Sending money to the UK from Saudi Arabia? Here's what to know

Whether you're repatriating income, supporting family, or paying for education, moving money from Saudi Arabia to the UK shouldn’t be complicated or expensive. But traditional banks often charge high fees, use poor exchange rates, and delay large payments for extra checks. These small things can add up fast.

At Currencyflow, we help people transfer money from Saudi Arabia to the UK quickly and securely. Our clients get access to competitive SAR to GBP rates, no hidden charges, and personalised help from start to finish.

Why People Transfer Money from Saudi Arabia to the UK

People transfer money from Saudi Arabia to the UK for many reasons. Whether it's personal, educational, or investment-related, getting a good exchange rate and reliable delivery is key.

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Repatriating income

If you’ve worked in Saudi Arabia and are returning to the UK, or simply moving money home, we help you transfer savings securely. Many clients use Currencyflow to move large amounts from banks like Al Rajhi, SNB, or Riyad Bank at better rates than typical bank transfers.

Family

Supporting family

If your family lives in the UK, regular payments might be part of life. That could be help with bills, school fees, or just monthly support. Instead of relying on banks with added costs and delays, we help you send money quickly and without hidden fees.

Education

Paying for education

The UK is a popular destination for Saudi students, and regular payments are part of life. We help families send tuition, rent, and living costs to UK universities quickly and reliably, without unnecessary charges.

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Buying property or investing

Many clients send money to the UK for property purchases or investment opportunities. We help time the transfer, secure competitive SAR to GBP rates, and even lock in a rate in advance when needed.

How to Transfer Money to the UK from Saudi Arabia

1

Get a personalised quote

 Tell us how much you want to send. We'll give you a tailored SAR to GBP rate based on your timing and transfer size.

2

Open your account

A Currencyflow account manager will help you set things up. It only takes a few minutes and can be done by phone or email.

3

Add your funds

Transfer your riyals from your Saudi bank account to your secure Currencyflow client account. We'll let you know as soon as the funds arrive.

4

We send your pounds to the UK

We convert your SAR to GBP at the agreed rate and deliver the funds to the recipient’s UK bank account. You can send the money straight away or schedule it for later.

Get my SAR to GBP quote

Currencyflow vs. Banks

Feature Currencyflow High Street Banks
Exchange Rate Low-margin, personalisedd Often 3–5% markup
Transfer Fees None Yes, plus possible SWIFT fees
Speed Same-day or next working day 2–5 working days
Support Phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp Call centres or in-branch
Rate Lock Yes Rarely offered
Account Setup Fast and guided by a specialist Paperwork-heavy, slower

Understanding the SAR to GBP exchange rate

Why it matters

A small change in the exchange rate can make a big difference to what arrives in the UK. This is especially true when transferring larger sums.

Mid-market rate vs bank rate

Most banks don’t use the real SAR to GBP exchange rate. They add hidden margins of 3–5%. At Currencyflow, you get access to rates based on the real market, with a small, transparent margin.

Rates change constantly

The SAR to GBP exchange rate can be affected by global markets, oil prices, inflation, interest rates, and political events. If you’re not in a rush, we can help you choose a better time to transfer.

Want to lock in a rate?

you’re planning a future transfer, like for a property purchase or business payment, we can help you lock in a rate today using a forward contract.

What you'll need to send money from Saudi Arabia (and what to expect)

To transfer money from Saudi Arabia to the UK, you'll need a few basic details, along with extra documents if sending large amounts.

Basic requirements:

  • Valid ID (passport or Saudi national ID)
  • Proof of address (e.g. utility bill or bank statement)
  • Recipient's full name and UK bank details including IBAN (International Bank Account Number)
  • A short reason for the transfer

For larger transfers of typically SAR 100,000+, you may also require:

  • Proof of income or source of funds (e.g. payslip, bank statement, sale agreement)
  • Invoice or contract, particularly for property or tuition payments
  • Proof of relationship if sending a perdosonal gift or family support

We'll let you know what's needed upfront so the process goes smoothly.

How long does a transfer from Saudi Arabia to the UK take?

Most transfers arrive the same day or by the next working day. Here are some factors that affect speed:

  • When your bank processes the payment
  • Whether we receive your full recipient details
  • Completion of compliance checks
  • UK banking hours, especially Friday/ weekend processing

Banks in Saudi Arabia, like Al Rajhi or SNB, may delay larger transfers due to internal checks. Currencyflow is designed to move faster.

Legal and tax notes for Saudi Arabia to UK transfers

  • Saudi Arabia doesn’t apply personal income tax, so transfers from personal savings are usually not taxed
  • The UK may request documentation for large incoming transfers, especially if they involve property, gifts, or business payments
  • The UK and Saudi Arabia have a double taxation agreement, which helps prevent being taxed twice on income like pensions
  • If you’re moving large sums, speak with a UK tax advisor to make sure everything is correctly reported

Why trust Currencyflow

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Your money is protected

Funds are held in safeguarded client accounts through our FCA-regulated e-money partners. This keeps your money separate from business operations and protected at all times.
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30+ years of currency expertise

Our leadership team has over 30 years of combined experience in currency transfers and international payments. We understand how to manage risk and keep your transfer running smoothly.
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Built-in fraud protection

We use secure processes including two-factor authentication and transaction monitoring to protect your account. Every transfer is verified for safety.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a transfer from Saudi Arabia to the UK take?

Most transfers arrive the same day or next working day, but delays can happen. Particularly when sending larger amounts or if it's over the weekend.

What documents do I need to transfer money from Saudi Arabia?

You'll need valid ID, proof of address, recipient details and a reason for your transfer. You may need further documents if sending over SAR 100,000, for example, proof of earnings.

Is there a limit on how much I can send from Saudi Arabia?

There's no limit with Currencyflow, and we regularly deal with clients sending SAR 500,000+. This is where our personal service really helps, as we can guide you through the process and keep you updated throughout.

How do I get the best rate?

Larger amounts often qualify for a better rate. Speak to our team to find out what we can offer based on your transfer size and timing.

Get a quote now

It's free and easy