UAE Exchange is an Abu Dhabi-based foreign exchange, global remittance, and bill payment company, established in 1980. The company has been at the forefront of money transfer services in the Middle East and Asia regions.
This review will take you through UAE Exchange’s exchange rates and fees, the kind of payments you can make, how to send and receive money, and how to utilise this money transfer service to get the best possible deal.
As of 2015, UAE Exchange had more than 9000 employees drawn from over 40 nationalities, giving a true reflection of the communities it serves. UAE Exchange handles over 6% of the global remittance payments, making it one of the largest money transfer companies in the world. As of 2018, UAE Exchange had a customer base totalling 15 million and a strong partnership comprising 140 reputable banking institutions.
India is a key market for UAE Exchange, accounting for more than 40% of its staff and offices. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra contribute close to 60% of the total inflows recorded by the company. Daily, UAE Exchange serves over 400,000 customers in its 839 branches located in 32 countries worldwide.
Throughout 2018, UAE Exchange facilitated the transfer of 128.9 billion dirhams, a 6% rise from the volume it processed in 2017. However, it is also important to note that online money transfers can only be made from the UAE to other countries. Customers in the other markets use UAE Exchange physical branches for international money transfers.
UAE Exchange is one of the most transparent money transfer companies for exchange rates and transfer fees. Through the transfer widget on the website, you can tell how much you’ll pay in fees and the rate at which your transfer will be converted. UAE Exchange online transfers can only be made from the UAE.
Much like other money transfer providers UAE Exchange makes some money off both transaction fees and exchange rate margins.
Exchange rates
On average, UAE Exchange charges anywhere between 0.05% and 1.5% in exchange rate margins. This will vary depending on your transfer, but below are three scenarios that give you an indication of what you can expect to pay.
You can also set an alert for your preferred rate on the transfer widget by clicking on the ‘Set Alert’ tab and inputting your contact details.
Fees
The provider charges a nominal fee ranging between AED 10 and 45 based on the destination, size of the transfer, and payout method. Again, here are three scenarios showing a sampled amount in fees UAE Exchange charges.
Sending money from the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan
Sending money from the United Arab Emirates to the Philippines
You need to check the pricing for every individual transfer before you put it through. The fees are fixed for any transfer range hence the larger the transfer size the lower the fees per unit of the amount sent.
All fees and margins are paid by the sender. However, any beneficiary-side charges like landing fees, SWIFT charges, and intermediary bank fees are paid by the recipient.
Additional costs
In its terms and conditions page, UAE Exchange makes it clear that there could be bank-end charges and foreign correspondent bank fees. The provider will deduct these charges from the transfer amount payable to the beneficiary, so it’s worth checking with your bank or other relevant institutions that could impose additional fees before making your transfer.
As a brand, UAE Exchange is synonymous with international money transfer not just in the Middle East but the world over. There are some specific attributes and features that make it particularly attractive to users, and also a few drawbacks that might mean you would want to look elsewhere to make your transfer.
UAE exchange allows its customers to use a variety of transfer payment and withdrawal options. This convenience gives the users the flexibility to transfer money to their recipients irrespective of their location.
When paying for your transfer, you can choose from any of the following methods:
UAE Exchange has simple, swift, and secure payout options that enable you to move money across geographies and currencies. There are three payout options available.
UAE Exchange has developed innovative and technology-led solutions to help you send and receive money hassle-free and enjoy savings in the process. Whether you are an individual or corporate client the provider has you covered.
There are two main phases to sending money with UAE Exchange. First, you have to sign up for an account and then initiate and pay for your transfer. To sign up for an account, you must be an Emirates resident aged 21 years old and above.
1. Account Signup
2. Making your Transfer
Bank and mobile wallet transfers are deposited directly into the recipient’s accounts. They can withdraw the money or spend it in whichever way they prefer. For cash payout, the recipient can collect the funds in cash from any Xpress Money agent cash pickup location in their country. The following information is needed to collect the money:
Yes, the provider launched its app in November 2017. The app is available on both Google Play and the App Store as a free download. Using the app, you can access the following services:
Currently, the app has a 2.4/5 rating on Google Play with a total of 1895 reviews and 3.1/5 on App Store with 417 reviews, so it is fair to say that UAE Exchange has a bit of work to bring its app up to the standards of some other providers.
Mobile wallet transfer and cash payouts are instant. Bank transfers take 2 to 3 days to be delivered. Currency routes with lots of intermediaries and correspondent banks may take an additional day to complete the transfer.
UAE Exchange has no minimum transfer amount but has daily, and monthly transaction limits as listed below:
UAE Exchange is one of the most well known and trusted companies in the money transfers space. It was established as a limited liability company in 1980 in the UAE by Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty and HE Abdulla Humaid Ali Al-Mazroei, a former UAE Minister for Justice. Initially, the company was offering demand draft services and later on in 2001 it launched Instant Cash ‘Xpress Money’ service.
The launch of online money transfer through the website and mobile app in 2017 was such a huge milestone for the provider. Customers could now transfer money with ease and convenience to various destinations worldwide. In April 2018, UAE Exchange was brought under Finablr, a London Stock Exchange-listed financial services holding company.
Apart from UAE Exchange, Finablr boasts of famous brands like Xpress Money, Remit2India, Travelex, Unimoni, Ditto and BayanPay.
Regulatory compliance
UAE Exchange is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as an Authorised Payment Institution in the UK under reference number 504329. It is also regulated by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
UAE Exchange holds 3 ISO certifications as summarised below:
Key industry partnerships
The provider has partnered with other money remittance services to expand its global reach and tap into third party innovations that propel its business. Here are some of the strategic partnerships:
The company has also partnered with over 140 reputable banks to serve as its transfer payout points
Encryption and customer data
The provider has put in place measures to ensure customer information in its custody is fully secured. The UAE Exchange platform is designed with innovative proprietary technology that incorporates the following:
Business Awards
UAE Exchange is an award-winning brand thanks to its innovative products, business excellence, customer service initiatives and corporate citizenship programmes. Among the top awards the company has bagged include:
On Trustpilot, UAE Exchange has a TrustScore of 4.8/5.0, one of the highest in the financial services industry. In total it has 13606 reviews, 12196 of which are rated 5-star. Customers have highlighted the following experiences with the provider:
Positive
Negative
As long as the transfer has not been paid out to the beneficiary, you can cancel it by sending an email to the customer service team. Cancellation charges and any exchange rate adjustments will be charged to the customer.
On its website, the provider has listed the following destination as the most frequented by its online transfer customers.
To get help with your transfer or a query you may have, you can use any of the following customer support platforms.
UAE Exchange is one of Finablr’s brands dedicated to offering money transfer, foreign exchange, and payment solutions to businesses and individuals. Since its founding in 1980, the company has championed financial services innovation in the Middle East and Asia. Currently, UAE Exchange has over 9000 employees drawn from over 40 nationalities.
In terms of geographical coverage, the provider has a total of 839 branches spread in 32 countries. Customers can send money online or at branches near them through cash pickup, bank transfers and mobile wallet transfers. Transfer payments can be made through net banking, wire transfer or online transfer.
However, while you can send money all around the world with UAE Exchange, you can only sign up for an online account and use the service via the internet if you live in the United Arab Emirates. If you’re based elsewhere then you’ll need to find another provider to use online services, but you can still send money by visiting UAE Exchange’s physical locations.
As an ISO certified and FCA regulated entity, UAE Exchange has gained trust among its customers. For instance, it has a TrustScore of 4.8/5 on Trustpilot, with more than 12,100 5-star reviews.
When shopping around for a credible online money transfer provider, UAE Exchange can be that one-stop-shop. However, it’s always good to compare the different providers available on your transfer route before committing. Our money transfer comparison tool can help you do a quick analysis to help you find the right provider for your needs.
April is a trained journalist and the Content Editor for MoneyTransfers.com. She has 10 years experience writing about a diverse range of subjects, from financial services to arts and entertainment. When she’s not writing about global remittances she can be found daydreaming about her next holiday abroad.
Wrost service provider uae exchange and the company in not good
Helo….can some one send me money from Dubia to Ajman using my passport???