Send Money from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines: Apps, Banks and GCash Options

Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest sources of remittances to the Philippines, and the way OFWs send there is different from the US or Europe. Most transfers go through Saudi banks' own remittance services and wallets, not global apps. This page is information only: we explain the options, how to compare them and what you need, so you can get more pesos home. We don't have a commercial partner for this route yet, and we say so plainly. Nothing on this page is a paid placement.

SAR to PHP reference rate today

The Saudi riyal has been pegged to the US dollar at 3.75 riyals per dollar since 1986, a policy the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has reaffirmed. So SAR to PHP moves almost exactly with USD to PHP. The rate above is Frankfurter's own calculation from central bank data, labelled reference only. It is not an official BSP rate and not what any bank in Saudi will pay. For more on this, see our SAR to PHP today page.

How OFWs in Saudi Arabia send money home

Bank remittance services

Saudi banks run dedicated remittance brands with branches, ATMs and apps:

• Enjaz (Bank Albilad). Bank Albilad promotes instant remittance to the Philippines, including cash pickup, and its app shows rates, fees and payout options per partner.
• Tahweel Al Rajhi (Al Rajhi Bank). International transfers through the Al Rajhi app, ATMs and branches, with the fee and rate shown in the app.
• SAB (Saudi Awwal Bank, formerly Saudi Arabia British Bank). Listed by GCash as an official remittance partner for Saudi Arabia.

If your salary already lands in one of these banks, its remittance service is often the most convenient. Convenient doesn't always mean cheapest, so compare.

Wallet apps

Saudi digital wallets and digital banks such as urpay and STC Bank (formerly STC Pay) offer international transfers, often through partners like Western Union. They're popular because you can send from your phone after payday without a branch visit. Check the fee, the rate and whether VAT is added to the fee.

Global networks through local partners

Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria all appear on GCash's official partner list for Saudi Arabia and pay out in the Philippines through banks, GCash and cash pickup counters. In Saudi you typically use them through a local bank, wallet or agent.

What's not available

• Remitly does not list Saudi Arabia as a send country.
• Wise returned no Saudi routes in its comparison data on 21 Oct 2026 and doesn't let you send from SAR.
• Informal "padala" agents who take cash and promise a transfer later are not licensed and offer no protection. Don't use them.

How to compare: the effective rate

Saudi banks and wallets advertise rates and fees separately, sometimes with VAT on the fee. To compare fairly:

1. Get the quote for the same SAR amount and payout method from two or three services.
2. Add the fee (and any VAT) to the SAR you pay.
3. Divide the pesos received by the total SAR paid. That's your effective rate.
4. Compare it with today's reference rate above. The smaller the gap, the better.

Example with round numbers, not real quotes: you send 1,000 SAR, pay a 15 SAR fee plus VAT, and your family receives 16,300 PHP. If the reference were 16.80, your effective rate is about 16.04 (16,300 divided by roughly 1,017), about 4.6% below the reference.

Do this once with your usual app and once with an alternative. Many OFWs find the difference is worth a few hundred pesos a month.

Best option by payout method

• Bank deposit: widely available from Saudi bank remittance services to BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Landbank, PNB and others. Usually the cheapest payout.
• GCash: choose a service that offers GCash as a payout. GCash's own Saudi partner list names Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, SAB and Skrill. If your bank's remittance app offers GCash through one of these networks, it should show up as a delivery option in the app. Your recipient needs a fully verified GCash account. See send money to GCash from abroad.
• Cash pickup: Enjaz, Western Union, MoneyGram and others pay cash through Philippine pawnshops and remittance centres. Your recipient needs valid ID and the reference number.

What you need to send money from Saudi Arabia

• A valid iqama (residence permit). Banks and wallets verify you against it. If it expires, remittances are often blocked until it's renewed in Absher, so renew early.
• A bank account or registered wallet in your name, with your mobile number linked.
• Recipient details: full name as on their Philippine ID, bank account number or GCash number, and sometimes their address and your relationship.
• Biometric or in-branch verification may be required for new accounts or new recipients.

"How to send money from Saudi to Philippines without iqama?" It's one of the most searched questions. The honest answer: licensed banks, wallets and exchange services in Saudi Arabia need a valid ID, and for residents that's the iqama. If your iqama is expired or with your employer, sort it out through your employer, Absher or the Philippine Embassy or Migrant Workers Office before sending. Anyone offering to send money for you "without iqama" for a fee is a risk.

Cutting your yearly remittance cost

Small differences add up over a contract. A few habits that help:

• Fewer, larger transfers. If your service charges a flat fee per transfer, sending once a month instead of every week cuts the fees by about three quarters. Keep a small GCash buffer at home for emergencies.
• Check the rate, not just the fee. A service that drops its fee to zero may quietly widen its rate margin. The effective rate method above catches this.
• Compare twice a year. Banks and wallets change pricing and run promotions. Put a reminder on your phone every six months to run the comparison again.
• Avoid paying by credit card. Card issuers can treat remittances as cash advances with extra fees and immediate interest. Use your debit card or bank balance. See our credit card guide.
• Use bank deposit for savings. Send the monthly budget to GCash and the savings portion straight to a Philippine bank account, so it isn't spent by accident.

Example: if the effective rate gap between two services is 0.20 PHP per riyal and you send 2,000 SAR a month, that's 400 PHP a month, or 4,800 PHP over a year. Pang-tuition na rin yan.

Timing and practical tips

• Saudi weekend is Friday and Saturday. Philippine banks don't credit on PH weekends and holidays. GCash credits are usually instant any day.
• Payday crowds: apps avoid the queue at the branch or ATM.
• Keep receipts with the transaction number until your family confirms receipt.
• Check the name spelling. Saudi systems sometimes shorten names; your recipient's name must match their ID or GCash.

When will this page have provider prices?

We'll only show provider prices when we can keep them timestamped and fresh. The comparison data we plan to use covers bank-to-bank routes from the US, Europe and Asia but returned no Saudi providers on 21 Oct 2026. Until a Saudi partner or data feed is available, this page shows the reference rate and the comparison method above, nothing invented.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best app to send money from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines?

There isn't one best app for everyone. Most OFWs use their bank's remittance service (Enjaz, Tahweel Al Rajhi), a wallet like urpay or STC Bank, or Western Union through a local partner. Compare the pesos received for the same amount in two of them; the cheapest changes over time.

Can I send money from Saudi Arabia to GCash?

Yes, through services that offer GCash payout. GCash's official partner list for Saudi Arabia names Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, Saudi Arabia British Bank (SAB) and Skrill. Your bank or wallet app may route a GCash payout through one of these.

Does Remitly work in Saudi Arabia?

No. Remitly doesn't list Saudi Arabia as a sending country. If you move to a country Remitly serves, like the UAE, you can use it there.

Why doesn't SAR to PHP change much?

Because the riyal is pegged to the US dollar. SAR to PHP moves when the peso moves against the dollar.

Can I send money from Saudi Arabia without an iqama?

Licensed services require valid ID, which for residents is the iqama. Renew it first. Don't hand cash to unlicensed agents who promise to send it for you.

Is there a limit on how much I can send from Saudi Arabia?

Yes, but it depends on the bank or wallet, your account level and your salary records. Banks may ask for supporting documents for amounts that look high compared with your declared income. Your app shows your current limit before you confirm.

How long does it take?

GCash and major bank deposits are often credited within minutes when sent through bank apps. Some banks and cash pickup partners take longer, and Philippine weekends and holidays can delay bank credits.