It is very stressful to wait for the money transfer on a Ratibi Card to appear on your card statement. You probably know that the money should be transferred, but you still cannot relax until the salary check shows the actual balance. The problem with Ratibi cards is that many websites provide just one or two options to perform the money verification and do not show the rest or how to fix the errors in case if the above-mentioned methods do not work.
What Is a Ratibi Card? (A Short Introduction for Those Who Are Confused)
Ratibi Card is the prepaid payroll card provided by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). It was created specifically for usage within UAE Wage Protection System (WPS). To put it simply: this is the way to pay the salary to those employees who do not have a traditional bank account or prefer not to use it.
The Ratibi Card is primarily aimed at employees who earn up to AED 5,000 per month. However, the actual amount of money and the possibility to receive a card depend on each employer’s contract with the bank. These cards can be found widely among construction employees, hotel workers, retail staff, domestic servants, etc.
According to the statistics of WPS adoption in private sector in the UAE, most of the salaries go through this or similar protected electronic money transfers.
5 Methods to Check Your Ratibi Card Salary Balance
Remember: there are 5 different ways to check your balance and at least one of them will work wherever you are and whatever device you use.
- PPC Magnati online portal – balance check through a web-browser, no need to register and log-in
- FAB Mobile App – real-time balance and transaction history
- Payit App – digital wallet provided by FAB, very convenient not only for balance checking
- SMS Banking – works without the Internet connection
- FAB ATM – offline method without using a smartphone
Let’s consider each way one by one.
PPC Magnati Inquiry Portal Online Method
If you use a PC or have good Internet connection on your mobile phone, the portal will be the fastest option for you.
- Go to the official website of PPC Magnati inquiry portal
- Enter the last two or four digits of your card number (depending on the requirements of the form)
- Enter your Card ID number
- Press “Go” button to view the available balance
- That’s it! No registration, no logging in, no downloading of an app — just your card details and a web browser.
One piece of advice: the portal works significantly slower on salary disbursement days due to thousands of inquiries made simultaneously. So, if the portal hangs or works slowly, try to check it in the morning.
FAB Mobile App (Real-time Balance + Transaction History)
If you need not only to check your balance but also to view your transaction history, this is the optimal choice for you.
- Download the app from the App Store or Google Play
- Log in or complete the registration procedure if you use the app for the first time
- Choose your Ratibi Card among other linked accounts or cards
- View your balance in the “Account Summary” section
Beside the balance itself, you can check the date when your salary was transferred, previous transactions, and even print or send a statement via email if you need it for visa application or any other purpose.
Payit App (Digital Wallet Provided by FAB)
This is a separate app provided by FAB and compatible with the Ratibi Card if you link your card to it.
- Download the Payit app
- Link your Ratibi Card using your card details
- View the balance directly from the dashboard of the app
The main advantage of this method is not only the balance check. Once you link your card to the Payit wallet, you will be able to pay bills, recharge mobile credit, and even send money to another Payit user from your Ratibi card.
SMS Banking (Method Without Internet Connection)
This is the perfect method for the situation when you do not have Internet access on your smartphone but need to check the balance.
Make sure your phone number is registered for FAB SMS banking service (you have to register in advance — at a branch or via customer support)
- Open the SMS application and write a new text message
- Type your 13-digit Ratibi card number (located on the front side of the card)
- Send it to 2121
- Wait for the reply SMS containing your balance
- One important piece of advice: the SMS PIN is not the same as the ATM PIN. Remember these PINs separately and do not try to use the one in place of another.
FAB ATM Balance Inquiry
This is the most archaic method, but still, it is quite convenient, especially if you are not familiar with apps and do not use smartphones.
- Insert your Ratibi Card into any FAB ATM
- Enter your ATM PIN
- Choose the “Balance Inquiry” from the menu
- Check your balance on the screen (some ATMs may also provide the receipt of your balance)
- FAB ATMs work 24/7 all over the UAE, so this method will work at any time — even at 3 a.m.! No Internet, no registration, no app — just the card and PIN.
Comparative Table of the Methods of Salary Verification
| Method | Internet Required | Speed | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPC Magnati Portal | Yes | Very fast | Free | Anyone near a browser, no login hassle |
| FAB Mobile App | Yes | Fast | Free | Users who also want transaction history/statements |
| Payit App | Yes | Fast | Free | People who want to manage money, not just check it |
| SMS Banking | No | Moderate (a few minutes) | Free | Low or no data connectivity |
| FAB ATM | No | Fast | Free | No smartphone, or need cash right away too |
Remember: portal works faster when you have the Internet access; SMS or ATM are preferable in other cases.
Common Ratibi Card Salary Check Problems (How to Solve Them)
All complaints about the balance check process of Ratibi Cards relate to one of the four issues. Let’s look how to solve them.
Card ID not recognized or “Invalid entry” error
this is usually caused by a typo. There are two different numbers — the Card ID and the card number. Please check that you type the correct number in the correct field and that you did not confuse the letter “O” with the zero.
SMS not received after sending to 2021
your phone number is not registered for SMS banking of FAB. You have to register for it in advance via a branch visit or through customer support of the bank.
The portal works slowly or does not work at all
it is usually caused by the traffic. The salary disbursement days lead to a large amount of simultaneous inquiries to the portal. Try to check it in the morning or use another method instead.
You forget your PIN code
in such case, do not try to guess it — several wrong attempts may lock your card. Call or visit the branch to reset your PIN code.
Other Information About Ratibi Card: Benefits and Safety
The ability to check the salary balance of the card is usually highlighted as its main benefit. However, there are some other useful features of Ratibi Cards.
Typically, the Ratibi Card includes free personal accident insurance, which is calculated as a multiple of the salary of the cardholder and is limited by certain maximum amount. However, this amount may change depending on the contract with FAB, so it is better to check it yourself.
Additionally, Ratibi Card works via Visa or Mastercard network, so you can use it in the ATMs and stores, and even for online purchases. Unlike the bank account, you do not have to pay any maintenance fees — it is designed for easy payments.
Eligibility and Registration of Ratibi Card (From Employer’s Side)
Ratibi Card is not available for direct individual subscription it must be provided by an employer.
To provide Ratibi Cards for employees, the company should have a corporate account in FAB and should be registered in the WPS. As for the employee, he/she should be resident of the UAE and earn up to AED 5,000 per month, though it depends on employer’s policies and the contract with FAB.
The process is quite simple: each pay cycle the employer makes a salary transfer through the WPS and it appears in the employee’s card without any manual actions from the employee.
Safety Advice: How to Protect Your Ratibi Card and Your Salary
A card that contains your monthly salary is worth some precautions. Here are some tips to help you:
- Never disclose your Card ID or PIN code over the phone, even if the caller claims he/she is a representative of FAB
Register for SMS banking in the branch of FAB or by calling to the customer support, but not using the link received via WhatsApp or SMS from an unknown number - Check your balance regularly, not only on the salary disbursement day. It makes it much easier to spot an unauthorized transaction, while you still have enough time to report it and block the card.
- Card scams evolve constantly and prepaid payroll cards are not exempted from such attacks. So, treating your Card ID and PIN codes as carefully as you treat a bank card is the easiest way to avoid a scam.
FAQ
Can I check the balance of my Ratibi card without the Internet?
Use SMS banking service send your 13-digit Ratibi card number to 2121 from your FAB-registered phone number, and you will receive your balance within a few minutes in the form of a text message.
Why does not my salary appear on the balance?
It can be caused by wrong Card ID or card number, slow working portal on a salary day, or delay in the processing of the salary transfer. Try to retype your data or call your employer’s HR department if the balance has not been changed yet.
What is the minimal salary to have a Ratibi Card?
There is no strict minimal legal salary. Usually, it is up to AED 5,000 per month, but it depends on the employer.
Is the balance check on the Ratibi Card free?
Yes. All five listed standard methods portal, FAB Mobile App, Payit App, SMS banking, and FAB ATM are free for Ratibi cardholders.
Can I withdraw cash from any ATM using the Ratibi Card balance?
You can withdraw for free from FAB ATMs. Other ATMs of UAE banks will accept your card (because it works via Visa/Mastercard network), but may charge you some third party withdrawal fee, so check your balance first.
Final Thoughts
Checking the balance of your Ratibi Card takes less than one minute if you know the right way to do it. The portal or app will work if you are online; SMS or ATM methods will work in other cases. The best thing to do now is to register for SMS banking beforehand, to avoid troubles on the day when you will have to do it in a rush.
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