The UAE–India remittance corridor is one of the highest-volume money transfer routes in the world. Every month, millions of Indian expatriates working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and other parts of the UAE send part of their earnings back to family in India. This guide covers everything you need to send money from UAE to India efficiently, affordably, and safely.
India receives more remittances than any other country in the world, and the UAE is consistently among the top two or three source countries. Estimates suggest that Indian workers in the UAE remit approximately $15–20 billion per year to India. This represents a significant portion of many Indian families' total household income, particularly in states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Rajasthan which have high levels of Gulf migration.
These are the two most widely used exchange houses in the UAE. With hundreds of branches across every emirate, they offer walk-in convenience and competitive rates. Many Indian workers use these services specifically because transactions can often be completed in minutes and the money arrives in the Indian bank account the same day or within a few hours. Both services offer online and app-based transfers as well.
For UAE-based individuals who want the closest rate to the mid-market benchmark, Wise offers excellent value. The platform is fully digital, regulated in multiple jurisdictions, and provides complete transparency on fees before you confirm a transfer. The main trade-off is that it may take a few hours longer than walk-in exchange house transfers.
Western Union has extensive reach in UAE and India. Transfers can be received as bank deposits or cash pickups at Western Union agent locations in India — useful for recipients who don't have bank accounts or who are in areas with limited banking access.
HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank operate representative offices and banking services in the UAE. For NRIs who hold NRE or NRO accounts with these banks, transfers can be seamless and may come with preferential rates. SBI also operates through its UAE subsidiary.
Major UAE banks like ADCB, Emirates NBD (ENBD), FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank), and RAKBANK offer international wire transfers. These are reliable but typically carry higher fees and wider exchange rate margins compared to specialist remittance services. Best suited for larger amounts where the bank relationship brings other benefits.
| Service | Rate Quality | Fee | Speed | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Exchange | Good | Low | Same day | Branch, App |
| Al Ansari Exchange | Good | Low | Same day | Branch, App |
| Wise | Best (mid-market) | Very low | Hours | App, Web |
| Western Union | Moderate | Low–Medium | Minutes | Branch, App |
| ADCB / ENBD | Average | Medium–High | 1–2 days | Branch, App |
Disclaimer: Rates and fees vary by provider. This guide is for educational reference only. RateRocket FX does not provide money transfer services.