NaqoodUAE Upgraded WPS Adds Seven Institutions, Bringing Partners to 17
On 28 October 2026, the Emirates News Agency (WAM reported) that the upgraded Wage Protection System (WPS) is being rolled out through seven additional financial institutions: First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, Mashreq Bank, Ajman Bank, Lari Exchange and First Gulf Exchange Centre. That brings the total number of partners on the upgraded system to 17.
The upgraded WPS was launched in December 2025 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), together with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and Al Etihad Payments. For a small business that pays salaries through one of the big UAE banks, this matters because the digital route is now offered by many of the banks SMEs already use.
What changed on 28 October 2026?
According to WAM, the upgraded system lets employers manage salary payments digitally, without paperwork and without visiting a financial institution to register. It uses secure APIs for real-time data exchange between MoHRE and the participating institutions. Al Etihad Payments, the national payments entity owned by the CBUAE, builds and runs the central platform.
The seven new institutions join ten existing partners named by WAM: Al Ansari Exchange, Lulu Exchange, GCC Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange, Wio Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Maryah Community Bank, Habib Bank AG Zurich, e& Group and Botim.
| Item | Detail (WAM, 28 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| New institutions | FAB, Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, Mashreq Bank, Ajman Bank, Lari Exchange, First Gulf Exchange Centre |
| Total partners on upgraded WPS | 17 |
| Coverage | More than 99% of private-sector workers, average monthly wage transfers of AED 37 billion |
How does registration work on the upgraded WPS?
WAM quotes First Gulf Exchange Centre describing the flow: the employer registers through a secure digital link, creates confidential login credentials and sets up its profile. The institution then reviews, verifies and approves the submitted information under its own procedures. Each partner runs its own onboarding, so the exact screens and documents will differ from bank to bank.
The announcement does not set a deadline for employers to move to the upgraded system, and it does not change the existing WPS obligation to pay salaries through an approved channel. If you already pay salaries through WPS, nothing in this news requires you to switch today.
What should UAE employers check now?
Start with your current salary channel. If your business bank or exchange house is on the list above, ask it whether your account can be registered on the upgraded WPS and what it needs from you. If you pay through an agent that is not listed, keep using your current WPS route and watch for MoHRE updates.
Then check your payroll data. The upgraded system exchanges data in real time, so employee records and salary amounts in your payroll file should match what MoHRE holds. Mismatches are easier to fix before a salary run than after.
Finally, keep your salary timing in view. Our guide to the UAE salary payment rule for 2026 explains the payroll deadline, and the WPS guide covers how the Wage Protection System works.
Why does this matter for small businesses?
For a team of one to five people, salary day is often handled by the owner. Being able to register and pay through a bank you already use, without a branch visit, removes a manual step. It also makes it easier to keep payroll records and bank transactions in one place, which helps when you reconcile salaries in your books.
If you run payroll in Naqood, you can keep generating payslips and WPS files as before. The change is on the payment side, between your bank and MoHRE.
Frequently asked questions about the upgraded UAE WPS
Which banks were added to the upgraded UAE WPS in October 2026?
WAM reported on 28 October 2026 that First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, Mashreq Bank, Ajman Bank, Lari Exchange and First Gulf Exchange Centre were added, bringing the total to 17 partners.
Do I have to move my salary payments to the upgraded WPS now?
The announcement does not set a switching deadline. Employers must still pay salaries through WPS as required. Ask your bank or exchange house whether it offers the upgraded registration and follow MoHRE for any future dates.
Is Wio Bank part of the upgraded WPS?
Yes. WAM lists Wio Bank among the existing partners on the upgraded system, alongside Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Maryah Community Bank and several exchange houses.
This post is for general information and does not constitute tax or legal advice. For how the rules apply to your specific situation, consult a qualified UAE tax adviser. Naqood is an FTA-accredited accounting platform for UAE businesses.