More and more people in South Africa have ties to the United Arab Emirates. Some support family who have moved there for work, some send money to their own UAE account, and some are paying someone back. Whatever the reason, the need is the same: a fast, fair, and safe way to get money there.
With Mama Money you can send money to the UAE straight to any major bank, from your phone, with fees from 5% and no hidden costs. This guide shows you who sends to the UAE, how it works, what it costs, and how long it takes.
The UAE is home to a large and growing community of people from around the world, and many have family and money ties back in South Africa, or the other way around. You might recognise yourself in one of these.
Whatever brings you here, Mama Money makes getting money to the UAE simple, clear, and affordable.
If you are new to Mama Money, here is how to get started and send your first transfer.
Download the Mama Money app on Google Play, the Apple App Store, or Huawei AppGallery, or register on WhatsApp at +27 60 091 5591. Use your passport, foreign ID, SA ID, or asylum or refugee document. No proof of address needed.
Upload a clear photo of your ID document and take a quick selfie when asked. Mama checks your details and activates your account, usually within a few hours and up to 24 hours.
Add your recipient's name and their UAE bank account details. Money to the UAE is sent as a bank deposit, so all you need is their account information.
Choose your payment method, check the fee and AED exchange rate shown in full, then confirm. You will get updates as the money moves, so you always know where it is.
Mama Money sends money to all major banks in the UAE. Your recipient receives it straight into their bank account, ready to use, with no extra steps on their side.
All your recipient needs is a UAE bank account. When you set up the transfer, you enter their account details, and the money goes directly to them. Whichever major UAE bank they use, Mama Money can send to it.
Simple and direct
Your recipient just needs a UAE bank account. No cash collection, no extra apps, no fuss. The money lands straight in their account.
Mama Money keeps fees low, from 5% and often less, with no hidden costs. The fee and the AED exchange rate are always shown in full before you confirm, so what you see is what your recipient gets.
| What you pay or send | Standard | Upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | From 5% | From 5% |
| Per order limit | R25,000 | R50,000 |
| Per month limit | R25,000 | R100,000 |
| Hidden fees | None | None |
To send more, tap "Increase Limits" in the Mama Money app to upgrade your account. No fine print. No funny business.
Because money to the UAE is sent as a bank deposit, it usually arrives within one to two business days, depending on the receiving bank. You can track your transfer in the Mama Money app at any time, so you always know whether the money has been sent and when it has arrived.
You could send money to the UAE through a traditional bank wire, but it often costs more than it first appears. Here is how the two compare.
| What matters to you | Mama Money | Traditional bank wire |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | From 5% | High fixed fees, plus charges from other banks along the way |
| Exchange rate | Shown in full before you send | Often marked up and hard to see |
| Where you do it | From your phone | Often in branch or complex online forms |
| Documents to register | Passport, foreign ID, SA ID, or asylum or refugee document | Usually a full bank account and proof of address |
With Mama Money, you see the full cost upfront and send in a few taps. That is the difference.
Straight to any major UAE bank. Fees from 5%, shown upfront. All from your phone, the fair and easy way.