Page 156 - AAE PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2025

9/15/25, 3:45 PM UAE expats increasingly drive shift to digital remittances | Khaleej Times

Salima Gutieva Visa VP and Country Manager for UAE

Industry analysts note that the pandemic accelerated digital adoption, as mobility restrictions forced
consumers to experiment with online transfers. Once tested, many users discovered digital channels
to be faster, safer, and often cheaper. However, high transaction fees remain a persistent barrier.
Visa’s survey found that 32 per cent of respondents in the UAE cited high costs as the main pain
point when sending money, while 27 per cent pointed to fees on the receiving end.

“The remittance market is highly price-sensitive, especially in the UAE where millions of blue-collar
workers send small sums home each month,” said a Dubai-based payments consultant. “Digital

platforms have improved transparency and speed, but unless fees are reduced further, many still
prefer traditional exchange houses for certain corridors.”

“As the digital shift accelerates, competition between traditional exchange houses and fintechs is
intensifying. For now, the clear winner appears to be consumers, who have more options than ever to
move money quickly, safely, and seamlessly across borders,” said Sajith Kumar P.K, group CEO &
managing director of IBMC Financial Professionals Group.

The shift towards digital remittances in the UAE mirrors a global trend. The World Bank estimates
that digital remittances will account for nearly half of global flows by 2030, up from about 35 per cent

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