Sending Money Home from Dubai
Complete guide to international money transfers - compare services, save on fees, and get the best exchange rates for remittances from UAE.
6 min read • Updated December 2025
Quick Answer
Wise and Remitly offer the best overall value for most transfers with near mid-market exchange rates and low fees. For cash transfers to South Asia, Al Ansariand UAE Exchange are excellent choices. Bank transfers are safest for large amounts but have higher fees. Always compare total amount received, not just fees.
Ways to Send Money from UAE
Bank Transfer (SWIFT)
Speed
1-5 business days
Typical Fees
AED 50-150
Exchange Rate
Bank rates (2-4% markup)
Min Amount
AED 1,000+
Best For:
Large amounts, when security matters most
Exchange Houses
Speed
Same day - 1 day
Typical Fees
AED 0-25
Exchange Rate
Better than banks
Min Amount
AED 100+
Best For:
Cash to cash, popular corridors
Online Services (Wise, Remitly)
Speed
Minutes - 2 days
Typical Fees
AED 5-30
Exchange Rate
Best rates (mid-market)
Min Amount
AED 1+
Best For:
Best value for most transfers
Mobile Wallets
Speed
Instant
Typical Fees
AED 0-15
Exchange Rate
Varies
Min Amount
AED 1+
Best For:
Small amounts, same service users
Money Transfer Services Compared
| Service | Fee | Exchange Rate | Speed | Limit | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise (TransferWise) | AED 5-25 | Mid-market | 1-2 days | AED 200,000+ | Best overall value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Remitly | AED 0-15 | Very competitive | Minutes-1 day | AED 50,000 | Speed to Philippines, India | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Al Ansari Exchange | AED 0-20 | Competitive | Same day-1 day | High | Cash transfers, wide network | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| UAE Exchange | AED 0-25 | Competitive | Same day-1 day | High | India, Pakistan corridor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Western Union | AED 15-50 | Average | Minutes-1 day | AED 50,000 | Global reach, cash pickup | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bank Transfer | AED 50-150 | Bank rate (higher) | 1-5 days | Very high | Large amounts, mortgages | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Fees and rates vary by corridor and amount. Always compare at time of transfer.
Best Options by Destination Country
Different services excel for different countries. Here are recommendations by popular destination.
🌍 India
Largest expat group
💡 Compare rates daily as INR fluctuates. Consider timing around salary day when demand is high.
Avg Cost
AED 5-15 per transfer
🌍 Philippines
Large community
💡 Remitly often has promotions for first-time users. Cash pickup widely available.
Avg Cost
AED 0-10 per transfer
🌍 Pakistan
Significant community
💡 Exchange houses often offer better rates than online services for PKR.
Avg Cost
AED 5-20 per transfer
🌍 UK/Europe
Western expats
💡 Wise offers the best rates. Large amounts for property may need bank transfer.
Avg Cost
AED 10-30 per transfer
🌍 USA
Significant
💡 USD/AED peg means stable rates. Focus on fees rather than rate comparison.
Avg Cost
AED 10-25 per transfer
Major Exchange Houses in UAE
Licensed exchange houses offer competitive rates and are widely trusted for remittances.
Al Ansari Exchange
Branches
200+
App
Yes
Strengths
Largest network, competitive rates, trusted
UAE Exchange
Branches
120+
App
Yes
Strengths
Good India/Pakistan rates, wide reach
Al Fardan Exchange
Branches
40+
App
Yes
Strengths
Premium service, competitive rates
Travelex
Branches
25+
App
Yes
Strengths
Currency exchange, travel money
How to Save Money on Transfers
Compare rates before every transfer
Use comparison sites or check 3-4 services. Rates change daily.
Avoid airport and hotel exchanges
Rates at airports are worst. Exchange in city or use online services.
Transfer larger amounts less frequently
Instead of weekly AED 1,000, send monthly AED 4,000 and pay fees once.
Use mid-week for better rates
Weekends and month-end often have worse rates due to demand.
Set rate alerts
Services like Wise and XE offer rate alerts. Transfer when rate is good.
Consider a multi-currency account
Wise, Revolut allow holding multiple currencies.
Documents for Money Transfers
Emirates ID
AlwaysOriginal card for verification
Passport
SometimesMay be needed for large amounts
Proof of Income
Large transfersFor amounts over AED 35,000/month
Purpose Declaration
Large transfersRequired for high-value transfers
AML Regulations: UAE has strict anti-money laundering rules. Transfers over AED 35,000/month may require proof of income source. Large transfers for property may need additional documentation. Keep records of all transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most corridors, online services like Wise and Remitly offer the best value with low fees and competitive exchange rates. For cash transfers to South Asia, exchange houses like Al Ansari and UAE Exchange are competitive. Bank transfers are most expensive but necessary for very large amounts.
There are no official limits, but transfers over AED 35,000 per month may require additional documentation and reporting to Central Bank. Large transfers for property purchases may need to go through banks. Always check individual service limits.
Yes, licensed exchange houses are fully legal and regulated by the Central Bank of UAE. They are a legitimate and often cheaper alternative to bank transfers. Always use licensed establishments with physical locations.
Speed varies by method: Online services (Wise, Remitly) can be minutes to 2 days. Exchange houses typically same day to 1 day. Bank SWIFT transfers take 1-5 business days. Instant transfers are available for some corridors at premium fees.
Google shows the mid-market rate (wholesale rate). All services add a markup to make profit. The size of this markup varies - banks typically add 2-4%, exchange houses 1-2%, and services like Wise use near mid-market rates. Always compare the total amount received, not just the rate.
Yes, you can use exchange houses with cash. Some online services accept debit cards. However, having a UAE bank account gives you more options and often better rates for regular transfers.
Contact the service immediately. If money hasn't been deposited, they can often stop or redirect. Once deposited in wrong account, recovery is difficult and may require bank cooperation in receiving country. Always double-check account numbers.
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