| Quick Answer: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) prepaid card is a reloadable card that allows you to make purchases, withdraw amount and receive payments without needing a bank account. There are several different types of FAB here, among them are familiar cards for the employees of the FAB, such as the “PayPlus” (PPC) cardgovernment-issueded cards such as “Sahala”, “UAQ Pay” cards, and corporate cards, most charging an initial fee of AED 25. |
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has a complete suite of prepaid cards for all customers in the UAE, including payment programmes and businesses, as well as individuals. For regular everyday spending, you can use a reloadable Visa-only card, a Wage Protection System (WPS) salary card, or a corporate prepaid card without needing a bank account in most cases to use them. In this guide, you will get to know about the features, eligibility criteria, fee structure, and how you can check your card balance. How this card can be reloaded, and customer support is available for the cards in the country, so that you can make the best choice for yourself.
| Fact | Detail |
| Issuer | First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)issued via Magnati |
| Bank Account Needed | Not required for most individual and government cards |
| Card Types | Ratibi, PayPlus (PPC), Government Cards (Sahala, Advanced, UAQ Pay, Ajman Pay), Corporate Cards, Payit Plus |
| Typical Card Cost | AED 25, usually deducted from the first load |
| Redemption Fee | AED 25 |
| Non-FAB ATM Fee (UAE) | AED 2 per withdrawal |
| Non-FAB ATM Fee (Abroad) | 2.5% or AED 15 per withdrawal, whichever is greater |
| Data Current As Of | 2026 |
What Is a FAB Prepaid Card?
The FAB Prepaid Card is a prepaid Mastercard or Visa card from First Abu Dhabi Bank, processed by its partner, Magnati. It is not connected to a savings or current account like a debit card. The amount of money that can be spent is loaded on the card in advance, whether via payroll, by the cardholder via a top-up channel, or by a governmental body for benefit payments. A salary card, often usedsedy UAE workers, is an efficient solution for residents, staff, and companies requiring easy access to their money without the trouble of a traditional bank account.
A FAB Prepaid Card is similar to a Visa or Mastercard; money is put on it before it’s even used, and the money doesn’t need to be stored or used in a traditional bank account.
Types of FAB Prepaid Cards in the UAE
FAB’s Prepaid Card range is divided into 3 general categories, which are individual cards, government-linked cards, and corporate cards.
Individual FAB Prepaid Cards
- Ratibi Car: The salary card for employees who make AED 5,000 or less monthly is fully compliant with the UAE Wage Protection System (WPS).
- PayPlus Card: a general payment card that can be reloaded for use in everyday payments, online shopping, and travel.
- Payit Plus: Is a 100% electronic payment account on the mobile and a salary reloading payment card, without the need ffor bank account.
FAB’s digital salary account, Payit Plus, imposes no minimum balance and has no account fees, and provides a digital and physical Letsgo Payit Visa card. New customers who get three salary transfers within the first three months, or spend AED 5,000 in their first three months of membership, are entitled to the Welcome Bonus of AED 50. You can make international transactions to over 200 countries with the account.
Government FAB Prepaid Cards
FAB offers government-related prepaid cards through various programs in each emirate. The Sahala Individual Card, Advanced Individual Card, and Silver Corporate Card are just some of the group of common cards available in each emirate program.
- General Purpose Prepaid Cards: Al Haslah cards Sahala Individual, Al Haslah Advanced Individual, Al Haslah Silver Corporate, and Black Corporate, which have been discontinued from circulation.
- Abu Dhabi Pay Prepaid Cards: Government payments in Abu Dhabi, some cards can be used for retail payments.
- UAQ Pay Cards: Individual and Corporate Cards for Umm Al Quwain Government transactions.
- Sahala Individual (AdvancedIndividual, Silver Corporate) are all variations of Ajman Pay Cards used for transactions involving the Ajman government.
- RAK Pay Cards: (Wafer Individual Card & Al Ruzmah Corporate Card). These cards are available for the transactions of the Government of Ras Al-Khaimah.
FAB is rolling tout he eDirham and eDirham G2 Al Haslah cards from their future due to instructions from the UAE Ministry of Finance. These have now been superseded by the recently launched General Purpose Prepaid Cards that do the same for government and retail payments.
Corporate FAB Prepaid Cards
- Payment Card is intended for companies that keep petty cash, as well as execute some recurring payments, and has chip-and-PIN security.
- Silver and Black Corporate Cards: more advanced corporate credit cardsthath also include more transaction limits.
- Corporate cards need Know Your Business (KYB) registration in addition to the normal KYC, and are administered by the corporate card portal through FAB’s online which provides instant visibility of cardholder transactions.
Fab’s prepaid offers a variety of categories, including people requiring an everyday card or salary card, government payees, and companiesthatto need to submit payroll or petty cash.
Which FAB Prepaid Card Is Right for You?
| Card Type | Who It’s For | Bank Account Needed | Key Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ratibi Card | Employees earning AED 5,000 or less per month | No | WPS-compliant salary payments |
| PayPlus Card (PPC) | Anyone wanting a reloadable spending card | No | Every day spending, online shopping, and travel |
| Sahala / Advanced Individual Card | UAE nationals and residents paying government fees | No | Government transactions (Abu Dhabi Pay, Ajman Pay, General Purpose) |
| UAQ Pay / Ajman Pay / RAK Pay Cards | Residents of Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, or Ras Al Khaimah | No | Emirate-specific government payments |
| Payment Card (Corporate) | Businesses managing petty cash or recurring payments | Corporate KYB required | Company expense and payroll management |
| Payit Plus | Anyone wanting a fully digital salary account | No | Instant digital card with 30+ banking services |
Who Is Eligible for a FAB Prepaid Card?
The official eligibility criteria for a FAB Prepaid Caincludees UAE nationals and UAE Residents eligible for individual cards, as well as government,non-government entities, companies, and organizations eligible focorporatees cash disbursement cards.
| Requirement | Individual Cards | Corporate Cards |
| Eligibility | UAE National or UAE Resident | Governments, or a non-government company or organization |
| Registration | KYC (Know Your Customer) | KYB (Know Your Business) |
| Bank Account Needed | No | A CoA Corporate FAB account may be required, depending on the card type |
| Identity Document | Valid Emirates ID | Trade license and authorized signatory documents |
| Where to Apply | FAB branch or authorized Magnati distribution channel | FAB corporate relationship manager |
In addition, for unregistered users, they can top up the government cards like a Sahala Individual Card up to AED 3,500 per card without going through full KYC. This goes up considerably with full KYC registration, and you can enjoy increased daily withdrawal limits.
FAB Prepaid Card Customer Care Numbers
FAB has various lines of support based on the type of your card, and calling the general customer care line isn’t always the best way.
| Support Line | Within the UAE | Outside the UAE |
|---|---|---|
| General Customer Care | 600 52 5500 | +971 2 681 1511 |
| Ratibi Card Service | 600 52 2298 | +971 2 499 6279 |
| Government Cards Support | 600 50 0201 | +971 2 499 6125 |
FAB Prepaid Card Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Card Issuance Fee | AED 25 | Usually deducted automatically from your first load |
| Redemption Fee | AED 25 | Applies when closing the card and withdrawing the remaining balance |
| Non-FAB ATM Withdrawal (within UAE) | AED 2 per withdrawal | FAB-branded ATMs remain free |
| Non-FAB ATM Withdrawal (abroad) | 2.5% or AED 15, whichever is greater | Applies to international ATM withdrawals |
| Balance Inquiry | Free | Free via app, online portal, and FAB ATMs; SMS may carry a standard telecom rate. |
The issuance fee of AED 25 and redemption fee (mandatory) of AED 25 for the close of card offer the highest cost associated with a FAB Prepaid Card, while balance checks are free via the official FAB channel.
How to Load and Reload Your FAB Prepaid Card
FAB also has several ways to add funds to your Ratibii or general reloadable prepaid card or to your payroll prepaid card from your employer.
- Mandated by WPS, Employer payroll upload works with the file the employer supplies; the funds are uploaded by the employer through payroll files,e,s which must be “WPS Compliant” for the Ratibi and corporate card versions.
- Few cards are available fordirect casloadingad at FAB Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs).
- These branches also accept cash reload on eligible prepaid cards: the Al Ansari, Lulu, and Al Rostamani branches of an exchange house.
- Amidst the offices of Magnati, operations are conducted for government card refills and refunds.
How to Check Your FAB Prepaid Card Balance
As of today, customers can log in to the FAB Prepaid Card Portal on ppc.magnati.com, download the mobile app, or stop by any FAB ATM in order to check their FAB Prepaid Card’s balance free of charge, using their Emirates ID at any partner exchange house. See our long, comprehensive guide on how to check FAB balance for all of the cards and fee-free channels for the complete step-by-step process and troubleshooting tips for each card type.
At FAB, balance checking is possible free of charge via the unofficial FAB app, based on this FAB Balance Check guide, and via ATMs.
FAB Prepaid Card vs Debit Card vs Ratibi Salary Card
| Feature | Prepaid Card (PPC) | Debit Card | Ratibi Salary Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Account Needed | No | Yes | No |
| Funding Source | Self-funded top-ups | Linked bank account balance | Employer salary via WPS |
| Best For | Everyday spending, travel, budgeting | Full banking customers | Workers earning AED 5,000 or less monthly |
| Overdraft Possible | No | Sometimes, with agreement | No |
The two cards are both contingent on not having a bank account, but the Ratibi card is more specific in its contingent: it is used for WPS’ salary, and you re-activate it with your own card top-up, but a standard prepaid card is funded through card top-ups done by you.
Is the FAB Prepaid Card Safe to Use?
- Do not load or verify your card outside of the official FAB channels – FAB Mobile App, bankfab.com, or ppc.magnati.com.
- Don’t give your Card PIN, CVV, or one-time password (OTP) to anyone, and don’t give it to anyone who calls claiming to be a FAB representative.
- Card has disappeared or been stolen – report it as soon as possible by calling the numbers below: general cards, 600 52 5500; Ratibi cards, 600 52 2298; government cards, 600 50 0201.
- Always use ATMs in well-lit and secure locations, and cover the keypad with your hand when using the keypad to enter the PIN.
Use a FAB Prepaid Card as you would have used a standard bank card: treat the PIN, CVV, and OTP as you would use with a full bank account.
Common Problems With FAB Prepaid Cards and Fixes
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
| Card not activating | Incomplete KYC or registration pending | Complete verification at a Magnati office or FAB branch |
| Reload not reflecting | Processing delay at the exchange house or CDM | Wait up to 24 hours, then contact FAB or the exchange house |
| Card declined at a merchant | Insufficient balance or card not yet activated | Check your balance first, then confirm activation status |
| Lost or stolen card | Physical card compromised | Call FAB customer care immediately to block and request a replacement |
Final Thoughts
A FAB Prepaid Card is among the most convenient financial solutions offered in the UAE for its residents, employees, and businesses to easily access money without depending on bank accounts. The Ratibi Card is the UAE government’s create-for-rated WPS compliant card for employees earning AED 5,000 and below, the PayPlus Card is the ideal choice for regular spending, and the latest Payit Plus card is the all-digital alternative. Irrespective of which card you opt for, always apply, load balance, and get balance information only through official channels of FAB/Magnati.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bank account to get a FAB Prepaid Card?
Yes, a majority of individual and government FAB prepaid cards don’t need a banking account.
How much does a FAB Prepaid Card cost?
The fee to issue the one-time is typically around AED 25, whichis usuallyyy taken from your first load.
Can I withdraw cash from any ATM with a FAB Prepaid Card?
Yes, however, non-FAB ATMs will require a minimum up-charge of AED 2, which will be fully levied within the UAE and AED 2.5%, or AED 15, whichever is more, outside the UAE.
What is the difference between a Ratibi Card and a PayPlus Card?
The Ratibi Card will be issued to assist with salary payments under WPS, and the PayPlus Card will be a spend card that is reloadable and general in use.
Is the FAB eDirham card still available?
Wrong, FAB has withdrawn eDirham and eDirham G2 Al Haslah cards, which were superseded by General Purpose Prepaid Cards.
How do I reload my FAB Prepaid Card?
Depending on the type of card, choose to reload the card using an employer’s payroll, FAB Cash Deposit Machines, exchange houses, or Magnati offices.
Is checking my FAB Prepaid Card balance free?
Yes, the balance checks are free of charge through the p, portal, or the FAB ATM, there can be a standard telecom charge for SMS balance checks.
What happens if I lose my FAB Prepaid Card?
Call the relevant FAB support line immediately: 600 52 5500 general, 600 52 2298 Ratibi, or 600 50 0201 government cards.
Is there a separate helpline for Ratibi cardholders?
Yes, Ratibi cardholders can call 600 52 2298 within the UAE or +971 2 499 6279 from outside the UAE.
Can a company apply for a FAB Prepaid Card for employees?
Yes, it is possible, by corporate Payment Cards or by Ratibi Cards, which will be company KYB enabled.
What is Payit Plus?
Payit Plus is FAB’s 100% digital salary account that comes with a virtual card and more than 30 banking services – no bank account required.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Please visit the official First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) (www.bankfab.com) for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
