How to Send Money to Nepal From the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)
Working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah? You have two good routes to send dirhams home to Nepal — exchange houses and remittance apps. Here is how they compare, and how to get the most rupees per dirham.
- You can send from the UAE via exchange houses (Al Ansari, Lulu Exchange, Al Fardan and others) or apps — Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, and app-first services where available.
- UAE exchange-house counters are unusually competitive on AED→NPR rates — always get their quote before assuming an app is cheaper.
- Compare the received NPR, not the fee — a रू 1-per-AED difference on AED 3,000 is roughly रू 3,000.
- Family receives by bank deposit (best), wallet (eSewa/IME Pay), or cash pickup — see the receive guide.
Your two main routes from the UAE
The UAE–Nepal corridor is one of the busiest remittance routes in the world, and that competition works in your favour. You can send through:
- Exchange houses — Al Ansari Exchange, Lulu Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange, GCC Exchange and similar licensed counters found in nearly every mall and workers' area. Walk in with cash or a card, or increasingly use their own apps.
- Remittance apps and networks — Western Union and MoneyGram (both with wide UAE presence), Ria, and app-first services that support the UAE corridor. Availability changes, so check which apps currently send AED→NPR from your phone.
Both routes deliver to the same receive network in Nepal — banks, wallets and cash-pickup counters like IME Remit and Prabhu.
Exchange house vs app: which gives more rupees?
Unlike the US or UK corridors where apps usually win, UAE exchange houses are often genuinely competitive — high volumes and heavy competition keep their AED→NPR margins thin, and many run Nepal-specific promotions around festivals. The honest method: get the counter's quoted NPR amount for your dirhams, compare it against two apps, and send with whoever delivers the most rupees. The ranking genuinely changes week to week.
What you need to send from the UAE
- Emirates ID (and sometimes your passport for larger amounts) — transfers must be in your own name.
- The recipient's details: name exactly as on their Nepali ID, and their bank account number or wallet — or just the name for cash pickup.
- For app transfers: a UAE bank account or card to fund from.
AED to NPR: reading the rate
The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so the AED→NPR rate moves with USD→NPR. Check the official reference on the NRB forex page — the gap between that reference and the rate you're quoted is the provider's margin. One rupee of margin per dirham on a typical AED 2,000–3,000 monthly transfer is रू 2,000–3,000 lost — more than any fee.
Avoid hundi — especially in the Gulf
Informal hundi agents are common in Gulf labour communities and sometimes quote tempting rates. Don't. It's illegal on both ends, there is zero recourse if the money vanishes, and formal-channel remittance is what qualifies your family for remittance-linked savings and FD accounts that several Nepali banks pay premium interest on — see the live FD table.
On the Nepal side
Money sent from the UAE arrives the same three ways as any remittance: direct bank deposit (best rate, immediately earns interest), wallets like eSewa or IME Pay, or cash pickup at thousands of counters. The full walkthrough — documents, control numbers, tax — is in our guide to receiving money in Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to send money from UAE to Nepal?
Compare a licensed exchange house (Al Ansari, Lulu, Al Fardan) against remittance apps like Western Union, MoneyGram or Ria for your exact amount. UAE counters are often very competitive on AED to NPR rates, so neither route always wins — send with whoever delivers the most rupees that week.
Which exchange house is best for Nepal in Dubai?
Al Ansari Exchange, Lulu Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange and GCC Exchange all serve the Nepal corridor with competitive rates and festival promotions. Rates vary day to day, so quote two or three counters (or their apps) for your amount before sending.
What documents do I need to send money from UAE to Nepal?
Your Emirates ID (plus passport for larger amounts), and the recipient's name exactly as on their Nepali ID along with their bank account, wallet, or just the name for cash pickup. Transfers must be sent in your own name through licensed channels.
How does my family receive money sent from UAE?
Three ways: direct deposit into a Nepali bank account (best rate, can earn interest immediately), into wallets like eSewa or IME Pay, or as cash pickup at IME Remit, Prabhu and bank counters using their ID and the transaction reference number.
Is hundi from UAE to Nepal safe?
No. Hundi is illegal in both the UAE and Nepal, offers no protection if the money disappears, and the recipient loses access to remittance-linked bank benefits. Licensed exchange houses and apps are competitive enough that hundi rarely even saves money.
Before you send: compare every option in the remittance apps guide, check the live corridor comparison and today's NRB exchange rates — and help the money earn at home with the best FD and savings rates.