UAE Officially Launches Jaywan Card; Here’s What It Is, What It Does & More

UAE residents will now be able to get access to the Jaywan Card. This comes after the UAE officially started the nationwide issuance of the card. It is being done through banks, licensed financial institutions and exchange houses. Here’s all you need to know about the new card that is finally being issued.

UAE Rolls Out Jaywan Card

سمو الشيخ منصور بن زايد آل نهيان، نائب رئيس الدولة، نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء، رئيس ديوان الرئاسة، رئيس مجلس إدارة #مصرف_الإمارات_المركزي، يدشّن منظومة “جيوَن”، أول منظومة وطنية للمدفوعات في دولة الإمارات، بحضور معالي خالد محمد بالعمى، محافظ المصرف المركزي، وأعضاء مجلس إدارة شركة… pic.twitter.com/6niv3HpnYv

— Central Bank of the UAE (@centralbankuae) July 20, 2026

UAE’s rollout of the Jaywan card comes after the official inauguration of the first national card scheme of the UAE. As mentioned by Gulf News, this was done by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the Vice President, Chief of the Presidential Court, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the UAE

These cards will be issued by banks and other licensed institutions and it will be done in phases over the coming months. First Abu Dhabi Bank has launched Jaywan Debit Card, while the Commercial Bank of Dubai is going to introduce Jaywan Prepaid Cards. On the other hand, Network International is enabling online payments for thousands of merchants who are in the UAE.

It Covers Three Parts Of Payment System

This announcement covers three parts of the payment system, which include cards that are linked to bank accounts, prepaid alternatives, and wider online acceptance. For the unversed, Jaywan supports payments at shops and online. It also supports ATM withdrawals and is compatible with digital wallets. International use will, however, depend on the card that is issued and the applicable rules.

But what is Jaywan? Jaywan is basically operated by Al Etihad Payments. It is a subsidiary of the Central Bank. Offering domestic network through which card transactions can be routed, authorised, and processed. International networks have traditionally handled most of this process, and now Jaywan, which is a locally governed alternative that aims to strengthen the UAE’s control over its payment infrastructure.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Introduces 1-Year Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa & Here’s All About It

It Includes Three Types Of Cards

Jaywan includes debit, prepaid, and credit cards. Customers will be able to obtain them depending on their bank and the issuing institution. For the unversed, the first Abu Dhabi bank’s Jaywan Card is already available to customers who have eligible accounts. Existing customers will be able to apply through the FAB mobile app or at the branch. Elite and private banking customers can contact the relationship managers.

CBD prepaid cards are those where the user must load money into them before it can be spent. It will be limited to the available balance in the card, and these Jaywan Bank cards would be issued under the corporate arrangement. It can be used by retail customers. The card would support purchases at shops, ATM withdrawals, online payments, and contactless transactions.

Cover Image Courtesy: aep.ae

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