For UAE residents, the new Jaywan card is set to become another option for everyday payments, from grocery runs and fuel stops to online shopping, taxi bookings and utility bills.
The UAE’s first national card scheme has officially entered nationwide issuance, with banks, licensed financial institutions and exchange houses beginning to roll out the card in phases over the coming months.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Central Bank of the UAE, inaugurated Jaywan and announced the start of its nationwide issuance.
The announcement was made during a meeting with Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank, members of the Board of Directors of Al Etihad Payments and senior executives from banks, licensed financial institutions and local and international payment companies.
Jaywan is operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, and is being introduced as a locally driven payment scheme built around the needs of residents and businesses.
For customers, the card works much like other bank cards. It can be used at point-of-sale terminals, on e-commerce platforms, at ATMs and through digital wallets. It supports contactless payments, online purchases and cash withdrawals.
The scheme currently includes debit and prepaid cards, while credit cards are expected to be introduced later.
Residents can apply through participating banks and financial institutions. Eleven institutions are prepared to issue Jaywan cards, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Bank of Baroda, Citi, Emirates Islamic, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Botim, MBank and Al Ansari Exchange.
Other banks, exchange houses and fintech companies are expected to join in phases.
Jaywan is also designed for use outside the UAE. Global acceptance is planned in more than 100 countries as the rollout continues, allowing residents to use the same card for local and overseas spending.
Premium cardholders will have access to a wider package of benefits, including airport lounge access through Priority Pass, travel insurance, purchase protection, Jaywan Entertainer membership, Careem+ discounts, Reel Cinemas offers and airline-related benefits.
The rewards program covers more than 150 stores and service providers across travel, hotels, retail, entertainment, dining, health and wellness.
Security is another part of the scheme. Jaywan uses EMV chip technology, contactless PIN payments and 3D Secure authentication for online transactions.
Sheikh Mansour said the launch of Jaywan and the start of nationwide issuance strengthens the UAE’s control over its financial infrastructure and supports the development of the national payments system.
“This achievement reflects the UAE’s commitment to developing a more efficient, resilient and competitive financial sector that unlocks broader opportunities for innovation, promotes financial inclusion, and further strengthens the UAE’s position as a leading global financial hub. This milestone represents a pivotal step in enhancing the national payments ecosystem, improving the efficiency of the financial infrastructure and supporting the country’s digital transformation journey”, he said.
Mr Balama said the launch showed the financial sector’s ability to turn national priorities into practical payment services.
“It demonstrates the financial sector’s ability to translate strategic visions into advanced national solutions, in line with the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, while advancing innovative digital payments”, he said.
For most residents, Jaywan’s appeal will be simple: one card for daily spending, online payments, cash withdrawals and travel, backed by local offers and security features.
As more institutions join and digital wallet support expands, the card is expected to become a common payment option across the country.