Dubai now allows residents, businesses and visitors to pay government service fees using global digital wallets — including Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay and more — as part of its push to become a fully cashless, digitally inclusive city.
Dubai, UAE: In a landmark move for digital finance and public service convenience, the Dubai Department of Finance (DOF) has activated a wide range of international digital wallet payment options for government service fees across all Government of Dubai entities. The rollout, integrated into existing platforms such as DubaiNow and DubaiPay, will be completed by the end of 2025.
This upgrade means residents, businesses, and visitors will soon be able to settle fees using popular wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Alipay+/Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, RuPay (NPCI QR/UPI) and more.
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Until now, most government service fees in Dubai could be paid by cards, online banking or local wallets within the UAE ecosystem. With global wallet integration, Dubai is opening up its transactions to international payment methods — enhancing convenience for expatriates, tourists and global business users alike.
According to Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director-General of the DOF, the initiative marks a “major milestone” in achieving a cashless government, and is a significant step towards the emirate’s Cashless Dubai Strategy. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, added that the move supports the city’s digital economy goals under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by expanding access and simplifying payments for all users.
Members of the public will benefit from this next-generation payment ecosystem. For example:
All these are part of the same unified platform timeframe, expected to be fully live by late 2025.
Greater Convenience and Inclusion
By supporting global wallets, Dubai is catering not just to residents but to a broader international community. That includes visitors, investors, global corporations and expats whose primary digital wallets may be issued outside the UAE.
Cashless Government Vision
This payment upgrade is closely aligned to the emirate’s ambition of becoming a global leader in digital finance and smart governance. The earlier goal was to have 90%+ of transactions conducted digitally by 2026 under the Cashless Dubai Strategy.
Reduced Friction in Public Service Access
Eliminating the need for foreign users to obtain UAE-issued cards or navigate local payment hurdles, the integration of ubiquitous global wallets streamlines access to government services and reduces barriers.
Financial Inclusion & Efficiency
For government entities, fewer cash transactions and more digital payments mean improved transparency, better audit trails and reduced operational costs. For users, familiar wallet ecosystems reduce payment anxiety, and may enhance uptake of e-government services.
The integration is made possible by connecting the DubaiPay gateway and DubaiNow app with a broad set of wallet providers, both regional and global. Digital Dubai Government Establishment, in partnership with DOF, is managing the rollout. Technical implementation details include:
The plan is to complete all wallet integrations by end of 2025, after which the system will cover the full range of government fees across the emirate.
If you plan to pay a government service fee, here’s what to keep in mind:
This move is part of a broader push in Dubai to digitise life, reduce reliance on cash and embed financial technology into everyday services. Through the Cashless Dubai initiative, as well as the Digital Dubai strategy, the emirate is seeking to make digital payments the norm across all public and private sectors.
Beyond wallets alone, one can expect future developments to include:
For residents and businesses, the key takeaway is clear: payment channels are expanding, making interaction with government services faster and more aligned to global digital habits.
Dubai’s decision to bring global digital wallets into its government payment system represents more than just a new payment method — it symbolises the future of public service in a connected, globalised world. By accepting wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, RuPay and others for government fees, the emirate is removing barriers, embracing global users and reaffirming its status as a fintech pioneer.
Whether you’re a resident paying utility or licence fees, a business settling regulatory charges, or a visitor needing to access a service, the updated payment system is designed to match your expectations and habits. As the rollout progresses towards its 2025 completion, the message is: paying your government fees just got easier, worldwide wallets included.
