The United Arab Emirates officially reached a key milestone in its financial independence on Friday, July 24, 2026, with the continuing statewide distribution of the Jaywan card. Major banks, regulated exchange houses and financial institutions across the United Arab Emirates have already rolled out the revolutionary service, the country’s first domestic card payment scheme. The much anticipated launch has promised cheaper, more adaptable and totally secure means of dealing with everyday payments for both people and businesses. It’s a highly secure, domestic alternative to established international networks such as Visa and Mastercard.
Jaywan card is a crucial step towards total independence. Al Etihad Payments, a direct subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank has launched the Jaywan card. Following the huge economic success of China’s UnionPay, Brazil’s Elo, Saudi Arabia’s mada and India’s RuPay, the UAE is now glad to add itself to the exclusive and growing list of countries that have managed to build their own local card payment schemes. This strategic UAE initiative actually heavily draws upon international expertise, as Al Etihad Payments in October 2023 announced a collaboration with India’s NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the same company that established the internationally renowned RuPay network back in 2012.
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Key Benefits for Residents and the Local Economy
Historically, most card payments in the United Arab Emirates have been processed by foreign networks. With the introduction of Jaywan, the country now has a locally controlled alternative that gives it full control over its critical financial infrastructure. One of the key benefits of this transition is strict data localisation, with Jaywan safely processing and storing all payment-related data only inside the borders of the United Arab Emirates, removing the need for external servers located elsewhere.
And this new way also bodes well for cheaper banking overall. The program offers a domestic alternative to help formally eliminate the high external costs normally associated with international transaction processing. This could very well translate into more free or cheap debit cards for the individual consumer in the future. Local firms will also benefit enormously from considerably reduced transaction costs. Efficiency is also considerably boosted because domestic transactions are smoothly expedited locally using the specialist UAESWITCH technology rather than just depending on international network routing.
Solid Digital Acceptance and Security
Security is still of vital importance for the new home system. Each transaction employs state-of-the-art, highest-quality security standards, with complete integration of 3D Secure technology, advanced EMV chip protection and ultra-secure PIN authentication. Moreover, contactless payments are fully enabled for fast and easy everyday transactions at local stores.
In fact, Network International is already helping thousands of UAE retailers to accept online payments through the program. Residents may be certain that their cards are accepted for ordinary ATM withdrawals, online e-commerce checkouts and in-store transactions. Digital wallets compatible are already supported, but major systems such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay will soon be certified official system integrations. The initiative will be available to visitors from more than 100 countries around the world, through incremental rollouts, based strictly on the foreign terms and conditions of the individual issuing bank.
Card Tiers Available and Premium Features
The gradual deployment is moving swiftly with 11 major financial institutions including FAB, ADCB, Emirates Islamic, CBD, Citi, Mbank and Botim being fully equipped to issue these cards. Later on the system will be further extended to more local banks, exchange houses and fintech organisations.
Today customers have a wide range of cards to select from, to satisfy their diverse financial needs:
- Jaywan Prepaid Card: For managing day-to-day expenses and budget tight.
- The Jaywan Prestige Debit Card: A premium day-to-day banking product, and brings with it access to a host of lifestyle deals.
- The Jaywan Royal Debit Card: A premium tier for daily banking with special travel and lifestyle packages.
- Jaywan Credit Cards: Confirmed to be accessible in the next stages of roll out.
Some of the incredible lifestyle perks available are open instantly to premium card members include dining, housing, auto rentals, grocery, attractions, amusement parks and more.
Some of the premium perks include:
- Priority Pass allows you free access to airport lounges.
- Full travel insurance and protection on pre-purchased items.
- Jaywan Entertainer Membership and Exclusive Lifestyle Deals Access.
- Reduced pricing at Reel Cinemas and Careem+ offers dedicated transport and entertainment offers.
- Discounts from 150+ trusted UAE based retailers.
Residents are urged to contact their banks directly to check on the availability of the cards and research the exact terms and conditions, if they want to apply. You can also see the full list of participating locations and active deals by going straight to the official Al Etihad Payments website at aep.ae/en/offers/.
