When purchasing real estate or conducting large transactions in the UAE, investors and businessmen often face a choice: paying through a manager via check or making a bank transfer . At first glance, both instruments appear to perform the same task—transferring funds. However, in practice, there are significant differences between them, and the right choice determines not only the convenience but also the security of the transaction.
What is a check manager in the UAE?
A manager’s check is a banking instrument that is endorsed by the bank itself. Funds are debited from the client’s account in advance, and the check effectively becomes a guaranteed obligation of the bank. Therefore, when dealing with real estate in Dubai, developers and agencies almost always require a manager’s check rather than a regular bank transfer.
For the seller, this is a guarantee: they receive a check that will definitely be paid, as the bank has already reserved the funds. For the buyer, it’s a way to comply with formal requirements and register the transaction without unnecessary complications.
What is a bank transfer?
Bank transfers in the UAE work the same way as in other countries: the account holder sends money directly to another client. For domestic transfers, the UAEFTS (United Arab Emirates Funds Transfer systеm) is most commonly used.
The advantages of a transfer inсlude speed (especially within a single bank), the ability to do everything online, and no need to visit a branch to collect a check. However, in real estate transactions, many developers and government agencies do not accept transfers as a form of guarantee—they insist on payment by check to the manager .
What’s the difference between a check manager and a bank transfer?
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Payment guarantee : a manager check is a guarantee from the bank; the transfer may be cancelled or delayed.
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Receipt speed : transfers sometimes take 1–2 days (especially if interbank), but the check can be given to the recipient immediately.
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Developer requirements : for real estate in Dubai and most large transactions, a manager’s check is considered mandatory.
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Convenience : the transfer is done online, but you need to go to a bank branch to get the check.
Therefore, if we are talking about a serious transaction, for example, buying an apartment in Dubai, the choice is almost always in favor of a check manager .
When to choose a bank transfer
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for daily calculations and payment for services;
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if you need to transfer money to relatives or business partners;
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when the amount is not too large and there is no need for additional guarantees.
Bank transfer is also convenient for regular payments, rent, or small transactions where a bank receipt is sufficient.
When is it best to use a check manager?
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when purchasing real estate in Dubai;
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when paying for large contracts;
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if the recipient insists on a guarantee from the bank;
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When it is important to document the payment for state registration.
In these cases, a manager check is not only convenient, but is often a mandatory condition of the transaction.
What to choose for paying for real estate in Dubai
If the goal is to pay for real estate in Dubai , the answer is obvious: a manager’s check. A bank transfer doesn’t provide the level of guarantee required by the developer and registration authorities. Therefore, many foreign investors first open a UAE bank account, transfer funds from their home country (for example, rubles or hryvnias through exchange services), and then issue a manager’s check in the name of the developer.
For other situations where a guarantee is not crucial, a bank transfer remains a fast and convenient tool.
Thus, a manager’s check and a bank transfer are not simply different methods of transferring money, but rather two instruments with different purposes. For real estate and large transactions in Dubai, a manager’s check is needed, while for everyday transactions, a bank transfer is ideal. Choosing the right one will help avoid problems and make the process as convenient as possible.
