First Abu Dhabi Bank is the country's largest bank, and it sends money abroad from the FAB Mobile app or a branch. If you're searching for FAB international transfer charges, the short version is: the visible fee is only part of what you pay, and for routine remittances FAB usually isn't the cheapest route. Here's how it works, what to check, and when to send another way.
How to send an international transfer from FAB
- In FAB Mobile, open Transfers → International / Send abroad and add the recipient as an international beneficiary.
- Enter their full name and address, account number or IBAN, and the receiving bank's SWIFT/BIC (plus any local code — IFSC for India, sort code for the UK).
- Choose the receive currency, review the rate and charge FAB shows, and confirm. Keep the reference until it's received.
Receiving into a FAB account from abroad? The sender needs FAB's SWIFT code — it still reads NBADAEAA, a legacy of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi merger, and it's correct. Our FAB SWIFT code page shows where it goes.
FAB international transfer charges, timing and the weekend
FAB applies an outward-transfer charge that depends on the payment type and destination, and correspondent banks can deduct their own. Because it changes, check the live figure in FAB Mobile rather than trusting an old number online.
Timing is standard: a SWIFT transfer usually reaches the destination bank in one to three working days, later if you miss the daily cut-off. And with the UAE on a Saturday–Sunday weekend, a Friday-afternoon transfer often won't move until Monday.
The charge, though, is only the visible cost. The exchange-rate margin is the other one, and usually the larger:
Add the two together and compare on the amount received — a low charge at a poor rate can still cost you more overall.
FAB vs an exchange house or app
Use FAB for large or one-off wires, payments to your own overseas account, or destinations apps don't cover. For everyday remittances to India, Pakistan, the Philippines or Egypt, licensed exchange houses like Al Ansari and LuLu, and apps like Wise, usually win on the rate and often the fee.
Compare the real amount received in our live tool — or on a route page like AED to INR. Moving money between UAE banks instead? See the bank-to-bank transfer guide. For the full picture, see the complete guide to international transfers from the UAE; moving a large amount? See transferring large sums from the UAE.