Asan Tata— November 7, 2026Dubai commuters will soon carry one card that pays for the Metro and also works as an everyday payment card. On 4 November 2026, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Al Etihad Payments signed a strategic agreement to launch the next-generation Nol-Jaywan card. A pilot phase begins in November 2026, with a wider rollout to follow in successive phases.
For daily travellers, this is a practical change. Instead of keeping a transport card and a bank card separate, the new card combines both jobs. You tap it on public transport, and you can also use the Jaywan payment side for purchases. This guide explains what was announced, what Jaywan is, where the card will work, and what is still not confirmed.
Quick Answer
The RTA and Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, have agreed to launch next-generation nol–Jaywan cards. A pilot starts in November 2026 and covers RTA public transport services, public and private transport including taxis, and public parking. The cards combine Dubai’s nol transport system with Jaywan, the UAE’s national card payment scheme, and will support digital activation on Android and iOS smartphones. Cardholders will also get access to more than 120 promotional offers and exclusive discounts. RTA has not yet announced the exact pilot date, the general availability date, the card price, or whether existing nol cardholders will need to replace their cards.
What Was Announced on 4 November 2026
The agreement was signed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, and Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the Central Bank of the UAE and Chairman of Al Etihad Payments.
The new cards are part of a larger project: upgrading Dubai’s nol system with account-based ticketing technology. Account-based ticketing moves the travel account off the physical card and into a central system. That makes it easier to link transport payments with other services, manage cards through a phone, and add new payment options over time.
Mattar Al Tayer said the partnership supports RTA’s vision of an integrated mobility system. He described the next generation of nol–Jaywan cards as a significant step in developing financial and technological solutions that support public transport and strengthen its link with everyday services. He added that RTA will keep working with national entities and the private sector to expand payment choices, which should improve service efficiency and make public transport more attractive.
Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri said the integration is a significant leap towards unifying the UAE’s digital payments infrastructure. He stressed that this is not only a new payment method, but a flexible and secure financial environment that connects key sectors and supports the move towards a sustainable digital economy. He added that Jaywan acceptance will gradually expand within the UAE and internationally.
What Is Jaywan?
Jaywan is the UAE’s first national card payment scheme. It is operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. It gives residents a locally operated payment network, so card payments can be routed, authorised and processed inside the country rather than only through international networks.
Jaywan was officially inaugurated on 20 July 2026 by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Central Bank of the UAE. Nationwide card issuance began in July 2026, with banks, licensed financial institutions and exchange houses issuing cards in phases. Eleven institutions were ready to issue Jaywan cards at launch, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Emirates Islamic, Mbank, Citi, Al Ansari Exchange and Botim Money.
Jaywan cards come in debit and prepaid forms. A debit card takes money directly from your bank account. A prepaid card is loaded with a set amount first, which makes it useful for budgeting, travel and gifting. Credit cards are planned for later, depending on demand. Jaywan was developed through cooperation between Al Etihad Payments and NPCI International Payments Limited, the international arm of India’s National Payments Corporation of India, and it uses technology from India’s RuPay payment system. Jaywan is, however, a separate UAE scheme, not an Indian card.
Acceptance has been growing steadily. Network International enabled Jaywan payments across thousands of online merchants in the UAE. Etihad Airways began accepting Jaywan for online flight bookings in August 2026, and Emirates followed in September 2026, with a special-fare promotion for Jaywan customers running from 16 September 2026 until 31 August 2027, for travel until 29 February 2028. Al Etihad Payments has also partnered with Visa, Mastercard, Discover and UnionPay to support international use through co-badged cards.
Where Will the New Nol-Jaywan Card Work?
The pilot phase covers RTA’s public transport services, public and private transportation including taxis, and public parking. In practice, that means the card should work across the modes Dubai commuters already pay for with nol today: the Metro, buses, the tram, marine transport, taxis and public parking. RTA says the cards will also support public and private transport and online booking platforms for public transport services across the UAE.
The cards will offer digital activation and use through smartphones running Android and iOS. That means commuters should be able to activate and manage the card from a phone, rather than only at a station counter or ticket machine. RTA has not yet published the exact steps for activation, so watch for the official pilot announcement before you try to apply.
Cardholders will also have access to more than 120 promotional offers and exclusive discounts. The full list of offers and participating merchants has not been published yet. Al Etihad Payments publishes Jaywan offers on its own website, and that is the place to check once the nol–Jaywan card is live, rather than trusting social media posts that claim a discount.
| Feature | What is confirmed |
|---|---|
| Pilot start | November 2026 |
| Pilot coverage | RTA public transport, taxis and public parking |
| Transport side | Dubai’s existing nol system |
| Payment side | Jaywan, the UAE national card scheme |
| Phone support | Digital activation and use on Android and iOS |
| Extra benefits | More than 120 promotional offers and exclusive discounts |
| System behind it | Account-based ticketing upgrade of the nol system |
What This Means for Daily Commuters
For most commuters, the biggest benefit is carrying one card instead of two. Your Metro, bus, tram, taxi and parking payments sit on the same card as your everyday purchases. That is useful for people who travel across Dubai daily and also shop, eat out or book services online.
The phone-based activation is the second practical benefit. If you lose a card or want to check your balance, managing it from a phone is faster than visiting a station. Account-based ticketing also opens the door to future options, such as linking the card to other transport services across the UAE, because the account is held centrally rather than only on the plastic. The 120-plus offers add a third benefit, but treat them with care: offers change often, so check the terms on the official offer page before you plan a purchase around a discount.
What Is Still Not Announced
Several important questions remain open, and it is better to know them now than to assume the answers.
- Exact pilot date: RTA has said only that the pilot begins in November 2026. No specific day has been published.
- Who can join the pilot: RTA has not said whether the pilot is open to all commuters or limited to a test group.
- General availability: No date has been given for when every commuter can get the card.
- Existing nol cards: RTA has not said whether current nol cardholders will need to replace their cards, or whether their balances will transfer automatically.
- Card fees and top-up rules: No price, minimum balance or top-up method has been announced for the new card.
- Accepted merchants: RTA has not published which shops and services will accept the card’s Jaywan payment side.
Until RTA publishes these details, keep using your current nol card as normal and keep it topped up. Do not pay anyone who claims to sell early access to the new card, and do not share your card or bank details with anyone offering a shortcut. Official news will come from RTA and Al Etihad Payments first.
How to Prepare for the Pilot
A few simple steps will help you move quickly when the pilot opens.
- Follow official channels: Watch RTA’s announcements and the Al Etihad Payments website for the pilot details, including who can apply and how.
- Keep your current nol card active: Your existing card keeps working. Do not throw it away until RTA confirms what happens to current cards and balances.
- Check your Jaywan options: If your bank already issues Jaywan debit or prepaid cards, ask about its terms, so you can compare once the nol–Jaywan card arrives.
- Keep your phone ready: Since activation will work through Android and iOS, make sure your phone’s software is up to date and you can install official apps.
- Note the offers carefully: When the 120-plus offers are published, read the terms for each one. Some offers may need a minimum spend or apply only at selected outlets.
How Jaywan Fits Into the UAE’s Payment Plans
The nol–Jaywan card is one part of a wider national plan. The UAE wants more payments to stay on a domestic network, which keeps costs lower and gives the country more control over its payment infrastructure. The same idea sits behind the Jaywan rollout in banks, the acceptance deals with airlines, and the co-badged cards that link Jaywan with Visa, Mastercard, Discover and UnionPay for international use.
For Dubai, the link with transport is a natural next step. Transport is a daily payment for millions of people, so a card that works on the Metro in the morning and at a shop in the evening reaches users faster than a card that only works in one place. If the pilot runs well, similar links with other services could follow, but RTA has not announced any such plans yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the nol–Jaywan card pilot start?
The pilot begins in November 2026, according to RTA. No exact date has been announced yet.
What can I pay for with the new card?
During the pilot, the card covers RTA public transport services, public and private transport including taxis, and public parking. The Jaywan side adds everyday payment services, with the full merchant list still to be published.
Do I need to replace my current nol card?
That has not been announced. RTA has not said whether existing nol cardholders must replace their cards or whether balances will transfer. Keep using your current card until RTA confirms the position.
What is Jaywan, in simple words?
Jaywan is the UAE’s national card payment scheme, operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. It works like other card networks, but it is run locally, and it offers debit and prepaid cards through banks and licensed institutions.
Will the card work on my phone?
Yes, RTA says the cards will offer digital activation and use through Android and iOS smartphones. The exact app and steps have not been published yet.
Are the 120-plus offers available now?
No. The offers are part of the new card package. The full list and terms will be published when the card launches, so check the official offer pages before relying on any discount.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only, not financial advice. Asantata34 is not affiliated with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, the Central Bank of the UAE, or Al Etihad Payments. Card availability, fees, offers and merchant acceptance can change. Confirm current details on RTA’s official channels and the Al Etihad Payments website before you apply or pay for any card.
Last Updated: 7 November 2026
Asan Tata is an independent information platform providing simple, practical guides on UAE visas, banking, insurance, driving licences, and government-related services. Our team researches information from reliable and official sources to make complex topics easier to understand.