| Provider | Amount To Send | Fee | Exchange Rate | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Smart Currency Exchange | SAR ﷼ 10,000.00 | 23.35SAR | 0.9623 | 1-3 days | more... |
 |
Moneycorp | SAR ﷼ 10,000.00 | No Fee | 0.9514 | 1-3 days | more... |
One-off payments | Regular payments | Great rates | Safeguarded customer funds
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are the most populated countries in the GCC, with bigger economies than their council counterparts. Many expats from Saudi Arabia have moved to the UAE for work, and you will not find it difficult to transfer money from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a strong relationship in terms of extensive cultural and political ties. As member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Saudi Arabia and the UAE have agreements allowing open travel and trade across their borders and between their citizens.
The Saudi riyal (SAR) is as old as the country, having been established in 1932. It is pegged to the US dollar (USD), largely due to the top commodity in the GCC (oil) having a fixed price in dollars. The UAE dirham (AED) has been in circulation since 1973, and is also pegged to the USD.
The SAR is fully convertible and there are few restrictions when sending money from Saudi Arabia to the UAE. There are many options to send money to the UAE, but you can find exchange rates vary depending on the transfer method.
If you are looking to transfer SAR to AED, you can use our tool to compare trusted money transfer providers and find the lowest possible fee for your transfer. Money transfer charges may be applied through bank transfers and through certain provides, so use our comparison tool to find the best way to transfer money from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
Since Saudi Arabia is a member of the GCC and has freedom of movement, Saudi nationals do not require pre-arranged visas to visit the UAE. Those planning on working in the UAE will require a work permit and an appropriate visa.
If you plan on conducting business in the UAE over the long-term, you will require a multi-entry visa or may also obtain a residence visa, which allows an individual to work and live in the UAE for an extended period of time. The UAE now offers a Green Visa, which allows the holder to sponsor themselves for five years. This is aimed at people who are self-employed or skilled employees.
To see which visa you should apply to work in the UAE, check the website of the Saudi Consulate.
Saudis are the largest group of non-Emirati Arabs in the UAE and their numbers continue to grow each year. An estimated 85,000 Saudis live in the UAE, and many companies are planning to recruit more permanent employees, so keep an eye out for opportunities if you are interested in working in the country.
In certain areas of the UAE, especially Dubai, it has become increasingly popular for expats to move there for work, so you may find certain industries are extra competitive.
UAE banking is simple and sophisticated, with a multitude of local and international banks to choose from. Many local banks will only allow you to open a savings account if you are a non-resident though. A common practice for expats is to choose a bank associated with their home country or with which they already have an associated account.
Expats to the UAE may consider opening an offshore account with an international bank; this may be instrumental in securing salary savings in the event of death. It is a common practice for the government of the UAE to freeze all the assets of an expat until all debts have been cleared.
Although there are few restrictions on overseas money transfers in the UAE, they do have strict reporting standards for cross-border money transfers. In an effort to combat money laundering, travellers carrying an excess of AED 100,000 should declare this at customs.
Keep up to date with the latest customs requirements to avoid any issues in the future.
One of the major factors that draws a number of expats to the UAE is that there is no enforced federal income tax legislation for general business. The two countries now have a double tax treaty in force too, exempting Saudi nationals from owing income tax in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, although currently individuals in the UAE do not face taxes on personal income.
The cost of living in the UAE is quite high, although compared to other major cities across the world it is not the most expensive. Along with many other countries in 2023, the UAE is experiencing an increase in everyday costs such as food shopping and transport.
The UAE has excellent healthcare services with modern medical facilities, which are easily accessible for locals as well as for expats. Emirati nationals have access to free public healthcare, but as this applies only to UAE citizens, Saudi nationals in the UAE should make sure that they have medical insurance. In most cases these costs are covered by an employer, but check to make sure this is the case.
Still deciding how to send money from Saudi Arabia to the UAE? You can avoid hefty bank fees and get the best exchange rates by finding the best money transfer provider. Compare trusted international money transfer services using our tool to find the best option for your transfer.
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All the providers listed are regulated by the relevant authority (e.g. the FCA in the UK, FinCEN in the US, ASIC in Australia) and have been vetted by FXcompared.
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