Jaywan is the UAE’s first national domestic card payment scheme, officially launched on 20 July 2026 by Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. The name comes from the Arabic word for “precious pearls,” a reference to Emirati heritage. The card is already being issued by major UAE banks and exchange houses. It is set to become one of the most common payment cards in the country in the coming years.
This guide covers everything a UAE resident needs to know in 2026. This includes what the card actually is, the three card types available, which banks are issuing them, how to apply, where it works, and how it compares to the Visa and Mastercard cards already in your wallet.
What Is the Jaywan Card?
For decades, the UAE processed almost all card payments through Visa and Mastercard. Every time a resident tapped their card at a supermarket or pays online, the transaction is routed through international networks based outside of the UAE. That means payment data leaves the country, and a significant portion of transaction fees go to foreign companies.
Jaywan changes that. Transactions made on a Jaywan card are processed through UAE Switch, the UAE’s own domestic payment infrastructure. The data stays inside the country, the fees stay inside the country, and the entire process is governed by the Central Bank of the UAE. Think of it as UAE’s equivalent of India’s RuPay or China’s UnionPay. A homegrown payment scheme built for the local market.
It was officially inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Central Bank of UAE, on 20 July 2026. The scheme is operated by Al Etihad Payments and backed by the Central Bank of UAE.
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Jaywan (Arabic for “precious pearls”) |
| Operated by | Al Etihad Payments (AEP) |
| Backed by | Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) |
| Official launch date | 20 July 2026 |
| Card types currently available | Prestige Debit, Royal Debit, Prepaid |
| Credit card | Planned for a future phase |
| International acceptance | 100+ countries (phased rollout) |
| Comparable to | India’s RuPay, China’s UnionPay |
| Merchant offers portal | aep.ae/en/offers/ |
Three Types of Jaywan Cards Available in 2026
The scheme currently offers three card options. The one you get depends on your bank, your account type, and whether you hold a bank account at all.
| Feature | Prestige Debit | Royal Debit | Prepaid |
| Bank account needed? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Merchant offers (150+) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airport lounge access | No | Yes | No |
| Travel insurance | No | Yes | No |
| Purchase protection | No | Yes | No |
| Careem+ and Entertainer | No | Yes | No |
| International use | Yes (phased) | Yes (phased) | Yes (phased) |
| Credit card option | Not yet | Not yet | Not yet |
Jaywan Prestige Debit Card
This is the standard Jaywan debit card linked directly to your UAE bank account. It works at ATMs, POS terminals, and online merchants across the UAE. All Prestige cardholders get access to the 150+ merchant offer network covering travel, dining, retail, hotels, entertainment, and health. The card uses EMV chip technology, contactless PIN payments, and 3D Secure authentication for online transactions. For most UAE residents, this is the card they will receive as part of a standard account upgrade.
Jaywan Royal Debit Card
The Royal card is the premium debit tier and comes with a significantly expanded benefits package on top of everything on the Prestige card. Benefits include airport lounge access through Priority Pass, travel insurance, purchase protection, Jaywan Entertainer membership, Careem+ discounts, Reel Cinemas offers, and airline-related perks. This card is available at select participating banks for qualifying account holders. Check with your bank about eligibility criteria and whether it carries an annual fee.
Jaywan Prepaid Card
The Prepaid card is designed for residents who do not hold a traditional UAE bank account. No bank account is needed to get one. It is available through Al Ansari Exchange branches and fintech platforms like Botim Money. You can use it for POS purchases, online shopping, and ATM withdrawals within the UAE. It is particularly useful for workers who manage their spending on a fixed amount, since you load only what you need and cannot overspend.
Credit card update: Jaywan credit cards are planned for a future phase and are not available as of August 2026. A Jaywan Mastercard co badged card has been announced in partnership with Mastercard, which will expand international acceptance significantly once rolled out. Check your bank’s app for the latest timelines on both.
Participating Banks and Where to Get a Jaywan Card
As of July 2026, eleven financial institutions have confirmed readiness to issue Jaywan cards. More banks, exchange houses, and fintech companies are joining the scheme in phases throughout 2026.
| Institution | Type | Card Offered |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) | Bank | Jaywan Debit Card |
| Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) | Bank | Jaywan Debit Card |
| Emirates NBD | Bank | Jaywan Debit Card |
| Emirates Islamic | Bank | Jaywan Debit Card |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) | Bank | Jaywan Prepaid Card |
| Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) | Bank | Jaywan Debit Card |
| Mashreq | Bank | Jaywan Debit Card |
| RAKBANK | Bank | Jaywan Debit Card |
| Citi UAE | Bank | Jaywan Debit Card |
| Al Ansari Exchange | Exchange House | Jaywan Prepaid Card |
| Botim Money | Fintech | Jaywan Prepaid Card |
Additional banks including ADIB, Dubai Islamic Bank, Wio Bank, Al Hilal Bank, HSBC UAE, Bank of Baroda, Mbank, and Ajman Bank are in various stages of rollout and expected to confirm issuance before the end of 2026.
Not seeing Jaywan at your bank yet? Check your bank’s mobile app under Cards or Account Settings. Many banks are rolling this out digitally before updating branch materials. If your bank is not listed above, check back in a few months. The full rollout across all UAE banks is expected to complete through 2026 and into early 2027.
How to Apply for a Jaywan Card in the UAE
Getting your hands on this new payment method is incredibly easy and takes just a few minutes. Simply review the options below and choose the route that best matches your preference.
If You Already Have a UAE Bank Account
For existing customers at any participating bank, the process is straightforward. Log in to your bank’s mobile app and go to the “Cards or Account Settings” section. Look for the Jaywan Debit Card option and select it. You will be asked to confirm your delivery address for the physical card. In many cases, you can also activate a virtual Jaywan card immediately for contactless mobile payments while the physical card is on its way. The physical card typically arrives within 5 to 7 working days. No additional documents are needed if you already hold a verified account.
If you are thinking about opening a bank account in Dubai at one of the participating banks, you can request the Jaywan card as part of the account opening process. FAB, ADCB, and Emirates NBD are all issuing Jaywan cards as a standard offering for new customers.
If You Do Not Have a UAE Bank Account
You can get a Jaywan Prepaid Card without a bank account by visiting any branch of Al Ansari Exchange or through the Botim Money app. Bring the following documents:
- Valid Emirates ID
- Original passport with a UAE residency visa
- Proof of income or address (required by some institutions).
Prepaid cards at exchange houses can often be issued the same day. The Botim Money app allows you to apply digitally and receive a virtual card before a physical one arrives.
Fastest route for non account holders: Al Ansari Exchange is the quickest option for a same day Jaywan Prepaid Card. Walk in with your Emirates ID and passport, and you can leave with an active card. For the debit card with bank account benefits, you will need to go through the account opening process at a participating bank.
Where You Can Use the Jaywan Card
The Jaywan card offers incredible flexibility for all your daily shopping and travel needs. Read the sections below to discover exactly where your card is accepted both locally and internationally.
Within the UAE
Jaywan works at all UAE Switch ATMs nationwide, POS terminals in retail stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and petrol stations, and automatic online checkouts. Network International has integrated Jaywan into its e-commerce gateway, so it is already accepted on thousands of UAE platforms including Noon and Amazon UAE with no extra transaction fees for merchants. The full list of offers is at aep.ae/en/offers/. Note that the Jaywan debit card is a separate product from the Emirates Islamic RTA card and is not linked to the RTA or NOL systems.
Outside of the UAE
Jaywan is accepted in more than 100 countries as the rollout continues. A standout benefit is RuPay compatibility, meaning the card works directly in shops and ATMs across India without needing a separate card. For travel beyond India, look for a co-badged Jaywan-Mastercard from your bank, which works on all Mastercard terminals globally. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay integration is on the schedule but not confirmed as fully live across all banks as of August 2026.
Traveling outside India? If your Jaywan card shows only the Jaywan logo without a Mastercard or Visa co badge, it is accepted domestically in the UAE and at RuPay enabled terminals in India. For international travel to other destinations, keep a Visa or Mastercard as a backup until co badged Jaywan cards are more widely available from your bank.
Key Benefits of the Jaywan Card for UAE Residents
Here is what Jaywan actually offers UAE residents, beyond marketing:
- Lower transaction costs: Jaywan routes payments through UAE Switch instead of international processors, so merchants pay less per transaction. Over time, expect more free debit cards from banks and fewer surcharges at checkout.
- Payment data stays in the UAE: Every transaction is processed, stored, and governed within UAE infrastructure under Central Bank regulations. No third-party international data processing involved.
- 150+ merchant offers for all cardholders: Travel, hotels, dining, shopping, entertainment, and health and wellness discounts are available to all Jaywan cardholders, not just premium tier.
- Royal Debit premium perks: Priority Pass lounge access, travel insurance, purchase protection, Entertainer membership, and Careem+ discounts. Benefits that normally require a premium credit card, now on a debit card.
- Faster and more reliable domestic transactions: UAE Switch processes local payments with fewer failures than international routing. Fewer declined transactions for customers, fewer checkout errors for merchants.
Jaywan Card vs Visa and MasterCard: The Honest Comparison
This is the question most residents will ask. The short answer is that for everyday UAE spending, Jaywan works the same. For international travel, Visa and Mastercard still have wider acceptance, for now.
| Feature | Jaywan | Visa and Mastercard |
| Operated by | Al Etihad Payments (UAE) | US-based private companies |
| Data processed in | UAE only | International data centers |
| Transaction fees (domestic) | Lower | Standard international rates |
| UAE acceptance | Full | Full |
| International acceptance | 100+ countries (growing) | 200+ countries (established) |
| RuPay (India) compatibility | Yes | No |
| Rewards and offers | 150+ UAE merchants | Varies by card and bank |
| Credit card available? | Not yet, planned | Yes |
| Digital wallet support | Coming soon | Available now |
Jaywan is not trying to replace Visa or Mastercard overnight. For most domestic UAE spending, the card performs identically. Many banks are expected to issue co-badged cards that carry both the Jaywan logo and a Mastercard logo, giving you both networks on a single card. This means you get domestic Jaywan routing inside the UAE and full Mastercard acceptance when you travel internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jaywan card in the UAE?
Jaywan is the UAE’s first national domestic card payment scheme, operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. Officially launched on 20 July 2026, it allows residents to make payments at ATMs, retail stores, and online without routing transactions through international networks. It is currently available as a debit card and a prepaid card. A credit card is planned for a future phase.
Which banks issue Jaywan cards in the UAE?
As of August 2026, the confirmed issuers are FAB, ADCB, Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic, CBD, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Mashreq, RAKBANK, Citi UAE, Al Ansari Exchange, and Botim Money. Additional banks including ADIB, Dubai Islamic Bank, Wio Bank, Al Hilal Bank, and HSBC UAE are joining the scheme in phases.
How do I apply for a Jaywan card?
Existing customers at a participating bank can apply through their bank’s mobile app under the Cards or Account Settings section. New applicants or those without a bank account can get a Jaywan Prepaid Card from Al Ansari Exchange or Botim Money with just an Emirates ID, passport, and residency visa. The prepaid card can often be issued the same day at an exchange house branch.
Can I use the Jaywan card outside of the UAE?
Yes. Jaywan is being accepted in more than 100 countries as the rollout progresses. It is also compatible with India’s RuPay network, meaning it works in shops and ATMs across India. For travel to other destinations, a co-badged Jaywan-Mastercard card gives you full Mastercard acceptance globally.
Is the Jaywan card free?
Fees vary by bank. Many banks are expected to offer Jaywan debit cards as part of free or low-cost account packages, since lower transaction costs make it more affordable for banks to waive card fees. The Prestige debit card is available as part of standard account offerings at FAB, ADCB, and Emirates NBD. Check directly with your bank for their specific fee structure and any annual card charges.
What is the difference between Jaywan Prestige, Royal, and Prepaid?
Prestige is the standard debit card with 150+ merchant offers and full UAE acceptance. Royal is the premium debit card that adds airport lounge access, travel insurance, purchase protection, Entertainer membership, and Careem+ discounts. Prepaid requires no bank account and is focused on budgeting and controlled spending.
Does Jaywan work with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Digital wallet integration with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay is on the official rollout schedule but was not confirmed as fully live across all issuing banks as of August 2026. Check your bank’s app for the latest update. Some banks may have enabled this faster than others.
Is the Jaywan Card safe to use?
Yes. Jaywan uses EMV chip technology, contactless PIN authentication, and 3D Secure for online transactions. All payment data is processed and stored within the UAE under Central Bank of UAE regulations. There is no third-party international data processing involved, which adds an extra layer of local oversight and data protection.
Final Thoughts
Most UAE residents will encounter Jaywan for the first time when their bank issues a new card with an unfamiliar logo on it. The transition feels invisible. You tap, enter your PIN, and you pay online in exactly the same way. For daily UAE spending the Jaywan Prestige Debit Card does everything you need. If you travel to India, RuPay compatibility makes it more useful than a standard Visa or Mastercard for that destination. Check your bank’s app today. Requesting one is likely a single tap away.
Haris Khan is the lead content expert at TheEmiratesGuides.com, where he oversees the documentation of UAE visa processes, employment opportunities, and government services. With a commitment to factual integrity and real-time updates, he provides the technical expertise necessary to guide readers through the complexities of life and work in the UAE.