Aani UAE — Instant Payments for Remittance
What Aani is, how it helps UAE residents fund their remittance wallets, which apps support it, and important security warnings.
What is Aani?
Aani is the UAE's domestic instant payment system, operated by Al Etihad Payments — a subsidiary of the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE). It was launched in October 2023 as part of the Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme.
Sources: Al Etihad Payments official communications, CBUAE FIT Programme announcements. Stats may be updated — verify at official sources.
How Aani Helps with Remittance
Aani cannot send money internationally — it is a domestic AED-only system. However, it can help with remittance in one important way:
Instant wallet top-up
Some UAE digital wallets (like Careem Pay and Payit) support Aani as a funding method. This means you can top up your wallet balance instantly using Aani, then use that wallet balance to send money internationally — all within minutes.
Without Aani support, topping up a digital wallet via bank transfer can take 1–2 business days. For workers who need to send money urgently on payday, Aani-enabled wallets offer a significant speed advantage.
Which Remittance Apps Support Aani
Information based on publicly announced integrations. Always verify directly with the provider — support may change.
| Provider | Aani Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Careem Pay | ✓ Aani-enabled | Top up wallet via Aani before international transfer |
| Payit (FAB) | ✓ Aani-enabled | Aani integration via FAB banking infrastructure |
| e& money | ✓ Aani-enabled | Aani support through e& financial services |
| LuLu Exchange app | ? Check with provider | Verify current Aani support directly with LuLu Exchange |
| Wise | ✗ Not yet | Use bank transfer or debit card for Wise top-up |
| Remitly | ✗ Not yet | Use card or bank transfer for Remitly funding |
Aani Security Warning
Social engineering scams using Aani have been reported in the UAE. Fraudsters use Aani's request-to-pay feature to send payment requests to victims, often disguised as legitimate merchants, employers, or government services.
- !Never approve an Aani payment request from an unknown sender
- !Legitimate employers do not collect payments via Aani request-to-pay
- !Be cautious of unsolicited WhatsApp messages linking to Aani payment pages
- !UAE Pass is sometimes impersonated in Aani scam flows — verify independently
- !If you receive an unexpected payment request, call the supposed sender directly using a number you already have
Report suspicious payment requests to the UAE Central Bank Consumer Protection Unit or to your bank's fraud hotline.
How to Use Aani for Your Transfer
- 1
Check if your remittance app supports Aani
Open Careem Pay, Payit, or e& money and look for the 'Add money' or 'Top up' section.
- 2
Select Aani as your top-up method
Choose Aani from the list of funding options. You'll need your Emirates ID and registered mobile number.
- 3
Enter the amount and confirm
Top up the amount you want to send internationally. The funds should appear in your wallet within seconds.
- 4
Start your international transfer
Use your now-funded wallet to initiate the international money transfer to your home country.
- 5
Always verify the rate before confirming
Exchange rates change. Check the rate you'll receive before confirming the transfer.
Aani vs International Remittance — Key Differences
| Feature | Aani | International Remittance |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Domestic UAE payments only | Cross-border transfers |
| Currency | AED only | AED to INR, PKR, PHP, BDT, etc. |
| Destination | UAE only | India, Pakistan, Philippines, and more |
| Speed | ~3 seconds | Minutes to days (varies by provider) |
| Used for remittance | Wallet top-up only (some apps) | The actual transfer abroad |
FAQ — Aani and Remittances
Does Aani charge a fee?
Aani transactions are typically free for retail users, though individual banks or financial apps may apply their own service charges. Check your app's fee schedule.
What is the maximum Aani transfer amount?
Up to AED 50,000 per transaction as of October 2023 launch documentation. This limit may be subject to change — verify at Al Etihad Payments (aletihad.ae) or with your bank.
Can I use Aani without a UAE bank account?
Some Aani-enabled digital wallets (like Careem Pay) don't require a traditional bank account. However, you'll still need to be a UAE resident with a verified Emirates ID.
Does remit.ae integrate with Aani?
No. remit.ae is an independent comparison platform only. We do not process payments, integrate with Aani, or move money of any kind.
What if my Aani transaction fails?
Contact your bank or the app's customer support. If funds were debited but didn't arrive, your bank must resolve the dispute. For unresolved issues, contact the CBUAE Consumer Protection Unit.
Related guides
Always verify directly with the provider before sending
remit.ae is a comparison platform — not a live rate feed or money transfer service. Rates and fees shown may be estimated or stale. Confirm these before transferring:
- Current exchange rate — rates change, always re-check just before sending
- Transfer fee and any hidden charges
- Exact recipient amount in their currency
- Payout method (bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet) availability
- Estimated delivery time for your corridor