For most international payments to a First Abu Dhabi Bank account in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE, the commonly used FAB SWIFT/BIC is NBADAEAA. It may also be written as NBADAEAAXXX when the standard 11-character format is required.
If the recipient, FAB, or the sending bank gives a branch-specific SWIFT code, use that exact code instead.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bank Name | First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC |
| Common SWIFT/BIC | NBADAEAA |
| 11-Character Form | NBADAEAAXXX |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Used For | International transfers to FAB accounts, including many Dubai-based FAB accounts |
| Also Needed | Beneficiary name, UAE IBAN, account currency, and payment details requested by the sending bank |
| Branch Note | Some FAB branches or services may use their own 11-character code. Always follow the code shown on the recipient’s bank details. |
First Abu Dhabi Bank Swift Code in Dubai
The main SWIFT/BIC code used for First Abu Dhabi Bank is NBADAEAA. For many international transfers, it is accepted in the 11-character form NBADAEAAXXX. The three X characters normally act as the general branch ending when a payment form asks for an 11-character SWIFT code.
Dubai customers often search for a separate “FAB Dubai SWIFT code.” In practice, international payments may use the bank’s main UAE SWIFT/BIC unless the beneficiary’s account details show a branch-specific code. This is why the safest information set is not only the SWIFT code. It is the SWIFT code plus the exact UAE IBAN.
Short Meaning: A SWIFT code identifies the bank that should receive the international payment. The IBAN identifies the exact customer account inside that banking system.
What NBADAEAA Means
The code NBADAEAA is not a random set of letters. Each part has a role in the international banking message.
| Code Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NBAD | Bank code linked to First Abu Dhabi Bank’s banking identity |
| AE | Country code for the United Arab Emirates |
| AA | Location code used in the bank’s SWIFT/BIC structure |
| XXX | Optional branch ending used when the 11-character form is required |
A transfer form may accept NBADAEAA or may ask for the longer NBADAEAAXXX. Both point to First Abu Dhabi Bank in the UAE, but the final field format depends on the sending bank’s system.
Is There a Separate FAB Dubai Branch Swift Code?
Some banks use one main SWIFT code for many branches. Others use branch or service codes for certain locations, departments, or transaction types. FAB may appear in directories with branch-specific 11-character codes, so a Dubai payment should not be handled by guessing the branch ending.
For a normal incoming international transfer to a FAB account in Dubai, the practical rule is simple: use NBADAEAA or NBADAEAAXXX when no branch-specific code is provided. If the recipient’s official bank details show another FAB code, use that one.
Useful Distinction:
“Dubai branch” and “Dubai account” do not always mean the payment needs a Dubai-only SWIFT code. In cross-border banking, the account IBAN often carries the account-level detail, while the SWIFT/BIC routes the message to the receiving bank.
Details Needed to Receive Money in a FAB Dubai Account
A SWIFT code alone is not enough for an international transfer. The sender usually needs a clean set of beneficiary details. A small spelling mismatch may slow manual review, so the name should match the bank account name.
- Beneficiary name: the account holder’s name as shown by FAB.
- Bank name: First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC.
- SWIFT/BIC: NBADAEAA or NBADAEAAXXX, unless a branch-specific code is supplied.
- IBAN: the UAE IBAN of the FAB account.
- Country: United Arab Emirates.
- Currency and amount: as requested by the sending bank.
- Payment purpose: may be requested by the sending bank for payment processing.
The recipient should copy the IBAN directly from FAB online banking, mobile banking, a statement, or official account details. Retyping it from memory is not worth the risk.
How the Swift Code and UAE IBAN Work Together
The SWIFT code and IBAN do different jobs. The SWIFT/BIC tells the sending bank which bank should receive the international message. The IBAN points to the exact account after the payment reaches the UAE banking system.
UAE IBANs have a fixed length of 23 characters and start with AE. They include check digits, a bank identifier, and the customer account number. That structure helps banks detect format errors before a payment is sent.
IBAN in Plain Words: The IBAN is an international account number. In the UAE, it follows a fixed 23-character format, which helps banks route transfers to the correct account.
For a FAB Dubai account, the sending bank may not need the physical branch address if the SWIFT code and IBAN are valid. Some payment forms still ask for bank city or address. In that case, the recipient’s official FAB account details should be used.
Simple Transfer Flow
An international payment to First Abu Dhabi Bank normally moves through a clear chain. The sender enters the payment details, the sending bank checks the format, the SWIFT message is routed, and FAB applies the payment to the matching IBAN after bank processing.
- Get the recipient details from the FAB account holder, including the exact IBAN.
- Enter the SWIFT/BIC as NBADAEAA or NBADAEAAXXX, unless a different FAB branch code is provided.
- Choose the currency and review any fees or exchange rate shown by the sending bank.
- Check the beneficiary name against the account name before confirming.
- Save the transfer receipt in case the sender or recipient needs to trace the payment.
Processing time depends on the sending bank, currency, cut-off time, and any correspondent bank involved. A payment sent late in the business day may begin processing on the next banking day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most SWIFT payment issues come from small data errors rather than the banking network itself. A wrong character in the IBAN, an outdated saved beneficiary, or a mismatched name can cause a payment to be delayed or returned.
- Do not use a Dubai branch code found online if the recipient’s FAB details show the main code.
- Do not remove XXX if the sending bank specifically asks for an 11-character SWIFT/BIC.
- Do not enter a normal account number where the form asks for a UAE IBAN.
- Do not use an old saved beneficiary without checking the current IBAN and bank name.
- Do not rely on the SWIFT code alone for a transfer to a personal or business account.
Careful Point: If the sending bank’s screen says the code belongs to First Abu Dhabi Bank in the UAE, that is usually a good sign. Still, the IBAN and beneficiary name must match the intended FAB account.
Swift, BIC, IBAN, and Routing Number
Bank transfer forms can use different labels. This is where many people get confused. SWIFT and BIC usually refer to the same bank identifier. IBAN is the international account number. A routing number is mainly used in some domestic banking systems and is not the same as a UAE IBAN.
Swift or BIC
Identifies the receiving bank in an international payment. For FAB, the common code is NBADAEAA.
IBAN
Identifies the account. UAE IBANs start with AE and contain 23 characters.
Branch Code
May appear as the final three characters in an 11-character SWIFT/BIC. Use it only when supplied by FAB or the recipient.
Important Details
Can NBADAEAA Be Used for a Dubai FAB Account?
Yes, it is commonly used for FAB international transfers in the UAE, including many Dubai account transfers. If FAB or the recipient provides a more specific 11-character code, use the provided code.
Is NBADAEAAXXX Different From NBADAEAA?
NBADAEAAXXX is the 11-character version of NBADAEAA. The XXX ending usually works as the general branch placeholder when the payment form needs 11 characters.
Do I Need the FAB Dubai Branch Address?
Some sending banks ask for a bank address or city. Use the address shown in the recipient’s official FAB bank details where available. If the form validates the SWIFT/BIC and IBAN, the exact address field may be less central than the account data.
What Should I Check Before Sending?
Check the beneficiary name, IBAN, SWIFT/BIC, currency, and amount. For a FAB Dubai account, the most important pairing is NBADAEAA or NBADAEAAXXX with the correct UAE IBAN.
