Compare Money Transfer Costs UAE 2026 | AED Rates & Fees

A clear guide to Aani, the UAE's instant payment system — what it does, what it cannot do, and how it relates to international money transfers.

Aani is the UAE's instant payment system, operated by Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank (CBUAE). It was launched in October 2023 under the UAE Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme.

What Aani is

Aani enables instant UAE-domestic payments in AED between UAE bank accounts. Key features:

Instant transfers between UAE bank accounts (under approximately 10 seconds).
Uses a mobile number as a payment proxy — no need to share your IBAN.
Supports request-to-pay, bill splitting, and QR code payments.
Maximum transaction limit: AED 50,000 (verify current limit at aletihad.ae).
AED only — domestic UAE payments only.

What Aani is NOT

Aani is a domestic payment system. It does not support cross-border or international transfers. You cannot use Aani to send money to India, Pakistan, Philippines, or any other country.

Aani is for UAE-to-UAE AED transfers only. It is not a substitute for an international remittance service, exchange house transfer, or SWIFT bank transfer.

What to use for international transfers from UAE

For sending money internationally from the UAE, you need a different service:

Exchange houses: Al Ansari Exchange, Lulu Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange — all offer international transfer services.
Digital remittance apps: Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, Western Union, MoneyGram — verify UAE availability.
UAE bank SWIFT transfers: Available from most UAE banks but typically with higher fees.

Check fees, exchange rates, and delivery times directly with the service provider before sending money internationally.

Source note: Aani information sourced from Al Etihad Payments (AEP) and CBUAE public announcements. remit.ae does not integrate with Aani and does not process Aani payments.

Frequently asked questions about aani uae: what it is and what it is not for remittance

Can I trust a company I found on remit.ae but never heard about before?

Provider availability, licensing, and regulatory status should be verified directly with the provider and relevant regulator where required.

Is it possible to send money with remit.ae, or are you just a comparison service?

remit.ae is an independent information platform, not a money transfer service. Once you identify a provider that fits your needs, visit their own website or app directly to set up and send your transfer.

How much does it typically cost to send money from the UAE?

Costs vary widely based on the provider, the amount sent, and the payment method. Check the final total cost — including any exchange-rate margin and flat fees — directly with the provider before sending.

What is the fastest option to send money from UAE?

Transfer speed depends on the provider, payment method, and recipient country. Many digital providers offer same-day or next-day delivery for some corridors. Verify expected delivery times with the provider before sending.