FAB Debit cards are one of the best debit cards in the UAE, offering you plenty of benefits such as online shopping and payments, cash withdrawals, high transaction limits, and more. However, if you’re a new customer of the debit cards, you must know what FAB debit cards are, how they work, what their fees are, what their eligibility criteria are, and what documents are needed to apply for them.
That’s where this guide comes in to help you out. So whether you are a new user or an existing customer, today’s guide has got you covered. We’re going to cover everything related to FAB debit cards, from their eligibility criteria, document requirements, application process, common issues, and answers to frequent questions.
With that said, let’s get started with our guide!
What are FAB Debit Cards? An Overview
FAB Debit cards are the payment cards offered by First Abu Dhabi Bank that are normally linked to FAB accounts, allowing you to spend your own deposited money rather than borrowing from the bank.
As a result, you don’t have to worry about interest rates and late charges because you are using your own funds.
Types of FAB Debit Cards
The debit cards offered by First Abu Dhabi Bank in the UAE are as below:
Features & Benefits offered by FAB Debit Cards
Generally, the following are the perks offered by the debit cards:
FAB Debit Card under the Personal Normal Bank Accounts
Debit Cards offered by the Normal Current Accounts
If you open any FAB current account, you are given at least one debit card for free. That too with a lot of useful benefits such as free cash withdrawal, maximum transaction limit, complimentary lounge access, contactless payments, free international withdrawals (limited), no charges at FAB ATMs, and more.
Personal Current Account
Once you open the Personal Current Account with FAB, you are given two free FAB Mastercard debit cards—Standard and Platinum—linked to the account.
Additionally, in terms of daily ATM withdrawal limit, the Standard and Platinum debit cards have a limit of AED 15,000 and AED 20,000, respectively. And when it comes to the daily retail purchase transaction limit, it is AED 20,000 for the Standard and AED 40,000 for the Platinum debit card.
FAB One Current Account
FAB One current account offers a complimentary FAB One Platinum Mastercard debit card with a per-day ATM withdrawal limit of AED 20,000 and a daily purchase limit of AED 40,000.
Other than that, with the One Platinum debit card, you are given the following exciting benefits:
FAB Etihad Guest Current Account
The Etihad Guest Current Account comes with a free Etihad Platinum Debit Card with a daily withdrawal limit of AED 20,000 and a daily purchase limit of AED 40,000.
Additionally, it offers you the following benefits:
Debit Cards under the FAB Elite Current Account
The Elite Current account has two debit cards to offer to you—FAB World Debit Card and FAB World Elite Debit Card. The World Debit Card has an ATM withdrawal limit of AED 40,000 and a retail purchase limit of AED 75,000. On the other hand, the World Elite Debit Card has a withdrawal limit of AED 40,000 and a retail purchase limit of AED 100,000.
The debit cards don’t stop there. They also offer these exciting perks such as:
Debit Cards under a FAB Etihad Guest Elite Current Account
With the opening of the Etihad Guest Elite Current Account, you get access to the FAB Etihad Guest Signature debit card, which has an ATM withdrawal limit of AED 30,000 and a retail purchase limit of AED 75,000.
And here are the benefits it further provides to its users:
Debit Cards offered by the Normal Savings Accounts
FAB Personal Savings Account
The personal savings account provides two free FAB Mastercard debit cards—Standard & Platinum debit cards.
If you choose the FAB Standard debit card, you will be given a maximum daily cash limit of AED 15,000 at atm and a daily purchase limit of AED 20,000. On the other hand, for the Platinum cardholders, the maximum daily cash limit is AED 20,000, while the daily purchase transaction limit is AED 40,000.
FAB Elite Savings Account
The Elite Savings account offers FAB World and World Elite Debit Cards. Their daily ATM cash withdrawal and retail purchase limits are as follows:
FAB Debit Cards under Islamic Accounts
As soon as you open an Islamic banking account with FAB, you are automatically given the FAB Islamic debit card, which comes with a lot of features, such as:
Debit Cards offered by FAB Islamic Current Accounts
Islamic Current Account
The Islamic Current account has a free MasterCard debit card with the name of Islamic Debit Card to offer to you. And its details are as follows:
Elite Islamic Current Account
The Elite Islamic World Debit Card is the card offered by the Elite Islamic Current account. It offers a daily ATM withdrawal limit of AED 40,000 and a daily purchase limit of AED 100,000.
Debit Cards offered by FAB Islamic Savings Accounts
Islamic Savings Account
The Islamic Savings account issues a free Islamic MasterCard Debit Card, which has a daily ATM withdrawal limit of AED 20,000 and a retail transaction limit of AED 40,000.
Elite Islamic Savings Account
The Elite Islamic Savings accounts give free access to the Elite Islamic World Debit Card, which has a daily ATM withdrawal limit of AED 40,000 and a daily transaction limit of AED 100,00. Moreover, it comes with the following useful benefits.
FAB Debit Cards—Eligibility Criteria
Since all of these FAB Debit cards are linked to the account and they are not offered independently (as the FAB credit cards are), they have the same eligibility criteria as the account does.
For specific eligibility criteria, you should visit the account page to which your selected debit card is linked.
In general, the following are the eligibility criteria for the debit cards:
FAB Debit Cards—Documents Requirement
Now the same thing applies to debit card documentation requirements. For the exact document requirement, you should refer to the account linked to your selected debit card. But generally, the following are the documents needed to apply for the debit cards:
How to Apply for a FAB Debit Card?
Online:
The following are the steps to apply for the FAB Debit card online:
- Select your desired debit card.
- See to which account your chosen debit card is linked.
- Meet the eligibility criteria and document requirements of that account.
- Search for that account name in your browser and open the account page.
- Look for the “Open your account” button or “Apply Now” form—usually at the end of the page.
- Fill the form and submit.
The bank will look into your request, and after the verification process is done, your account will be activated. Once the account is activated, you then have to activate your debit card to be able to use it for your daily transactions. After that, the bank will either send the debit card to your address or you can get it by visiting your nearby branch.
If you want to activate your FAB debit card, checkout this guide on how to activate the FAB debit card.
Offline:
- Collect your necessary documents.
- Visit your nearby FAB bank branch.
- Request the teller for account opening.
- Fill out the form and submit it.
- Now the bank will either hand over the debit card instantly at the branch, or it will be available after some days.
FAB Debit Cards—Fees &Charges
Although you get the debit cards for free with FAB accounts, there are some charges you should be aware of:
| Service | Fee for Debit Card Under Normal Personal | Fee for Debit Card Under Islamic Accounts |
| Initial Card Issuance Fee | Zero charges | Zero charges |
| PIN Replacement | Zero charges | Zero charges |
| Lost or Stolen Card Replacement | AED 26.25 | AED 26.50 |
| International Transaction Processing Fee | 2.1% of the transaction amount + scheme charges | 2.1% of transaction value + scheme charges |
| Cash Withdrawal at FAB ATMs (UAE) | Zero charges | Zero charges |
| Cash Withdrawal at Non-FAB ATMs(per transaction) |
Other Banks’ ATMs in the UAE: AED 2.10 Other Banks’ ATMs in the GCC: AED 6.30 Other Banks’ ATMs (Internationally): AED 21 |
Other Banks’ ATMs in the UAE: AED 2.10 Other Banks’ ATMs in the GCC: AED 6.30 – Other Banks’ ATMs (Internationally): AED 21 |
| Balance Inquiry at FAB ATMs | Free | Free |
| Balance Inquiry at Other ATMs (UAE) | AED 1.05 | AED 1.05 |
| Balance Inquiry at Other ATMs (in the GCC) | AED 3.15 | AED 3.15 |
| Copy of Sales Slip | AED 26.25 | AED 26.50 |
FAB Debit Cards—Common Problems & Solutions
Card Declined at POS or Online
If your FAB debit cards get declined at POS or online, firstly, make sure you have enough balance, and then check that your transaction limit is not reached. If the issue still doesn’t resolve, reach out to FAB bank customer support—they will quickly fix your card issue.
Lost or Stolen Card
In case you have had your card lost or stolen, immediately open your FAB app or call the helpline to block your debit card. After that, you can request a card replacement—charges may apply.
Forgotten PIN
Call FAB customer care number (600 52 5500) or visit your nearby FAB ATM to replace your card PIN without any charges.
Conclusion:
FAB debit cards are usually free and linked to FAB accounts— they are not offered independently. Therefore, to get a debit, you first have to create an account with FAB. So, compare the accounts mentioned above, select the one that suits your lifestyle and spending habits, and apply for it. Once you account and the debit is activated, you can enjoy the following exciting perks:
And for detailed information and informed decision-making, you should visit your selected account’s official page to see the terms & conditions and other related information about the account and the debit card.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Does the FAB Bank Provide Debit Cards in the UAE?
Yes. FAB provides a range of debit cards, such as the FAB Etihad Guest Signature debit card
FAB World debit Card, FAB Platinum & Standard Mastercard debit cards, etc.
Can I use my FAB Debit Card internationally?
Yes. You can use your debit card anywhere outside of the United Arab Emirates.
What is the transaction limit for the FAB Bank Debit Cards?
The transaction limit is not the same for all FAB debit cards. It varies from debit card to debit card. However, it is AED 40,000 for the FAB One Platinum Mastercard debit card provided under the FAB One current account.
What’s the PIN Replacement fee for the Debit Cards?
First Abu Dhabi Bank doesn’t charge you any fee for changing your debit card’s PIN. So it is for free.
How much is the balance enquiry fee for the debit cards at Non-FAB ATMs in the UAE?
The balance inquiry fee for debit cards at other ATMs in the UAE is AED 1.05.
How much is the balance enquiry fee at FAB ATMs in the UAE?
The balance checking fee at FAB ATMs is completely free.
Can I order a FAB Bank debit card with Visa?
Yes. You can order the debit card with Visa. To do so, you have to choose a Visa debit card type b/w Mastercard and Visa options during your current or savings account opening.