Best Ways to Send Money to United Arab Emirates: Complete Guide
Need to send money to United Arab Emirates? You have several options, but they're not all created equal. In this comprehensive guide, we'll compare the best money transfer services, banks, and apps to help you find the cheapest and fastest way to send money to United Arab Emirates.
Quick Answer: Wise is Usually the Best Option
For most people sending money to United Arab Emirates, Wise offers the best combination of low fees, great exchange rates, and fast delivery. However, the best option depends on your specific needs, transfer amount, and payment method.
Top 5 Ways to Send Money to United Arab Emirates
1. Wise (Recommended)
- Fees: 0.4-2% of transfer amount
- Exchange rate: Mid-market rate (no markup)
- Speed: Usually within hours
- Best for: Most transfers, especially $500-$50,000
- Pros: Transparent fees, fast, excellent rates
- Cons: Not available for cash pickup
2. Traditional Banks
- Fees: $15-50 + 2-4% exchange rate markup
- Speed: 3-5 business days
- Best for: Very large transfers, existing bank customers
- Pros: Familiar, secure, good for large amounts
- Cons: Expensive, slow, poor exchange rates
3. Western Union
- Fees: $5-50 + 1-4% exchange rate markup
- Speed: Minutes to hours
- Best for: Cash pickup, recipients without bank accounts
- Pros: Worldwide network, cash options
- Cons: Expensive for bank transfers
4. MoneyGram
- Fees: $5-40 + 1-3% exchange rate markup
- Speed: Minutes to hours
- Best for: Cash pickup, small amounts
- Pros: Extensive agent network
- Cons: High fees for larger amounts
5. Remitly
- Fees: $3-25 + 1-3% exchange rate markup
- Speed: Minutes to days
- Best for: Regular remittances to family
- Pros: Good mobile app, promotional rates
- Cons: Limited to specific corridors
Cost Comparison: Sending $1,000 to United Arab Emirates
| Service | Total Cost | Recipient Gets | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | $8-15 | $985-992 | Hours |
| Bank Transfer | $45-85 | $915-955 | 3-5 days |
| Western Union | $25-45 | $955-975 | Minutes |
| MoneyGram | $20-40 | $960-980 | Minutes |
Factors to Consider When Choosing
Transfer Amount
- Small amounts ($50-500): Look for services with low fixed fees
- Medium amounts ($500-5,000): Wise usually offers the best value
- Large amounts ($5,000+): Compare percentage-based fees carefully
Recipient Needs
- Bank account: Wise, banks, or digital services
- Cash pickup: Western Union, MoneyGram
- Mobile wallet: Depends on the country
Speed Requirements
- Emergency (minutes): Western Union, MoneyGram
- Same day: Wise, Remitly
- No rush: Bank transfers (cheapest among traditional options)
How to Send Money to United Arab Emirates with Wise
- Create account: Sign up with email and verify identity
- Enter transfer details: Amount, recipient info, delivery method
- See the real cost: Transparent fees and exchange rate
- Pay for transfer: Bank transfer, debit card, or ACH
- Track your money: Real-time updates until delivery
Tips for Saving Money on Transfers to United Arab Emirates
- Compare total costs: Don't just look at fees, consider exchange rates
- Send larger amounts less frequently: Reduces per-transfer costs
- Use bank transfers to fund: Usually cheaper than cards
- Set up rate alerts: Send when exchange rates are favorable
- Avoid airport/hotel exchange: Terrible rates
Conclusion
For most people sending money to United Arab Emirates, Wise offers the best combination of low costs, transparency, and speed. However, if your recipient needs cash pickup or you're sending a very small amount, consider alternatives like Western Union or MoneyGram.
Ready to send money to United Arab Emirates? Compare exact costs and start your transfer with Wise →