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.
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 | Small percentage fee per transfer | Often within minutes to a few hours; some corridors take 1-2 business days | Mid-market exchange rate | Confirm fee and quote on wise.com | Visit |
| Revolut | Depends on plan (free tier and paid tiers available) | Often within minutes for supported currencies | Interbank rate on weekdays; small markup on weekends | Confirm fee and quote in the Revolut app | Visit |
| Bank wire transfer | Fixed fee plus possible intermediary fees | Typically 2 to 5 business days via SWIFT | Bank-specific exchange rate, often with a margin over mid-market | Check your bank's schedule of charges and the indicative recipient amount before confirming | |
| Licensed exchange houses (e.g., Al Ansari Exchange, LuLu Exchange, UAE Exchange) | Low or zero published fee on many corridors | Often same-day for cash pickup and instant credit on supported corridors | Margin over mid-market that varies by corridor and amount | Compare the quote against a fintech and your bank before sending large amounts |
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
- 1Compare the total cost (fee plus exchange-rate spread), not just the advertised fee.
- 2Check the recipient amount on at least two providers before sending.
- 3Confirm the recipient details exactly - corrections after sending can be slow and may incur fees.
- 4Verify the provider is licensed in your country before transferring large sums.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I compare the real cost of sending money from United Arab Emirates to Philippines?
- Look at the total amount the recipient receives, not just the headline fee. The full cost is the transfer fee plus the difference between the provider's exchange rate and the mid-market rate.
- Do I need to show ID to send money from United Arab Emirates?
- Yes. Remittance providers in the GCC are regulated and require valid identification and, for larger transfers, proof of source of funds. This is standard anti-money-laundering compliance.
- Is there a limit on how much I can send from United Arab Emirates to Philippines?
- Per-transaction and daily limits vary by provider and by your verification level. Check the provider's terms before initiating a large transfer.
- How do I verify that a provider is licensed in United Arab Emirates?
- Look the provider up on the Central Bank of the UAE - Licensed Financial Institutions. The link is in the Official sources section below.
Official sources
Verify any provider is licensed before sending money: Central Bank of the UAE - Licensed Financial Institutions.