How to Send Money to Nepal From Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia hosts one of the largest Nepali workforces in the Gulf. Unusually, the strongest remittance options here are run by the banks themselves. Here is how to send riyals home and maximise the rupees.
- In Saudi Arabia, bank-run remittance services dominate: Tahweel Al Rajhi (Al Rajhi Bank), Enjaz (Bank Albilad's remittance arm, with Fawri) and similar — alongside Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria.
- These bank services have dedicated remittance centres in workers' areas and their own apps with Nepal corridors.
- The Saudi riyal is dollar-pegged, so SAR→NPR tracks USD→NPR — compare quotes against the NRB reference to see each provider's margin.
- Family receives by bank deposit (best), wallet, or cash pickup — see the receive guide.
Saudi Arabia is a bank-led corridor
Unlike Dubai's exchange-house scene, remittance from Saudi Arabia runs largely through the banks' own transfer arms, built specifically for the Kingdom's huge expatriate workforce:
- Tahweel Al Rajhi — Al Rajhi Bank's remittance service, with dedicated centres and an app; one of the most used by Nepali workers.
- Enjaz (Bank Albilad) — remittance centres and app, long-standing Nepal corridor.
- Other banks' transfer products and digital wallets in the Kingdom also offer international transfer with Nepal among the corridors.
- Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria — available through bank partners and their own agent locations.
Availability and pricing change, so treat this as the map, then compare live quotes for your amount.
Getting the most rupees per riyal
The Saudi riyal is pegged to the US dollar, so SAR→NPR follows USD→NPR. Each provider takes a margin off that rate — usually a bigger cost than the visible fee. Before sending your monthly amount, get quotes from your bank's remittance service and one or two alternatives, and compare the NPR that actually lands. Around Dashain, Nepal-corridor promotions are common and worth catching.
What you need
- Your Iqama (residence permit) — transfers must go through licensed channels in your own name.
- Recipient details: name exactly as on their Nepali ID, plus their bank account or wallet — or name alone for cash pickup with the reference number.
- A Saudi bank account for the bank-run services (most workers' salaries already arrive in one under the wage protection system).
Formal channels, not hundi
Hundi is illegal in both Saudi Arabia and Nepal, and enforcement on unlicensed money handling in the Kingdom is strict — the risk falls on you, the sender. Formal transfers are protected, traceable, and qualify your family for remittance-linked savings and fixed-deposit accounts at Nepali banks that pay extra interest — effectively a bonus on every transfer. See today's FD rates and savings rates.
On the Nepal side
Transfers from Saudi Arabia arrive the standard three ways: direct bank deposit (best rate; the money can start earning immediately), wallets like eSewa and IME Pay, or cash pickup through IME Remit, Prabhu, Himal Remit, City Express and bank counters. The complete receive-side walkthrough is in our guide to receiving money in Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to send money from Saudi Arabia to Nepal?
The bank-run remittance services — Tahweel Al Rajhi, Enjaz (Bank Albilad) and similar — are the most-used options, alongside Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria. Compare your bank's remittance quote against one or two alternatives for your exact amount and send with whoever delivers the most rupees.
What is Tahweel Al Rajhi and does it send to Nepal?
Tahweel Al Rajhi is Al Rajhi Bank's dedicated remittance service, with remittance centres across Saudi Arabia and an app. Nepal is a supported corridor, with payout to Nepali banks and cash-pickup networks. It is one of the services most used by Nepali workers in the Kingdom.
What documents do I need to send money from Saudi Arabia to Nepal?
Your Iqama (residence permit), and the recipient's name exactly as on their Nepali ID plus their bank account or wallet number — or the name alone for cash pickup. Bank-run services also need your Saudi bank account, where most salaries already arrive.
What is the SAR to NPR rate?
The Saudi riyal is pegged to the US dollar, so the SAR to NPR rate moves with USD to NPR. Check the NRB reference rate on Byajdar's forex page and compare each provider's quote against it — the gap is their margin, which usually costs more than the fee.
Is hundi from Saudi Arabia to Nepal safe?
No. Hundi is illegal in both countries and unlicensed money handling is strictly enforced in Saudi Arabia — and there is no recourse if the agent disappears. Formal channels are protected and qualify your family for premium-rate remittance savings and FDs at Nepali banks.
Before you send: compare every option in the remittance apps guide, check the live corridor comparison and today's NRB exchange rates — and help the money earn at home with the best FD and savings rates.