Who sends money from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines
Common senders: workers in construction, healthcare, domestic work and services, and professionals supporting families across Asia and Africa.
About this corridor
Saudi Arabia has long been one of the main destinations for Overseas Filipino Workers. Families usually receive into bank accounts, GCash or Maya, or collect cash at remittance centres; compare the peso amount delivered, since rates differ a lot between bank apps and specialist services.
Worked example: sending 2,000 SAR
Using the ExchangeRate-API rate on 2026-10-08, 1 SAR = 16.7490 PHP, our estimate model gives these results for sending 2,000 SAR:
| Provider | Est. fee | Est. received | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 15.75 SAR | 33,234.13 PHP | 263.80 PHP |
| Revolut | 6.00 SAR | 33,230.45 PHP | 267.48 PHP |
| Remitly | 0.00 SAR | 33,095.95 PHP | 401.98 PHP |
| Western Union | 18.75 SAR | 32,520.21 PHP | 977.72 PHP |
| Bank wire (typical) | 75.00 SAR | 31,435.71 PHP | 2,062.21 PHP |
In this example Wise delivers roughly 1,798.42 PHP more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.
Sending to the Philippines: what to know
- Payout options: bank deposit, GCash, Maya and cash pickup.
- GCash and cash pickup are popular for families outside major cities.
- Cash pickup is convenient but often carries a worse rate than bank or e-wallet delivery.
Rules and limits
In Saudi Arabia: Money transfers from Saudi Arabia are regulated by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Senders need a valid Iqama or national ID that the provider verifies, and outgoing personal remittances are not taxed.
In the Philippines: Banks and e-money issuers are supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). E-wallets have balance and monthly incoming limits that rise with full verification, so large amounts are better sent to a bank account.
How to pick the cheapest option
- Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
- Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
- Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines?
It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much PHP each provider delivers for 2,000 SAR; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.
How much more does a bank wire cost for 2,000 SAR?
Using the reference rate on 2026-10-08, our model puts the gap at about 1,798.42 PHP versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.
How can my recipient in the Philippines receive the money?
Common payout options are bank deposit, GCash, Maya and cash pickup. Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.
How long does it take?
Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.
Sources
Official pages checked on