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Transfers to India, Pakistan, Philippines, and other key corridors will remain free, bank confirms

Emirates NBD has announced a key update to its DirectRemit service, with a Dh26.25 fee set to apply to select international transfers beginning September 1, 2025. While the service has traditionally offered instant and free money transfers to countries including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom, the new charge will affect non-core corridors only.

In an official communication to customers, the bank stated:

“Effective Monday, September 1, 2025, a charge of Dh26.25 will be applicable for International Transfers (including DirectRemit) remittance service initiated from ENBD X or Online Banking. The fee is inclusive of VAT.”

Clarification from Emirates NBD
Following concerns that the fee might apply to all transfers, Emirates NBD clarified that free transfers will continue for its core destinations:

• India

• Pakistan

• Philippines

• Egypt

• Sri Lanka

• United Kingdom

The Dh26.25 charge will be implemented only for transfers to other international destinations when conducted via the ENBD X mobile app or online banking platform.

A formal press release is expected soon, and customers affected by the update will receive individual email notifications outlining the changes.

Comparison With Other UAE Banks
International remittance charges among UAE banks typically range from Dh20 to Dh60, depending on the destination and method used. Emirates NBD’s clarification ensures that customers using the most common remittance corridors can continue to send money without incurring additional fees.

Customers are advised to review their recent transaction history and consider alternative channels or services for less common remittance routes if cost is a factor.

The bank has not announced any changes to its exchange rate margins or processing times as part of this update.

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