Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Expatriates in the UAE are increasingly turning to digital channels to send and receive money, with convenience and security cited as key drivers, according to Visa's Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report.
The survey found that 63% of respondents in the UAE send remittances digitally from physical locations, while 62% receive money the same way.
However, the trend is shifting steadily towards the use of mobile apps, according to Visa.
In the UAE, 64% of senders and 63% of receivers are moving more of their remittances to app-based channels over time.
The ease of use was the most common reason for the switch, cited by half of UAE respondents (50% for sending, and 52% for receiving), while nearly half pointed to safe, private and quick transactions (46% and 49%).
While more than a third of UAE respondents reported no issues with digital remittances (35% sending, 38% receiving), high fees remain a top concern.
Thirty-two per cent of senders and 27% of receivers cited cost as a pain point for digital transfers. Safety concerns for physical remittances (cash, cheque, money order) were low, with only 4% of senders and 6% of receivers noting it as a problem.
Additionally, 27% of UAE respondents said visiting a physical location to send money was inconvenient.
Statista predicts that the total remittances transaction value in the UAE is expected to see an annual growth rate of 16.91% resulting in a projected total amount of $6.59bn by 2030.
The report showed that 95% and 81% of those surveyed in the UAE send and receive remittances, respectively, at least once per year.
Forty-nine per cent of respondents said they send remittances for a general and specific humanitarian need, 48% for regular support, and 42% for unexpected expenses.
On the receiving end, 30% cited personal accounts or investments as the main purpose, followed by emergencies (28%).
This survey was conducted by Visa and Morning Consult in January 2025 on a sample of nearly 44,000 respondents across 20 countries, including North & Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific.
