How to send money from the UAE to India, step by step

Step by step, how do I send money from the UAE to India for the first time, and what do I need? The question comes up often, and the answer splits into two parts: what you prepare before you start, and what happens during the transfer itself. Getting both parts right means the money arrives without delays, held transfers or mismatched name errors at the receiving bank.

The AED-to-INR corridor is one of the most active remittance routes globally, served by CBUAE-licensed exchange houses, UAE bank services and regulated apps. That competition is good for senders: rates and fees are generally sharper than on smaller corridors. The trade-off is that the number of providers can make it hard to know where to start. This guide covers the process from document preparation to money arriving in India, without comparing specific rates (those change daily; see the live comparison on our AED to INR corridor page).

What do you need before your first transfer?

Before you open an app or walk into an exchange house, collect three things: your identity document, your recipient's bank details and a funding method. Having all three ready avoids the most common reason first transfers stall.

Your Emirates ID. All CBUAE-licensed exchange houses and regulated apps require Emirates ID for identity verification. Some providers also accept a UAE residence visa page alongside a passport, but Emirates ID is the simplest and fastest document. If your Emirates ID is expired, renew it before attempting a first registration: most providers will not process an ID past its expiry date.

The recipient's bank details. For a standard bank transfer to India you need the recipient's full name as it appears on their bank account, their account number and the IFSC code for the specific branch where the account is held. The IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) is an 11-character alphanumeric code that identifies the bank and branch; it is printed on Indian chequebooks and bank passbooks. Getting this wrong is the most common cause of failed or delayed transfers. If the name on the transfer does not match the name on the Indian account, the receiving bank may hold the funds or return them.

UPI as an alternative. Some providers, particularly app-based ones, support UPI transfers to India. If the recipient has a UPI-enabled bank account, you can send to their UPI ID or their registered mobile number, which removes the need to know the account number and IFSC separately. Confirm that the provider supports UPI for AED-to-INR transfers before relying on this method.

Source of funds. For larger transfers, some providers request evidence of the source of funds, typically a recent salary slip, bank statement or employment letter. The threshold varies by provider and is set in line with their AML compliance requirements. You will usually know in advance if this is required; the provider's registration flow asks for it. For routine monthly remittances at typical amounts, you will not usually need it.

How do you choose and register with a provider?

The most important first check: confirm the provider is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. The CBUAE publishes a register of licensed exchange houses and money transfer operators at centralbank.ae. Using an unlicensed operator is a legal risk and offers no recourse if funds are lost. All exchange houses with physical branches in the UAE should appear on this list; most regulated apps operating in the UAE are also required to hold a CBUAE licence or operate under a licensed partner's authorisation.

The main provider types for UAE-to-India transfers are exchange houses, bank SWIFT transfers and remittance apps. Exchange houses such as Al Ansari Exchange, LuLu Exchange and Al Fardan Exchange have extensive branch networks and handle high volumes on the India corridor. Bank SWIFT transfers are available from your UAE bank but typically charge higher fees and take longer. Remittance apps complete the process entirely on your phone and can offer competitive rates, but require more initial setup for identity verification.

Registering with an exchange house. The first transfer to an exchange house branch requires you to be present with your Emirates ID. The cashier registers you in the system, takes a copy of your ID and may photograph you. This takes 5 to 10 minutes. On subsequent visits, your record is already on file and the transfer process is faster. Many exchange houses now also have apps that let you book a transfer and pay online, with the first registration requiring a one-time branch visit or a video KYC call.

Registering with an app. App-based providers complete identity verification digitally. You upload your Emirates ID front and back, take a short video selfie and wait for the KYC check to complete, which usually takes a few minutes to a few hours depending on the provider's systems. Once approved, transfers can be initiated entirely from the app. First transfers are often limited to a lower daily or monthly amount while the account is new; these limits typically increase after a short verification period.

For comparing live rates across providers on the India corridor, see our guide to getting the best AED-to-INR rate, which explains how to read an exchange rate quote and what to check beyond the headline number.

How do you set up the recipient correctly?

The recipient setup step is where most first-time transfer errors happen. Two details must be exact: the recipient's name and the bank routing details.

Name matching. Enter the recipient's name exactly as it appears on their Indian bank account: same spelling, same order of names, same title if any. Indian bank accounts opened in person require ID-matching names, which means the name may appear in a formal order different from daily usage. Ask the recipient to check their passbook or banking app for the exact registered name before you start. A mismatch between the beneficiary name on your transfer and the account name at the receiving bank is the single most common reason for transfers being placed on hold.

IFSC code accuracy. The IFSC identifies the specific bank branch, not just the bank. Each branch of a major Indian bank has its own IFSC. The 11-character code starts with four letters identifying the bank (for example, HDFC Bank uses HDFC, State Bank of India uses SBIN), followed by a zero and then six characters identifying the branch. The recipient can find their branch IFSC on their passbook, on the chequebook issued by the bank, or in their banking app under account details. Do not guess or modify the IFSC; an incorrect IFSC routes the transfer to the wrong branch and causes significant delays.

Saving beneficiaries. Once you have added a recipient correctly, most providers save the beneficiary details for future transfers. You confirm the name and account number, and subsequent transfers to the same person take seconds. Save the recipient after a successful first transfer so you do not re-enter the details manually for every remittance.

What happens between sending and arrival?

Once you confirm and fund the transfer, processing begins on the UAE side. The time to arrival in India depends on the method you used, the time of day and whether this is your first transfer with that provider.

Exchange house bank-to-bank transfers. For transfers initiated during UAE business hours, money typically arrives in the Indian bank account within the same business day or the next business day. The exchange house processes the AED, converts to INR, and routes through its correspondent banking relationship to the Indian receiving bank. Indian NEFT and RTGS settlement systems process in batches during Indian banking hours, which can add a few hours to apparent timing. A transfer sent late on Friday UAE time may not clear until Monday Indian time due to the Indian weekend and banking cut-off times.

App transfers. The AED-to-INR corridor is one of the most competitive and best-served for app providers. Transfer times for established app providers on this corridor are often same-day, and some advertise delivery in hours or minutes for amounts within standard limits. How long does a money transfer from Dubai actually take by each method? On the India corridor, the answer for apps is typically faster than exchange houses for small amounts, and comparable for medium amounts. The difference narrows as the amount grows and compliance checks become more involved.

SWIFT bank transfers. Transfers from your UAE bank account via SWIFT are slower and usually more expensive. Expect 1 to 3 business days and a flat transaction fee plus a possible correspondent bank charge on the Indian side. SWIFT is the least competitive option for routine India remittances; use it only if neither an exchange house nor an app works for your situation.

First-transfer delays. Your first transfer with any provider may take longer than stated, even for methods advertised as same-day. Providers run additional verification checks on new accounts, particularly for amounts above the minimum. This is normal. Save the transaction reference number given at confirmation: you will need it to track the transfer status or contact customer support if the money has not arrived within the expected window.

For the full provider comparison with current rates on the India corridor, see our money transfer comparison and the dedicated AED to INR corridor page. Rates and fees are snapshot figures captured with a date; always check live before sending.

Sources: CBUAE licensed exchange houses register at centralbank.ae. Provider transfer times and fee structures should be confirmed with each provider before sending. Money transfer in the UAE is regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. Last verified 22 June 2026. This article is information, not regulated financial advice; moneycompare.ae is not licensed by the CBUAE or the SCA to advise.

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