Banking during a conflict creates real challenges: branch closures, ATM shortages, delayed transfers, and international payment concerns. If you're a Dubai resident, Golden Visa holder, or business owner, this guide covers how to send and receive money during the Iran war — which banks are working, which transfer services are reliable, and how to ensure your finances stay accessible.
Whether you need to send money to family abroad, receive salary, pay suppliers, or access cash, here's what's working in March 2026.
Banking Status — March 2026
Online banking: Fully operational | Branches: Some closed, most open | ATMs: Working but busy | International transfers: Processing with delays | Exchange houses: Open and busy
Current UAE Bank Status
Which banks are operational:
Emirates NBD
Status: Fully operational. Online/mobile banking working. Most branches open (check app for specific locations). ATMs operational. International transfers processing with 1-2 day delays.
ADCB
Status: Fully operational. All digital services working. Branch hours may be reduced. ATMs available. Wire transfers processing normally.
Mashreq / FAB / Other UAE Banks
Status: Online services operational. Some branches in affected areas closed temporarily. Check bank apps for specific branch status. International transfers functioning.
Digital Banks (Liv., Wio)
Status: Fully operational — no branch dependency. Perfect for transfers during physical disruption. Card payments working normally.
International Transfers: What's Working
Methods to send money abroad:
Transfer Options Comparison
- Bank SWIFT Transfer: Working with 1-3 day delays (vs. normal 1-2 days). Fee: AED 50-150. Use for large amounts.
- Wise (TransferWise): Fully operational. Best exchange rates. 1-2 day delivery. Use for most personal transfers.
- Payoneer: Working normally. Good for business payments. 2-3 day processing.
- Western Union: Open, busy. Instant cash pickup available globally. Higher fees.
- Exchange Houses (Al Ansari, UAE Exchange): Open and processing. Often better rates than banks for cash remittances.
Receiving Money in Dubai
How to get funds sent to you:
- Bank transfers: Receiving accounts functioning normally
- Salary: Employers processing payroll as usual — may have 1-2 day delays
- International wires: SWIFT incoming transfers working — slight delays possible
- Wise/Payoneer: Can receive and withdraw to UAE bank account
- Cash pickup: Western Union, MoneyGram locations open
Cash Access
How to get cash during the conflict:
ATM Availability
Status: ATMs operational but may run low on cash due to high demand. Tip: Withdraw from larger bank branches, malls, or bank-operated ATMs rather than standalone machines.
Daily Limits
Standard: AED 5,000-10,000 daily limit per card. Tip: If you need more, visit branch with ID for counter withdrawal. Call bank to temporarily increase ATM limit.
Card Payments
Status: Card payments (Visa, Mastercard) working normally throughout UAE. Contactless payments operational. Apple Pay, Google Pay functioning.
Sending Money to Family Abroad
Best options for expat remittances:
Recommended for Speed
- India, Pakistan, Philippines: Exchange houses (Al Ansari, UAE Exchange) — instant to 1 hour delivery. Visit in person.
- Western countries: Wise — best rates, 1-2 days. Do online.
- Urgent (any country): Western Union — instant cash pickup. Higher fees but immediate.
- Large amounts ($10K+): Bank SWIFT — may take 2-3 days but most secure for large sums.
Business Payments
For business owners needing to pay suppliers or receive payments:
- Supplier payments: Bank transfers working — allow extra processing time
- International suppliers: SWIFT operational with 1-3 day delays
- Receiving payments: Client payments arriving normally
- Payroll: WPS (Wage Protection System) operational — salaries processing
- Tip: Have secondary bank account if primary bank branch in affected area
What to Do Right Now
Checklist for financial preparedness:
Action Items
- ✅ Test online banking: Confirm you can log in and transfer
- ✅ Download bank apps: Emirates NBD, ADCB, your bank's app
- ✅ Set up Wise account: Register and link UAE bank for backup transfers
- ✅ Withdraw cash buffer: AED 3,000-5,000 at home for emergencies
- ✅ Check card expiry: Ensure debit/credit cards not expiring soon
- ✅ Know exchange houses: Locate nearest Al Ansari, UAE Exchange
- ✅ Multiple payment methods: Have cash + cards + digital wallets ready
"UAE banking infrastructure is resilient and continues to function during the conflict. The main challenges are physical branch access and slight delays in international transfers. Digital banking is your best friend right now — if you haven't gone fully digital, do it today. Keep a reasonable cash buffer at home, but don't panic withdraw. The banking system is stable."
— UAE Banking Consultant, March 2026Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Transfer delayed: Allow 2-3 extra days during conflict. Contact bank if >5 days.
- ATM out of cash: Try mall ATMs or bank branch machines. Try early morning.
- Branch closed: Use online banking or visit different branch (check app).
- International wire stuck: Contact sending bank with SWIFT reference number.
- Card declined: Try different terminal. Contact bank if persists — may be fraud prevention.
Key Takeaways
1. Online banking works — go digital 2. SWIFT delays — 1-3 days extra 3. Wise/Payoneer — reliable alternatives 4. Cash buffer — keep AED 3-5K at home 5. Exchange houses — open and busy
