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How to Send Money from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines — Best Ways & Lowest Fees
The Philippines is one of the top recipients of OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) remittances globally, and Saudi Arabia is one of the largest sources. Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia — nurses, teachers, engineers, domestic workers, and professionals — send money home regularly. This guide compares the fastest and cheapest methods to transfer money from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines.
Highlights
- ★GCash is the most popular digital wallet in the Philippines — several Saudi services support direct transfers to GCash without the recipient needing a bank account.
- ★Western Union has one of the most extensive agent networks in the Philippines, including rural areas — ideal for recipients without bank accounts.
- ★Al Rajhi Bank and exchange houses offer competitive PHP rates for Saudi-to-Philippines transfers.
- ★Philippine law requires OFWs to remit a portion of their salary through official banking channels — all methods listed here are compliant.
- ★The Philippine Peso (PHP) rate fluctuates — check the live rate on the day you send.
- ★Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) tracks OFW remittances — using official channels protects you and supports accurate OFW records.
Which Method Should You Use?
Who Is This For?
Filipino expats (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia who want to send money home to family and want the best PHP rate with lowest fees.
Directory
Widely used by Filipino expats. Competitive PHP rates. Transfer via Al Rajhi app or branch. Transfers typically reach Philippine bank accounts within hours. Fee: SAR 10–25.
Largest agent network in the Philippines including rural areas. Cash pickup at SM malls, Cebuana Lhuillier, and thousands of other locations. Fee: SAR 15–50. Available online and at branches.
Exchange house with competitive PHP rates. Often better than banks. Bank deposit to any Philippine bank. Branches across Saudi Arabia. Fee: SAR 10–30.
Alinma Bank remittance. Good for Philippines transfers. Available via Alinma app and branches.
Saudi mobile wallet with international remittance. Competitive rates for Philippines. Check the app for current supported transfer methods to GCash or Philippine banks.
Practical Tips
- 💡Check the SAR/PHP rate on the day — rates vary significantly between providers and fluctuate daily. A difference of 1 PHP per SAR means PHP 300 more or less on a SAR 300 transfer.
- 💡Transfer during Philippine banking hours (9am–4pm PHT, which is 6am–1pm Saudi time) for same-day bank credit to Philippine accounts.
- 💡For recipients in provinces, Western Union and Cebuana Lhuillier partner locations are the most reliable cash pickup options — broader than any bank network.
- 💡Philippine OFW remittance regulations require that transfers come through official channels (banks, licensed money transfer operators). All services listed here are compliant.
- 💡Keep your transfer receipts — Philippine immigration and POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) sometimes request proof of remittance.
- 💡Al Rajhi and SNB both have dedicated Filipino customer service staff at major branches in Riyadh and Jeddah — useful if you have a complex transfer issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how much I can send to the Philippines?
Saudi Arabia does not cap remittances for Iqama holders. The Philippines has no cap on inward OFW remittances. For transfers above SAR 50,000, your Saudi bank may ask for source-of-funds documentation.
How long does a transfer from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines take?
Al Rajhi bank to Philippine bank: same day or next business day. Western Union cash pickup: usually within minutes. Exchange house bank transfer: 1–3 business days. STC Pay to Philippine accounts: varies, check the app.
Can I send money directly to GCash from Saudi Arabia?
Some services support GCash as a destination — check STC Pay and Remitly for current GCash support. Otherwise, transfer to the recipient's bank account and they can load GCash from their bank.
What details do I need to send to a Philippine bank?
Full name of recipient, bank name, bank branch, and account number. For some banks, the BIC/SWIFT code may be needed. For cash pickup services, you only need the recipient's full name and ID.
Which Philippine banks can receive international transfers?
All major Philippine banks accept international transfers: BDO, BPI, Metrobank, PNB (Philippine National Bank — popular with OFWs), Land Bank, Security Bank, and others. PNB is particularly popular among OFWs as it has a dedicated Saudi Arabia branch.