Quick Answer:Al Ansari Exchange is the UAE’s biggest exchange house with over 280 branches in the UAE’s seven emirates. It enables international funds transfer services, foreign currency exchange, payment of bills, WPS payroll services, prepaid travel cards, and digital transfers via its mobile app. It is a licensed Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) company and has been listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) since 2023, trading under ALANSARI. |
Al Ansari Exchange is the biggest exchange house in the UAE that is used by both residents and visitors, as well as businesses, daily for exchanging currency, remittance, and paying bills. It was established in 1966 and has more than 280 branches in all seven emirates.
The details that are not included in the company profiles are covered in this guide, such as the official 24/7 contact number, actual working hours of the branches according to their type, the official IPO details, the functioning of transfer pricing, and a comparison with other UAE exchange houses, so that you can be prepared before visiting a branch.
Before getting started, here are some quick points to note:
- More than 280 branches are located throughout Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, and UAQ.
- Official UAE Customer Care Number: +971 600 546000 (all UAE branches)
- ALANSARI has been listed on the Dubai Financial Market since April 2023, with the ticker ALANSARI.
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Al Ansari Exchange |
| First Branch Opened | 1966, Abu Dhabi |
| Head Office | Al Ansari Business Center, Al Barsha 1, Dubai |
| Parent Company | Al Ansari Financial Services PJSC |
| Branch Network | 280+ branches across all 7 emirates |
| Customer Care Number | +971 600 546000 |
| Stock Listing | Dubai Financial Market, ticker ALANSARI (since April 2023) |
| Main Services | Money transfers, currency exchange, payroll (WPS), bill payments, corporate payments |
| Regulator | Central Bank of the UAE |
What Is Al Ansari Exchange?
The foreign exchange business started by Al Ansari Exchange was the forerunner of the foreign exchange component of a long-standing trading operation by the Al Ansari family when formal retail banking was a very fledgling industry in the UAE. It was first established in Abu Dhabi in 1966 to cater to merchants and expatriate workers who were looking for a secure method to transfer funds from one country to another.
The company is currently listed under the Dubai Financial Market with Al Ansari Financial Services PJSC, a diversified financial group that was listed on the Dubai Financial Market in April 2023, raising its capital by AED 773m and trading on the market under the ticker ALANSARI. It continues to be privately owned and fully corporate-governed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE.
Why Millions of UAE Residents Still Choose Al Ansari
The main attraction is coverage. There are branches of the bank in malls, cooperative societies, metro stations, and residential communities, with a customer in virtually every neighborhood in the UAE, just a step away from a counter very difficult for a purely digital app to achieve for cash transactions.
This company also has decades of trust among communities that depend on them for monthly remittances, such as the South Asian, Filipino, African,n and Arab expatriate communities, as well as a rapidly expanding online and app part of its customer base that does not wish to line up.
Core Services Offered by Al Ansari Exchange
Al Ansari Exchange does not restrict any money transfer abroad. It serves a wide variety of areas, such as:
- Wire transfer to or from abroad via bank deposit, cash collection, or wallet transfer. International money transfers: Bank deposit, Cash collection, Wallet transfer.
- Foreign currency buy/sell for more than 20 world currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, INR, and PKR, etc.
- Bill Payment for Telecom, Utility, and Government-related Services.
- Corporate payment solutions include vendor settlements, supplier payments, and cash management.
- Payroll via the Wage Protection System (WPS)
- Prepaid tourist, student, and business traveler cards for travel.
Branch Network, Locations, and Working Hours
Al Ansari Exchange has over 280 branches across the country, the highest density of which exists in Dubai (117+ branches), Abu Dhabi (50+ branches), Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
There is no standard working time; it depends on the branch type, and this is a point not covered by most guides. This table is a general guide; check the timing of branches on the official locator before going to see:
| Branch Type | Typical Weekday Hours | Typical Friday/Sunday Hours |
| Mall branches | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM or later | Often unchanged, some open later |
| Community/co-op branches | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Friday prayer break 12:00–1:30 PM common |
| Head office & business hubs | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM | 9:00 AM – 12:00 midnight |
Hours are different from branch to branch and vary with the seasons, so always check the live branch locator on the official Al Ansari Exchange website or call ahead before travelling to make a large transaction.
Al Ansari Exchange Contact Number and Customer Support
In general, any complaints, queries, or transfer tracking can be made by calling the official UAE customer care line +971 600 546000. The workplace is on Level 7 at Al Ansari Business Center, Al Barsha 1, next to Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.
There is also support available via the in-app chat on the mobile app, the online contact form, and at the counter of any of the branches. In cases of a transfer that is necessary ASAP — beneficiaries entered into the wrong way or a delayed payment — calling the hotline will be faster than email.
Customers should check the official Al Ansari Exchange website or mobile app for up-to-the-minute details on branch locations, exchange rates, transfer services, and hours before coming to a branch.
Al Ansari Exchange Mobile App and Online Transfers
The Al Ansari Exchange app allows registered users to send money, track money transfers, add beneficiaries, pay bills, top up mobile numbers, and check exchange rates, without coming to the branch. It can be found on both iOS and Android.
Here’s how to transfer money via the app:
- Sign up and confirm your account (KYC for new users)
- Enter or select the beneficiary and select the country to which the assets will go
- Type the amount, check out the live exchange rate + fee, and confirm the amount
When confirmed, the application produces a reference number which can be used to monitor the transfer status in real-time, which a branch teller would give them for a counter transaction.
How Exchange Rates and Fees Work
This is determined by two numbers that will be applied to the number: the exchange rate and the transfer fee. Some routes have a higher flat rate but a lower margin on the rate; others have a lower flat rate and a higher margin on the rate – depending on the volume of the send, the most economical rate may vary.
| Factor | How It Affects You | What To Do |
| Currency pair | Rates move throughout the trading day | Check the live rate in-app before confirming |
| Payout method | Cash pickup vs bank deposit are priced differently | Compare both before choosing |
| Transfer amount | Larger amounts sometimes get better pricing | Ask the teller or check the app for tiered rates |
Payroll and WPS Services for Businesses
Al Ansari Exchange has been registered as an approved agent to the UAE’s Wage Protection System (WPS), an electronic system that ensures salaries are paid on time and in full via registered means. Its payroll systems are employed by companies to manage employee payroll, comply with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) guidelines, and minimize manual payroll procedures.
It’s especially useful for companies that have massive blue-collar or multi-national workforce, and where it is obligatory to be compliant with WPS, but manual processing is impossible at such a scale.
Al Ansari Exchange vs Other UAE Exchange Houses
Al Ansari is one of the several existing entities like Lulu Exchange, UAE Exchange (now Wall Street Exchange/LuLu Financial, and Al Fardan Exchange. Coverage and service scope are generally comparable, except where there is a difference in the density of the branches in a particular neighborhood, payout speed to a particular country, and the fee on that route.
| Feature | Al Ansari Exchange | Other Major UAE Exchanges |
| Branch count | 280+ (largest network) | Typically 200 or fewer |
| DFM listing | Yes, since April 2023 | Varies by company |
| WPS payroll agent | Yes | Yes, most major exchanges |
| Best for | Coverage and branch accessibility | Route-specific pricing, worth comparing |
The best thing to do is to check the actual price in the country you want to travel to on two or three exchanges before transferring a large amount of money, not always assuming one price is cheaper.
Tips for Using Al Ansari Exchange Efficiently
Some of these tips will save time and money on each visit. Always check the live exchange rate before you leave home, as it can fluctuate throughout the day, and the exchange rate an hour later could differ. Verify account numbers and IBANs for beneficiaries – wrong information is the most frequent reason for a delay in transfer.
Do not use the transaction number until the Beneficiary confirms it has been received, and if possible, complete smaller transactions using the app to avoid the queue altogether and only use the branch to pick up cash or to register as a new Beneficiary.
Final Thoughts
For decades, Al Ansari Exchange has been one of the UAE’s most trusted financial service providers, providing a diverse branch network, dependable money transfer services, foreign currency exchange, payroll solutions, and user-friendly digital banking options.
It offers practical solutions for both businesses and individuals that need to send money abroad, exchange currencies, pay bills, or manage payroll via the Wage Protection System (WPS). To ensure the most current information, it is important to verify the latest exchange rates, hours of operation, and services provided before making a trip to a branch by checking the official Al Ansari Exchange website or mobile application.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Al Ansari Exchange?
It is the UAE’s largest exchange house, offering remittances, currency exchange, bill payment, ts, and payroll services.
2. What is the Al Ansari Exchange contact number?
The official UAE customer care number is +971 600 546000.
3. How many Al Ansari Exchange branches are there in the UAE?
There are more than 280 branches in all 7 emirates.
4. Is Al Ansari Exchange regulated?
Yes, it is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE.
5. Can I send money abroad using the Al Ansari Exchange app?
Yes, transfer to bank accounts, wallets, and cash pickup points around the world.
6. What are Al Ansari Exchange’s working hours?
Hours are by branch, typically 8-11 PM on weekdays; confirm by using the branch locator.
7. Is Al Ansari Exchange publicly listed?
Yes, it’s listed on the Dubai Financial Market since April 2023 under the ticker ALANSARI.
8. Does Al Ansari Exchange offer WPS payroll services?
Yes, it is the UAE-approved Wage Protection System agent for businesses.
9. Which currencies can I exchange at Al Ansari Exchange?
More than 20 currencies, such as USD, GBP, EUR, INR, PKR, and SAR.
10. How do I track my Al Ansari Exchange transfer?
Use the reference number from your receipt in the app, online portal, or by calling customer care.
11. Is Al Ansari Exchange safe to use?
Yes, it is approved by the Central Bank of the UAE, and since 1966, they have complied with the strict KYC and AML procedures.
12. Which countries can I send money to through Al Ansari Exchange?
It connects to a lot of countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East; please consult the app for the current list.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Please visit the official Al Ansari Exchange website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
