Dubai has become a hugely popular UK expat work destination given the size of the financial services sector, which has attracted skilled immigration. Money flows from Dubai are predominantly composed of repatriated salary, but some money transfers flow the other way given the Emirate’s appeal as an investment holiday destination. To see the best way to transfer money from Dubai to UK, keep reading.
When converting the Emirati Dirham to Great British Pounds, there are no money transfer restrictions for sending money from Dubai to the UK. To stay in the know, you can see current exchange rates for AED to GBP right here on our site.
One-off payments | Regular payments | Great rates | Safeguarded customer funds
OFX (previously UKForex in the UK), provides secure and speedy international money transfers to over 300,000 people in 55 currencies at better-than-bank rates
Excellent exchange rates | No transfer fees | Thousands of 5 star reviews
Great exchange rates | Specialist services | No added fees, 24/7 transfers | Safe and secure
The currency of the United Arab Emirates is the UAE dirham, which also goes by AED. Since 1973, the AED has been in official circulation as the UAE currency, when it replaced a number of currencies found across the Emirati states. The currency is issued by the central bank of the UAE. Given the close connection between the health of the UAE economy and the price of oil, in turn, the price of oil has a significant impact on the value of the AED. For this reason, when traders are looking at when and how to send money from Dubai to UK, oil prices will be a key indicator.
The main reason for sending money from Dubai to UK is due to the growth of the tourism sector in the UAE, as well as the growing number of expatriate workers living and working in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Among the largest employers of UK workers in the UAE are the financial services sector and the airline industry.
As a growing sign of the closer ties between the UK and the UAE, the Dubai to London airline route has been known as one of the busiest in the region. For these reasons, more and more individuals are seeking out ways of sending money from Dubai to UK.
There are a number of prominent UK banks currently operating in the UAE. This includes the likes of Barclays, Standard Chartered, HSBC and RBS. Thankfully, the process of opening an account with any of these providers is typically quite straightforward. Individuals looking for the best way to send money from Dubai to UK have often chosen a simple bank transfer, which will usually give a good dirham to GBP exchange rate. To open an account and transfer money from UAE to UK with any of these banks, you will typically need a valid visa, proof of address and a valid passport.
Great rates | One-off payments | Regular transfers | E-Money Institution | No fees for FXcompared customers
Attracted by high salaries and low taxes, many UK professionals have chosen to move to Dubai. According to the British Business Group in Dubai, more than 120,000 British citizens live in Dubai as of 2020. This makes transferring money from Dubai to the UK a necessary exchange for a lot of people. To avoid paying hefty fees for these money transfers, see our trusted provider reviews.
Emirates, the flagship airline of Dubai has large numbers of flights between the UK and Dubai. Emirate Airlines is also a very prominent sponsor of sports as part of its efforts to promote Dubai.
First things first, there are some mandatory steps to take before you can move to Dubai, so be sure to get on top of them before making any decisions. For UK citizens planning to work in Dubai, they will require both a residence visa and ‘labour card’, which is essentially a work permit. Another non-negotiable, a medical examination will be required as part of the process.
The process usually looks like this: Residence visas are typically issued first, followed by the labour card which can also be used as an identity card. Although easy to renew, note that sponsored residence visas are only valid for three years. It’s advised for new residents to stay in Dubai and the wider Emirates for the first six months from moving there.
If you’re interested in moving to Dubai to retire, retirees can apply for a long-term visa of five years if they qualify, but will have to renew it after this period.
Purchasing property in Dubai can be a more tricky ordeal for expats. Only people who are UAE nationals or citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are allowed to purchase freehold property in Dubai.
This means that restrictions apply for UK nationals, who are only allowed to buy property in certain specified locations. With most expats renting, it is important to be aware that tenants must pay to the municipality an annual housing fee equivalent to 5% of the rent.
As for the Dubai property market, prices have been climbing in recent years, with 2022 seeing record-breaking sales for real estate. One of the most expensive cities, with ultra-high rental prices, Dubai is proving to be a popular location for high flying individuals and businesses.
For more information, you can visit our UAE money transfer guide here, or see our money transfer comparison to find the best money transfer providers for your AED to GBP exchanges.
Every UAE dirham is made up of 100 fuloos, which is plural for ‘fils’. Fils are used as a denomination in a number of Middle Eastern currencies, including those found in Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain.
All of the money transfer companies shown above are fully-regulated transfer services. This means they are completely safe to use from a customer’s perspective. Each of the above companies are fully authorised and licensed to operate in their respective regions.
Ultimately, the speed of delivery will depend on where the money is being sent to, where it is being sent from, and the method you use to send it. Sometimes, transactions can take as little as an afternoon to complete, however, in the majority of cases it will take around 2–3 days in total. Debit and credit card payments can sometimes allow for faster processing times.
To start the transfer process, you should first use the review table above to look at the comparison results. Use the criteria displayed above to help you decide on a provider with reference to price, speed and its overall rating. Once you have selected a provider, click the green button above to get taken through to the website. From there, register for an account, making sure to fully verify your identity before attempting any transactions.
The results displayed above are typically for bank to bank transfers, which is the most common method. Additionally, you might be able to transfer via cash, as well as debit or credit cards. Certain providers may also provide you with different options regarding how you want to receive the funds once processed. This could include cash, debit or credit card, as well as digital wallets.
It is important to note that the price displayed above may not always be the most accurate price. Most often, the reason for the fluctuation is simply due to the rise and fall of prices on the live currency markets. Prices may also change depending on the individual provider. Make sure to confirm the price you are offered before completing a transaction.
We welcome all suggestions for improvements. Send us an email at support@fxcompared.com.
All the providers listed are regulated by the relevant authority (e.g. the FCA in the UK, FinCEN in the US, ASIC in Australia) and have been vetted by FXcompared.
FXcompared.com is an fx money comparison site for international money transfer and to compare rates from currency brokers for sending money abroad. The website and the information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or advice on any financial service or transaction. None of the information presented is intended to form the basis for any investment decision, and no specific recommendations are intended. FXC Group Ltd and FX Compared Ltd does not provide any guarantees of any data from third parties listed on this website. FX compared Ltd expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from (i) any error, omission or inaccuracy in any such information or (ii) any action resulting therefrom.
