Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United Arab Emirates will continue to benefit from free remittance fees when sending money to the Philippines, despite the Emirates National Bank of Dubai (NBD) announcing that it will soon impose fees for most international money transfers.
In a news release on Wednesday evening, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that Emirates NBD informed clients of a new fixed rate fee of 26.25 UAE dirhams, inclusive of VAT, on most cross-border transactions made through its DirectRemit service, effective September 1, 2025.
However, the Philippines is among six countries exempted from this new charge, along with India, Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.
“We deeply appreciate Emirates NBD for preserving fee-free transfers to the Philippines even as they introduce fees for other destinations. This is a clear sign of their understanding of how essential these remittances are for Filipino households,” Cacdac remarked.
OFWs working in the UAE can continue to use Emirates NBD DirectRemit for fast and free money transfers to their families in the Philippines.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, approximately 700,000 Filipinos reside in the UAE as of 2023, with around 600,000 of them being OFWs. The Philippines remains one of the largest recipients of remittances globally, with millions of families relying on the hard-earned money sent home by OFWs.
Cacdac also acknowledged the role of the UAE government and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in fostering a supportive environment for migrant workers.
“We likewise express our sincere gratitude to the UAE Government and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for fostering a supportive environment for migrant communities. Their cooperation ensures that OFWs can continue sending financial support to their loved ones without additional costs,” he added.