Who sends money from the UAE to India
Common senders: construction, hospitality, retail and domestic workers, salaried professionals, and families who split their budget between the Gulf and home.
About this corridor
UAE–India is one of the biggest remittance corridors in the world. Exchange houses and bank apps compete fiercely, and many deliver to Indian accounts within minutes over IMPS or UPI. NRIs in the UAE can choose between an NRE account (repatriable, tax-free interest in India) and an NRO account for income earned in India.
Worked example: sending 2,000 AED
Using the ExchangeRate-API rate on 2026-10-08, 1 AED = 26.3673 INR, our estimate model gives these results for sending 2,000 AED:
| Provider | Est. fee | Est. received | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 15.67 AED | 52,321.33 INR | 413.24 INR |
| Revolut | 6.00 AED | 52,313.49 INR | 421.09 INR |
| Remitly | 0.00 AED | 52,101.76 INR | 632.81 INR |
| Western Union | 18.36 AED | 51,205.39 INR | 1,529.18 INR |
| Bank wire (typical) | 73.45 AED | 49,527.95 INR | 3,206.63 INR |
In this example Wise delivers roughly 2,793.38 INR more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.
Sending to India: what to know
- Payout options: UPI, bank account (IFSC) and some cash pickup.
- Indian recipients usually get funds fastest via UPI or IMPS-enabled bank accounts.
- NRIs can receive into NRE or NRO accounts; NRE balances are repatriable.
Rules and limits
In the UAE: Banks and exchange houses that send money from the UAE are licensed and supervised by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). You need a valid Emirates ID to send, and the UAE does not tax outgoing personal remittances.
In India: Inward remittances to India fall under FEMA. Banks may ask the recipient for KYC or PAN on large amounts, and family support is commonly reported under purpose code P1301. India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS, USD 250,000 per financial year) limits money residents send out of India; it does not cap money sent into India.
How to pick the cheapest option
- Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
- Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
- Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from the UAE to India?
It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much INR each provider delivers for 2,000 AED; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.
How much more does a bank wire cost for 2,000 AED?
Using the reference rate on 2026-10-08, our model puts the gap at about 2,793.38 INR versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.
How can my recipient in India receive the money?
Common payout options are UPI, bank account (IFSC) and some cash pickup. Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.
How long does it take?
Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.
Sources
Official pages checked on