Ziina is the UAE's first peer-to-peer payment app, allowing you to send and receive payments with just a phone number —no IBAN or swift code required. The app provides a seamless way for friends and family to split the cost of takeout or a grocery bill.
In Arabic, "Ziina" translates to "ornament" or "thing of beauty." At Ziina, we embrace this meaning, reflecting our mission to create an empowering financial experience for everyone. Just like a thoughtfully placed ornament enhances beauty in the world around us, Ziina enhances your financial life by making transactions simple, secure, and social. Isn't that beautiful?
Ziina is currently available to UAE residents on iOS and Android. You don't have to be in the UAE to use the app, but at the moment you can only create a Ziina account if you have a valid Emirates ID.
We are working on a number of new features, including cross border payments that will open up the app to more users in the future!
You can register for Ziina with a UAE mobile number. You will be prompted to enter your Emirates ID information to set up your account.
To cash out funds from Ziina to your bank account:
The minimum amount you can withdraw and transfer to your bank is AED10.
Ziina is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. All of your most important information is encrypted so that it is kept safe and only in your hands. Ziina also uses real time fraud monitoring to ensure that all transactions are legitimate.
You can find out about the fees Ziina charges by visiting our Fees page.
We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, and Mastercard.
When you send a payment through Ziina, your money is transferred instantly.
You can send up to AED 25,000 through Ziina every month. The monthly limit for receiving money is AED 50,000.
You can accept the following currencies with ZiiLinks:
To enable international currency support on ZiiLinks:
There is a low additional fee of 1.5% for transactions made in non-AED currencies, which are settled in AED. This fee is to cover the currency conversion costs.
Currency conversions are calculated based on the current market exchange rate at the time of each transaction, ensuring accurate and fair pricing.
All international payments are conveniently settled in AED. This means no matter which currency your customers pay in, you'll receive your funds in AED.
To change your Ziiname:
To change the mobile number associated with your account:
The recipient does not need a bank account to receive a payment through Ziina. They will have to connect their bank account in order to cash out their money from Ziina.
To permanently close your Ziina account:
Sometimes we need to place temporary restrictions on an account for security or compliance reasons. This is a standard procedure to keep you protected and to ensure Ziina meets regulatory requirements.
Common reasons include:
Most restrictions are precautionary and do not mean there is a problem with your account. Our team will complete the review as quickly as possible and let you know if we need anything from you. For more details, please see our Terms & Conditions.
If your account is restricted, some services will be temporarily unavailable. You may not be able to make payments, withdraw funds, or add new payment methods until the review is complete. You'll still be able to log in and view your account information and balances. Once the review is complete, full access will be restored.
If your account is restricted, here are the best next steps:
Most reviews are completed within 2 to 7 business days once we have all the required information. We'll keep you updated along the way and work to resolve your case as quickly as possible.
Once the review is complete, we'll update you right away.
In rare cases, we may need to terminate an account. As outlined in our Terms & Conditions, Ziina reserves the right to determine whether a user's conduct is appropriate and complies with the Agreement. If not, Ziina may terminate or deny access to the platform and its services. If your account is terminated, we'll notify you immediately. In some cases, we may also provide advance notice in line with regulatory requirements. Termination means you will no longer be able to use your Ziina account for payments, transfers, or other services. What happens next depends on the outcome of our review:
Immediate release of funds If there is no ongoing risk (such as disputes or fraud), any available funds may be released to you right away in a final settlement.
Delayed release of funds or refund to original payers When an account is terminated, we may need to hold funds for 45-120 days to cover potential chargebacks or disputes. If transactions are identified as fraudulent or carry a high risk of disputes, we may instead process refunds to the original payment source. The appropriate approach depends on your specific situation, and we'll contact you to discuss the best option in line with our Terms & Conditions. Once any holding period ends, remaining funds will be released to your linked account. Ziina may also be required by law or regulators to withhold, delay, or release funds in line with applicable regulatory instructions.
No! ZiiCard has zero fees for:
The only fees that may apply are for foreign currency transactions once you exceed your monthly allowance.
Your ZiiCard comes with generous FX allowances:
Ziina Lite:
Ziina Violet:
Example: If you're on Ziina Lite and spend AED 4,000 in foreign currencies in one month, you'll pay 0.5% on the AED 1,000 that exceeds your allowance (AED 5 fee).
Any payment made in a currency other than AED (UAE Dirham), including:
All foreign currency transactions are converted to AED using the Visa exchange rate at the time your transaction is processed. This rate can fluctuate between when you authorise a transaction and when it's deducted from your balance.
You can check current rates at https://ziina.com/fees
Yes. While Ziina doesn't charge you fees for using ZiiCard, some third parties may charge their own fees:
These third-party fees will appear in your transaction history but are not charged by Ziina.
No, ZiiCard does not support ATM withdrawals or cash access. Your card can only be used for purchases at merchants that accept Visa.
ZiiCard is a Visa-powered digital card that lets you spend directly from your Ziina Wallet. It's a stored-value card, meaning you can only spend what's available in your wallet - no overdrafts or credit.
You will be issued with a ZiiCard when you sign up to Ziina and complete the onboarding process.
ZiiCard launches as a digital card that works for:
Anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide, including:
Note: ZiiCard does not support ATM withdrawals or cash access.
Important: Some merchants don't accept prepaid/stored-value cards. If your card is declined despite having sufficient funds, check with the merchant.
Some merchants, especially for certain services (car rentals, hotels, subscriptions), may not accept prepaid cards. This is the merchant's policy, not a Ziina restriction. Always check with the merchant beforehand for important purchases.
Your card is automatically activated once it is issued in the Ziina app. No additional steps needed for digital cards.
Your ZiiCard uses funds from your Ziina Wallet. Check your balance anytime in the Ziina app - it updates in real-time with every transaction.
Go to the card section in your Ziina app to view:
Transactions will typically be declined if your Wallet Balance is insufficient.
However, if a transaction does complete and creates a negative balance (due to pending charges, fees, or chargebacks), you'll need to add funds to cover the shortfall. Any incoming funds will automatically offset the negative balance.
Some merchants (hotels, car rentals, gas stations) place temporary authorisation holds for estimated amounts. These holds:
Tip: Keep extra balance available when using your card at hotels, car rentals, or gas stations.
It depends on the merchant. Some merchants accept split payments (pay part with your ZiiCard, part with another method). You must:
Not all merchants support split payments.
Pending transactions may take 24-48 hours to fully process and appear in your transaction history. The funds are reserved from your wallet during this time.
Refunds are added back to your Ziina Wallet once we receive and reconcile the funds from the merchant. This typically takes up to 14 business days.
If the refund was in a foreign currency, it's converted to AED at the Visa rate on the date the refund is processed (not the original purchase date).
Contact the merchant first to resolve the issue. If you can't resolve it with them:
Do:
Don't:
Yes! Use the "Freeze Card" feature in the app to prevent new transactions. This is useful when:
Important: Freezing won't stop pending transactions that were already authorised before you froze the card.
You're responsible for any losses if you don't report unauthorised use promptly.
Your PIN is your digital consent for transactions at physical merchants (when available). You can view and manage your PIN in the Ziina app.
Security note: If you enter an incorrect PIN three times within 24 hours, your card will be blocked until you reset it through the app.
Ziina takes security seriously and monitors for suspicious activity. However:
We may:
If we suspect fraud, we'll contact you and may temporarily freeze your account until the issue is resolved.
Check the expiry date in the card details section of the app. We'll issue you a new card shortly before expiration, as long as you remain eligible for ZiiCard.
No. Your ZiiCard is issued in your name only and should only be used by you. Sharing your card violates the terms and conditions.
For Business Accounts: If your business enables multiple cards, each cardholder must comply with the terms, and the business account holder is responsible for all cardholders' actions.
Email [email protected] to initiate the cancellation process. Cancellation won't affect:
Your card uses funds from your Ziina Wallet. To add funds to your card, simply add funds to your Ziina Wallet through the app using your normal top-up methods.
You can spend up to your available Ziina Wallet Balance. There are no additional daily or monthly spending limits imposed by Ziina beyond your wallet balance.
Yes. You cannot use ZiiCard for:
Yes. We may decline transactions if:
Ziina may:
These actions may be taken without prior notice where permitted by law.
Yes! ZiiCard works anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide. Remember:
While not required, it's good practice to ensure:
Common reasons for international declines:
Tip: Test your card with a small purchase before traveling and keep our support contact handy.
No. The 0.5% FX fee (after your allowance) applies to all non-AED transactions equally, regardless of currency (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.).
All transactions made with your ZiiCard appear in your Ziina Wallet transaction history in the app. The history includes:
Yes. According to Ziina's General Terms and Conditions, you'll receive account statements that include all ZiiCard transactions. Check your app for statement details.
The main difference is your FX allowance:
| Feature | Ziina Lite | Ziina Violet |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly FX Allowance | AED 3,000 | AED 20,000 |
| FX Fee After Allowance | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Local AED Transactions | Free | Free |
| Card Usage | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Yes you can upgrade to Ziina Violet at any time and enjoy all the benefits of your new subscription immediately, including a higher FX allowance.
Your monthly FX allowance resets on the 1st of each month, regardless of when you joined or when your billing cycle is.
Common reasons:
Some merchants take longer to process transactions. If after 14 business days the transaction hasn't completed or been refunded, please contact the merchant directly. If the merchant fails to respond, contact [email protected] with:
First, try to resolve directly with the merchant. If unsuccessful:
No. Once you authorise a transaction with your ZiiCard, you cannot withdraw, revoke, or stop it. The only way to get your money back is through a merchant refund or dispute resolution.
Sometimes merchants submit authorisation requests that show as pending charges even when declined. These typically drop off within 3-7 business days. If they don't, contact support.
If you lose your phone:
Yes, your Ziina account (and card) can be accessed from any device where you're logged in. Your card works the same across all devices.
Yes you can add your ZiiCard to Apple Pay and Google Pay.
ZiiCard is issued by Ziina Payment, LLC, which is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE.
ZiiCard operates on the Visa network.
Your ZiiCard uses funds from your Ziina Wallet. The funds are stored value (not deposits) and do not earn interest. Ziina is regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE.
Ziina may cancel your card:
Any remaining balance stays in your Ziina Wallet.
Full Card Terms and Conditions are available at www.ziina.com/terms
You can reach Ziina support at any time through our social media platforms or by contacting us on [email protected].