When planning your holiday to Dubai, you will need to consider how much you are going to spend on shopping, desert safaris and fine dining. In addition to budgeting for your trip, one of the most important questions you will need to ask yourself is, “How much currency can I carry to Dubai?” For Indian residents travelling to Dubai, this is not only about budgeting, but also complying with strict international and Indian regulations to avoid penalties or confiscation. Therefore, understanding the limits with respect to how many UAE Dirhams (AED), US Dollars (USD) and Indian Rupees (INR) you may carry is imperative to ensuring a successful trip.

To assist you in packing your money correctly, this guide provides you with the maximum cash limits and outlines the regulations applicable to both India and the UAE.

The Golden Rule: Compliance with Two Sets of Regulations

There are two sets of regulations with which you must comply when travelling to Dubai:

UAE Customs Law which regulates how much AED can carry to Dubai from India (there are limits imposed by the UAE government on the amount of currency that may enter the country).

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sets limitations on the amount of currency you may physically take out of India, as governed by FEMA.

• Taking Money Out of India: The RBI’s FEMA Limits

Foreign Currency:

There are no limits as it pertains to the total dollar amount of Foreign Currency that can be taken out of India in cash. However, when taking amounts of Foreign Currency in cash that exceed $10,000 or the equivalent, you must declare those amounts to the customs officials of India when traveling.

Indian Currency:

You may only take out of India a maximum of ₹25,000 in Indian Rupee notes. 

• Limits for Money entering Dubai: UAE Customs

Customs regulations are enforced as soon as an individual arrives in Dubai.

Foreign and Local Currency 

You may bring as much money as you wish into the country, but should you exceed AED 100,000, you must declare that amount to UAE Customs. 

An Explanation of How Much Money You Can Bring to Dubai

According to the rules of both countries, the answer to the question, “How Much Money Can I Bring to Dubai from India?” is as follows:

Scenario A: Most Tourists Carry Less Than AED 37,000 (or USD 10,000)

As far as the Indian Government is concerned, you may bring in any combination of  AED, USD, or any other foreign cash, and you do not have to declare it in India if it is less than USD 10,000 or AED 100,000. You may also bring up to ₹25,000 worth of INR.

Scenario B: Carrying Between AED 37,000 and AED 100,000 (or Between USD 10,000 and USD 27,200)

If you are carrying funds from India to Dubai worth between AED 37,000 and AED 100,000, you will have to declare those funds to Indian Customs before leaving India (see CDF Form). You will not be required to declare those funds when you arrive at UAE Customs. The limit of INR remains ₹25,000.

Scenario C: Carrying More Than AED 100,000 (or More Than USD 27,200)

If you are carrying more than AED 100,000, you will have to declare it to Indian Customs before leaving and you will have to declare it at UAE Customs upon arriving in Dubai. The limit of INR remains ₹25,000.

Conclusion 

If you want to know how much you can bring into Dubai and specifically how much AED you can carry to Dubai from India, you need to be aware of the two sets of laws that govern this area. These laws were created to protect legal travel as well as to deter money laundering. Careful planning regarding how you will use your money while visiting Dubai through cash, credit/debit cards, foreign currency cards and securing travel insurance for added protection, along with a proper understanding of the maximum allowable amount for declaring cash being brought into Dubai, will provide you with a stress-free entry into a country full of amazing shops, restaurants and buildings. Transparency when carrying cash internationally is the best way to ensure a smooth journey!