A SWIFT/BIC code routes your international transfer to the exact bank. In the UAE you’ll need it for incoming and outgoing wires, and it’s part of the salary details your employer files under the WPS (Wages Protection System). Get it wrong and the transfer can bounce back – costing you a return fee and several days’ delay.
This checker doesn’t just say “the format looks valid.” It matches your code against a database of active UAE bank codes* and returns the real bank, branch or department, emirate and address – and it recognises retired NBAD and FGB codes, resolving them to FAB after the merger.
UAE SWIFT / BIC Code Checker
Enter any UAE SWIFT/BIC code to validate its format and identify the bank, branch/department and emirate it belongs to.
Your code is checked in your browser. We don’t store, log or transmit anything you type — no registration, no personal data.
Your code is checked in your browser – we don’t store or transmit anything you type.
What this checker gives you
Unlike a generic global validator that only confirms the 8-11 character pattern, this tool is built for the UAE. For a recognised code it returns the bank name, the specific branch or department, the emirate, and the registered address – and it maps old NBAD and FGB codes to First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).*
Old NBAD or FGB code on your paperwork?
After National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and First Gulf Bank (FGB) merged into First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), their original SWIFT codes were retired. If a code beginning with the old NBAD or FGB bank prefix still appears on an old invoice, contract or salary slip, this checker recognises it and points you to the current FAB code to use instead.* If you’re following instructions from a document that pre-dates the merger, always confirm the live FAB code before sending money.
What a UAE SWIFT code looks like, letter by letter
Take ADCBAEAAXXX (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank):
| Part | Characters | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bank code | ADCB |
4 letters identifying the bank |
| Country code | AE |
2 letters – the UAE |
| Location code | AA |
2 characters for the head-office city/region |
| Branch code | XXX |
3 characters for a branch; XXX means the head office |
One detail most tools miss: if the location code’s second character is the digit 1, the entry is a passive (test/non-live) participant and should not be used for real payments.
8 characters or 11? Which one to send
A SWIFT code is either 8 characters (BIC8, the bank’s head office) or 11 characters (BIC11, a specific branch). If you don’t know the exact branch, an 8-character head-office code is normally accepted and the bank routes internally. Some receiving banks, however, insist on the full 11-character branch code – if your payment is rejected for an “invalid” or “incomplete” BIC, ask the recipient for the exact 11-character code.
SWIFT/BIC vs IBAN – and why a BIC has no checksum
They are not interchangeable. The IBAN identifies the individual account; the SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank. A UAE IBAN starts with AE followed by 21 digits, and it carries a built-in check digit – so an IBAN can be verified mathematically. A BIC has no such checksum: expecting to “validate” a BIC the way you validate an IBAN is a common mistake. The only reliable check is to confirm it exists as an active, live code – which is exactly what this tool does against the UAE database.*
Where to find your UAE SWIFT code
You’ll usually find it in your online or mobile banking under account/transfer details, on a bank statement, or on your bank’s official website. UAE residents most often need it from the salary/WPS details shared by their employer. When in doubt, take the code from the bank directly rather than from a third-party site. Jump straight to the full UAE SWIFT code table.
Code isn’t recognised – what to do
If the format is valid but the checker doesn’t return a bank, the code may be inactive, mistyped, or not a UAE code. Re-check each character against your source document, confirm the country code is AE, and verify the code straight with the bank or on its official site before sending any payment. For time-critical or large transfers, always confirm with the bank first.
What is a SWIFT/BIC code?
A SWIFT code – also called a BIC (Business Identifier Code) – is a standardised code that identifies a bank internationally, used to route wire transfers between institutions. For the full background, see our guide on what a SWIFT code is.
Frequently asked questions
The format is valid but the checker shows no bank – why?
A correct pattern doesn’t guarantee the code is live. The entry may be inactive or simply not in the UAE database. Double-check your typing and confirm the code with the bank.
My code has 11 characters but the branch isn’t recognised.
The 8-character head-office part may be valid while that specific 3-character branch is retired or unlisted. Try the 8-character head-office code, or ask the recipient for the current 11-character branch code.
Can I send money with just the 8-character code?
Usually yes – the bank routes internally from the head office. Use the 11-character branch code only if the receiving bank requires it.
I only have an old NBAD or FGB code. Is it still usable?
No – those were retired after the merger into FAB. This checker recognises them and points you to the current FAB code to use instead.*
This tool is provided for information only. Only your bank can confirm the correct payment details. For important or time-critical transfers, verify the code with your bank before sending. Data is checked against active UAE bank codes and current.*
