Sending money home from Dubai: what are the options?

Al Ansari Exchange offers international transfers through its branches and mobile app. Depending on the destination and available partners, you can send to a bank account or arrange cash collection.

A branch can be useful if you prefer face-to-face assistance or want to pay in cash. Through the app, you can complete identity verification, add recipients and review supported payment methods. Confirm the rate, charges and delivery estimate before authorising each transfer.

LuLu Money is LuLu Exchange's digital platform for remittances and payments, alongside its branch services. Available routes can include bank deposits and cash pickup.

It is another option to compare for regular family payments or transfers to your own overseas account. Check the destination, funding method and payout options in the UAE app, as these can differ between countries.

Al Fardan Exchange provides international transfers through its branches and AlfaPay app, alongside Western Union services. Check which receiving banks or collection partners are available for your destination.

As with other exchange houses, compare the app and branch quotation where relevant. Promotional fees and exchange rates can change, so an offer you used previously may not apply to your next transfer.

Remitly supports transfers from the UAE through its app or website. Depending on the receiving country, options can include bank deposits, cash pickup and other supported delivery methods.

Set the sending country to the UAE, choose your destination and enter your transfer amount to see the available quotation. Check whether the displayed rate is a first-transfer promotion, and compare the regular rate if you intend to send money every month.

Taptap Send also supports sending from the UAE. Its published funding options include a connected bank account, eligible debit or salary cards, and its AED wallet.

Complete verification and select your destination to check the available payout methods, charges and limits. Follow the funding instructions inside your account carefully. Coverage and delivery arrangements depend on the receiving country, rather than being identical across every route.

e& money is a UAE digital wallet offering international transfers. Supported delivery methods include bank accounts, cash pickup and mobile wallets, depending on the destination.

Register, complete identity verification and add money using an available funding method. Before confirming, review the exchange rate, transfer fee, any funding charges and estimated arrival time. Check the exact destination and currency in the app rather than assuming every payout method is available everywhere.

du Pay offers international transfers to more than 200 countries, alongside bill payments and mobile recharges. Register using your mobile number and Emirates ID, complete verification and review the transfer options for your destination.

Its supported routes include bank and wallet arrangements, with availability varying by country. Compare the amount received and the full cost against other providers, including any conditions attached to promotional rates or fee waivers.

Your bank may already offer an international transfer service through its app or online banking. Options include Emirates NBD's DirectRemit, Mashreq's Quick Remit, Emirates Islamic's QuickRemit, ADCB's international transfers and HSBC's international payment services.

Fast remittance products cover particular destinations, currencies and receiving banks. If your payment doesn't qualify, the bank may offer a regular international or SWIFT transfer instead. Check which route you're using, because fees, processing times and possible intermediary-bank deductions can differ.

Bank transfers can be convenient for regular payments, larger amounts or moving savings between your own accounts. However, compare the exchange rate as well as the bank's transfer fee. A familiar banking app is not automatically the cheapest option.

For the UK, check how much GBP will reach the recipient's account. The provider may request their exact account name, sort code and account number, or an IBAN and SWIFT/BIC for certain transfer routes.

For European destinations, an IBAN is commonly required for bank deposits. Confirm the account's currency: sending euros to an account held in another currency may create an additional conversion.

For destinations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and elsewhere, requirements vary. You may need local bank-routing details, a registered mobile-wallet number or the recipient's identification details for cash collection. Choose the receiving country first and follow the provider's specific instructions.

Your nationality alone does not determine which service offers the best value. What matters most is the sending and receiving countries, currencies, payout method and provider eligibility requirements.

Expect identity verification, usually involving your Emirates ID and any additional information the provider requests. You'll also need the recipient's correct details and the purpose of the payment. Larger or unusual transfers may require supporting documents showing the source of funds.

Make sure the recipient's name matches their bank or identification records. For cash pickup, confirm the collection partner, location, opening hours and required reference number. For wallet payments, check the registered mobile number, wallet eligibility and receiving limits.

Compare providers at roughly the same time using the same total AED budget. If you have AED 2,000 available, check what each recipient would receive when your complete payment—including fees—is AED 2,000.

Review the exchange rate, transfer charge, funding cost, potential receiving-bank deductions and delivery estimate. If using a credit card, check whether your card issuer treats the payment as a cash advance or applies other charges.

A small difference matters when you send regularly. For example, if one quotation delivers £420 and another £428 for the same total AED payment, the second provides £8 more on that transfer. That is an illustration, not a live exchange-rate quotation.

Some transfers arrive quickly, while others take working days or require additional checks. Weekends, public holidays, bank cut-off times and cash-pickup opening hours can affect delivery. Allow extra time for a first transfer or an important payment deadline.

Use official apps, websites or branches, keep your receipt and tracking reference, and check with the recipient that the money arrived. Never share passwords or OTPs. If details are wrong, contact the provider immediately—a transfer may be difficult or impossible to recall once paid out.