Popular Local Payment Methods and Solutions in the United Arab Emirates

Introduction

The UAE is moving quickly toward cashless payments. Consumers expect quick, secure, and mobile-first payments, whether they’re buying online or in-store. If your business wants to operate here, you don’t just need a payment provider. You need one that truly understands the UAE payment methods, local regulations, and how money moves.

That’s where TransFi comes in. It’s not just another provider, it’s the only solution that gives you complete access to local payment methods in one integration, without needing a local bank account.

This blog talks about the top UAE payment methods, the eCommerce and digital payments landscape and what are the key things while choosing a payment gateway for your business as well as some of the best options available.

Top UAE Payment Methods

Here’s how people in the UAE are actually paying:

Cards

Credit and debit cards makeup over 40% of e-commerce transactions with Visa and Mastercard being the most widely accepted ones. Jaywan is a new domestic card payment scheme in the UAE which is providing a homegrown alternative to international cards.

Mobile wallets

Mobile wallets in UAE represent around 24% of online payments. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Careem Pay: Careem Pay is a digital wallet service in the UAE that allows users to send and receive money, pay bills, and make transactions within the Careem app and beyond. It offers features like peer-to-peer transfers using phone numbers, QR codes, or payment links, and the ability to withdraw funds to a UAE bank account.
e& money: e& money is a mobile wallet and a financial super app available in the UAE, offered by e& life (formerly Etisalat). It allows users to make payments, send money both locally and internationally, pay bills, and more, all within a single application.
Apple Pay: Apple Pay is available in the UAE as a mobile wallet solution, allowing users to make contactless payments using their iPhones, Apple Watches, and other compatible devices.
Google Pay: In the UAE, Google Pay is available for both online and in-store contactless payments. It allows users to store payment cards, loyalty cards, and more in a digital wallet.

Bank transfers

Real-time transfers like Instant Payment Instruction (IPI) are growing quickly in volume and relevance. The most renowned banks in UAE are: Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and HSBC Middle East.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

BNPL services are gaining popularity in Dubai, offering consumers the option to split payments for purchases into installments, often with no interest. Here are some popular providers:

Tabby: Tabby lets shoppers split their purchases into four interest-free payments and is accepted at major UAE retailers online and in-store.
Tamara: Tamara offers flexible payment options, including pay later and installment plans, with a focus on user-friendly mobile experiences.
Cashew: Cashew provides instant BNPL approvals at checkout and partners with both online and offline merchants across the UAE.

Cash

While the UAE is becoming increasingly cashless, cash is still used for smaller transactions, tipping, and in some taxis, but its usage is steadily declining

For businesses looking forward to selling in the region, integrating with these top UAE payment methods is no longer optional. By offering these familiar UAE payment methods, businesses can not only increase their conversions but also boost customer satisfaction. With TransFi’s global payment solutions, you can support over 250+ payment methods across 100+ countries, that too with a single integration!

Local Payment Solutions UAE

If your business is targeting the UAE market, you need a provider that checks every box from cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, to compliance, settlements and security.

Here’s what to consider:

Does it support cards, mobile wallets, and bank transfers?
Can it handle settlements without a local bank account?
Is it compliant with UAE Central Bank regulations?
Can it scale as your business grows?

Most providers leave gaps. They require separate integrations for each channel. That means more tech, more contracts, and more cost. TransFi solves this. It’s the only gateway that delivers all UAE payment methods like credit cards, mobile wallets, instant local transfers, all through one integration. It also manages global compliance, handles settlements in your currency, and integrates quickly.

Also read about: Popular Local Payment Methods and Solutions in Taiwan

Digital Payments UAE

Digital payments in UAE have become mainstream. Nearly 90% of retail transactions are contactless or wallet-based. Digital wallets alone represent almost a quarter of e-commerce spending. What this really means is consumers want speed, security, and flexibility in their payment choices. They expect instant checkout with built-in protection. That’s why TransFi integrates directly with the most popular digital payments UAE consumers trust with no extra setup, no hidden fees and just fast, compliant digital checkout experiences.

eCommerce Payments UAE

The UAE's e-commerce market is growing fast. It hit around $11B in 2024 and is projected to reach $19B by 2029. UAE shoppers are spending more online each year. And when they do, they expect options. The most common ones include:

Credit and debit cards
Mobile wallets UAE
BNPL options like Tabby and Tamara
Bank transfers for larger transactions

TransFi is built to power eCommerce payments in the UAE. It gives you full support for eCommerce payments in UAE with one integration. No patchwork of services and no juggling contracts. Just one platform that gets the job done, from checkout to settlement, helping you avoid cart abandonment and boost conversion.

Payment Gateways in UAE

Here’s what matters when choosing from payment gateways in UAE:

Support for all local and global methods.
Built-in compliance and fraud protection.
Global settlement in your chosen currency.
Transparent, predictable pricing.
Easy integration with minimal tech friction.

TransFi is the best payment gateway in the UAE and offers the following features:

Instant access to top UAE payment methods
Integration with mobile wallets UAE like Apple Pay, Careem Pay, e& money, etc.
Compliance with UAE regulations
Settlement in your local currency, even without a local bank account

TransFi is fast to integrate, easy to manage, and built for global businesses entering the region.

Conclusion

If you’re selling in the UAE or planning to expand, you can’t afford to get payments wrong. The market expects speed, flexibility, and trust. That means your provider needs to support everything, from cards to mobile wallets in UAE and from eCommerce payments UAE to real-time bank transfers.

If you're serious about growing in this market, here's what matters: a single gateway that supports every preferred option, settles globally, offers transparency, and keeps risk low. TransFi is the one solution that gives you all of it with no middlemen, zero messy contracts and just clean, compliant, global-ready payments built for the UAE. Don’t waste your time piecing together multiple providers. Choose TransFi as your gateway to the UAE.

FAQs

How to accept local payments in United Arab Emirates?
The best way to accept local payments in United Arab Emirates is partnering with TransFi. It supports all major UAE payment methods like cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, and handles settlement without needing a local bank.
What are the most used payment methods in UAE?
Amongst the most used payment methods in UAE, credit cards top the list, followed by mobile wallets and real-time bank transfers. Apart from these, BNPL options are rising as well.
What are the top digital wallets for UAE consumers?
The top digital wallets for UAE consumers are Careem Pay, e& money, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Wallet and some international wallets like Alipay.
What is the key to secure online payments in UAE?
The key to offering secure online payments in UAE is to support multiple payment channels, use real-time fraud detection, and comply with local rules. TransFi offers built-in fraud monitoring and adheres to UAE regulations.
What are the UAE local payment preferences for businesses?
Most businesses want full access to digital payments UAE, including cards, wallets, and transfers. TransFi offers full support in a single integration, with global settlement and clear pricing, catering to all UAE local payment preferences for businesses.

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Effortless Cross-Border Payment Collections

As the world becomes more interconnected and businesses engage in global trade, the seamless collection of payments from across the globe is increasingly important. Whether you're an eCommerce merchant, a freelancer, or a global enterprise, TransFi’s Collections make collecting payments from customers and partners worldwide not only easy but also secure and efficient. TransFi eliminates unnecessary delays and currency exchange complexities, ensuring your funds are always readily accessible. Our Collections product provides a fully compliant, scalable payment infrastructure with support for over 50 currencies, offering instant settlements in stablecoins or other fiat and digital currencies.

By using TransFi’s Collections, businesses can provide their customers with easy-to-use and familiar local payment options. Our Collections product not only automates business payments but also streamlines global transactions, ensuring the utmost efficiency and reliability for businesses worldwide.

Global Payment Collection, Simplified

Due to differences in regulations, methods of payment, and currency exchange rates, international payments can be difficult to manage. TransFi Collections overcomes these barriers by providing a single platform for companies that allows for multiple methods of payment, such as bank transfers, e-wallets, and stablecoin settlements. This enhances operational efficiency and reduces manual work by allowing businesses to track, manage and reconcile payments through a single dashboard.

TransFi allows businesses to automatically generate and manage invoices, attach supporting documents, and issue reminders to customers to foster effective collections. This proactive approach reduces payment disputes and delays, all while improving cashflow and financial management.

Seamless Payment Collection Experience for Businesses and Customers

TransFi Collections is designed to give businesses an efficient and smooth payment solution with the assurance of a secure and frictionless customer experience. Through our platform, businesses can accept payments in local currencies and convert automatically to stablecoins or fiat, making the hassles of currency exchange a thing of the past. With rapid and trusted settlement, businesses do not have to wait for slow international banking processing times anymore, gaining quicker access to funds. Our APIs can also be incorporated directly within the platforms of businesses, minimizing manual intervention and facilitating payment processing. TransFi Collections also provides real-time insight into transactions using different analytics and reporting tools, empowering businesses with key insights. No matter your requirement, be it managing recurring payments, processing single invoices, or dealing with bulk collections, our solution automates payment workflows to reduce administrative efforts and maximize efficiency. By simplifying the payment processes for both companies and their clients, TransFi Collections optimizes financial operations so that firms can concentrate on development and customer satisfaction without worrying about delays in settlement or complicated integrations.

Benefits of Partnering with TransFi for Cross- Border Payment Collections

Collaborating with TransFi for cross-border payment collections guarantees an efficient and seamless process for companies across the world. With borderless payment collection, companies can receive payments anywhere in the world without having to go through different banking networks or paying high conversion charges. TransFi Collections allows companies to collect money from foreign customers through local payment channels, thus providing greater reach and conversion rates. Real-time settlements remove the delays of traditional banking and allow payments to be made in stablecoins or fiat instantly, providing continuous cash flow. Automated invoice processing streamlines payment processes, saving manual labor and boosting efficiency by creating invoices, adding required documents, and sending timely reminders. Scalable API integration enables businesses to seamlessly integrate TransFi Collections into their current platforms, making global payment collection scalable and efficient. Advanced security and compliance provide the assurance that all transactions are encrypted, secure, and regulated to the highest standards. TransFi Collections is not merely a payment gateway but a full suite of solutions empowering businesses with scalable, compliant, and efficient payment collection services. Whether you collect payments from suppliers, freelancers, or international customers, our platform provides timely, cost-saving, and secure transactions. Step into a digital future of payments with TransFi and feel the force of borderless, seamless collections.

Empower Your Business with TransFi Payment Collections

TransFi Collections is not only a payment gateway but a complete solution that empowers businesses operating across borders with secure, cost-effective, compliant, as well as scalable payment collection tools. From payment collections for goods and services to e-commerce transactions, TransFi Collections provides effortless, secure, and instantaneous settlements.

With TransFi, businesses can experience the future of digital payments and the power of borderless and hassle-free collections. Our user-friendly dashboard facilitates seamless transactions and allows businesses to collect payments against goods and services, experiencing transaction speeds in seconds. Freelancers and influencers can also benefit from real-time transactions, enhancing the efficiency of their global payment collections. Using our secure and scalable stack, e-commerce businesses can achieve 90%+ conversion rates, 99%+ uptime, and low latency, ensuring enterprise-level performance.

Integrate TransFi Collections with your business and experience secure, seamless, and scalable payments that are not only efficient and reliable but also globally compliant.