How to Send Money Home from Saudi Arabia — Expat Transfer Guide

Summary: For most expats in KSA, the cheapest route is the one with the lowest total cost (explicit fees + FX markup) that delivers reliably to your family’s bank, wallet, or cash‑pickup location. You’ll usually compare at least three: (1) a local remittance app (e.g., stc pay or a bank remittance arm like Enjaz or Tahweel Al Rajhi), (2) a global network (Western Union, MoneyGram) for cash pickup/coverage, and (3) your main bank’s international transfer feature. Always test with small transfers first and save receipts.

How to compare remittance options (no guesswork)

1) Quote both parts of the price:

• Transfer fee (explicit) + FX rate markup (implicit). If a provider says “zero fee”, check the exchange rate versus the mid‑market rate. Western Union’s disclosures remind users to compare both.

2) Speed and coverage:

• Bank deposit vs cash pickup vs mobile wallet; speed varies by corridor and partner.

3) Pay‑in method:

• mada debit, bank account, or cash at agent. Apps like Enjaz support mada card funding without full enrollment (“Quick Access”).

4) Receive method:

• Confirm your family’s bank details (IFSC/IBAN), wallet, or pickup ID.

5) Limits & compliance:

• Daily/monthly caps, KYC requirements, and proof of source of funds (for larger transfers).

Channels you will compare

• Wallet → international transfer: stc pay markets low fees and corridor promotions (e.g., Pakistan).

• Bank remittance arms: Enjaz (Bank Albilad), Tahweel Al Rajhi; both focus on expat corridors and direct bank ties.

• Global networks: Western Union (agents & online in KSA), MoneyGram (agents).

• Your main bank: Many banks let you send internationally from the core app (e.g., Bank Albilad online).

Note on Wise: Route availability to/from KSA is limited. Wise pages indicate some flows are not yet supported; verify live availability inside the Wise app/site for your exact route. Do not assume you can pay from a KSA bank card into Wise.

Country playbooks (what tends to be cheapest & most reliable)

We do not publish fixed prices (they change daily). Instead, we show how to compare and which channels are usually competitive in each corridor. Always test with a small amount first.

🇮🇳 India

• Good coverage choices: Enjaz, Tahweel Al Rajhi, stc pay, and Western Union (for cash pickup in rural areas).

• Checklist to compare:

1) Bank account deposit speed (NEFT/IMPS) vs cash pickup availability. 2) Fee + FX vs mid‑market. 3) Beneficiary name in exact format as bank records (to avoid rejections).

• Pro tip: If your family prefers cash pickup, compare WU agent density near their town before deciding.

🇵🇭 Philippines

• Popular routes: Wallet/partner credits (e.g., banks and e‑wallets) or cash pickup.

• Competitive in KSA: Enjaz, Tahweel Al Rajhi, stc pay, and WU/MoneyGram for wide pickup coverage.

• Checklist:

• Receiver’s name and valid ID for pickup; for bank credit, double‑check account number and bank code.

• Consider time‑zone cut‑offs for same‑day credit.

🇵🇰 Pakistan

• Wallet promos: stc pay periodically promotes fee‑free thresholds (e.g., SAR 750+); still check the FX rate.

• Banked routes: Tahweel and Enjaz often offer instant account credits to major banks through partners; verify the partner list in‑app.

• Checklist:

• Receiver’s CNIC for pickup; for bank credit, select the exact branch/bank from the list to avoid returns.

🇪🇬 Egypt

• Reliability: WU/MoneyGram for cash pickup reach; Enjaz and Tahweel for bank credits.

• Checklist:

• Name in Arabic/English as per bank records; IBAN for bank credits.

• Compare weekend processing (Fri/Sat in KSA, Fri in Egypt).

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

• Bank‑to‑bank via your Saudi bank (e.g., Bank Albilad online) or WU for pickup if needed. Wise is strong for many countries, but its SAR/KSA routes and pay‑in from KSA are restricted—check inside the app.

• Checklist:

• Compare SWIFT fees vs a remittance partner’s fee+FX.

• If sending to a UK fintech account, confirm sort code/account accept international credits.

Avoiding hidden costs (five‑point audit)

1) FX midpoint check: Use any public mid‑market rate reference, then compute the provider’s markup. 2) Agent vs app: In‑app quotes are often better than over‑the‑counter. 3) Promos with caps: “Zero fee” often has minimums or caps—read the fine print (e.g., corridor‑specific promotions). 4) Returned transfer fee: If a transfer bounces (name mismatch, frozen recipient account), some providers keep part of the fee; test first. 5) Pickup geography: Pickup density matters more than price if your family travels far to collect cash; check agent networks.

Speed & reliability (what to expect)

• Bank credits: Can be near‑instant with strong corridor partners (Enjaz/Tahweel), or next day depending on bank cut‑offs.

• Cash pickup: WU/MoneyGram shine in coverage; receiver must present valid ID and MTCN/ref.

• Wallet routes: Some partners offer instant wallet credits in destination countries; verify in app.

Safety & compliance

• Use your own bank card/account to fund transfers; avoid third‑party intermediaries.

• Keep a PDF of receipts and rate quotes; they help in disputes.

• Large transfers may require proof of funds and purpose; prepare payslips/invoices.

• Avoid sharing OTP codes—legitimate providers will never ask for them outside secure flows.

Copy‑paste checklists (by channel)

stc pay:

• Verify corridor promo and FX; confirm receiver bank/account or pickup partner; save receipt and tracking number.

Enjaz (Bank Albilad):

• Add beneficiary → pick bank/cash route → fund with mada card (Quick Access if eligible) → track delivery.

Tahweel Al Rajhi:

• Create remittance profile → choose bank deposit or cash pickup → verify partner bank list → confirm fee & FX.

Western Union/MoneyGram:

• Compare in‑app vs agent fees → check agent near the receiver → choose bank vs pickup → keep MTCN secure.

FAQs

Channel matrix — how each route pays in and pays out

Corridor steps & pitfalls (country by country)

🇮🇳 India — step‑through

1) Choose channel: Compare Enjaz, Tahweel, stc pay, WU. 2) Collect details: Beneficiary name (exact as bank), account number, IFSC, bank name/branch. 3) Quote check: Fee + FX vs mid‑market; watch for weekend FX spreads. 4) Send a test: Small amount first; verify credit and reference field text. 5) Common pitfalls: Name order mismatches, wrong IFSC, bank holidays in India.

🇵🇭 Philippines — step‑through

1) Choose channel: Enjaz, Tahweel, stc pay, WU/MoneyGram (pickup). 2) Collect details: Bank account/branch or cash pickup ID; ensure receiver has a valid ID matching the name. 3) Send & confirm: Track in app; advise the receiver to check pickup location hours. 4) Pitfalls: Name/ID mismatches, ID expired, short bank cut‑offs on Fridays.

🇵🇰 Pakistan — step‑through

1) Choose channel: Check stc pay promo vs Tahweel/Enjaz bank credits. 2) Collect details: CNIC for pickup or bank account details for deposit. 3) Send & confirm: Use SMS to share tracking; ask the receiver to bring CNIC for pickup. 4) Pitfalls: CNIC mismatch, bank branch routing differences.

🇪🇬 Egypt — step‑through

1) Choose channel: Enjaz/Tahweel for bank credits; WU/MoneyGram for pickup. 2) Collect details: IBAN (or account number if required), name in Arabic/English as bank records. 3) Send & confirm: Share reference/MTCN for pickup; for bank credits, verify expected value date. 4) Pitfalls: Transliteration issues, weekend/holiday cut‑offs.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom — step‑through

1) Choose channel: Your bank (SWIFT), WU for pickup; Wise availability is limited for KSA routes—check the site/app. 2) Collect details: IBAN (or account number + sort code). 3) Send & confirm: For SWIFT, ask your bank about shared vs OUR charges; for WU to bank, check payout method. 4) Pitfalls: Intermediary bank fees on SWIFT, incorrect sort codes, UK bank checks on large inbound transfers.

Worked example — how to compute “true total cost”

Suppose two providers quote for the same amount:

• Provider A: Fee SAR 0, FX rate 1% worse than mid‑market.

• Provider B: Fee SAR 15, FX at mid‑market.

True cost = explicit fee + implicit FX cost (amount × FX markup). Run the numbers on a small test. Western Union’s disclosures emphasize comparing both fees and rates.

Large transfers (down payments, tuition)

• Use your bank: Spend time at the counter if necessary; bring invoice, contract, or proof of funds.

• Split transfers: If limits apply in remittance apps, split across days (mind cumulative limits).

• Receiving bank checks: Overseas banks may hold large inbound SWIFT transfers for verification—warn the receiver.

Dispute playbook

1) Document: Screenshots of quotes, MTCN/reference, timestamps. 2) Contact: In‑app chat/phone with transaction ID. 3) Escalate: For bank remittance arms, escalate via bank complaint channels; for networks, use official portals and keep MTCN handy.

The don’ts (avoid these)

• Don’t hand over cash to unofficial agents.

• Don’t share OTP codes.

• Don’t assume a “zero‑fee” promo is cheapest without checking the FX.

Recurring transfer tips

• Payday rule: Schedule transfers after your salary clears to avoid reversals.

• Receiver setup: Ask family to save your sender name, expected amount, and reference phrase; it speeds up bank support calls.

• Transfer memo: Use a consistent description (e.g., “Family support ‑ month/year”) for easier tracking.

FAQs (extended)

Q. Can I send from KSA to a UK fintech account (e.g., Monzo/Revolut)?

What identification does the receiver need for pickup? A valid government ID matching the name on the transfer. Bring the MTCN and sender details.