How can foreigners use e-payments smoothly in Middle Eastern countries?

Using e-payments in Middle Eastern countries requires special attention to local regulations, religious culture and platform restrictions for foreigners. The following step-by-step guide can help smooth the process:

I. Preliminary preparations

1. Compliance Identity Verification

   • Ensure that passports are valid for more than 6 months
   • Preparation of residence visas for Middle Eastern countries (e.g. Saudi IQAMA/UAE ID)
   • Some countries require a local mobile phone number (e.g. Saudi STC card)

2. Dual Currency Bank Card

   • Visa/Mastercard with MEEZA network (required in Egypt etc.)
   • It is recommended to bring a physical card that supports Apple Pay/Google Pay.

II. Mainstream platform selection

3. Religious Adaptation Function

• Sadad system (Gulf States) support for Islamic finance module
• Avoid interest services: choose a Sharia-compliant app such as BenefitPay

III. Practical skills

1. recharge

• UAE Exchange counter cash → digital wallet (handling fee approx. 1.5%)
• Hotel billing: most 5-star hotels can recharge on your behalf

2. Cross-border payments

• Western Union and Zain Cash cooperation programme (Iraq → Jordan in as little as 3 minutes)
• RIA Money special channel supports Syrian remittances

3. Security settings
   Be sure to turn it on:

• SIM card PIN code protection

IV. Payment Scenario Solutions

1. Daily consumption (supermarkets/restaurants/taxis)

✅ Recommended Approach:

• Apple Pay / Google Pay (UAE, Saudi Arabia) → Direct binding of international credit cards, covering 80% merchants
• Local wallet scanning (e.g. STC Pay, Careem Pay) → Need to top up cash or bind a local bank card first

⚠️ Attention:

• Some small shops only support cash or local wallets (e.g. Egyptian Fawry code)
• Taxi apps such as Uber/Careem usually accept international cards, but may charge an additional 3% cross-border handling fee

2. Online shopping & subscription services

✅ Recommended Approach:
| Platforms | Available Payment Methods | Tips |
|—————|———————————-|——————————-|
| Noon/Aramex | Tabby instalment (4 interest-free instalments in Saudi Arabia/UAE) | Foreigners need to provide ID copy |
| Netflix Middle East | Fawry Cash Recharge Code (Cheapest Package in Egypt) | VPN may cause payment failure |
| Steam Middle East | OneCard Virtual Card (cheaper in Turkish Lira) | Requires Turkish IP registration |

⚠️ A guide to avoiding the pit:

• Amazon.ae accepts international cards, but delivery of certain items is limited to local bank cards only
• Spotify Middle East needs to be replaced with Anghami (blocked in some countries)

V. Large-value transactions & B2B payments

(1) Property / Car Purchase

🔹 Compliance Path::

1. UAE dirham wire transfer → via Mashreq NeoBiz account
2. Payment by Saudi cheque → You need to bring IQAMA to the bank counter for processing
3. Turkey Exchange Control → Payment after exchange with Papara Business account

💡 finesse::

• Dubai real estate agents generally accept BTC transfers (via BitOasis exchange compliant exchange)