Careem Pay has unveiled a significant expansion of its international remittance capabilities, targeting three major corridors that collectively represent billions of dollars in annual cross-border transfers from the United Arab Emirates.
The digital payments platform, integrated within the Careem app, announced on 26 January 2026 that it is rolling out mobile wallet transfers to Egypt, introducing cash pickup services in Lebanon, and enhancing both wallet and cash collection options for the Philippines. The move addresses the needs of UAE residents seeking reliable, fast methods to send money to family members and manage financial obligations abroad.
For the Philippines—one of the world’s most significant remittance destinations—Careem Pay has integrated directly with GCash, slashing transfer times to under 10 minutes for wallet transactions. The UAE-Philippines corridor alone handles approximately USD 3.5 billion in remittances annually, with roughly 30% of transfers collected as physical cash. Recognising this demand, the service now offers cash pickup at 14,750 locations nationwide, with transaction limits of AED 6,000 for wallet transfers and AED 8,000 for cash collection.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s growing embrace of mobile wallet technology has prompted Careem Pay to enable direct transfers to Egyptian Pounds across all major digital wallet providers. UAE residents can now send up to AED 8,000 per transaction, with funds arriving within 30 minutes to wallets including Vodafone Cash, Orange Money, etisalat by e&, We Pay, and any wallet operating on the Meeza Network. The UAE-Egypt remittance market is valued at approximately USD 8.1 billion per year, making it one of the region’s most vital financial corridors.
Lebanon presents a different challenge entirely. The country’s protracted banking crisis has eroded trust in traditional financial institutions, creating urgent demand for alternative money transfer methods, particularly for cash pickup in US dollars. Through a partnership with Whish Money, Careem Pay now enables cash collection at more than 1,000 locations across Lebanon. Customers can send up to AED 8,000 per transaction, with beneficiaries able to collect the funds within minutes—a critical service for a country with over 2 million refugees and a substantial unbanked population struggling with severe liquidity constraints.
Mohammad El Saadi, VP of Careem Pay, commented: “We’re excited to expand our remittance offering with services that address real customer needs. Egypt’s mobile wallet adoption is soaring, especially among younger users. Lebanon’s banking crisis means people need reliable ways to send USD for cash pickup. And for the Philippines, one of the world’s largest remittance corridors, we’ve dramatically improved speed with our direct GCash integration while adding essential cash pickup options. From supporting families and covering school fees to managing financial commitments back home, we wanted to make cross-border transfers simpler, faster, and more affordable.”
The expansion builds on Careem Pay’s existing network, which already facilitates money transfers to more than 35 countries. Major remittance corridors include India, Pakistan, Canada, various European nations, and the United Kingdom. According to the company, some transfers are completed in mere seconds, whilst Careem Plus members benefit from exclusive exchange rates.
Careem Pay positions itself as a comprehensive financial services platform that extends beyond international remittances. The service encompasses peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, and various digital wallet functionalities, all aimed at simplifying financial services across the Middle East region.
The company’s broader mission reflects ambitions to become the definitive “Everything App” for the greater Middle East. Since its founding in 2012, Careem has grown to operate in more than 70 cities spanning 10 countries, from Morocco in the west to Pakistan in the east. The platform has generated earning opportunities for over 2.5 million drivers—referred to as “Captains” within the company—and serves more than 70 million customers.
To access the international money transfer service, users need to download or update to the latest version of the Careem app and select the ‘Pay’ option from the home screen. First-time users can take advantage of a promotional offer providing up to AED 500 in cashback and zero fees on their inaugural global transfer by using the code “WELCOME”.
The timing of these launches reflects broader trends in global remittances, where digital platforms are increasingly displacing traditional money transfer operators. Mobile wallet adoption, particularly among younger demographics in markets like Egypt, is reshaping how people receive funds from abroad. Simultaneously, regions facing banking instability—such as Lebanon—are driving demand for cash-based alternatives that bypass conventional financial institutions.
Careem’s entry into these specific corridors also highlights the platform’s strategy of identifying where existing solutions fall short. In Lebanon, the collapse of confidence in banks has left many without reliable financial services. In Egypt, the surge in mobile wallet usage has created opportunities for faster, more convenient transfers. And in the Philippines, where remittances form a substantial portion of the national economy, speed and accessibility remain paramount concerns for both senders and recipients.
The company’s approach emphasises simplicity and speed whilst maintaining competitive pricing—factors that have become increasingly important as more players enter the digital remittance space. With these latest additions, Careem Pay strengthens its position in a competitive market where established money transfer services and emerging fintech platforms vie for market share across some of the world’s most lucrative remittance corridors.