A salary card gives employees in the UAE a practical way to receive and access wages without necessarily having their salary deposited into a conventional personal bank account. These cards are commonly connected to the UAE’s Wage Protection System, or WPS, and may allow cash withdrawals, card payments, balance checks and other services depending on the issuer.
This UAE Salary Card Guide explains how salary cards work in 2026, how they relate to WPS, when salaries should be paid, how employees can access their money, what fees to check, what to do if a card is lost and where to complain if a salary is delayed.
This guide primarily covers employees working for private-sector establishments regulated by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Different arrangements may apply to certain free-zone employees, domestic workers or employees governed by another labour authority.
UAE Salary Card at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Main purpose | Receiving and accessing salary payments |
| Commonly linked system | UAE Wage Protection System (WPS) |
| Currency | UAE dirham, AED |
| Who normally arranges the card? | Employer through an authorised WPS provider |
| Is a salary card the same as a bank account? | No |
| Can salaries also go to a bank account? | Yes, depending on the payroll arrangement |
| ATM withdrawals | Available on many cards, subject to the card network and provider |
| Card purchases | Available on some salary cards |
| Fees | Vary between providers and card products |
| 2026 salary due date under MoHRE WPS | First day of the following Gregorian month for the previous month’s wages |
| Main authority for wage complaints | MoHRE |
| Financial-card complaint escalation | The card issuer first, then Sanadak where eligible |
Under the current MoHRE framework, wages for the preceding month are due on the first day of the next Gregorian month. The UAE Government states that progressive action against employers delaying wages can begin from the second day after the due date.
What Is a UAE Salary Card?
A UAE salary card, also called a payroll card or WPS card, is a payment card through which an employee can receive and access wages processed by an employer.
The salary card should not be confused with WPS itself. WPS is the wage-payment and monitoring system, while the card is one possible way for an employee to receive the money processed through that system.
The Central Bank of the UAE states that WPS allows wage-payment information and funds to move from employers through participating agents to employees while giving the relevant labour authority the ability to monitor salary payments.
For exchange-house WPS arrangements, Central Bank rules provide for wages to be distributed through payroll cards or an employee’s bank account rather than through cash salary disbursement.
What Is the UAE Wage Protection System?
The Wage Protection System, usually shortened to WPS, is an electronic system used to process and monitor employee wage payments.
The Central Bank of the UAE implemented UAEWPS in 2009. The system supports the monitoring of employer wage payments and gives labour regulators access to information showing whether employees have been paid.
An employer generally works with an authorised bank, exchange house or other eligible financial institution to process salaries. Salary information and the corresponding funds move through the WPS framework, after which employees receive their wages through the agreed payment method.
That payment method may be:
- a payroll or salary card;
- an eligible bank account; or
- another wage-payment mechanism specifically approved by the relevant authority.
A salary card is therefore not compulsory simply because an employee is paid through WPS. An employee whose salary is deposited directly into a bank account may still be fully covered by WPS.
UAE WPS Salary Rules Changed in 2026
Employees and employers should be particularly careful with older online information about UAE salary deadlines.
Ministerial Resolution No. 0340 of 2026 introduced updated WPS requirements effective from 1 June 2026.
For MoHRE-regulated private-sector establishments, wages for the previous Gregorian month are now due on the first day of the following Gregorian month. A payment made after that date is treated as delayed for WPS purposes.
This means older guidance referring to a general 15-day grace period should not be relied upon for the current MoHRE WPS framework.
What Does the 85% WPS Rule Mean?
The 2026 framework also uses an 85% compliance threshold.
The UAE Government states that an establishment is treated as compliant when it transfers at least 85% of the total wages due by the deadline where lawful deductions apply.
This should not be interpreted as permission for an employer to routinely withhold 15% of every employee’s agreed salary. Any reduction must have a lawful basis. An employee’s contractual salary and entitlement to unpaid amounts remain separate from the WPS compliance calculation.
How Does a UAE Salary Card Work?
The exact process varies slightly between employers and providers, but the typical arrangement works as follows.
1. The Employer Chooses a WPS Provider
The employer registers or contracts with a bank, exchange house or other institution authorised to provide the necessary payroll service.
The Central Bank requires providers participating in wage distribution to meet WPS licensing and regulatory requirements.
2. Employee Payroll Details Are Registered
The employer provides the required employee and payroll information through the applicable WPS process.
One element commonly used within WPS is the Salary Information File, or SIF, which records wage information submitted for processing.
3. The Salary Card Is Issued
Where payroll cards are being used, the employee receives the card associated with the employer’s payroll arrangement.
Central Bank rules governing exchange-house WPS services require payroll cards to be delivered to the relevant employee and an acknowledgement of delivery to be maintained.
4. The Card Is Activated
Employees should follow the activation instructions issued with their particular card.
Activation procedures vary. They may involve a PIN, mobile application, OTP or another secure verification method. Employees should not assume that instructions for another provider’s salary card will work with their own.
5. The Employer Processes the Salary
The employer submits the wage payment through WPS or another approved salary-payment mechanism.
The salary is then made available through the employee’s designated payment account or salary card.
6. The Employee Accesses the Funds
Depending on the card, employees may be able to withdraw cash, make purchases, view transactions, send money or use digital services provided by the issuer.
Salary Card vs Debit Card vs Bank Account
Although a salary card can look similar to a debit card, the two should not automatically be treated as identical.
| Feature | Salary/Payroll Card | Regular Bank Debit Card |
| Main purpose | Receiving wages | General banking |
| Usually arranged through employer | Yes | Usually no |
| Traditional current/savings account required | Not necessarily | Usually yes |
| Salary payments | Yes | Yes |
| Cash withdrawals | Depends on product | Normally available |
| Retail purchases | Depends on card | Normally available |
| Personal deposits | May be restricted | Normally available |
| Banking services | Usually more limited | Usually broader |
| Fees and limits | Provider-specific | Bank/account-specific |
Central Bank rules applying to certain WPS payroll cards state that such cards must not be reloaded with money other than the employee’s salary or wages submitted through the WPS Salary Information File.
Employees should therefore avoid assuming that their salary card can accept ordinary deposits, person-to-person transfers or cash top-ups unless their provider specifically confirms that functionality.
Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Salary Cards
Not all UAE salary cards provide the same level of access.
Open-Loop Cards
An open-loop card is usually connected to a wider payment network. Depending on the product, it may work at participating ATMs and merchants displaying the relevant card-network logo.
The Central Bank describes open-loop prepaid cards as cards that may be used at merchants accepting the relevant brand and at compatible ATM networks.
Some UAE payroll products use international networks such as Visa or Mastercard.
Closed-Loop Cards
A closed-loop payroll card has more restricted use.
For example, a card may allow employees to receive wages but require withdrawals through the issuing exchange house’s branches or designated machines rather than allowing purchases everywhere.
Al Ansari Exchange currently distinguishes between its Visa-enabled PayPlus payroll card and a closed-loop PayRoll Card that is used within its own salary-payment network. This illustrates why employees should check the exact product name rather than assuming all salary cards have the same features.
What Can You Do With a Salary Card?
Available functions depend entirely on the provider.
A modern UAE salary card may support:
- cash withdrawals;
- balance enquiries;
- retail purchases;
- contactless payments;
- online purchases;
- mobile-app access;
- transaction history;
- remittance services;
- PIN management;
- card blocking;
- international use.
However, some payroll cards may support only salary receipt and withdrawal.
Always check the provider’s current Key Facts Statement, fee schedule and card terms before relying on a particular feature.
How to Withdraw Salary From a Salary Card
Most employees access their salary through either an ATM or the provider’s branch network.
Before using an ATM, check:
- which ATM networks accept the card;
- whether withdrawals at the issuer’s own ATM are cheaper;
- whether the first withdrawal each month is free;
- the maximum amount allowed per withdrawal;
- any daily withdrawal limit; and
- the charge for international withdrawals.
Do not assume that seeing a Visa or Mastercard logo automatically means every transaction is free. Network compatibility and transaction fees are separate matters.
UAE Salary Card Fees
There is no single universal fee schedule for every UAE salary card.
Charges depend on the issuing financial institution, card network, employer arrangement and product.
Possible charges include:
| Possible Charge | What to Check |
| Card issuance | Whether the employee or employer pays |
| Replacement card | Fee if the card is lost or damaged |
| Domestic ATM withdrawal | Fee per transaction |
| International ATM withdrawal | Fixed fee plus possible currency conversion charges |
| Balance enquiry | Some ATMs may charge |
| Card statement | Digital statements may differ from printed statements |
| International purchases | Foreign-exchange or cross-border charges may apply |
| Inactivity | Check whether the specific product charges dormant-card fees |
| Card renewal | Fee may apply when the card expires |
Current provider fee schedules demonstrate how much these conditions can differ. For example, LuLu Exchange’s 2026 WPS Key Facts Statement lists different issuance, replacement, ATM, renewal and international-use conditions across several salary-card products.
Employees should therefore check the latest Key Facts Statement rather than relying on an old fee quoted online.
The Central Bank’s consumer-protection framework also requires applicable fees to be disclosed to consumers.
How to Check Your Salary Card Balance
The balance-checking method depends on the issuer.
Common methods may include:
- the provider’s mobile application;
- an ATM;
- the provider’s website or online portal;
- customer service;
- an exchange-house branch.
Check whether an ATM balance enquiry carries a fee before repeatedly using it.
Using the provider’s official mobile app, where available, can often be the more practical way to monitor transactions and confirm whether salary has arrived.
What Should You Do If Your Salary Has Not Reached the Card?
A missing salary can be caused either by the employer’s payroll process or by a problem with the card or financial provider.
It helps to identify which one before making a complaint.
Step 1: Check the Card Balance and Transactions
Confirm that the salary has not already been credited.
If the issuer provides a mobile app or transaction history, check there first.
Step 2: Ask Payroll Whether the Salary Was Processed
Contact your employer’s HR or payroll team and ask whether your salary was submitted through WPS.
Keep written records of the response.
Step 3: Contact the Card Issuer
If your employer says the salary was processed but your card still does not show the funds, contact the card provider.
Record any complaint or reference number you receive.
Step 4: Contact MoHRE for a Wage Issue
If the employer has failed to pay the salary, eligible private-sector workers can use MoHRE’s salary-complaint channels.
MoHRE provides a My Salary Complaint service for private-sector employees. The ministry describes it as a confidential complaint regarding failure to pay wages on time. The service currently lists no application fee and is available through the MoHRE website and mobile app.
MoHRE’s contact centre is 600 590 000, while the Labour Claims and Advisory Center can be reached on 80084.
What If the Problem Is With the Card Provider?
A wage dispute and a financial-service dispute are not always the same thing.
If your employer paid you correctly but the issue concerns matters such as:
- an unexplained card charge;
- blocked funds;
- an ATM dispute;
- incorrect transaction processing;
- a replacement-card problem; or
- another service provided by a Central Bank-licensed financial institution,
raise a formal complaint with the card issuer first.
If the dispute remains unresolved, eligible consumers may be able to escalate it to Sanadak, the UAE’s independent financial and insurance ombudsman.
Sanadak’s current eligibility process requires the consumer to first make an official complaint to the relevant licensed financial institution. The current complaint process generally allows escalation after 15 calendar days where no written response has been received or the consumer is dissatisfied with the response.
What to Do If Your Salary Card Is Lost or Stolen
Treat a lost salary card in the same way you would treat a lost payment card containing access to your money.
Contact the issuer immediately and request that the card be blocked.
Do not wait until you notice an unauthorised transaction.
The Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Standards require licensed financial institutions to provide responsive phone or digital channels for consumers to report loss, theft, fraud or misuse involving accounts and payment cards.
After reporting the card:
- obtain a complaint or blocking reference number;
- check recent transactions;
- report any transaction you do not recognise;
- request a replacement card where necessary;
- ask whether a replacement fee applies; and
- confirm how you will access your salary while waiting for the replacement.
Never share your PIN, password or one-time password with someone claiming that they need it to release your salary.
Can You Use a UAE Salary Card for Shopping?
Some salary cards can be used for purchases, while others cannot.
Cards operating through major international payment networks may permit purchases at participating merchants. Closed-loop salary cards can have much more limited functionality.
Before using the card for shopping, check:
- POS purchase availability;
- contactless support;
- online payment support;
- international usage;
- foreign-currency charges;
- spending limits.
Do not assume that all salary cards function like full bank debit cards.
Can You Send Money Abroad From a Salary Card?
Some payroll-card providers integrate remittance services into their apps or branch networks.
For example, some current UAE salary-card products allow cardholders to access remittance features through the provider’s digital services. However, this is a product feature rather than a universal WPS requirement.
Before making a transfer, compare:
- exchange rate;
- transfer charge;
- receiving fee;
- transfer time;
- daily or monthly limits.
The cheapest-looking transfer fee does not necessarily mean the lowest total cost if the exchange rate is less favourable.
Is Every UAE Employee Required to Use WPS?
No. WPS coverage depends on the employee, employer and relevant labour authority.
The current UAE Government guidance lists several exclusions from MoHRE WPS compliance, including certain workers with wage disputes already referred to the judiciary, employees on properly documented unpaid leave, certain seafarers, qualifying foreign-establishment workers paid outside the UAE and workers holding specified short mission permits.
Certain employer categories are also excluded under the current framework.
Employees in free zones or under another employment regime should check the requirements of the authority governing their employment rather than assuming MoHRE’s standard private-sector process applies in exactly the same way.
Salary Card vs Labour Card
A salary card and labour card are completely different things.
A salary card is used to receive or access wages.
A labour-related employment record or work permit is connected to the employee’s legal employment status and authorisation to work.
Your salary card does not replace your employment contract, work permit, Emirates ID or other official employment documentation.
Can You Change From a Salary Card to a Bank Account?
WPS wages can be distributed through approved payroll-card arrangements or credited through eligible banking channels, so a bank account may be possible depending on your employer’s payroll setup.
However, an employee usually cannot simply redirect a WPS payment by entering a new account number into the salary card.
If you want your future salary paid into a bank account:
- check whether your employer permits bank-account salary payments;
- obtain the banking information requested by payroll;
- provide the details through your employer’s official process; and
- wait for confirmation before assuming the change is active.
Do not close or discard your existing salary card until any remaining balance has been withdrawn and payroll confirms that future payments will go elsewhere.
Practical Tips for Using a UAE Salary Card
Keep the provider’s customer-service number saved separately from the card in case it is lost.
Read the Key Facts Statement when the card is issued, particularly the ATM, replacement, international-use and inactivity charges.
Use official applications and websites only.
Change the initial PIN where the issuer allows it and never write the PIN on the card.
Check the balance after your normal payday rather than relying only on an SMS notification.
Keep payslips, employment contracts and salary-payment records, particularly if an amount appears incorrect.
Report unknown transactions quickly.
If you change your UAE mobile number, update it with the card provider so security messages and OTPs continue reaching you.
Most importantly, distinguish between an employer salary problem and a card-provider service problem, because the appropriate complaint route can be different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a UAE salary card the same as WPS?
No. WPS is the electronic wage-payment and monitoring system. A salary or payroll card is one method through which an employee may access wages processed under that system.
Do I need a bank account to receive salary through WPS?
Not necessarily. WPS salary payments can be distributed through payroll cards as well as eligible bank-account arrangements.
When must private-sector salaries be paid in the UAE in 2026?
For establishments covered by the current MoHRE WPS framework, wages for the preceding Gregorian month are due on the first day of the following Gregorian month. The updated rules took effect on 1 June 2026.
Can I withdraw money from any ATM using a salary card?
Not necessarily. ATM availability depends on the issuing provider and card network. Some cards work across large ATM networks, while closed-loop cards may have restricted withdrawal options.
Are UAE salary card ATM withdrawals free?
Not always. Fees vary by card. Some products provide free withdrawals through specified branches or ATMs but charge for other machines. Check the current fee schedule supplied by your card issuer.
Can I buy things with my salary card?
Some salary cards support in-store, contactless or online payments, while more restricted payroll cards may not. Check the features of your exact card.
What should I do if my salary is late?
Check your card balance, contact your employer’s payroll department and verify whether the salary was processed. If your employer has not paid your wages and you fall under MoHRE’s jurisdiction, you can consider using MoHRE’s salary complaint service or contacting its Labour Claims and Advisory Center.
What should I do if my salary card is lost?
Contact the issuer immediately and block the card. Check recent transactions and report anything you do not recognise. Ask the provider about its replacement-card procedure and any applicable fee.
Where can I complain about a salary-card provider?
Start by making an official complaint with the licensed financial institution or card provider. Eligible unresolved financial-service complaints can subsequently be referred to Sanadak according to its complaint criteria.
Does the 85% WPS rule mean my employer can keep 15% of my salary?
No. The 85% figure is part of the WPS compliance framework and applies where lawful deductions are involved. It should not be interpreted as a general right for employers to deduct 15% from an employee’s agreed salary without a lawful reason.
