The DubaiPay Jaywan integration is live: the UAE’s national card scheme is now accepted on the emirate’s government payment platform, after Dubai Finance and Digital Dubai completed testing. The first government transaction through the new option went to the Dubai Cares donation service.
Dubai Finance (DOF) and Digital Dubai announced the activation after operational testing confirmed the platform could process Jaywan card transactions, per WAM. Jaywan is operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, and works at point-of-sale terminals, ATMs and e-commerce sites.
“Activating Jaywan on DubaiPay marks another important milestone in the development of Dubai’s digital payments ecosystem and reflects our commitment to supporting national payment solutions and strengthening their integration into government services.”
Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director-General of Dubai Finance
Al Saleh described the shift to cashless payments as a change in customer experience and government efficiency, not a straight swap of payment methods. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, said the integration gives customers more choice and strengthens confidence in digital transactions.
What DubaiPay Jaywan means for residents
Jaywan joins a queue that already includes credit and debit cards, wallets, net banking, Apple Pay and, since last year, Tabby. DubaiPay is the gateway residents use for Dubai government fees, and the national scheme now works there. DIB launched a Jaywan debit card earlier this year, and the cards are spreading through banks and government services since.
The deadline behind it
The move feeds the Dubai Cashless Strategy, which wants 90 per cent of transactions across the government and private sectors cashless by the end of 2026. Entrepreneur Middle East framed the addition as a boost for that strategy. Every government payment channel that takes the national scheme moves the number; putting DubaiPay Jaywan on the emirate’s own platform is the part Dubai controls directly.
What is Jaywan?
Jaywan is the UAE’s national card payment scheme, operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. It sits alongside international networks such as Visa and Mastercard, and banks issue Jaywan-branded cards on it.
Is Jaywan a mobile wallet?
No. Jaywan is a card payment network, not a wallet. Jaywan cards work at point-of-sale terminals, ATMs and e-commerce platforms, and can now be selected on DubaiPay.
How do I use Jaywan on DubaiPay?
When paying a Dubai government fee on DubaiPay, select Jaywan at checkout alongside cards, wallets, net banking and Apple Pay. The first government transaction through the new option was a Dubai Cares donation.
