How to Pay Salik, Fines and Utility Bills Online in the UAE
Salik top-ups, traffic fines, electricity and water bills: these are the payments every UAE resident deals with sooner or later. You don't need to queue at a counter for any of them. Almost everything can be paid from your phone in a couple of minutes.
This guide covers the three, with the official channels and the steps. Details were checked in November 2026, but amounts and rules can change, so always confirm on the payment screen.
Before you start: set up these basics
- UAE PASS. Most government apps now log in with it. See my UAE PASS setup guide if you haven't done this yet.
- A valid Emirates ID. An expired card can cause login problems. If yours is due, read how to renew your Emirates ID.
- A bank card (debit or credit) that works for online payments.
Part 1: Salik (Dubai road toll)
Salik is Dubai's toll system. There are no booths. A tag on your windscreen is read when you pass a gate, and the toll is taken from your prepaid Salik balance. It applies in Dubai only, so you won't need it for daily driving in Sharjah or Ajman, although many commuters pass the gates on the way to Dubai.
How much does a Salik crossing cost?
From 1 June 2026, 5% VAT applies to Salik. The rates after VAT are:
| When | Per crossing |
|---|---|
| Peak: Monday to Saturday, 6am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm | AED 6.30 |
| Off-peak: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm and 8pm to 1am | AED 4.20 |
| Sundays | AED 4.20 |
| Every day, 1am to 6am | Free |
The tag itself rose from AED 50 to AED 52.50 with VAT. There is currently no daily cap, so each gate you pass is charged separately.
Ways to recharge your Salik account
- Salik website (salik.ae). Register or sign in, open the Recharge tab, pick an amount and pay by card. Your dashboard also shows your balance and recent gate crossings.
- DubaiNow app. Sign in with UAE PASS, go to the driving section, choose Salik, add your account number and PIN, and top up. You can also set an automatic top-up so you never run out.
- Dubai Drive (RTA) app. Sign in with UAE PASS, choose Salik, then Recharge.
- Careem app. Use the bill payment section, choose Salik and link your account.
- Your bank's app or online banking. Look in the utilities or bill payments section and add your Salik account number and PIN.
- Recharge cards. Petrol station shops sell cards (typically AED 50, 100 and 200). Redeem them on salik.ae, in the Smart Salik app or by calling or texting the number printed on the card.
- Kiosks. Payment kiosks in many malls accept cash and cards.
Avoid these Salik mistakes
- Letting the balance run out. If you cross a gate with too little balance, you have a short period to pay (reported as five business days) before escalating fines apply.
- Driving without a valid tag. Fines apply for this, so register your tag before you drive through the gates.
- Fake recharge links. Only top up through the official website or apps above. Ignore SMS messages that send you to unfamiliar payment links.
Part 2: Traffic fines
You can check and pay fines without visiting a police station. The easiest way is the national app, and each emirate also has its own channels.
Anywhere in the UAE: the MOI app
- Open the Ministry of Interior (MOI) app or website (moi.gov.ae).
- Log in with UAE PASS.
- Choose Traffic fine payment.
- Search using your plate number, traffic file number, licence number or Emirates ID.
- Select the fines, review any discount shown, and pay by card. You receive a digital receipt.
Dubai
- Dubai Police app or website: use Fine inquiry and payment and search by plate, traffic file number, licence number or ticket number.
- DubaiNow app: with UAE PASS login, linked fines appear automatically under the driving category.
- RTA app: open the fines section and pay by card or e-wallet.
Sharjah
- Use the Sharjah Police website or app (shjpolice.gov.ae), or the Emirates Vehicle Gate (evg.ae) after registering.
- You can also pay through the MOI channels above.
Ajman
- Use the AjmanOne app. Log in with UAE PASS, choose Ajman Police, then the fine payment option.
- The MOI website and MOI app also work.
- Government payment pages for Ajman note that cards issued in the GCC region are accepted, so check that your card works for online payments.
Good to know about fines
- Discounts exist but change. Some emirates, including Sharjah and Ajman, have offered discounts for early payment or during campaigns. Check the discount shown in the official app before you pay, and don't rely on old articles.
- Instalments. Dubai Police has offered instalment options for accumulated fines. Check the app for current terms.
- Wrong fine? You can contest a fine with the police authority that issued it, with proof.
- Check regularly. Fines can pile up, so it is worth checking by plate number every so often.
Part 3: Utility bills
Which provider you pay depends on where you live. Dubai uses DEWA and Sharjah uses SEWA. In both cases, find your account number on a previous bill or in your tenancy paperwork.
Dubai: DEWA
You can pay through any of these:
- DEWA website or app
- DubaiNow app: register with your Emirates ID or mobile number, open Payments, choose your utility bill, enter your account number, then confirm. DubaiNow also covers du, e&, Salik and traffic fines, so one app can handle most of your payments.
- e& money app: go to bills, choose home utilities, then DEWA, check the amount and pay with a saved card or a wallet such as Apple Pay.
- Bank apps that support bill payments
If a new account shows AED 0 right after you add it, wait a little while or reopen the app before you pay.
Sharjah: SEWA
- SEWA e-services portal or SEWA app. You need to register first. You can pay with a Visa or Mastercard.
- Banks and exchange houses (such as Al Ansari Exchange).
- e& payment machines and the My e& app.
- SEWA customer centres for in-person payment.
Two SEWA rules worth knowing: partial payments are not accepted, so you have to pay the full bill, and paying by credit card can carry a fee (reported as 1.25%). If your bill is typically a few hundred dirhams, a debit card or bank transfer may be cheaper.
Ajman and other emirates
I haven't covered the utility payment process for Ajman and the other emirates in detail here. Check your latest bill for the provider's official channels, or look inside your emirate's government app.
Smart habits to save time
- Use one main app (such as DubaiNow in Dubai, or MOI for fines everywhere) and link your accounts once.
- Turn on reminders and auto top-up where they are offered.
- Keep your mobile number updated with every provider so that you receive the confirmation SMS.
- Save your receipts. Screenshots are fine, and they help if a payment doesn't show up.
- Never share your PIN, OTP or card details with anyone, even if they claim to be from a bank or a government department.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need UAE PASS to pay these?
For most government apps, yes, it is the simplest login. Some websites also accept other logins.
Can I pay someone else's fine or bill?
Often yes, by plate number or account number, but check the app for the rules.
Is there a fee for paying through the apps?
The sources I checked didn't list app fees for these payments, but some channels (such as credit card payments for SEWA) charge a fee. The final amount is shown before you confirm.
Rates, fees and rules change. Always confirm on the official Salik, MOI, Dubai Police, Sharjah Police, AjmanOne, DEWA and SEWA channels. This is a personal blog and not an official source.
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