Calculate the exact arrival time of your UAE domestic or international bank transfer. Supporting IFT (instant via UAESWITCH), WPS salary transfers, Wire Transfers, and SWIFT across major banks in the UAE and worldwide.
Select your sending and receiving banks, choose a payment method, and enter the time you're making the transfer.
Three simple steps to find out when your money will arrive.
Choose the bank you're sending money from and the bank that will receive it. We support all major UAE banks and financial institutions.
Select whether you're using IFT via UAESWITCH (instant), WPS for salary transfers (1-2 business days), or Wire Transfer via CBUAE (same day).
Tell us when you're sending the payment and we'll calculate exactly when the funds will arrive in the recipient's account.
Understanding the three main ways to send money between UAE bank accounts.
The UAE's real-time domestic payment system powered by UAESWITCH, operated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). IFT enables instant transfers between UAE bank accounts in AED, arriving within seconds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays. Widely supported across all major UAE banks.
A mandatory electronic salary transfer system introduced by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). All employers in the UAE must pay employee salaries through WPS-approved channels. Transfers are processed in batches and typically take 1 to 2 business days. WPS ensures timely payment of wages and protects workers' rights.
Domestic wire transfers processed through the Central Bank of the UAE's clearing and settlement system. Used for high-value or urgent same-day payments within the UAE. Wire transfers settle on business days and are ideal for property transactions, large business payments, and time-sensitive transfers. Irrevocable once processed.
Our calculator covers all major UAE banks and financial institutions.
The United Arab Emirates is a global financial hub with a large expatriate population, making bank transfers and remittances a critical part of daily life. Whether you're sending money within the UAE, paying rent, receiving your salary, or remitting funds to family abroad, understanding how long your bank transfer will take is essential for financial planning.
IFT (Instant Funds Transfer) is the UAE's real-time domestic payment system, powered by UAESWITCH and operated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). Launched to modernise the country's payments infrastructure, IFT enables instant transfers between UAE bank accounts in AED.
With IFT, transfers arrive within seconds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays. Key features include:
The Wage Protection System (WPS) is a mandatory electronic salary transfer system introduced by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). All employers in the UAE are required to pay employee wages through WPS-approved channels.
WPS transfers typically take 1 to 2 business days. Key aspects include:
Wire transfers processed through the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) are same-day domestic transfers used for high-value or urgent payments. These transfers settle through the CBUAE's clearing system on business days.
Key facts about CBUAE wire transfers:
UAE public holidays affect WPS and Wire Transfer processing. On these days, batch processing and wire transfer settlement do not operate, which means transfers are delayed to the next business day. IFT, however, continues to operate 24/7, including on public holidays and weekends.
The UAE observes several public holidays in 2026, including: New Year's Day (1 January), Eid Al Fitr (approximately March, dates confirmed by moon sighting), Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha (approximately June), Islamic New Year (approximately July), Prophet's Birthday (approximately September), Commemoration Day (1 December), and UAE National Day (2-3 December). Note that Islamic holidays are determined by the lunar calendar and exact dates may vary.
The UAE is one of the world's largest remittance-sending countries, with millions of expatriates sending money to their home countries regularly. The country has a well-developed remittance infrastructure including banks and licensed exchange houses.
Common remittance corridors from the UAE include India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Egypt, and other countries across Asia and Africa. Many banks and exchange houses offer dedicated remittance products with competitive rates for these popular corridors.
SWIFT transfer times from the UAE vary by destination:
UAE banks typically have SWIFT cutoff times between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM GST. Transfers sent after cutoff will begin processing on the next business day.
Everything you need to know about UAE bank transfers.
It depends on the payment method used. IFT (Instant Funds Transfer) via UAESWITCH arrives within seconds and is available 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. WPS (Wage Protection System) salary transfers take 1–2 business days and only process on business days. Wire Transfers via CBUAE arrive the same business day if sent before the bank's cutoff time (usually 12:00–2:00 PM GST).
IFT operates 24/7, including weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and public holidays, so your transfer will still arrive within seconds. However, WPS and Wire Transfers only process on business days (Monday to Friday). The UAE adopted a Saturday-Sunday weekend in January 2022. If you send a Wire Transfer on Thursday afternoon after cutoff, it will settle on Sunday (the next business day in the UAE). Islamic holidays such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha will also delay WPS and Wire Transfer processing.
UAESWITCH is the national electronic payment switching system operated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). It connects all banks in the UAE and enables instant domestic fund transfers. IFT (Instant Funds Transfer) is the real-time payment service built on UAESWITCH. When you initiate an IFT transfer through your bank's app or online banking, the payment is processed through UAESWITCH and credited to the recipient's account within seconds. IFT supports AED transfers and is available 24/7.
IFT is for instant domestic transfers — available 24/7, free or low-cost, and settles within seconds via UAESWITCH. WPS is specifically for employer-to-employee salary payments — mandated by MoHRE, takes 1–2 business days, and ensures compliance with UAE labour laws. Wire Transfer via CBUAE is for urgent or high-value same-day domestic payments — costs AED 15–50, only available on business days before the bank's cutoff time, and is commonly used for property deals and large business transactions.
International transfer times depend on the destination and method used. SWIFT transfers to India and GCC countries typically take 1–2 business days. Transfers to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines usually take 1–3 business days. Transfers to the UK, Europe, and North America generally take 2–4 business days, while transfers to Africa may take 3–5 business days. Many UAE banks and exchange houses offer dedicated remittance corridors to popular destinations like India (via NEFT/IMPS), which can be faster and cheaper than standard SWIFT. Use our international calculator for estimates specific to your bank and destination.
The UAE IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is 23 characters long and follows the format: AE + 2 check digits + 3-digit bank code + 16-digit account number (e.g., AE070331234567890123456). IBANs are mandatory for all domestic and international transfers in the UAE. Using the correct IBAN ensures your transfer is routed to the right bank and account without delays. An incorrect IBAN will cause your transfer to be rejected or returned, which can add several business days to the process. Always double-check the IBAN before confirming any transfer.