How to Get UBA Dollar Prepaid Card in Nigeria: Full Requirements/Types
If you’re tired of carrying cash for international transactions, overthinking how to withdraw PayPal funds to your card for Naira swap, declined Naira cards on foreign websites, or losing money to bad exchange rates every time you travel, the UBA Dollar Prepaid Card (also known as the UBA AfriCard Dollar Card) is exactly what you need.
I’ve used the card since 2019 for my own dollar transactions, and I wrote a longer version of this guide some time ago.
In this guide, I will do it precisely and walk you through everything: what it is, the requirements, how to get it, and what to expect once you have it.
What is the UBA Dollar Prepaid Card?
The UBA Dollar Prepaid Card is a Visa-branded, pre-funded card issued by United Bank for Africa.
Unlike a regular debit card, it isn’t tied directly to your savings or current account, and you do not need to be a customer to get it.
As a versatile card, it is a load; you then spend from that balance. And it’s designed for people who need to make international payments, subscribe to foreign services, run digital ads, link and withdraw from PayPal swiftly, or simply hold dollar value without keeping physical cash.
How can you Hold/Store Dollar value using the UBA Prepaid Dollar Card?
You can hold dollar value without keeping physical cash with UBA Prepaid Dollar Card by linking the card to PayPal, withdrawing the funds to the card, and allowing it to sit on your prepaid card balance as shown below.
This is equivalent to saving in US Dollars without needing a Domiciliary Dollar account. With it, you can simply withdraw and swap the funds to Naira without going to the bank – this is only when you need to expend; otherwise, saving it in your prepaid card is totally safe.
Cons with UBA Dollar Card
- You need to activate the card at the bank to be fully functional.
- Limit of $10,000 – if you have a high spend.
- Daily card-to-card limit is capped at $1,500 [should you feel it won’t be enough for you].
Pros
- It works on international ATMs, POS terminals, and websites that don’t accept Naira cards.
- You can spend up to $10,000 monthly.
- Daily online spend up to $2,500.
- It’s a physical Visa card valid for three years.
- Works for paying for visas and schooling abroad.
- It can receive inflows like PayPal payments.
- It can receive Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and Business Travel Allowance (BTA) allocations.
- It receives foreign transfers.
Who Should Get This Card?
In my experience helping freelancers and digital earners through fnfSwap, this card is particularly valuable for:
- Freelancers receiving PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill payments who need to spend dollars directly.
- Digital marketers and business owners running Facebook, Google, or TikTok ad campaigns billed in USD
- Frequent travelers who want to avoid carrying cash or relying solely on a domiciliary account
- Anyone who wants a dedicated dollar-spending card separate from their main account.
Is the UBA Prepaid Card Free?
Definitely, yes. The card is a standalone and not linked to any UBA account and is available in Naira or Dollars. So, yes, everyone is free to get it.
As we go on, you will see the steps to apply for it – mostly as a non-UBA customer.
How to Know a Dollar Variant UBA Prepaid Card
I’ve met a client who came to fund his card and discovered that the card was a Naira card because the funding process failed.
Also, there was no sign of Naira or Dollar on the card to know the designation.
Now, some years ago, the UBA Dollar Card came with a Dollar Sign on the top left margin to help identify the Dollar Variant
But recently, the Dollar card does not carry a Dollar Sign.
So, how do you differentiate a Naira from a Dollar Card?
First – tell the UBA customer rep that you need a Dollar Prepaid Card [at the point of request].
Second – write a dollar sign on top of the application form [before you submit].
Thirdly, when issued the card, stay at the bank and fund it to confirm to fully confirm.
If the funding is successful, then it is a dollar card, and if it fails, then it is a Naira card. What to do is ask them to replace it with a Dollar variant.
Also, we have instant and personalized UBA Dollar Prepaid Cards. More on this as we go on.
UBA Instant Vs Personalized Prepaid Card
UBA instant prepaid cards are requested and issued immediately- 30 minutes to 1+hours at the branch with no printed name – just as the current UBA Prepaid card. It has no name placeholder.
While personalized cards can take 1-2 weeks for delivery, but with name placeholders printed on plastic.
I would recommend personalized cards – if you are travelling abroad, as it offers better security and smoother international/online merchant acceptance.
However, if you want it for everyday online payments and withdrawing from PayPal for cash, then any of them is fine.
I am currently using the UBA instant prepaid card, so there are no issues at all.
UBA Dollar Card vs Naira Prepaid Card
UBA Dollar cards are dollar variant cards, while the Naira prepaid card is a Naira variant.
Local Transactions/Naira – best for local transactions where normal bank Naira cards do not work – [use it if there is a need; otherwise, no need].
And Dollar Prepaid is for international payments, abroad atm spend, travel, and linking to PayPal and other inflows.
How To Get a UBA Prepaid Card Online
People keep asking this. No, there is no way to get the card online. You have to go to the bank to apply and get your KYC done before you can be issued the card.
Without that, no one can get it for you.
Requirements to Get a UBA Dollar Prepaid Card
Based on what’s required at UBA branches across Nigeria, here’s what you’ll need:
1. Valid Means of Identification
You’ll need one of the following:
- National ID card (NIN slip)
- International passport
- Driver’s license
- Voter’s card
2. Bank Verification Number (BVN):
Your BVN must be valid and linked to your profile. The bank will verify this as part of the application.
3. Proof of Address:
A recent utility bill (electricity, water, or similar) showing your current residential address. Some branches may accept a tenancy agreement as an alternative.
4. Passport Photograph
A recent passport-sized photo, though some branches capture this digitally on the spot.
5. Active Phone Number and Email Address
These are required for card alerts, OTPs, and online portal access – make sure both are active and accessible, as you’ll use them for activation and future transactions.
6. Completed Application Form
The branch will provide a prepaid card application form (sometimes referred to as the AfriCard form) for you to fill out your personal details.
Side note: Advantage of having an Existing UBA Account – while some branches may issue the card to walk-in applicants, the process is smoother if you already have a UBA account – that is, they won’t ask for the above personal details anymore – apart from filling the form.
All in all, that is no big deal as long as you can walk to the bank and request a card and get it in real time.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Card
Here’s the whole process, based on how it typically works at UBA branches:
Step 1: Visit a UBA Branch
Walk into any UBA branch nearest to you – there’s no need to go to your “home branch” specifically, though having an account there helps. Go to the headquarters if possible.
Step 2: Request the Dollar Prepaid Card
Speak to a customer service representative and specifically ask for the “UBA Dollar Prepaid Card” (some staff may call it the AfriCard Dollar Card – it’s the same).
Step 3: Fill the Application Form
Provide your ID, BVN, utility bill, phone number, date of birth, and email address on the form.
Double-check that your name matches your ID exactly, as discrepancies can cause issues later.
Step 4: Submit and Wait for Issuance
Upon submitting the filled form, in many cases, the card can be printed and issued the same day if it is in stock. Let’s say 30 minutes to 1+ hours.
Again, if it is at a smaller branch, then they might need to process it centrally. Which means you may be asked to return after a few days. That is why I recommend going to the state headquarters.
Step 5: Verify Your Card Details
When you receive the card, check that:
- Your name is spelled correctly – at times, your name won’t be written.
- The card has the dollar symbol/indicator on it (this distinguishes it from a Naira prepaid card)
- The expiry date and card number are clearly visible.
Step 6: Retrieve Your PIN
Your card comes attached to an A4 sheet with two PINs:
- The first PIN is your ATM PIN (used for activation and ATM withdrawals).
- The second is your Web/Online PIN (used for online transactions – creating an account on gtpsecurecard.com/UBA/ for card-to-card transfers)
- Gently detach the card from the sheet without damaging the chip and sign the signature panel on the back – this is optional, though.
Step 7: Fund the Card to Activate It
The card typically needs initial funding to become active. You can fund it by:
- Transferring dollars from your UBA domiciliary account via internet banking or at the branch.
- Stay in the bank and buy dollar funds from a verified peer-assisted service (like fnfSwap) and have it loaded to your card without moving a finger – like the client below.
- Alternatively, locate BDC guys, negotiate a rate, buy it, go back to the bank, and fund before activating it.
Note: without doing this, the card can’t be fully activated and can’t be linked to PayPal. Otherwise, if you try to link it, you will get an error message from PayPal – see below.
Step 8: Start Using Your Card
Once funded and activated, you can use it on ATMs, POS terminals, and online for international transactions, linking, and withdrawals from PayPal.
A Client who funded, linked, & withdrew funds from his UBA Dollar Prepaid Card to the bank
Here is a client who funded and linked the card to a UK PayPal and made a withdrawal the same day.
Funding with fnfSwap – while still at the bank.
Linking to PayPal after activating at the bank
Withdrawing from PayPal to Card
Selling at fnfSwap for Naira
Receiving Naira to Bank
Want to withdraw and sell instantly? Get started here in minutes
Let’s continue…
What is the client identification number on the UBA prepaid card?
The “Client Identification Number” (CIN) on a UBA prepaid card typically refers to your customer ID number with the bank
It is a unique identity UBA assigns to you as a client, separate from the card number itself.
And how can you find it?
Option 1. On top of the A4 paper attached to your card – from the bank.
Option 2. Turn the back of your card, and you will see a 10-digit number – that is your client ID.
Important Things to Know Before and After Getting the Card
Funding Limitations
You can only fund the card directly from a UBA account using UBA’s digital channels (internet banking, card-to-card, mobile app for linked accounts) or at a branch. You cannot fund it via transfer from another bank’s USD account directly to the card.
Withdrawal Rules
- Cash-loaded funds (money you physically deposited and converted) can typically be withdrawn at a branch.
- Inflows like PayPal payments, foreign transfers, or PTA/BTA allocations are generally restricted to ATM withdrawals or online/POS spending; they can’t be cashed out over the counter in the same way – you can only do it using a facilitation service like fnfSwap Freelance.
Travel Notifications
If you’re traveling internationally – say to Dubai, the UK, or the US – it’s wise to notify UBA’s Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) beforehand.
This is a fraud-prevention measure, and failing to do so could result in your card being flagged or temporarily restricted while abroad. You can reach CFC via the contact details on UBA’s official channels.
Security and Compliance
The card operates under CBN regulations and Nigerian anti-money laundering laws.
UBA reserves the right to restrict, suspend, or cancel a card if there’s suspicion of fraudulent activity or false information on the application – so always ensure your details are accurate and your usage aligns with the card’s intended purpose.
Common Questions
Can I get this card without a UBA account?
Some branches may issue it to non-account holders, but funding and managing the card become significantly easier with an existing UBA account, particularly a domiciliary account.
How long is the card valid?
Three years from issuance, after which you’d need to apply for renewal or replacement.
Can I receive PayPal payments directly to this card?
The card itself isn’t a PayPal-linked account, but PayPal withdrawals routed through compatible channels can end up as spendable balance on the card, depending on your setup. If you’re unsure how to structure this, services that specialize in PayPal-to-Naira or PayPal-to-dollar-card conversions can help bridge that gap.
What if I need dollars loaded onto my card quickly and don’t have a domiciliary account funded yet?
This is a common situation for freelancers and digital earners. In such cases, working with a trusted peer-assisted exchange platform to convert your PayPal, USDT, or other digital earnings directly into a UBA card top-up can save you the back-and-forth of bank transfers.
FnfSwap freelance is your friend.
Is the UBA prepaid card for non-customers?
Yes, you can request, get, and use the card as a non-UBA customer.
