The ways money goes from the UAE to Bangladesh
| Way | Examples | How the family receives it | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| An exchange house counter | Al Ansari Exchange, LuLu Exchange and other licensed exchange houses | Bank account, bKash, or cash pickup | A fee per transfer, and the rate on the board that day |
| The exchange house's app | Al Ansari, LuLu Money | The same as the counter | Lets you fix the rate on your phone and skip the queue; compare its quote with the counter's |
| A transfer app | Taptap Send, Remitly, Western Union | Bank account, bKash, or cash pickup, depending on the app | The exchange rate markup, which can matter more than the fee |
Published comparisons of UAE fees disagree, from no fee at all to over AED 25 a transfer, and some apps make their money on the rate instead. That is why the number to compare is the taka that arrive, not the fee. As of October 2026, bKash's own partner list says remittances can reach bKash from the UAE through licensed companies; check that the one you use offers bKash or Nagad before you start.
Why the day you send matters
The UAE's weekend is Saturday and Sunday. Bangladesh's banks close on Friday and Saturday. So a bank transfer sent on a Thursday evening or a Friday may not be paid into the account until Sunday or later. A transfer to a bKash or Nagad wallet usually arrives within minutes on any day, which is why most monthly family support now goes to a wallet.
What to compare before you send
- The taka that arrive. Enter the same amount in dirhams into two or three apps, or ask at two counters, and compare the final taka.
- How it is received: wallet for speed, bank for large amounts, cash pickup for family with neither.
- Limits. bKash says up to Tk 2,50,000 can be received in one transaction under Bangladesh Bank rules.
- Licensing. Use an exchange house or app licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE.
The 2.5% government incentive
Bangladesh adds a 2.5% cash incentive to money sent home through legal channels, paid to your family on arrival by the receiving bank or wallet; the government said in its June 2026 budget that it will continue. How it is paid, the limits on bKash and what taking the cash out costs are explained in receiving money from abroad in Bangladesh.
How to find the best deal
- Decide how your family will receive it: wallet, bank or cash.
- Check the final taka in two or three apps for the same amount in dirhams.
- Send on a working day in both countries if it is going to a bank.
- Keep the receipt or the app record until the money has arrived.
Questions people ask
What is the cheapest way to send money from the UAE to Bangladesh?
No single company is always cheapest. Compare the taka that will arrive for the same amount of dirhams in two or three apps on the day you send.
Can I send money to bKash from Dubai?
Yes. Licensed exchange houses and several transfer apps in the UAE pay into bKash accounts. Check the option in the app or at the counter.
Why did my bank transfer take three days?
Most likely the weekends. The UAE rests on Saturday and Sunday and Bangladesh's banks on Friday and Saturday, so a transfer sent late in the week can wait until Sunday or Monday. Wallet transfers are not affected.
Does the 2.5% incentive apply to money sent from the UAE?
Yes, to money sent through any legal channel, from any country. It is paid on arrival by the receiving bank or wallet.