Are you one of those workers in Salary Card for Workers in Ras Al Khaimah who constantly ask the question of how your salary is transferred? In case you are one of them, we invite you to read this guide.
Countless workers in Salary Card for Workers in Ras Al Khaimah devote a lot of effort to earn their living and ask themselves the same question every day: Where is my salary going? The answer to this question is rather clear: the overwhelming majority of workers in Ras Al Khaimah receive a salary card, the function of which people rarely understand. This factor is unfortunate since workers have numerous rights in accordance with UAE laws.
The salary card or wage card is provided in connection with the application of the Wage Protection System (WPS) in the private sectors in the UAE. According to MOHRE statistics, more than 90% of the salaries of employees in the private sector in the UAE were transferred via WPS as of 2024.
Let us figure out in this guide how to obtain your salary card, which bank is best for getting the card, and what aspects you should consider when applying for it.
What Is a Salary Card for Workers in Ras Al Khaimah and Why Do Workers in RAK Need One?
Definition of a Salary Card
In general terms, the salary card is a prepaid or bank card that employers use to pay salaries to workers via the Wage Protection System (WPS).
In other words, you will not be receiving a cheque or money from the hand of your employer. Instead, they will credit your salary to the salary card, and you will be able to withdraw your money from ATMs. You cannot use the salary card for cheques and other financial operations, which means that you can use it solely for your salary.
Why is a salary card for Workers in Ras Al Khaimah Mandatory in the UAE?
It is a must-have for workers in the UAE as the government requires employers to transfer salaries via the Wage Protection System to ensure timely and proper payment of salary.
First of all, this law is aimed at guaranteeing the timeliness and integrity of transferring salaries. Secondly, it is necessary for making sure that workers are paid on time in accordance with the UAE Labour Law. In accordance with the Labour Law, employers have to pay the salaries of workers to their accounts in full.
Thirdly, WPS protects workers from the abusive behaviour of employers. For instance, there are numerous cases when employers threaten their workers with deportation to their homeland in case of filing a labour complaint.
If your salary is credited to your salary card, it will be almost impossible to refuse to pay your salary, as all details will be recorded.
Wage Protection System (WPS): Key Points
Wage Protection System is a program introduced by the UAE government, allowing the government agency to monitor whether employees are paid timely, on time, and appropriately.
Since the Wage Protection System is carried out by MOHRE and the Central Bank of the UAE, employees can be completely sure that their rights are being protected.
Within the framework of this program, employers must transfer the salaries of employees in their accounts electronically via WPS agents, including banks and financial organisations registered in the UAE.
It all starts when the employer logs into the system and enters all the necessary data about their employees and their salaries. After the approval by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Central Bank of the UAE, employees receive their salary.
Should the employer violate this law and delay the salary of employees for more than 10 days, MOHRE can fine the employer, forbid them to hire workers, and escalate the issue to the ministry for further measures.
Would you like to know more about WPS? Visit this page: mohre.gov.ae.
Is It Compulsory to Get a Salary Card in Ras Al Khaimah?
Yes, as a worker, you are obliged to get a salary card or salary bank account, provided that your employer is registered in the private sector in the MOHRE. There is no exception to this requirement, and the employer must follow it.
However, this situation can be different if you work in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. We discuss the procedure of obtaining a salary card in RAKEZ further in this guide.
Top Banks and Financial Institutions Providing Salary Cards in Ras Al Khaimah
There are plenty of ways to transfer salaries to your salary account, and the Wage Protection System is not the only one among them. Still, not all banks provide good services to workers, so we chose the best banks for getting your salary card in RAK.
RAK Bank (National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah)
Since this is the national bank of Ras Al Khaimah, it offers a variety of beneficial salary cards for workers in this emirate. The first reason for choosing this bank is that it has a well-developed ATM network, so you will not face inter-bank fees.
Secondly, you should meet only one condition to obtain your salary card from this bank: your employer must be enrolled in the WPS. As for the minimum salary to obtain a salary card, it should be at least AED 1,000. The salary card is equipped with SMS notifications, access to the mobile app, and even card insurance. If you decide to apply for the salary card with this bank, you will have to provide your Emirates ID, residence visa, and authorisation letter from the HR department of your employer.
In case you want to get a clearer picture of how to obtain a salary card, check out this article about bank accounts in the UAE.
Emirates NBD
Another great bank for obtaining salary cards for workers in Ras Al Khaimah is Emirates NBD, one of the largest banks in the UAE. In this case, there are no minimum requirements to open the salary card, which makes it cheaper to maintain.
What is more, the salary card offered by this bank is equipped with mobile banking services. Hence, you will be able to track the current salary balance and pay bills with your salary card. In addition, the mobile app will support several languages, including English, Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu. Though the ATM network of this bank is not as developed as that of the previous one, there are enough ATMs across RAK.
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
The third greatest bank in the list is First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). The best feature of this salary card is that you will not need to open a bank account to use it. Besides, you will be able to activate the card remotely using your mobile app, which supports multiple languages, including English and Arabic.
However, the minimum salary required to get the salary card would be AED 1,500 per month. Nevertheless, you will not have to pay any inter-bank fees for the withdrawal of salary.
Other Salary Cards in RAK for Private Sector Employees
Though we have highlighted only three of the best banks providing salary cards in Ras Al Khaimah, there are still some other financial institutions that can offer you a salary card.
To name some, there are ADCB, Mashreq Neo, and Al Hilal Bank. Besides, in some cases, non-banking exchange bureaux, such as Al Ansari Exchange and UAE Exchange, are also allowed to provide salary cards. Let us highlight the differences between all of the salary cards mentioned above.
| Bank | Min. Salary | ATM Fee | Mobile App | English Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAK Bank | AED 1,000 | Free (own ATM) | Yes | Yes |
| Emirates NBD | AED 1,000 | Varies | Yes | Yes |
| FAB | AED 1,500 | Free (own ATM) | Yes | Yes |
How to Apply for Salary Card in RAK: Steps
How to Get a Salary Card in Ras Al Khaimah Step-by-Step
Getting your salary card set up does not have to be complicated. Follow these steps and you will have your card activated and ready to use within a week.
Step Ask your employer which WPS-approved bank they use. Your employer is enrolled in a specific bank or financial agent for salary processing. Start there. Your HR department or direct supervisor will tell you which institution handles your company’s WPS payments.
Step Gather your required documents. Before you visit the bank, pull together your Emirates ID, your valid UAE residence visa or work permit, a copy of your passport, and your employer’s WPS registration confirmation (your HR team provides this).
Step Visit the bank branch or apply through HR. Some employers handle the salary card setup entirely through HR, meaning you may never need to visit a branch. Others require you to go to the bank in person. Either way, the process is the same — you fill in a basic account opening or card issuance form.
Step Complete the KYC form. KYC stands for Know Your Customer, and it is a standard regulatory requirement. The form asks for basic personal details, employment information, and your source of income. Most major banks in RAK offer this form in Arabic, English, Urdu, and Hindi.
Step Wait for your card. Your salary card is typically issued within 3–7 working days. Some banks issue it on the spot at the branch; others mail it to your registered address or employer’s address.
Step Activate your card. Activate your card at the nearest ATM using your PIN, or follow the activation steps in the bank’s mobile app. Once activated, your employer can begin crediting your salary directly to the card.
Documentation to Apply for Salary Card in RAK
Below, you will see the list of documents required to obtain a salary card:
- Emirates ID — mandatory, no exceptions
- Valid UAE residence visa or work permit — must be current
- Passport copy — typically the data page
- Employer’s WPS registration confirmation — available from your HR department
- Employer authorization letter — some banks request this separately
One helpful note: several banks waive minimum salary requirements for workers whose employers are already enrolled in the WPS programme. So even if your wage is on the lower end, you should still be eligible.
What Should You Do if the Bank Requires Minimum Salary?
As you may have noticed, most of the banks require a minimum salary to obtain a salary card. However, there is one crucial detail you should remember. Should your employer be registered in Wage Protection System, you should not be concerned about having a certain salary.
In most cases, this issue is solved long before your employer starts employing their workers. Consequently, you will not face difficulties in getting the salary card in this way.
Can I Select My Bank for Applying for Salary Card?
It may seem that you are not able to influence the selection of the bank for salary payment, but this statement is not quite true. In fact, the employer chooses this institution, but in some cases, you can negotiate with your employer.
For example, if the bank chosen by your employer does not suit you because it does not have enough ATMs, you can tell about it to your employer or HR department.
Cost of Salary Card Fees in Ras Al Khaimah
There are several types of fees applicable to salary cards in RAK. Having known them, you will be able to save money on the maintenance of salary cards.
Types of Fees
Common fees that banks apply to salary cards of workers in the UAE include ATM withdrawal fees, card replacement, international transactions, inactivity fee, and SMS alerts fee. Each bank has different cost standards for such fees. However, there are some average figures that you should keep in mind.
Common Fees to Watch Out For
ATM withdrawal fees are the most frequent cost. When you withdraw from an ATM that belongs to your card’s bank, the withdrawal is often free. When you use a different bank’s ATM, you typically pay between AED 2 and AED 6 per transaction. That might sound small, but four or five withdrawals a month at a different-bank ATM costs you up to AED 30 — over AED 300 a year.
Card replacement fees apply when your card is lost, damaged, or stolen. Most banks charge between AED 25 and AED 50 for a replacement card. Keep your card safe and report it immediately if it goes missing.
International transaction fees matter if you use your salary card to shop online from international merchants or withdraw money in another country. These fees typically range from 1.5% to 3.5% of the transaction value.
Inactivity fees are charged by some banks if your card has no transactions for a set period — usually 6 to 12 months. Always check your card’s fee schedule for this clause.
SMS alert charges add up faster than you think. Some banks charge AED 1 to AED 3 per month for SMS transaction notifications. Over a year, that is up to AED 36 for a service you can usually get for free through the app.
How to Save Money on Salary Card Fees
To spend less money on fees for your salary card, follow these recommendations:
Always try using ATMs of your salary card provider, which is more comfortable as it would be free for you to do so. You should make a habit of checking the ATM location before you withdraw your salary.
Use mobile notifications instead of SMS alerts as it would be easier for you, especially when the bank’s mobile application supports multiple languages. Besides, this option usually allows workers to save money.
Try to use less services provided by your salary card as you will have to pay fees every time you withdraw money at the ATM not affiliated with your bank. The fewer fees you will have, the more money you will be able to save.
Use exchange houses to transfer your salary to other countries. It may sound strange to you, but actually, they offer better exchange rates, and you can transfer money with a mobile app. When using a mobile banking app, you can do it faster.
Rights Related to the Use of Salary Cards: Legal Aspects
Workers in Ras Al Khaimah are entitled to some labour rights connected with salary cards that you should be aware of. Firstly, in accordance with the Labour Law, employers have to provide workers with salaries in time. Furthermore, employers cannot change salary without the consent of the employee in writing.
Next, you should know about the programme called Worker Protection Programme implemented by the UAE Government. In accordance with this programme, all salaries will be monitored and analyzed for inconsistencies.
In addition, when there are inconsistencies related to salary payments, the program automatically investigates this problem and workers receive compensation. In accordance with MOHRE statistics, in 2023 over 300 thousand labour disputes occurred in the UAE. Therefore, it is easy to estimate the importance of this programme.
If you want to file a labour complaint, you can do so on this webpage: mohre.gov.ae/en/services/labour-complaints.aspx.
What To Do If Your Employer Doesn’t Pay Your Salary Card
If your salary has not been credited on time, act quickly and follow these steps in order.
Step 1 — Notify your HR or employer in writing. Send a WhatsApp message, email, or written note so there is a timestamp on your communication. This creates a paper trail.
Step 2 — File a complaint via the MOHRE app or Tasheel Centre in RAK. The MOHRE app allows you to submit a salary complaint directly from your phone. Alternatively, visit the nearest Tasheel service centre in Ras Al Khaimah with your Emirates ID and employment contract.
Step 3 — Contact RAK Labour Court if unresolved. If MOHRE mediation does not produce a result within a reasonable timeframe, you can escalate your case to the RAK Labour Court. This step is free for workers, and legal representation is not mandatory.
Step 4 — Contact your embassy or consulate if needed. If you are a foreign national facing a serious salary dispute, your home country’s embassy or consulate in the UAE can provide additional support, including legal referrals and welfare assistance.
For a full walkthrough of the complaint process, read our detailed guide on how to file a labour complaint in the UAE.
How Is the Procedure of Applying for Salary Card Different in RAKEZ?
There is a slight difference between obtaining salary cards in Ras Al Khaimah and its economic zone. Since RAK Free Zone has different legislation, the bank for transferring salaries will be selected differently. However, you should be aware that in both cases WPS is obligatory for workers.
Therefore, you will find out about this difference from your HR department. In case this issue remains unsolved, you should contact RAKEZ authorities for help.
How Can You Use Your Salary Card Wisely? – Tips
Now that you have obtained your salary card, it is time to start thinking about earning money. Following these tips, you will be able to earn extra money on your salary card.
Sending Your Salary to Your Homeland with Salary Card in RAK
One of the most common activities of workers living in Ras Al Khaimah is sending money back to theirhomeland. According to the World Bank, the UAE is the third-largest remittance sender in the world. Hence, there is nothing strange for people to transfer money back. Besides, you will not be charged any taxes in RAK.
To facilitate sending salary to your homeland, you should use some special software. Namely, you will have to download the mobile application of one of exchange houses located in Ras Al Khaimah, e.g., Al Ansari Exchange, LuLu Exchange, and Western Union. These applications can be installed on the smartphone and used for transferring money anywhere in the world.
However, you should take two factors into account: exchange rate and transfer fee. It is rather easy to compare rates using calculators and transfer comparison web-pages. You might be surprised to see how cheap transfers can be!
How to Save on Salaries in Ras Al Khaimah
As you already know, Ras Al Khaimah is a tax-free emirate. This fact is a great chance for you to save money. All you have to do is to develop a habit of saving.
You can arrange automatic money transfer from salary account to savings account immediately after you get your salary. It is rather easy to open a bank account in the UAE, and you will need no more than 10 minutes. Several budgeting applications, including Yolt, Spendee, and Money Manager, support multiple languages, including Hindi and Urdu.
Is It Possible to Take a Loan on Salary Card in RAK?
You can receive a personal loan from a bank depending on the activity of your salary card. Once your salary card has been activated for at least 3-6 months, you should contact your bank and ask them about a loan.
However, you should be careful in this matter as banks will require you signing a loan contract containing the terms of a loan. There are flat interest rates and reducing interest rates, and the second variant would be more appropriate for you. As for salary loans, the former one will be more convenient for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Salary Card in RAK?
The salary card is a card issued by banks or exchange houses where your salary would be deposited. You will be able to withdraw money, make purchases, and transfer money abroad with this card.
Which Bank Provides the Best Salary Card for Workers in RAK?
The most popular bank for getting salary card among workers in Ras Al Khaimah is RAK Bank because of its wide ATM network.
Can My Employer Oblige Me to Receive My Salary via Their Bank?
No, you are the one to decide which salary card you want to obtain. However, if the bank of your employer suits you, you have nothing to worry about.
What to Do If My Salary Has Not Been Deposited on Salary Card?
In case there is a delay with your salary payment, you should first write a letter to your employer and inform them of this issue. Secondly, you should apply for your salary with MOHRE.
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