Cashless Payments in UAE
Aani, contactless cards, Jaywan, Apple Pay, Google Pay, QR, and Open Finance pay-by-bank — what they are and how they work.
What cashless payment options are available in the UAE?
The UAE offers a full range of cashless payment methods: contactless cards (Visa, Mastercard, Jaywan national scheme), Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, QR code payments, and Aani instant bank transfers by mobile number for domestic AED transfers. Dubai has a Cashless Strategy targeting 90% cashless transactions by 2026 (source: Dubai Media Office, 1 Oct 2024). The Open Finance framework (CBUAE, Apr 2024) provides the foundation for future pay-by-bank products. remit.ae does not process payments.
Dubai Cashless Strategy
Official Government SourceOn 1 October 2024, the Dubai Executive Council announced the Cashless Strategy, targeting approximately 90% of all transactions to be cashless by 2026 and positioning Dubai as a top-5 global cashless city. The strategy projects an economic uplift of over AED 8 billion annually.
As of 2024, approximately 97% of Dubai government transactions were already digital. The strategy accelerates adoption of banking apps, contactless cards, QR payments, smart wallets, and AI-driven payments.
Source: Dubai Media Office / Executive Council, 1 October 2024. Targets are government projections — verify current status at the official source.
UAE cashless payment methods
Aani — Instant Domestic Payments
Live — Domestic AED OnlyOperated by Al Etihad Payments (CBUAE subsidiary). Enables instant AED transfers by mobile number, request-to-pay, bill splitting, QR. Up to AED 50,000 per transaction. Available in Mashreq, ADCB, Al Fardan Exchange, Emirates NBD, FAB, and other connected institutions.
Source: Al Etihad Payments / CBUAE. Launched October 2023.
Full Aani guide →Contactless Cards — Jaywan, Visa, Mastercard
Contactless card payments are widely accepted across UAE retail, transport, and hospitality. The Jaywan national card scheme (Al Etihad Payments) provides a UAE-sovereign domestic rail, with a Mastercard co-badge collaboration announced in 2026. The ADCB Tourist Identity debit card (April 2026) is Jaywan-connected.
Source: Al Etihad Payments; ADCB/CBUAE/ICP Tourist Identity April 2026. Acceptance breadth requires current official data.
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
Major mobile wallets are widely available from UAE banks. Tap-to-pay on supported devices at any contactless terminal. Many UAE exchange house apps also include digital wallet features.
Editorial — verify support with your specific bank or device.
Pay by Bank / Open Finance
Regulation LiveThe UAE Open Finance Regulation (CBUAE, April 2024) enables consent-based payment initiation directly from bank accounts — the legal foundation for pay-by-bank. Consumer-facing products remain limited.
Source: CBUAE Open Finance Regulation April 2024 / Circular 03/2026.
Open Finance explainer →Also on remit.ae — International Remittance
Cashless payments handle domestic UAE spending. For sending money abroad, compare international remittance options: