Today, Dubai has become a key business hub for companies from Russia and Ukraine. Many are opening offices here, purchasing real estate, or establishing partnerships in trade and IT. But one of the most frequently asked questions is how to safely and conveniently pay partners in Dubai , given the different currencies, fees, and banking systеm peculiarities. Let’s examine each option in turn.
Why is this relevant?
Dubai is attractive to companies from Russia and Ukraine for several reasons. It has a simple tax systеm, free capital circulation, and a well-developed business infrastructure. However, transferring money from abroad is associated with bureaucracy and fees. Banks require documents confirming the transaction, set limits, and sometimes even block transactions altogether. Therefore, it’s important to understand in advance the available payment methods for partners and which one is best for you.
Option 1: Bank SWIFT Transfer
The most common method is a transfer via the international SWIFT systеm. Funds are transferred directly from your company’s account in Russia or Ukraine to your partner’s account in the UAE.
Pros:
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international protection and transparency;
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suitable for official contracts and large amounts;
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works with legal entities in different countries.
Cons:
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long crediting time (from 2 to 5 business days);
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high fees (often 2–5% of the amount, plus fixed fees of correspondent banks);
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possible delays or blocking if the bank suspects a compliance violation.
For many companies, SWIFT remains the basic tool, but it is often combined with other methods.
Option 2: Money transfers through specialized services
We’re not talking about Western uniоn systems here, but about companies that facilitate transfers between countries using a simplified systеm. These are essentially exchange services that accept money in Russia or Ukraine and issue it in Dubai in dirhams.
Advantages:
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speed (often you can get money on the same day);
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fewer requirements for documents;
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The rate is closer to the market rate than at the bank.
Flaws:
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Companies must choose their partners carefully: reputation and reliability are important;
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Amounts may be limited by the terms of a specific service.
For medium-sized businesses, this is a convenient option: it doesn’t take as long as SWIFT and offers a more favorable exchange rate.
Option 3: Hawala (alternative transfer systеm)
One of the most popular options in the UAE is hawala . This is a traditional transfer systеm that operates on the principle of trust. A company in Russia or Ukraine transfers funds to an intermediary, and the partner receives dirhams from a representative of the same network in Dubai.
Why it is beneficial for companies:
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speed (sometimes just a few hours);
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flexibility – you can transfer both large and small amounts;
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absence of unnecessary checks and paperwork.
Hawala is convenient when you need to quickly close a transaction, pay for an item, or make an advance payment. However, it’s important to work only with trusted providers.
Option 4: Cryptocurrency
In Dubai, cryptocurrency has become completely legal and is actively used for transactions. Companies can transfer USDT, Bitcoin, or another coin, and their partner in the Emirates will receive it in dirhams through an exchanger.
Pros:
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high speed (operations take from several minutes to a couple of hours);
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minimal fees;
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convenient for international transactions.
Cons:
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competence in handling cryptocurrencies is required;
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The rate may fluctuate, which carries risks for large amounts.
Cryptocurrency is suitable for IT companies, startups, and those who are not afraid of modern tools.
How to choose the best method
Here a lot depends on the situation:
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If formality and documents are important, choose SWIFT .
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If you need speed and a good rate, exchange services or hawala are suitable .
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If you are a tech company and the crypto space is close to you, use cryptocurrency .
Many companies combine methods: for example, part of the amount is transferred officially through a bank, and the rest through alternative channels for speed.
Practical advice
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Always check limits and fees in advance.
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Check the processing time – some banks accept applications until a certain time.
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If you work through intermediaries, make sure they are reputable and reliable.
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For large amounts, lock in the rate to avoid losses from currency fluctuations.
Conclusion
For companies from Russia and Ukraine, transferring money to Dubai is a task with several solutions. Some choose traditional SWIFT, while others rely on hawala or cryptocurrency. The key is to understand the specifics of each method, choose the right tool for the specific task, and work only with reliable partners.
This approach will allow you to pay your partners in Dubai safely, quickly, and profitably , while maintaining flexibility in your business.
