Western Union Saudi Arabia Western Union
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 15
- Exchange Rate Markup: 1–3%
- Transfer Speed: Minutes (cash pickup)
- Key Feature: 500,000 agent locations globally; instant cash pickup
Compare Money Transfer in Saudi Arabia
Compare international money transfer services in Saudi Arabia.
13 live money transfer offers tracked across 13 Saudi providers, with prices from Price on request. Data current as of 23 October 2026 and updated daily from the Giraffy database.
Live offers
13 live offers compared from 13 providers. Updated daily.
Riyad Bank Transfer Riyad Bank
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 8
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5–1%
- Transfer Speed: 1 day
- Key Feature: Reliable international transfers
Alinma Pay Transfer Alinma Pay
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 3
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5%
- Transfer Speed: Instant
- Key Feature: Instant transfers for workers
SAB Money Transfer SAB
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 10
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5–1%
- Transfer Speed: 1–2 days
- Key Feature: HSBC partnership
STC Pay Transfer STC Pay
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 2
- Exchange Rate Markup: 1%
- Transfer Speed: Instant
- Key Feature: Saudi digital wallet
MoneyGram KSA MoneyGram
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From $2.99
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5–2%
- Transfer Speed: Minutes
- Key Feature: Wide global network
Saudi National Bank Transfer Saudi National Bank
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 8
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5–1%
- Transfer Speed: 1 day
- Key Feature: Saudi National Bank network
BSF Money Transfer BSF
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 10
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5–1%
- Transfer Speed: 1 day
- Key Feature: Bank transfer from BSF
Al Rajhi Bank Transfer Al Rajhi Bank
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 5
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.3–1%
- Transfer Speed: Instant
- Key Feature: App-based transfers
urpay Transfer urpay
Price on request
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 0
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5%
- Transfer Speed: Instant
- Key Feature: Free digital wallet
OFX KSA OFX
Price on request
OFX KSA from OFX. Transfer Fee: From $0; Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5–1%; Transfer Speed: 1–2 days; Key Feature: Best for large amounts.
- Transfer Fee: From $0
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5–1%
- Transfer Speed: 1–2 days
- Key Feature: Best for large amounts
Al Rajhi Exchange Money Transfer Al Rajhi Exchange
Price on request
Al Rajhi Exchange Money Transfer: Transfer Fee SAR 0–20 (varies by corridor); Exchange Rate Markup 0.5–1%; Transfer Speed Same day; Key Feature KSA's largest exchange network; 600+ branches; SAR dominant.
- Transfer Fee: SAR 0–20 (varies by corridor)
- Exchange Rate Markup: 0.5–1%
- Transfer Speed: Same day
- Key Feature: KSA's largest exchange network; 600+ branches; SAR dominant
Remitly Saudi Arabia Remitly
Price on request
Remitly Saudi Arabia: Transfer Fee From SAR 0 (promotional); Exchange Rate Markup ~1.5–2%; Transfer Speed Minutes to hours; Key Feature Express delivery; cash pickup or bank deposit; new-user zero fee.
- Transfer Fee: From SAR 0 (promotional)
- Exchange Rate Markup: ~1.5–2%
- Transfer Speed: Minutes to hours
- Key Feature: Express delivery; cash pickup or bank deposit; new-user zero fee
Money transfer from Saudi Arabia: October 2026 at a glance
Giraffy compares money transfer services from 13 providers: banks (Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank, Riyad Bank, SAB, BSF), digital wallets (STC Pay, Alinma Pay, urpay) and exchange and remittance companies (Al Rajhi Exchange, Western Union, MoneyGram, Remitly, OFX). The real cost of a transfer is the fee plus the exchange-rate markup.
The lowest listed fees are on wallets: urpay from SAR 0 (0.5% markup), STC Pay from SAR 2 (1%) and Alinma Pay from SAR 3 (0.5%), all instant. Bank fees start at SAR 5 (Al Rajhi Bank, 0.3%–1% markup, instant) and run to SAR 10 (SAB, BSF) with 1–2 day delivery. For cash pickup in minutes there is Western Union (from SAR 15, 1%–3% markup) and MoneyGram, and Al Rajhi Exchange has 600+ branches with fees of SAR 0–20 by corridor. For large amounts compare the markup first: OFX lists 0.5%–1%. On a SAR 1,000 transfer, every 1% of markup is SAR 10 less for your recipient. Travelling soon? Compare prepaid cards.
What is money transfer in Saudi Arabia?
Money transfer, or remittance, is the service of sending funds from Saudi Arabia to recipients at home or abroad. It is one of the most heavily used financial services in the Kingdom because of its large expatriate workforce, whose families in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Philippines rely on regular transfers. The service spans bank wires, dedicated exchange houses and app-based fintechs that settle in minutes.
How the Saudi market works
All licensed transfer providers are supervised by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), which authorises banks, money-changers and payment fintechs. The market blends three layers: banks such as Riyad Bank, SAB and Saudi National Bank offering transfers through their apps; specialist exchanges such as Al Rajhi Exchange (Tahweel); and digital wallets such as STC Pay and Alinma Pay that have made instant, low-fee transfers mainstream. International names like Remitly and Western Union compete on payout networks abroad. Because remittances are such a large part of the Saudi economy, competition on price and speed is intense, and the fintech wallets in particular have driven fees down sharply for the busiest corridors to countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and the Philippines.
Benefits
Speed — Wallet and fintech transfers to major corridors often arrive within minutes.
Corridor reach — Providers differ in which countries, banks and cash-payout points they serve, so you can match the recipients needs.
Transparent pricing — App-based services show the exchange rate and fee before you confirm.
Convenience — Send from your phone at any hour rather than visiting a branch.
How to choose
Compare the total cost, not just the headline fee: the exchange rate margin usually matters more than the flat charge, especially on larger amounts. Check the delivery speed and payout method your recipient prefers (bank deposit, wallet or cash). Confirm the destination country is supported and whether promotional zero-fee first transfers apply. For recurring support to family, small differences in the rate compound over a year.
Leading money transfer providers in Saudi Arabia
Al Rajhi Exchange operates one of the widest branch and corridor networks in the Kingdom. STC Pay and Alinma Pay lead the app-based wallet segment for instant transfers. Riyad Bank, SAB and Saudi National Bank offer transfers integrated with current accounts, while Remitly and Western Union bring extensive overseas payout networks. Giraffy tracks live offers across these providers.
What it costs
Costs are made up of a transfer fee plus the margin built into the exchange rate. Digital wallets frequently charge low flat fees for popular corridors and run promotional free first transfers, while bank wires and cash payouts can cost more. Because the true cost is the combination of fee and rate, always compare the final amount the recipient receives rather than the fee alone.
Protections and regulation
SAMA licenses and supervises every legitimate money-transfer provider in Saudi Arabia and enforces anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer rules, which is why you must verify your identity and often the purpose of larger transfers. Using a SAMA-licensed provider protects your funds and ensures transfers move through monitored, lawful channels. Avoid informal or unlicensed operators.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, a bank or a wallet? App wallets like STC Pay and Alinma Pay are often cheapest for common corridors, but compare the final received amount each time.
How fast do transfers arrive? Wallet transfers to major corridors can be near-instant; bank wires may take one to three business days.
What do I need to send money? A SAMA-verified account and the recipients details. Larger transfers may require proof of the source or purpose of funds.
Can I schedule regular transfers? Many apps let you save a recipient and repeat or schedule transfers, which is useful for monthly family support and helps you track the rate you get each time.
Money Transfer in Saudi Arabia — FAQ
What is the cheapest way to send money from Saudi Arabia?
Giraffy compares 13 money transfer services from 13 providers. The lowest listed fees are on digital wallets: urpay from SAR 0 with a 0.5% exchange-rate markup, Alinma Pay from SAR 3 (0.5%) and STC Pay from SAR 2 (1%). Always compare the amount your recipient receives, not just the fee.
What is the fastest way to send money from Saudi Arabia?
Transfers are instant in the Al Rajhi Bank, STC Pay, Alinma Pay and urpay apps, and Western Union and MoneyGram cash pickup arrives in minutes. Bank transfers from Saudi National Bank, Riyad Bank and BSF take about a day; SAB and OFX take 1–2 days.
What is an exchange-rate markup and why does it matter?
It is the gap between the provider's exchange rate and the market rate, charged on top of the fee. Listed markups start at 0.3% at Al Rajhi Bank and 0.5% at Alinma Pay and urpay, and reach 1%–3% at Western Union. On a SAR 1,000 transfer, every 1% is SAR 10 less for your recipient.
Is it better to send money through a bank, an exchange house or an app?
Banks (fees from SAR 5–10) suit transfers to bank accounts. Exchange houses such as Al Rajhi Exchange (SAR 0–20 depending on corridor, 600+ branches) and Western Union offer cash pickup. Digital wallets are usually the cheapest and fastest for small, regular transfers.
What is the best option for sending a large amount?
On large amounts the exchange-rate markup matters more than the flat fee. Al Rajhi Bank lists a 0.3%–1% markup, and OFX lists 0.5%–1% and is aimed at larger transfers.
Are there fee-free money transfers from Saudi Arabia?
Yes: urpay lists fees from SAR 0, Remitly waives the fee for new users on a promotional basis, and Al Rajhi Exchange starts at SAR 0 on some corridors. A zero fee can come with a wider exchange-rate markup, so compare the rate too.