Introduction
Most guides about the Ratibi card focus on how to take money out — checking the balance, withdrawing cash, sending remittances. But what about putting money in? Can additional funds be loaded onto the Ratibi card beyond the monthly salary? Can a worker top up the card if the balance runs low before the next payday? Can someone else deposit money onto the card? These are questions that thousands of Ratibi cardholders across the UAE ask every month — and the answers are not straightforward. This guide addresses the topic of depositing money into the Ratibi card honestly and completely — explaining what is possible, what is not, and what the practical alternatives are for workers who need access to additional funds between salary payments.
Understanding the Ratibi Card’s Design
To understand why depositing money into the Ratibi card is not as simple as it sounds, it helps to first understand what the card was designed to do.
The Ratibi Prepaid Card is a salary payroll tool — not a general-purpose prepaid card that can be topped up freely like a gift card or a consumer prepaid card. It was specifically created to give employers a compliant, WPS-approved way to pay salaries to workers who do not have traditional bank accounts.
This means:
- The card is issued by the employer — not the individual worker
- The primary — and in most cases the only — source of funds on the card is the employer’s salary payment
- The card is not designed as a savings or deposit account
- FAB does not offer a standard over-the-counter top-up service for Ratibi cards in the same way that a consumer prepaid card might be topped up at a store
This does not mean that additional funds can never reach the card — but it does mean that the options are more limited than many cardholders expect.
Can the Ratibi Card Be Topped Up?
The honest answer is that the Ratibi card’s top-up capabilities are limited compared to a standard prepaid card. Here is what is and is not possible:
What IS possible:
- Receiving salary payments from the employer through WPS or non-WPS payroll
- Receiving additional payments from the employer — such as overtime, bonuses, or allowances — if the employer processes these through the same payroll channel
- In some cases, receiving a salary advance from the employer credited to the card
What is generally NOT possible:
- Walking into a shop or exchange house and topping up the card with cash
- Transferring money from another person’s bank account directly onto the Ratibi card
- Using a CDM (Cash Deposit Machine) to deposit cash onto the Ratibi card
- Receiving a bank transfer from a third party directly onto the card balance
This distinction is important — because workers who expect the Ratibi card to function like a general-purpose prepaid top-up card may be frustrated when they discover these limitations.
Method 1 — Employer Salary Payment (Primary Method)
The standard and most reliable way for money to be added to the Ratibi card is through the employer’s payroll process. This happens automatically every month when the employer submits the payroll file to FAB through the WPS or non-WPS channel.
What Can Be Included in the Employer Payment
The employer’s monthly payroll file can include:
- Basic salary — the standard monthly wage as agreed in the employment contract
- Overtime pay — additional hours worked beyond the standard working week
- Allowances — housing allowance, transport allowance, food allowance, or any other contractual allowances
- Bonuses — performance bonuses, annual bonuses, or festival bonuses
- Salary advances — if the employer agrees to advance part of next month’s salary, this can be credited to the Ratibi card as a separate payment
All of these payments are processed through the same payroll channel and credited directly to the Ratibi card balance.
How to Request Additional Payments From the Employer
If a worker is owed overtime, allowances, or a bonus that has not yet been credited to the card, the correct approach is:
Step 1 — Speak to the employer or HR department directly and confirm the amount owed and the expected payment date.
Step 2 — Ask the employer to include the additional payment in the next payroll run or to process it as a separate off-cycle payment.
Step 3 — Confirm with the employer when the payment will be credited and follow up if it does not appear by the expected date.
Method 2 — Salary Advance From the Employer
A salary advance is an arrangement where the employer agrees to credit part of the following month’s salary onto the Ratibi card before the regular payday. This is one of the most practical ways for a worker to access additional funds between salary payments.
How to Request a Salary Advance
Step 1 — Approach the employer or HR department with a polite, specific request — stating the amount needed, the reason for the advance, and the understanding that it will be deducted from the next month’s salary.
Step 2 — Wait for the employer’s decision. Salary advances are at the employer’s discretion — there is no legal requirement for UAE employers to provide advances, though many do as a matter of goodwill.
Step 3 — If approved, the employer credits the advance amount to the Ratibi card through the same payroll channel. The advance is typically deducted automatically from the following month’s salary.
Important Considerations
- Salary advances reduce the following month’s take-home pay — which can create a cycle of financial pressure if advances are requested regularly
- Not all employers offer salary advances — some have strict policies against it
- Any advance arrangement should ideally be confirmed in writing to avoid misunderstandings about repayment
Method 3 — End-of-Service Gratuity (EOSB) Payment
When an employee leaves a job in the UAE, they are typically entitled to an end-of-service gratuity — commonly known as EOSB. This final payment can be credited to the Ratibi card as the last payment processed by the employer before the employment relationship ends.
The EOSB payment goes through the same payroll channel as regular salary payments and will appear as a credit on the Ratibi card balance. For workers who are changing jobs, this is an important source of funds that will appear on the card and can be used immediately once credited.
More detail about EOSB payments and the Ratibi card is covered in Article #26: End-of-Service Gratuity via Ratibi Card.
Method 4 — Exploring FAB’s Current Top-Up Options
While the Ratibi card is not designed as a standard top-up prepaid card, it is worth confirming with FAB directly whether any top-up or additional funding options have been introduced or are available for specific card versions.
FAB periodically updates its prepaid card offerings and may have introduced new features since the original card design. The best ways to check for any available top-up options are:
Call the FAB Ratibi helpline — dial 600 52 2298 and ask specifically whether any top-up or additional funding options are available for the Ratibi prepaid card.
Visit the nearest FAB branch — branch staff have the most up-to-date information about current card features and any new options that may have been introduced.
Check the FAB website — visit bankfab.com and navigate to the Ratibi card section to check for any updated information about card features.
What to Do When the Balance Runs Low Before Payday
Since topping up the Ratibi card directly is generally not possible, workers whose balance runs low before the next salary payment have several practical options:
Option 1 — Request a Salary Advance
As described in Method 2 above, asking the employer for a partial salary advance is the most direct solution. Even a small advance of AED 200 to AED 500 can cover essential expenses until the next payday.
Option 2 — Borrow From a Trusted Colleague or Friend
A short-term interest-free loan from a trusted workmate or friend is a common and practical solution among UAE workers. Repaying promptly maintains trust and keeps the arrangement amicable.
Option 3 — Use Employer-Provided Facilities
Many employers in the UAE — particularly those in construction, hospitality, and domestic service sectors — provide accommodation, meals, and transport as part of the employment package. Workers in these arrangements have fewer immediate cash needs between salary payments.
Option 4 — Plan Spending More Carefully Around Payday
For workers who find themselves regularly running low before the next salary, reviewing spending patterns and creating a simple monthly budget can make a meaningful difference. Prioritising essential expenses — food, transport, remittances — and deferring non-essential spending until after payday is the most sustainable long-term approach.
Option 5 — Explore FAB’s Financial Products
FAB offers various financial products that may be accessible to Ratibi cardholders over time — such as microloans or salary advance products. Contacting FAB directly or speaking to a branch representative about available options is worth exploring for workers who regularly need access to funds between salary payments.
Why the Ratibi Card Cannot Be Topped Up Like a Regular Prepaid Card
Some workers are familiar with consumer prepaid cards — such as store gift cards or general-purpose prepaid Visa cards — that can be topped up at a shop counter or ATM. The Ratibi card works differently, and understanding why helps avoid frustration.
The key differences are:
The Ratibi card is employer-managed — it was issued by the employer on the worker’s behalf, and FAB’s relationship is primarily with the employer, not the individual cardholder. This means the employer controls the funding of the card through the payroll system.
It is a payroll compliance tool — the card’s primary purpose is to comply with the UAE’s Wage Protection System. The WPS requires that salaries be paid through approved channels — which means the funding must come from the employer’s corporate account, not from informal top-up transactions.
Anti-money laundering regulations — UAE financial regulations require that funds on payroll prepaid cards can be traced back to legitimate employer salary payments. Allowing informal top-ups from unverified sources would create compliance risks that FAB cannot accommodate under current regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a family member or friend transfer money onto the Ratibi card? In general, the Ratibi card is not designed to receive transfers from third parties. The card’s funding mechanism is through the employer’s payroll system. If a family member or friend needs to send money, the most practical approach is to arrange a cash handover or use a separate personal bank account if one is available.
Q: Can the Ratibi card be used as a savings card? The Ratibi card is not a savings product — it is a salary payroll tool. It does not earn interest on the balance and is not designed for long-term savings. Workers who want to save money are encouraged to open a personal bank account where savings facilities are available.
Q: Can a CDM (Cash Deposit Machine) be used to add money to the Ratibi card? Standard CDMs in the UAE are designed to accept cash deposits into bank accounts — not onto prepaid cards. In most cases, a CDM will not accept a Ratibi card for cash deposits. Confirming with FAB directly is the most reliable way to check if this has changed.
Q: What if the employer wants to add extra money to the card outside the regular payroll cycle? Employers can process off-cycle payments to Ratibi cards through their FAB corporate banking system. This requires the employer to submit a separate payment instruction to FAB outside the regular payroll run. The employer’s FAB relationship manager can advise on the process.
Q: Is there a maximum balance that the Ratibi card can hold? The Ratibi card may have a maximum balance limit — typically in line with UAE Central Bank guidelines for prepaid salary cards. Contacting FAB at 600 52 2298 or visiting a branch will confirm the specific balance limit applicable to the card.
Q: Can the Ratibi card be converted into a regular bank account over time? The Ratibi card cannot be converted into a bank account — it is a separate product category. However, workers who wish to open a personal bank account can do so independently — many UAE banks offer basic accounts suitable for low-income workers. Once a personal bank account is opened, the employer can be asked to split salary payments between the Ratibi card and the personal account.
Final Thoughts
The Ratibi card is a powerful salary tool — but it is not a general-purpose top-up prepaid card. Understanding this distinction clearly helps workers manage their expectations and plan their finances more effectively.
For workers who regularly need access to funds between salary payments, the most sustainable solutions are requesting salary advances from the employer, planning spending carefully around payday, and exploring FAB’s available financial products for eligible workers.
For any specific questions about top-up options or additional funding methods, calling the FAB Ratibi helpline at 600 52 2298 or visiting the nearest FAB branch is always the most reliable source of up-to-date information.
For workers who need to understand how much can be withdrawn from the Ratibi card at an ATM on any given day — Article #15: Ratibi Card Daily and Monthly Withdrawal Limits covers all applicable limits in full detail.
next — Ratibi Card Fees and Charges Breakdown, where every fee associated with the Ratibi prepaid card is explained clearly — marking the beginning of Cluster 5: Fees and Limits.