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Wise
Rate 26.3205 · Fee free
You send
د.إ3,000
Recipient gets
₹78,962
₹610 more than the most expensive provider
Affiliate link · No extra cost to you
Quick answer: The cheapest way to send money from UAE to India in May 2026 is Wise, which delivers 78,961.64 INR on a 3,000 AED transfer with a fee of zero. According to SendMoneyCompare's comparison of 8 providers updated every 6 hours, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive provider on this corridor is 608 INR.
Last reviewed: by Awais Imran, Reviews Editor
Based on 54 days of data (2026-03-28 to 2026-05-20)
Sending د.إ3,000 from UAE to India. Sorted by best value — most money received.
Source: SendMoneyCompare · Data updated every 6 hours from live provider APIs
WiseBest value
26.3205
Free
₹78,961.64
26.1494
Free
₹78,448.24
25.7334
Free
₹77,200.27
25.6834
Free
₹77,050.19
26.2205
د.إ150.00
₹74,728.42
26.1362
د.إ1037.40
₹51,295.00
Potential savings: Choosing the best provider over the most expensive saves your recipient ₹608.19 on a د.إ3,000 transfer.
The UAE is home to over 3.5 million Indian expats, making it the largest source of India-bound remittances from the Middle East. The AED to INR corridor is one of the most competitive globally, with dozens of providers vying for market share.
Thanks to intense competition, the AED to INR corridor offers some of the tightest exchange rate spreads in the world. Many providers offer rates within 0.2–0.5% of the mid-market rate — significantly better than the 2–4% markups charged by traditional banks. For a AED 3,000 transfer, this difference can mean ₹1,500–₹3,000 more reaching your recipient. Providers like Wise, Remitly, and Al Ansari Exchange are well-established on this route, alongside regional players like UAE Exchange and Al Rostamani Exchange.
Exchange rate
26.3205
Fee
Free
Recipient gets
₹78,961.64
Speed
Instant to 2 days
With 3.5 million Indians living in the UAE, AED to INR is one of the world's largest remittance corridors. Competition is fierce between traditional exchange houses and digital providers, keeping margins tight and delivery speeds fast.
UAE exchange houses are trusted and convenient, but digital providers have closed the gap on AED to INR rates. A 5-minute comparison between your usual exchange house and Wise or Remitly often reveals AED 15–40 in savings per AED 1,000 transfer.
For recurring transfers, it is worth checking live quotes each time rather than relying on one provider by habit. Competition on this corridor is strong enough that rankings can shift meaningfully with market moves.
Different providers excel at different things. Here's who's best for each use case on the UAE to India route.
Cheapest transfer
Wise
Delivers the most INR for your money
Fastest transfer
Wise
Delivers in Instant to 2 days
Cash pickup
Remitly
Widest cash pickup network
Bank transfer
Wise
Best rate for bank deposit to India
Sending money to India is straightforward with the right provider. Here's how it works in 3 simple steps.
Choose how much AED you want to send, compare providers above, and pick the one offering the best INR amount for your transfer to India.
Enter your recipient's details in India — you'll need their bank account number. Most providers verify details instantly.
Pay using bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Track your money in real-time until it arrives — bank deposit (imps) typically takes minutes.
Make sure you have these details from your recipient before starting your transfer.
Full name
Recipient's name exactly as it appears on their bank account
Bank account number
Indian bank account number (9–18 digits depending on the bank)
Example: 50100002345678
IFSC code
11-character Indian Financial System Code identifying the specific bank branch
Example: HDFC0001234
Bank name & branch
Name of the bank and branch (e.g. HDFC Bank, Andheri West Branch)
Note: India does not use the IBAN system. Instead, you need the recipient's bank account number and IFSC code. The IFSC code uniquely identifies each bank branch and is printed on cheque books or available on the bank's website.
See how much your recipient would get for common transfer amounts.
Wise
26.32 · Instant to 2 days
TapTap Send
26.15 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Remitly
26.22 · Minutes to 3-5 days
Paysend
25.73 · 2 days
Skrill
25.68 · 0-0.2 days
CurrencyFair
26.14 · 1-6 days
Wise
26.32 · Instant to 2 days
TapTap Send
26.15 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Remitly
26.22 · Minutes to 3-5 days
Paysend
25.73 · 2 days
Skrill
25.68 · 0-0.2 days
CurrencyFair
26.14 · 1-6 days
Wise
26.32 · Instant to 2 days
Remitly
26.22 · Minutes to 3-5 days
TapTap Send
26.15 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
CurrencyFair
26.14 · 1-6 days
Paysend
25.73 · 2 days
Skrill
25.68 · 0-0.2 days
Transfer fees on the AED to INR corridor are among the lowest globally, ranging from AED 0 (Wise, Remitly) to AED 10–15 for exchange house transfers. Most specialist providers charge under AED 10. Traditional exchange houses may offer zero fees but compensate with slightly wider exchange rate spreads. Always compare the total INR received, not just the fee.
The true cost of a money transfer has two components:
Transfer fee
The upfront charge — typically د.إ0–د.إ10 with specialist providers.
Exchange rate markup
The hidden cost — the difference between the provider's rate and the mid-market rate (26.3284).
Choose how you want to pay for your transfer. Each payment method has different costs and speeds.
IMPS is the preferred delivery method for speed and convenience — it works 24/7 and reaches virtually every bank account in India. For recipients in rural areas, cash pickup through Western Union or MoneyGram agent networks remains important.
Speed: 1–3 business days
Usually the cheapest option — lowest fees and no card processing charges
Speed: Minutes to hours
Fast and convenient — small card processing fee applies
Speed: Minutes to hours
Fastest option but highest fees — card issuer may charge cash advance fee
Speed: Minutes to hours
Convenient mobile payment — linked card fees apply
Speed: Minutes to hours
Convenient mobile payment — linked card fees apply
Your recipient in India can receive money through these delivery methods. The best option depends on their location and preferences.
Instant transfer via India's IMPS system to any bank account. Available 24/7 including weekends and holidays.
Transfer via NEFT during banking hours. Settles in batches throughout the day.
Direct transfer to UPI-linked bank accounts. Growing in popularity for remittances.
Recipient collects cash from agent locations across India — available through banking correspondents and retail partners.
Transfer to Paytm or other digital wallets. Useful when the recipient prefers digital payment over bank deposit.
Important rules and requirements to know before sending money to India.
Regulatory body
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Inbound transfer limits
No cap on inbound remittances under RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) — LRS limits only apply to outbound transfers from India
Documentation you may need
Bank deposits to India via NEFT/IMPS typically arrive within hours to 1 business day. Several providers offer instant delivery to major Indian banks through UPI or IMPS. Cash pickup is widely available through Western Union and MoneyGram agent networks in India.
These are the most commonly used banks for receiving international transfers in India.
State Bank of India (SBI)
SBININBBXXX
HDFC Bank
HABORINBXXX
ICICI Bank
ABORINBBXXX
Axis Bank
AXISINBBXXX
Punjab National Bank (PNB)
PUNBINBBXXX
Kotak Mahindra Bank
ABORINBKXXX
Bank of Baroda
BARBINBBXXX
Canara Bank
ABORINBBXXX
Daily best exchange rates from top providers over the last 54 days. Rates shown are for sending $100.
| Date | CurrencyFair | Paysend | Remitly | TapTap Send | Wise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trend | |||||
| May 20 | 26.1750 | 25.7715 | 26.2200 | 26.1500 | 26.3208✓ |
| May 19 | 26.0412 | 25.6290 | 26.1600 | 26.0000 | 26.2567✓ |
| May 18 | 26.0072 | 25.6051 | 26.0600 | 25.9500 | 26.1323✓ |
| May 17 | 25.9326 | 25.5332 | 26.0600 | 25.9500 | 26.1365✓ |
| May 16 | 25.9326 | 25.5342 | 26.0600 | 25.9500 | 26.1365✓ |
| May 15 | 25.8618 | 25.4821 | 26.0000 | 25.9500 | 26.0762✓ |
| May 14 | 25.8618 | 25.4821 | 26.1800✓ | 25.9500 | 26.0730 |
| May 13 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.5000 | 26.0391✓ |
| May 12 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.5000 | 25.9525✓ |
| May 11 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.5000 | 25.7140✓ |
| May 10 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.5000 | 25.7116✓ |
| May 9 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.5000 | 25.7116✓ |
| May 8 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.5000 | 25.6647✓ |
| May 7 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.6500 | 25.7610✓ |
| May 6 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.8500 | 25.8771✓ |
| May 5 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.7500 | 25.9223✓ |
| May 4 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.7000 | 25.8040✓ |
| May 3 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.7800 | 25.8041✓ |
| May 2 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.7800 | 25.8041✓ |
| May 1 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.7800 | 25.8392✓ |
| Apr 30 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.7000 | 25.8586✓ |
| Apr 29 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.6500 | 25.7579✓ |
| Apr 28 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.5800 | 25.6644✓ |
| Apr 27 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.6000 | 25.6391✓ |
| Apr 26 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.6000 | 25.6146 |
| Apr 25 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.6000 | 25.6146 |
| Apr 24 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.5000 | 25.6607✓ |
| Apr 23 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.5000 | 25.5629 |
| Apr 22 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.3000 | 25.4840 |
| Apr 21 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.3000 | 25.3377 |
| Apr 20 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2000 | 25.2304 |
| Apr 19 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2000 | 25.2118 |
| Apr 18 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2000 | 25.2118 |
| Apr 17 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.3500 | 25.3187 |
| Apr 16 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.3000 | 25.4037 |
| Apr 15 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2000 | 25.3544 |
| Apr 14 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.3500 | 25.3861 |
| Apr 13 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2000 | 25.3638 |
| Apr 12 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2500 | 25.3425 |
| Apr 11 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2500 | 25.3425 |
| Apr 10 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2000 | 25.2090 |
| Apr 9 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.1000 | 25.2108 |
| Apr 8 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2800 | 25.2067 |
| Apr 7 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2500 | 25.2909 |
| Apr 6 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2500 | 25.3366 |
| Apr 5 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2000 | 25.2392 |
| Apr 4 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2000 | 25.2392 |
| Apr 3 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2500 | 25.2396 |
| Apr 2 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.2500 | 25.3139 |
| Apr 1 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.4000 | 25.2714 |
| Mar 31 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200✓ | 25.5500 | 25.4830 |
| Mar 30 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.6500 | 25.6925✓ |
| Mar 29 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.7000 | 25.7909✓ |
| Mar 28 | 25.3312 | 24.8276 | 25.6200 | 25.6000 | 25.7769✓ |
Wise and Remitly consistently offer the best total value for AED to INR transfers. Wise uses the mid-market rate with a small transparent fee, while Remitly frequently offers promotional rates for new users. Al Ansari Exchange and UAE Exchange are also competitive and convenient with branches across the UAE.
Most transfers arrive within hours to 1 business day. IMPS and UPI-enabled transfers can arrive in minutes. Cash pickup through Western Union or MoneyGram is often available within minutes at agent locations across India.
Some providers now support UPI as a delivery method in India, enabling near-instant transfers. Remitly and select providers offer UPI-linked delivery. Check each provider's delivery options when comparing.
Online providers like Wise and Remitly typically offer better exchange rates than physical exchange houses due to lower overhead costs. However, exchange houses like Al Ansari and UAE Exchange offer convenience with walk-in branches. Compare the total INR received to find the best deal.
Most providers allow transfers up to AED 35,000–50,000 per transaction. The Central Bank of UAE requires identity verification for transfers above AED 3,500. India does not restrict inbound remittances, but amounts equivalent to over ₹50 lakh may require disclosure under FEMA regulations.
Everything about sending money to India
Recipient requirements, delivery methods, regulations, popular banks, and more.
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