The UAE is one of ATM24's main destinations by transfer volume. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have welcomed a significant number of Russians, Ukrainians and other nationals from CIS countries: housing rental, education, relocation expenses and everyday payments create steady demand for money transfers. AED (UAE dirham) is pegged to USD at a fixed rate of 1 USD = 3.6725 AED, so the dirham-to-dollar rate remains stable and predictable. Direct SWIFT transfers from Russia to Emirates NBD, FAB and other UAE banks may undergo additional checks, so the availability of a particular route depends on the recipient's bank and compliance conditions. ATM24 uses authorized alternative payment routes.
USDT, cash and bank transfers
USDT is widely used in the UAE for payments and transfers, including in business and real estate sectors, though the feasibility of a specific transaction depends on its type and the requirements of the parties involved. Cash AED through ATM24's partner network is available in major UAE cities and is especially convenient for initial local expenses when a bank account has not yet been opened. Before making a transfer, it is worth checking whether the recipient's bank accepts incoming payments via the chosen route, as some UAE banks may conduct additional screening of transfers related to Russia. To deposit to a bank account, you will need the recipient's IBAN, which begins with AE and contains 23 characters, as well as the bank's SWIFT/BIC code.
Transfer conditions
UAE payment ecosystem: banks, cards, cash, digital services and international transfers. Country — UAE. Receiving currency — AED (UAE dirham) or USD. Sending currency — RUB, USD and USDT. Transfer method — bank account by IBAN, Visa and Mastercard, AED cash or USDT. ATM24 commission — from 0.9%. Transfer time — from a few minutes for available card and cash channels; bank account transfers depend on the recipient's bank and chosen route.
Payment systems and services
UAE payment ecosystem: major payment systems and services. UAEFTS — the Central Bank of the UAE's national real-time settlement system, through which AED transfers are made between banks and financial organizations in the country. Wio Bank — a UAE digital bank for individuals and businesses with online account opening, multi-currency accounts and international SWIFT transfers. USDT (TRC20/ERC20) is widely used in the UAE's cryptocurrency ecosystem, however, virtual asset operations are regulated and must be conducted through appropriate licensed providers; in Dubai, virtual asset oversight is managed by VARA. The banking sector regulator — Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). Banks in the UAE typically operate Mon–Fri from approximately 8:00 to 15:00; some banks have reduced hours on Friday, and many branches are closed on Saturday.