Determinants behind the Choice of Money Transfer Channels: A Case Study of Pakistani Migrants based in Dubai (UAE)

The study was designed to explore and analyze the determinants behind the choice of different channels of money transfer used by Pakistani migrants living in Dubai. 400 working-class Pakistani immigrants were taken as a sample. Data was collected through Non-Probability Convenient sampling technique. A rank order analysis was used to find out the respondent's level of preference and the mean value of the rank for factors. The results revealed that the majority of the migrants used informal channels for money transfer because of convenience in regards to funds transmittal and that there was a differential rank ordered preference for choosing any channel wherein speed, cost, exchange rate and ease were given more preference. The research suggests that the policymakers should take concrete steps to ensure the awareness of the migrants about a variety of available remittance options and also to safeguard them against the possible exploitation by the agents and mediators.