Many have heard of the hawala systеm when it comes to transferring funds to Dubai. But many are also interested in the reverse process—how to send money from the Emirates home, to Russia, or to Ukraine. It may seem complicated at first glance, but in practice, hawala is designed precisely for such purposes.
Hawala isn’t a bank or an official payment systеm. It’s a network of partners that accept money in one country and issue the equivalent in another. It works simply: you deposit dirhams in Dubai, and your recipient in Russia or Ukraine receives rubles or hryvnias from the partner on the spot.
Why is this method so popular? Firstly, it’s fast. Transfers take anywhere from a few hours to one day, unlike banking systems, where funds can take up to five business days. Secondly, it’s convenient. You don’t need to open an account, fill out forms, or explain the purpose of the payment. You simply agree on the amount and rate, and the partners take care of the rest. Thirdly, the exchange rate through hawala is often better than at a bank or traditional exchange office.
Many people think that hawala is only suitable for small amounts. In fact, it’s actively used by both investors and businessmen. For example, a Dubai entrepreneur can pay a partner in Kyiv for services without using official banking methods. And a private individual can quickly send money to relatives in Russia without worrying about delays.
How does this work in practice? Let’s say you have 50,000 dirhams you want to send to Moscow. You visit a hawala partner in Dubai, agree on the exchange rate and amount. Then, call the recipient, and within a few hours, they receive the rubles from the partner’s representative in Russia. It’s simple, transparent, and fast.
Hawala has proven its reliability over time. Yes, formally it’s a systеm of trust, but that’s precisely its strength: partners have been working together for years and value their reputations, because in this industry, everything depends on the word of honor and the trust of their clients. Thanks to this, hawala remains the most convenient tool for transferring money back from the UAE.
