Shift to digital apps for remittances grows in UAE, Saudi Arabia, shows report

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Nearly two in three people in the UAEs now prefer sending remittances through digital applications rather than physical locations, according to a new report by Visa.

The findings, released on Wednesday as part of Visa’s Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report, show that 50 per vent of respondents cited ease of use as a reason for adopting digital apps, while 46 per cent pointed to safety, privacy and faster transactions.

The UAE is the world’s third-largest sender of remittances

Remittances remain central to how people in the UAE support families abroad, with 49 per cent sending money for humanitarian or family needs, 48 per cent providing regular support for loved ones and 42 per cent covering unexpected expenses. Some 95 per cent of respondents said they send remittances at least once a year.

The UAE is the world’s third-largest sender of remittances, with transaction values projected to grow at an annual rate of 16.91 per cent to reach $6.59bn by 2030, according to Statista.

Despite growing digital adoption, high fees remain a sticking point, with 32 per cent of respondents citing them as a pain point when sending money and 27 per cent when receiving.

“For people in the UAE, digital payments are increasingly central to how they provide support to their families and communities around the world,” said Salima Gutieva, Visa’s VP and country manager for the UAE.

“As one of the world’s largest remittance hubs, the UAE plays a critical role in enabling these flows, and Visa is bringing new ways – in partnership with our clients – to meet the local demand for simpler, faster and more secure ways to transfer money internationally.”

Visa said it is working with financial institution partners in the UAE to expand international money transfer options. Its Visa Direct service enables real-time transfers to eligible cards, bank accounts and digital wallets globally.

The company recently launched Visa+, which allows international transfers using just a mobile number.

Saudi remittance trends

In Saudi Arabia, Visa’s research found that 59 per cent of people now prefer sending money through digital applications, with safety, privacy and speed cited by 47 per cent of respondents, followed by ease of use at 43 per cent.

Confidence in digital channels is growing, with 43 per cent saying peace of mind is a reason they use apps, up six points from 2024.

The survey showed 93 per cent of respondents send money at least once a year, while expatriate remittances from the kingdom reached SR144bn in 2024, the highest level since 2021.

High costs remain a challenge, with 29 per cent citing fees as a barrier when sending money and 33 per cent when receiving.

The survey, conducted by Visa and Morning Consult between January 2-30, 2025, gathered responses from nearly 44,000 remittance senders and receivers across 20 countries, including the Middle East.