The First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) Ratibi Card is a prepaid payroll card issued under the UAE’s Wages Protection System (WPS), designed for employees earning up to AED 5,000 a month who don’t need — or don’t yet have — a traditional bank account.
So, if you’re looking for how to activate your FAB Ratibi Card, the main first-use step is to set your PIN at a FAB ATM. FAB’s current Ratibi information does not describe a separate online or FAB Mobile activation process for cardholders.
Looking for a different FAB card? See our guides for:
How to Set Your Ratibi Card PIN at an FAB ATM (The Mandatory First Step)
- Locate any First Abu Dhabi Bank ATM — these are available across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates.
- Insert your Ratibi card with the chip facing up and inward.
- Select your preferred language (English or Arabic; Urdu is available on some machines).
- Choose Create PIN or PIN Selection when the machine detects your new, uninitialized card.
- Enter a 4-digit PIN you’ll remember — avoid obvious sequences like 1234 or 0000.
- Re-enter the same PIN to confirm.
- The ATM will confirm on-screen and return your card, now ready for withdrawals and purchases.
Take your UAE-registered SIM — some machines send a one-time SMS password to authorize the setup.
Check Your FAB Ratibi Card Balance
Once you have set your PIN, you can check your available balance at a FAB ATM:
- Insert your Ratibi card.
- Enter your 4-digit PIN.
- Select Balance Inquiry or the equivalent balance option shown on the ATM.
For online balance checking and other available methods, see our detailed guide: check your Ratibi card balance online.
FAB Ratibi Card Features, Limits and Usage
| Feature | Policy | Details |
|---|---|---|
| PIN setup fee | Free | No charge for setting your PIN at an FAB ATM |
| Monthly maintenance | AED 0 | No minimum balance, no recurring fees |
| Salary eligibility | Up to AED 5,000/month | Regulated under UAE WPS |
| ATM withdrawals | Supported UAE-wide | Free at FAB ATMs; standard fees apply at other banks’ machines |
| Shopping, in-store and online | Supported globally | Accepted anywhere Visa/Mastercard is accepted |
| Accident insurance | Included, free | 5× monthly salary (max AED 25,000) for death or permanent disability; AED 50/day hospitalization due to accident (max 30 days, AED 1,500 total) |
| Card validity | 5 years | Employers usually receive a replacement automatically before expiry |
Common FAB Ratibi Card issues
- Card retained by the ATM: FAB states that cards confiscated by ATMs are destroyed by the receiving bank. Your employer must apply for a replacement card.
- No salary showing on the card: PIN setup does not itself deposit money onto the card. Salary payments are handled through your employer’s payroll process, so contact your employer if an expected payment is missing.
- Card damaged or unusable: Contact your employer for assistance with replacement, as FAB identifies the employer as the point of contact for Ratibi employees.
FAB Ratibi Customer Care Number
For Ratibi support, FAB currently lists:
- Inside UAE:
600 52 2298 - Outside UAE:
+971 2 499 6279
For employer, payroll, or card replacement issues, contact your HR/payroll team as well. FAB states that employers act as the point of contact between employees and the bank for Ratibi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Ratibi card have an IBAN or account number?
No — it’s a standalone prepaid card, identified by its 16-digit card number and separate Card ID, not a bank account.
Can I transfer money from my own savings into it?
No — it’s strictly a one-way salary disbursement tool; only your employer’s WPS-registered payroll can credit it.
Can someone else set the PIN for me?
No — PIN selection has to be done privately, in person, by the cardholder at an ATM.
