This page summarises options for sending money from United Arab Emirates to Philippines and links the relevant regulator. Always compare the recipient amount and exchange rate on each provider's own site before sending - rates and fees change.
Editor's note
Outbound remittances from the UAE are regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), which licenses and supervises exchange houses and money transfer operators. Senders should use only CBUAE-licensed providers. Transfers are also subject to UAE anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks administered by the CBUAE and the UAE's Financial Intelligence Unit.
Providers we have referenced for United Arab Emirates to Philippines
Pricing changes. Confirm the current fee, exchange rate, and recipient amount on each provider's own site.
| Provider | Fee | Speed | Exchange rate | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Wise charges a small percentage-based fee plus a fixed fee per transfer. See wise.com for the current fee breakdown before sending. | Transfers typically arrive within hours, though some may take up to two business days depending on the payment method used. | Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and displays the AED to PHP rate transparently before you confirm the transfer. | Wise is not licensed as a money exchange in the UAE but operates under applicable fintech regulations. Verify current licensing status on the Wise website or with the CBUAE before use. | |
| Revolut | Fees vary depending on your Revolut plan tier and the amount sent. Free plan users may incur a percentage fee above a monthly threshold. Check revolut.com for current UAE-specific pricing. | Most transfers reach Philippine bank accounts within one to three business days. | Revolut offers competitive exchange rates on weekdays. A markup may apply on weekends. Confirm the displayed rate before confirming the transaction. | Revolut's availability and full feature set in the UAE may differ from other markets. Confirm that your account supports AED-to-PHP transfers via the app before initiating. | |
| Al Ansari Exchange | Fees depend on the transfer amount and destination payout method. In-branch and app rates may differ. Confirm the fee at the point of transaction. | Cash pickup transfers to the Philippines can be available within minutes through partner networks. Bank deposits may take one to two business days. | Al Ansari sets its own AED to PHP buying rate. This will differ from the mid-market rate. The rate is displayed before you confirm. | Al Ansari Exchange is regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and has a wide branch network across the UAE, making it accessible for cash-based senders. | |
| UAE Exchange (now part of Finablr / LuLu Financial Group - verify current status) | Fee structures vary by transfer amount and payout type. Check the current operator's official website or visit a branch for confirmed fees. | Cash pickup options to the Philippines have historically been processed quickly. Bank credit timelines vary. | The exchange rate applied will include a margin over the interbank rate. Confirm the displayed rate and recipient amount before completing any transfer. | The UAE Exchange brand has undergone corporate changes. Confirm the operating entity and its CBUAE licensing status before sending funds. | |
| LuLu Exchange | Transaction fees depend on the amount and transfer method. Confirm the fee schedule at the branch or via the LuLu Exchange app. | Transfers to major Philippine banks and cash pickup partners are generally processed on the same day or the next business day. | LuLu Exchange applies its own AED to PHP rate. The rate is shown before you confirm the transaction. | LuLu Exchange is licensed by the CBUAE and operates a large branch network across the UAE with dedicated Filipino customer service support at many locations. | |
| Bank wire (UAE bank to Philippine bank) | UAE banks typically charge a fixed outward remittance fee plus a SWIFT or correspondent bank fee. Receiving banks in the Philippines may also deduct a fee on arrival. Check with your specific bank for its published schedule of charges. | International bank wires generally take two to five business days. Processing times vary between banks and correspondent networks. | Banks apply their own AED to PHP conversion rate, which includes a margin over the interbank rate. The rate is disclosed at the time of the transaction. | Bank transfers are suitable for larger amounts or where the recipient requires a direct bank credit. Some UAE banks offer preferential remittance packages for salary account holders. Confirm SWIFT codes and recipient account details carefully before sending. | |
| Western Union | Fees vary by send amount, transfer method, and payout option in the Philippines. The full fee is displayed before you confirm on westernunion.com or at an agent location. | Cash pickup transfers can be available within minutes at Western Union agent locations in the Philippines. Bank account transfers take longer. | Western Union sets its own exchange rate, which includes a margin. The total amount the recipient will receive in PHP is displayed before you confirm. | Western Union has an extensive agent network in the Philippines, including rural areas. This can be useful when sending to recipients without bank accounts. | |
| Pyypl | Pyypl publishes its fees within the app at the time of the transaction. Confirm the current fee structure on pyypl.com or in the app. | Transfer times to Philippine accounts vary. Check the app for the estimated delivery time before confirming. | The exchange rate applied is shown in the app before you confirm. Compare the displayed PHP amount against your expectations before sending. | Pyypl is a UAE-based digital wallet with a growing presence in the GCC remittance market. Verify its current licensing with the CBUAE and supported Philippine payout methods before use. |
The general process
- Choose a provider that is licensed in United Arab Emirates and serves the Philippines corridor.
- Open and verify an account. You will typically need a valid government-issued ID and proof of address.
- Enter the transfer details. Recipient name must match their bank account exactly, with the correct account number or IBAN.
- Check the total cost. Compare the recipient amount and exchange rate against at least one other provider.
- Fund the transfer using a method the provider supports.
- Confirm delivery. Keep the reference number; it helps if you need to query the transfer with either provider.
The real cost of a transfer
A "low fee" is not always the same as a low cost. The total cost of a transfer is the explicit fee plus any markup between the provider's exchange rate and the mid-market rate (the rate you see on Google or Reuters). The clearest way to compare providers is to look at the amount the recipient actually receives in PHP for a given amount of AED.
Total cost = transfer fee + (mid-market rate − provider rate) x amount
Worked example
Suppose you want to send 10,000 AED to Philippines. Two providers, two structures:
| Item | Provider A | Provider B |
|---|---|---|
| Headline fee | 30 AED | 0 AED |
| Exchange-rate margin | 0% (mid-market) | 1.5% |
| Hidden FX cost on 10,000 | 0 AED | 150 AED |
| Total cost | 30 AED | 150 AED |
The "zero fee" option costs five times as much in this example because the FX margin is hidden inside the rate. The numbers above are illustrative - real margins and fees vary by provider and corridor. Always check the recipient amount on the provider's own quote screen before sending.
Tips
- 1Always compare the total amount the recipient will receive in PHP, not just the headline exchange rate or fee in isolation. A low fee with an unfavourable rate can result in the recipient getting less.
- 2Transfers above certain thresholds may require additional documentation under UAE anti-money laundering rules overseen by the CBUAE. Keep records of your transfer receipts and source of funds.
- 3Philippine recipients may be subject to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rules on incoming remittances. Large transfers may need to be reported by the receiving bank in the Philippines.
- 4If sending cash at an exchange house, bring your Emirates ID and check whether the operator requires additional documents for larger amounts.
- 5Exchange rates change throughout the day. If the amount matters, confirm the live rate immediately before completing your transaction rather than using a rate quoted earlier.
- 6Some Philippine banks apply their own conversion or receiving fee on top of what the UAE sender pays. Ask your recipient to check with their bank whether additional charges apply on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a limit on how much money I can send from the UAE to the Philippines?
- The UAE does not publish a single universal cap for personal remittances, but individual exchange houses and banks set their own transaction and daily limits. Larger transfers may require documentation such as proof of income or source of funds. Check with your chosen provider for its specific limits.
- Do I need an Emirates ID to send money from the UAE to the Philippines?
- Yes. UAE-based exchange houses and banks are required to verify your identity before processing transfers. An Emirates ID is the standard document required. Some providers may accept a valid passport for certain transaction types. Confirm requirements with the provider before visiting.
- How long does a transfer from the UAE to the Philippines take?
- Timing depends on the provider and payout method. Cash pickup transfers can be available within minutes at some operators. Bank account transfers typically take one to three business days, though bank wire transfers can take up to five business days depending on the correspondent banking route.
- What information do I need to send a bank transfer to a Philippine bank account?
- You will generally need the recipient's full name as it appears on their bank account, their bank account number, the bank's name, branch, and address, and the bank's SWIFT code. Some Philippine banks also use a routing number. Confirm the exact details with your recipient before sending.
- Are there taxes on money sent from the UAE to the Philippines?
- The UAE does not impose a tax on outbound remittances. In the Philippines, personal remittances received from overseas workers are generally not subject to Philippine income tax, but tax rules can depend on individual circumstances. Recipients should confirm their position with a tax adviser or the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines.
- What exchange rate will I get when sending AED to PHP?
- Each provider sets its own AED to PHP exchange rate. This rate will differ from the interbank or mid-market rate and typically includes the provider's margin. The actual rate is disclosed at the point of transaction. Always confirm the total PHP amount the recipient will receive before you confirm the transfer.
- Can I send money to a GCash or other Philippine e-wallet from the UAE?
- Some providers offer payouts directly to Philippine e-wallets such as GCash. Availability depends on the specific provider and its partnerships in the Philippines. Check the payout options listed on your chosen provider's platform before initiating a transfer.
Official sources
Verify any provider is licensed before sending money: Central Bank of the UAE - Licensed Financial Institutions.