My Pay My Card Guide UAE: How the WPS Salary Card Works, Fees, Limits, and Real-World Use

In the UAE’s regulated salary ecosystem, how wages are paid matters as much as how much is paid. Under the Wage Protection System (WPS), salary disbursement is not optional, it is monitored, structured, and enforced. This regulatory reality is exactly why My Pay My Card has become one of the most widely used salary cards in the country, especially among employees without traditional bank accounts.

Issued by LuLu Exchange in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and operating under UAE Central Bank and MOHRE frameworks, My Pay My Card is not a fintech experiment. It is a compliance instrument, a payroll infrastructure layer, and a daily financial tool used by hundreds of thousands of workers across the UAE.

This guide explains what My Pay My Card really is, how it works under WPS, what users can and cannot do with it, and where it fits in the broader UAE salary and payments ecosystem.

What Is My Pay My Card in the UAE?

My Pay My Card is a WPS-compliant prepaid salary debit card designed for employees whose salaries are processed through the UAE Wage Protection System but who do not hold a personal bank account.

At its core, it functions as a salary disbursement instrument, not a conventional bank account.

Key structural facts:

• Issued by LuLu International Exchange
• Banking partner: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
• Linked to the UAE Wage Protection System (WPS)
• Operates on the Mastercard network (acceptance depends on card version)
• Regulated under UAE Central Bank payroll and payments rules

Employers upload salaries through WPS. Once MOHRE validates the payroll file, wages are credited directly to each employee’s My Pay My Card.

This makes the card both:

• A regulatory compliance tool for employers
• A bank-account alternative for employees

Who Is My Pay My Card Designed For?

My Pay My Card primarily serves individuals who are economically active but underbanked in the UAE.

Typical users include:

• Blue-collar and mid-income workers
• Domestic staff and service employees
• Construction, logistics, hospitality, and retail staff
• New residents without bank eligibility
• Employees whose employers mandate salary cards under WPS

From a compliance perspective, the card ensures:

• Salaries are paid on time
• Amounts match employment contracts
• Payment records are traceable by MOHRE

From a user perspective, it provides practical financial access without credit risk or banking barriers.

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How My Pay My Card Works Under the Wage Protection System (WPS)

MOHRE administers the Wage Protection System in coordination with the UAE Central Bank. Employers are legally required to pay salaries through approved channels.

The flow works as follows:

1. Employer prepares payroll file
2. File is uploaded via a WPS-approved bank or exchange
3. MOHRE validates employee details and salary amounts
4. Funds are released
5. Salary is credited directly to My Pay My Card

Employees do not need:

• A personal bank account
• Cheque books
• Minimum balance maintenance

This structure ensures transparency while protecting workers from delayed or unpaid wages.

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Core Features of My Pay My Card (What You Can Actually Do)

Despite being a prepaid salary card, My Pay My Card supports most everyday financial activities in the UAE.

Salary Access and Storage

Salaries are credited monthly and remain available until used. There is typically no minimum balance requirement, making it suitable for full or partial withdrawals.

ATM Withdrawals

• FAB ATMs: Free withdrawals
• UAE SWITCH network ATMs: Small fee (usually AED 2 + VAT per transaction)
• Cash access is immediate once salary is credited

Merchant Payments (POS)

The card works like a debit card at:

• Supermarkets
• Fuel stations
• Restaurants
• Pharmacies
• Retail stores

Contactless (NFC tap-and-pay) is supported on enabled terminals.

Online Payments

Where Mastercard online payments are accepted, the card can be used with 3D Secure OTP verification.

International Remittances

One of the card’s most practical features is integration with the LuLu Money App, allowing users to:

• Send money internationally
• Pay directly from card balance
• Avoid physical branch queues

This is particularly relevant for expatriate workers supporting families abroad.

How to Activate My Pay My Card (Correct Method)

Activation is intentionally simple to ensure accessibility.

ATM Activation (Most Common)

• Insert the card into any FAB ATM
• Select PIN generation or activation
• Set a 4-digit PIN

App-Based Activation (If Enabled)

Some card versions allow activation through the LuLu Money App using:

• Card number
• Registered mobile number
• OTP verification

Once activated, the card is immediately usable for withdrawals and payments.

How to Check My Pay My Card Balance

Balance access is available through multiple channels to avoid dependency on a single platform.

• LuLu Money App: Real-time balance and transaction history
• FAB ATMs: Balance enquiry via card insertion
• SMS alerts: Salary credit notifications (if enabled)

For most users, the mobile app becomes the primary account interface.

Fees: What Users Should Expect

While My Pay My Card is low-cost, it is not completely fee-free.

Common charges include:

• Card issuance: Usually free (employer-issued)
• FAB ATM withdrawals: Free
• Non-FAB ATM withdrawals: Approx. AED 2 + VAT
• Replacement card: Around AED 15 (lost or damaged)
• Balance enquiry at non-FAB ATMs: May incur a small fee

Exact fees can vary depending on employer arrangements and card version, which is why reviewing the welcome letter is important.

Transaction and Withdrawal Limits (Realistic Expectations)

Limits are applied for regulatory and security reasons.

Typical thresholds include:

• Daily ATM withdrawal: Up to AED 5,000
• POS spending: Higher daily caps, subject to merchant limits
• Contactless transactions: Usually capped per transaction without PIN
• International withdrawals: Subject to network and country-specific limits

Employers or issuing partners may apply additional caps depending on payroll structure.

Lost Card, Emergency Cash, and Risk Scenarios

If the card is lost or stolen:

• The card should be blocked immediately via app or LuLu Exchange support
• A replacement can be requested at any LuLu Exchange branch with an Emirates ID

Importantly, card loss does not mean salary loss.

Employees can still:

• Withdraw salary over the counter at LuLu Exchange
• Verify identity using Emirates ID and labour details

This fallback mechanism is critical for worker protection.

How My Pay My Card Compares to Other UAE Salary Cards

Compared to other WPS salary cards:

• Some cards are bank-locked with limited ATM access
• Others lack mobile app integration
• Many do not support international remittances directly

My Pay My Card stands out due to:

• Strong exchange house backing
• FAB ATM integration
• LuLu Money ecosystem access
• Widespread employer adoption

It is not designed to replace a bank account but to provide responsible access.

Is My Pay My Card Safe and Reliable?

From a regulatory standpoint, yes.

Safety is reinforced through:

• EMV chip and PIN protection
• 3D Secure for online payments
• App-based card blocking
• Transaction alerts
• UAE Central Bank oversight via WPS

The system prioritises salary integrity over financial experimentation, which is exactly what regulators intend.

FAQs

What is My Pay My Card?

It is a WPS-compliant prepaid salary card issued by LuLu Exchange, allowing employees to receive wages without a bank account.

How do I activate my My Pay My Card?

Insert the card into a FAB ATM and set your PIN, or activate through the LuLu Money App if supported.

How do I check my My Pay My Card balance?

Use the LuLu Money App, check at a FAB ATM, or rely on SMS alerts for salary credits.

Can I use My Pay My Card outside the UAE?

Yes, the card works internationally where the Mastercard network is accepted, subject to limits and fees.

What happens if I lose my card?

Block it immediately. You can still withdraw your salary over the counter at LuLu Exchange and request a replacement.

Can I receive salary without a bank account?

Yes. The card is specifically designed for WPS salary payments without requiring a personal bank account.

Are there monthly charges?

There is usually no monthly fee, but inactivity or optional services may incur small charges.

What is the daily withdrawal limit?

Typically up to AED 5,000 per day, depending on issuer rules and ATM network.

Can I use Google Pay with My Pay My Card in the UAE?

Generally no. Most salary prepaid cards in the UAE are not enabled for Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Conclusion

My Pay My Card is not just a salary card; it is a regulatory-grade financial access tool embedded in the UAE’s labour and wage protection framework. For employees, it provides dignity, security, and usability without banking barriers. For employers, it ensures compliance, transparency, and payroll efficiency.

In a market where salary payments are legally monitored and socially consequential, My Pay My Card plays a quiet but critical role. It connects regulation with real-world usability, and that is precisely why it remains one of the most trusted WPS salary solutions in the UAE.