Visa and Etisalat Money Expand Global Transfers
etisalat money, the fintech arm of etisalat, has partnered with Visa to expand international money transfer options for consumers and businesses in the UAE. The agreement will use Visa Direct to introduce additional cross-border payment services through the etisalat money app.
The partnership aims to make international transfers more flexible by connecting users with eligible cards, bank accounts, and digital wallets. It will also support personal remittances and international payments from individuals to businesses.
Four New International Transfer Options
Under the agreement, Etisalat Money plans to introduce four additional transfer capabilities. First, Visa Direct to Card will let customers send money directly to eligible recipients’ cards using their card numbers.
Second, Visa+ will allow eligible users to transfer money between supported digital payment apps using a recipient’s phone number. As a result, customers may not need traditional banking details for these transfers.
Third, the partnership will support international transfers from personal Etisalat Money accounts to business accounts. Finally, SWIFT transfers will add another route for sending money abroad, broadening the range of payment methods available through the app.
Expanding Remittances Across Key Markets
The new capabilities will complement etisalat money’s existing international transfer services, which already reach more than 150 countries. Customers can send money to bank accounts, digital wallets, or cash pickup locations. The app also provides live exchange rates, estimated transfer times, and transaction tracking.
The partnership will initially support key remittance markets, including India, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and China. It will also extend access to digital wallet destinations across multiple markets.
Melike Kara Tanrikulu, CEO of etisalat money, said the agreement would broaden the company’s international payment capabilities and give customers greater flexibility. Meanwhile, Fadi Moukaddem, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, highlighted the potential to give consumers and businesses more choice when sending and receiving funds internationally.
The agreement reflects growing demand for digital remittances in the UAE, where residents regularly send money to families and businesses abroad. As a result, combining more payment methods in one app could simplify transfers for users with different needs.
However, availability will depend on the supported destination, payment method, and applicable service conditions. The companies have not specified a launch date for each new capability.
Ultimately, the partnership strengthens etisalat money’s cross-border payment offering while extending Visa Direct’s role in international money movement. Its practical value will depend on service availability, transfer costs, processing times, and customer adoption.
