the landlord sees only the score, not the full report.
Tenants can refuse, although a landlord may take that into account. ECB adds that having no score does not necessarily indicate risk; it may simply reflect limited or recent credit activity.
People With a Default: Six Months Is a Possibility, Not a Promise
After a default is settled, a 3i score may reflect improvement within six months. That depends on later repayment behaviour, the overall credit profile and the model’s criteria, and ECB says an increase is not guaranteed. New defaults or other negative events can delay progress.
Two things need to be kept apart:
- The score may recognise improvement sooner.
- The record does not vanish on settlement. ECB says defaults, missed payments and bounced cheques can appear on the credit report for up to five years.
Gulf News, reporting from the media briefing, noted that 36 months is an assessment window, not a mandatory waiting period after a default.
If the report contains an error, you can file a data correction request and ECB will raise it with the information provider. Under Central Bank rules, providers must respond within 10 working days.
Mortgage Applicants: Banks Look at the Score and the Ratios
Articles 1 to 4 of the Central Bank’s Regulations Regarding Mortgage Loans (C 31/2013, as amended to 2020) set no minimum credit score. They require lenders to assess ability to repay, taking in other debts including credit cards, job security and living costs.
All limits below come from Article 3 of that regulation and apply to expatriates:
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| First home, owner-occupied, valued under AED 5 million | Maximum 80% loan-to-value |
| First home, owner-occupied, valued over AED 5 million | Maximum 70% loan-to-value |
| Second or investment property | Maximum 60% loan-to-value |
| Off-plan purchase | Maximum 50% loan-to-value |
| Debt burden ratio | 50% of gross salary and regular income |
| Loan term | Up to 25 years |
| Maximum financing | Seven times annual income |
These are ceilings, and lenders may apply stricter limits. When calculating the debt burden ratio, lenders must also stress test the loan at 2 to 4 percentage points above the current rate. The down payment must come from your own resources, not from personal loans or credit cards.
The credit report shows card limits, loan balances and payment records, all of which bear directly on what a lender must assess. Whether a bank sets an internal score threshold, and how it reads a New-to-Credit score, varies by lender, so ask the bank directly.
3i concerns credit history inside the UAE. Buyers who do not live there and have never used local credit will have little for a report to show; our guide to buying property in Dubai as a foreigner, listed under References, covers the wider process. Mortgage terms depend on your income, status and debts, so you can use Ask Zagdim to work out what to check first.
People Leaving the UAE: Your Record Does Not Reset
ECB’s credit report has a “Left Country” status. An information provider can report it if it has reason to believe you have left, whether or not you have an overdue amount. If it is wrong, you can request a correction.
Three things are worth doing before you go:
- Make sure cards, loans, phone and utility bills are settled, because these records can appear on the report.
- Keep written proof of settlement.
- Consider buying a credit report to confirm the data is correct.
A 2025 Khaleej Times legal column advises clearing credit card dues before leaving and says a lender can ask a court for a travel ban where more than Dh10,000 is outstanding. The same column cites Central Bank rules requiring banks to close an account and issue a certificate within seven days of an application. For legal consequences in an individual case, consult a UAE lawyer.
You can still check after leaving. ECB says people abroad can obtain the report through its app with an Emirates ID, and can book a virtual appointment.
Common Misconceptions About the UAE Credit Score
“Once I settle, my score will rise within six months.” ECB’s wording is “may”, and it depends on what you do next. After settling, keep paying on time and avoid new defaults.
“Settling removes the default from my report.” Settling changes the status, not the history, which can stay for up to five years. Expect lenders to see it.
“A new resident’s 650 equals an established borrower’s 650.” They are different models. Check which score type you have before comparing numbers.
“A high score means approval.” ECB takes no part in approvals, and lenders weigh the score alongside income, debts and other information. Mortgages must also meet the Central Bank’s ratio limits.
“The old band tables still work.” The ranges have changed, and the old tables cannot simply be converted. With no bands listed on ECB’s website, avoid deciding what counts as a “good” score on your own.
Three Typical Cases: Using the UAE Credit Score in Practice
Example 1: A professional newly arrived from Canada. She has a strong Canadian record, but Canada is not on ECB’s Foreign Credit Report list. She should assume she may have no score yet, or only a New-to-Credit score. History will build as she uses local credit and pays on time, and when applying for a card she should prepare the income and identity documents the bank asks for.
Example 2: An expatriate who has just settled an overdue credit card. He wants a loan soon. He should not assume his score will rise in six months, and should expect the record to remain visible. A sensible step is to buy a credit report, confirm the settlement has been updated and review the factors listed.
Example 3: A long-term resident planning to buy a home. She needs a mortgage and holds several cards with high limits. She should work out her debt burden ratio first and understand the loan-to-value limits and down payment rules. Her score is only one part of the assessment and does not replace the income and debt calculation.
UAE Credit Score FAQ: Good Scores, Costs, Overseas History and Leaving
What is a good UAE credit score?
As of 30 October 2026, ECB’s website lists no bands for 3i. What is clear is the range: 300–850 for established histories and 300–650 for the New-to-Credit score. Band tables online mostly come from the old 300–900 range, and lenders set their own standards.
Can I check my UAE credit score if I have just arrived?
Not always. 3i brings eligible new residents with limited histories into scoring, so you may receive a New-to-Credit score. But with no credit products at all, your report may hold only personal information. ECB says having no score does not necessarily indicate risk.
Can I bring my credit history from home to the UAE?
Only in part. As of 30 October 2026, ECB’s Foreign Credit Report lists 13 countries, and a subscribed lender must request it during your application. ECB describes it as one input to your application, not as an addition to your UAE score. If your country is not listed, ask the bank what alternative documents it accepts.
How long does a UAE credit score take to recover after settling a default?
ECB says improvement may show within six months, but this is not guaranteed and depends on later repayments, your overall profile and the model’s criteria. New defaults can delay progress. The default itself can stay on the report for up to five years.
Can I get a mortgage with a low UAE credit score?
Articles 1 to 4 of the Central Bank’s mortgage regulation set no minimum score, but banks can have internal standards. They will also look at income, debt burden and your wider credit record. Whether you qualify, and on what terms, is a case-by-case decision by the lender.
How much does a UAE credit score check cost?
ECB’s website lists AED 10.50 for the score alone and AED 84 for the credit report, which includes the score and its factors. You can buy through ECB’s website or app, and DubaiNow and TAMM let you view your report by logging in with UAE PASS.
What happens to my credit record after I leave the UAE?
It does not disappear on departure, and an information provider may flag a Left Country status. You can still obtain your report abroad using the app and your Emirates ID. ECB’s Foreign Credit Report brings other countries’ records into the UAE; ECB does not describe taking a UAE score elsewhere.
Living or Buying in the UAE and Unsure What to Check? Ask Zagdim
If you want to work out what your credit report, the mortgage rules or your own situation mean, start with Ask Zagdim, then confirm with your bank or a qualified professional.
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Important Disclaimer
This article is general information and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. It is based mainly on material from ECB, the Central Bank of the UAE and major media published between 2023 and 2026. Rules may change, and lending outcomes depend on the individual case and lender policy. Check the latest official notices and consult a qualified professional where needed.
The rules in this article are current as of 30 October 2026; check ECB and the Central Bank of the UAE for the latest official updates.
References
Etihad Credit Bureau – Credit Score 3i / Etihad Credit Bureau – Personal FAQs / Etihad Credit Bureau – Credit Report / Etihad Credit Bureau – Foreign Credit Report / Etihad Credit Bureau – Tenant Screening / CBUAE Rulebook – Regulations Regarding Mortgage Loans (C 31/2013) / CBUAE Rulebook – Article (3): Important Ratios / CBUAE Rulebook – Article (2): Risk Management Requirements / WAM – Etihad Credit Bureau launches tenant screening solution in collaboration with UAE PASS (17 May 2026) / Khaleej Times – UAE residents may see credit scores improve within 6 months of settling defaults (29 October 2026) / Gulf News – Etihad Credit Bureau launches Score 3i credit scoring model for UAE residents (29 October 2026) / Arabian Business – UAE credit score changes: New 36-month checks, two scoring ranges and default recovery explained / Emirates 24|7 – UAE credit score update: Etihad Credit Bureau launches 3i model with faster recovery after defaults (30 October 2026) / Gulf News – Your UAE credit score will soon improve faster (13 November 2025) / The National – How to improve your UAE credit score in seven easy steps (15 September 2023) / Khaleej Times – Leaving the UAE permanently: credit card dues, visa, rental contract cancellation explained (9 March 2025) / Zagdim – How to Buy Property in Dubai as a Foreigner: Process, Eligibility and Legal Guide
