Saudi-Steps
Back to payments

payments

How to Send Money from Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh — Best Ways & Lowest Fees

Bangladesh is one of the top recipients of remittances from Saudi Arabia. Bangladeshi workers across all sectors — construction, hospitality, services, and professional roles — regularly send money home to family. This guide compares the fastest and cheapest methods to transfer money from Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh, including bank transfers, mobile wallets, exchange houses, and international services.

Highlights

  • ★bKash is Bangladesh's most popular mobile wallet — STC Pay and several exchange houses support direct transfers to bKash without the recipient needing a bank account.
  • ★Al Rajhi Bank's remittance service is one of the most commonly used by Bangladeshi expats in Saudi Arabia — competitive BDT rates and fast transfers.
  • ★Exchange houses (Al Ansari, Al Mulla, UAE Exchange) often offer better BDT rates than bank transfers for Bangladesh remittances.
  • ★Western Union and MoneyGram offer cash pickup across Bangladesh — useful for recipients in rural areas without bank accounts.
  • ★Bangladesh Bank encourages remittances through official channels and offers incentives (2% government cash incentive on inward remittances through official channels).
  • ★The BDT rate fluctuates — always check the live rate on the day you send.

Which Method Should You Use?

Recipient has bKashSTC Pay — direct transfer to bKash, usually within minutes. No bank account needed.
Best overall rate + speedAl Rajhi Bank remittance or a licensed exchange house — compare rates on the day
Recipient has no bank account or bKash (cash pickup)Western Union or MoneyGram — widespread pickup locations across Bangladesh including rural areas
Large amounts (SAR 3,000+)Compare Al Rajhi, SNB, and an exchange house — larger amounts attract better rates
Regular monthly transfersAl Rajhi app or STC Pay — both have low fees and remember your recipient details

Who Is This For?

Bangladeshi expats in Saudi Arabia who want to send money home to family and want the best rate with the lowest fees.

Directory

Al Rajhi Bank — Remittance

Most popular bank for Bangladesh transfers. Transfer via Al Rajhi app, online banking, or branch. Competitive BDT rate. Transfers reach Bangladesh accounts within hours. Fee: SAR 10–25.

→
STC Pay

Supports direct transfer to bKash mobile wallet. No bank account required by recipient. Fast transfers, competitive rates. Register with Iqama and Saudi mobile number. Fee: varies, check in-app.

→
Western Union Saudi Arabia

Cash pickup available across Bangladesh including rural areas. Available online, via app, or at branches. Fee: SAR 15–50 depending on amount and method.

→
Al Ansari Exchange

Exchange house with branches across Saudi Arabia. Often better BDT rates than banks. Cash transfer or bank deposit to Bangladesh. Fee: SAR 10–30.

→
Alinma Pay

Alinma Bank remittance service. Good for Bangladesh transfers. Available via app and branches. Suitable for Alinma account holders.

→
MoneyGram

Cash pickup alternative to Western Union. Available at exchange house partners and ATMs across Saudi Arabia.

→

Practical Tips

  • 💡Check the SAR/BDT rate on the day of transfer — a difference of even 1–2 BDT per SAR matters significantly on larger transfers.
  • 💡Bangladesh Bank offers a 2% government cash incentive on remittances sent through official banking channels — your recipient may receive slightly more than the transferred amount. Confirm with your bank.
  • 💡For bKash transfers, verify the recipient's bKash number before confirming — reversals are not always straightforward.
  • 💡Transfer during Bangladeshi banking hours (10am–4pm BST, which is 7am–1pm Saudi time) for same-day bank credit. Evening transfers typically arrive the next working day.
  • 💡STC Pay requires your Iqama and Saudi mobile number to register. It works without a Saudi bank account — useful for expats who have not yet opened one.
  • 💡For regular monthly transfers, save your recipient's bank and bKash details in your preferred app to speed up each transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a limit on how much I can send to Bangladesh?

Saudi Arabia does not set a personal remittance cap for Iqama holders. Bangladesh Bank encourages official remittance channels and does not cap inward transfers. For very large transfers (SAR 50,000+), your Saudi bank may request source-of-funds documentation.

What is the best SAR to BDT exchange rate?

Rates vary daily between providers. Exchange houses (Al Ansari, Al Mulla) and STC Pay typically offer better BDT rates than high-street banks. Check 2–3 providers on the day of transfer to get the best rate.

How long does a transfer to Bangladesh take?

STC Pay to bKash: usually minutes. Al Rajhi bank to Bangladesh bank: same day to next business day. Exchange house cash transfer: 1–24 hours. Western Union/MoneyGram cash pickup: usually within minutes of sending.

What details do I need for a bank transfer to Bangladesh?

You need the recipient's full name, bank name, branch name, and account number. For SWIFT transfers, you also need the bank's SWIFT/BIC code. For bKash transfers, you only need the registered mobile number.

Can I send money to Bangladesh without a Saudi bank account?

Yes. STC Pay works without a Saudi bank account — fund it with cash at any STC store. Western Union and MoneyGram also allow cash-send transactions at agent locations without requiring a bank account.