According to a recent Visa report, nearly two-thirds of individuals in the UAE now favor using digital platforms for sending remittances instead of visiting physical locations.
This insight was shared on Wednesday as part of Visa’s Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report. The study revealed that 50% of participants noted the convenience of use as a key factor for choosing digital applications, while 46% highlighted security, privacy, and quicker transactions as their primary concerns.
The UAE ranks as the third-largest remittance sender globally
Remittances play a crucial role in providing financial support to families far away, with 49% of people sending money to address humanitarian or familial needs, 48% offering regular assistance to relatives, and 42% helping with unforeseen expenses. A significant 95% of participants indicated they send remittances at least once each year.
The UAE stands as the third-largest country for remittance outflows, with transaction values anticipated to rise at an annual rate of 16.91%, potentially hitting $6.59 billion by 2030, based on Statista data.
Despite the uptick in digital usage, high transaction fees pose an issue, with 32% of respondents identifying them as a concern when sending money and 27% when receiving.
“Digital payments are becoming increasingly essential for individuals in the UAE as they support family members and communities globally,” says Salima Gutieva, Visa’s Vice President and country manager for the UAE.
“As a significant center for remittances worldwide, the UAE is vital in facilitating these transfers, and Visa is collaborating with partners to provide more efficient, faster, and secure methods for international money transfers.”
Visa is partnering with financial institutions within the UAE to broaden the range of international money transfer options, notably through its Visa Direct service, which allows real-time transactions to eligible cards, bank accounts, and digital wallets globally.
Additionally, the company recently introduced Visa+, which enables international transfers using only a mobile number.
Remittance trends in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, Visa’s research indicated that 59% of individuals now prefer digital applications for sending money, citing safety, privacy, and speed as important factors for 47% of respondents, followed by ease of use at 43%.
Trust in digital methods is rising, with 43% of participants stating that confidence is a reason they choose these apps, representing a six-point increase since 2024.
The survey also revealed that 93% of users send money at least annually, with expatriate remittances from Saudi Arabia reaching SR144 billion in 2024, marking the highest figure since 2021.
High fees continue to be a barrier, with 29% of respondents citing this issue when sending money and 33% when receiving.
This survey, which Visa conducted in collaboration with Morning Consult from January 2 to January 30, 2025, comprised nearly 44,000 remittance senders and receivers across 20 countries, including those in the Middle East.