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

Indonesia has one of the largest communities of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, with hundreds of thousands of Indonesians working across the Kingdom. Sending money home (remitansi) is a regular part of life for most. This guide covers the fastest and cheapest ways to transfer SAR to IDR to Indonesian bank accounts, GoPay, OVO, Dana, and cash pickup.

Highlights

★Indonesia is one of the top recipients of remittances from Saudi Arabia — the Indonesian government has specific programs supporting migrant worker remittances.
★Bank BRI and Bank BNI both have dedicated migrant worker remittance services and are widely used by Indonesian expats in Saudi Arabia.
★Western Union has very broad coverage in Indonesia, including agent locations in smaller cities and rural areas where many Indonesian workers' families live.
★Wise offers mid-market SAR/IDR rates — often the best exchange rate available, particularly for amounts above SAR 2,000.
★Indonesia's OJK (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) regulates incoming remittances — all services listed here operate through compliant official channels.
★The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is quoted in thousands — SAR 100 is approximately IDR 400,000–450,000 (rate varies; always check live rate).

Which Method Should You Use?

Best overall rate + speedAl Rajhi Bank or STC Pay — competitive IDR rates, same-day or next-day credit to Indonesian banks.

Recipient uses GoPay, OVO, or Dana mobile walletWise or Western Union — both support transfers that credit Indonesian mobile wallets. Check the app for current wallet options.

Recipient has no bank account (cash pickup)Western Union — thousands of agent locations across Indonesia including in smaller towns and rural areas.

Best rate for large amounts (SAR 3,000+)Wise offers mid-market SAR/IDR rates with transparent fees — significant rate advantage on larger amounts vs banks.

Government-recommended channel for migrant workersBank BNI or Bank BRI international remittance — both are government-linked Indonesian banks with specific migrant worker remittance programs.

Who Is This For?

Indonesian expats and migrant workers in Saudi Arabia who send money home to family and want the best exchange rate and lowest fees.

Practical Tips

💡Check the SAR/IDR rate on the day — it changes daily. A difference of even IDR 50–100 per SAR matters on large transfers.
💡If your family is in a rural area of Indonesia with limited bank access, Western Union is the most reliable option — pick-up points are widely distributed across Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and other islands.
💡Bank BRI and Bank BNI have specific migrant worker remittance programs with lower fees and competitive rates — worth checking if you send regularly.
💡Wise is significantly better than most Saudi banks for large transfers (SAR 3,000+) because of the mid-market rate. The fee is transparent and visible before you confirm.
💡Keep your transaction reference number for every transfer — if funds are delayed, this is what you need to trace the payment.
💡Indonesian recipients need to provide their bank account number (10 digits for most banks) and bank name. For BCA, MANDIRI, BNI, BRI, and Danamon accounts, the account number alone is sufficient with the bank name.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best SAR to IDR exchange rate I can get?

Rates change daily. Wise offers the mid-market rate (the fairest available) with a transparent fee — often the best for amounts above SAR 2,000. For smaller regular transfers, Al Rajhi and STC Pay are most convenient. Check 2–3 providers on the day you want to send.

How long does a transfer from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia take?

Al Rajhi or STC Pay to Indonesian banks: same day to next business day. Wise: 1–2 business days. Western Union cash pickup: usually within minutes of sending. SWIFT bank transfer: 1–3 business days.

Can I send money to GoPay or OVO from Saudi Arabia?

Yes — Western Union supports transfers to GoPay and other Indonesian mobile wallets. Check the latest options in the Wise and STC Pay apps as Indonesia wallet integrations are expanding. You need the recipient's Indonesian mobile number registered with the wallet.

Are there any government programs for Indonesian migrant worker remittances?

Yes — Indonesia's government promotes official remittance channels through licensed banks and services. Bank BNI and Bank BRI have dedicated TKI (Tenaga Kerja Indonesia) remittance programs with lower fees. BPMI (Badan Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia) provides guidance on official channels.

What details do I need to send to an Indonesian bank account?

You need: the recipient's full name, bank name, and account number (10 digits for most Indonesian banks). An IBAN is not used in Indonesia — the local account number is sufficient. For mobile wallets, you need the recipient's registered Indonesian phone number.