How to Transfer Money from Saudi Arabia to USA
Saudi Arabia to USA Guide
Summary
Saudi Arabia and the United States currently have a variety of political and economic agreements in place, including two Trade and Investment Framework Agreements, which provide an opportunity for the countries to expand their trading and investment relationships, ongoing political initiatives, and humanitarian-related efforts around the globe. Currently, citizens of Saudi Arabia who wish to transfer money from Saudi Arabia to USA may do so without restrictions. The Saudi Riyal (SAR) is currently pegged to the US Dollar (USD).
Visas, work permits and residency
Citizens of Saudi Arabia who wish to live or work in the United States must apply for the appropriate visa and go through an in-person interview at a local American consulate or embassy. Besides short-stay visas, there are also a variety of work visas of varying lengths of stay. The type of visa required depends on the immigrants profession and current employment status.
For travel or short visits lasting less than 90 days, Saudi nationals must obtain a visitor or business visa before entering the US. This can be granted after filling out the appropriate online forms and attending the in-person interview. For stays over 90 days, an immigrant or non-immigrant visa is required. For more information on visa and residency requirements in the US, please refer to the website of the local US Embassy.
Buying property in the US
Saudi nationals who wish to buy or rent property in the United States face few restrictions, although the buyer must have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). It is advisable to consult with a licensed real estate agent who can provide guidance throughout the purchasing process.
To obtain the ITIN, the buyer must apply with the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Receiving the ITIN may take five weeks or longer, so plan accordingly. Once the ITIN has been issued, the buyer may then arrange to transfer money from Saudi Arabia to USA for their property purchase. Because each state within the United States has its own real estate laws, working with a licensed real estate attorney or real estate agent, who can advise on regional and federal real estate laws throughout the entire process, is advised.
Taxation
Currently, the American and Saudi governments do not have a tax treaty agreement in place. Saudi Arabian citizens living and working in the US must file and pay taxes within the United States on any locally-earned income. If preparing to pay taxes within the US, there are currently no restrictions on a money transfer from Saudi Arabia to the United States to cover these obligations.
Studying in the US
Citizens of Saudi Arabia must be accepted to a US-based school or program before they can apply for a student visa. Once accepted, the institution should provide the documentation necessary to obtain the visa. The US offers two primary types of permits for students, the F-1 and the M-1. The F-1 visa, the most common student visa, is necessary for academic studies at an approved school or accredited American university. Non-academic or vocational studies are covered by the M-1 visa.
Healthcare
Most American citizens own health insurance through their full-time employer and pay for their healthcare through their policy. In the United States, it is mandatory for every individual to have at least the minimum levels of health insurance or risk paying a yearly tax. It is advisable for Saudi Arabian citizens planning to visit or live in the US to purchase a travel insurance or short-term health insurance policy.
Foreign nationals may participate in the two publicly-funded health plans, Medicare and Medicaid, if they meet certain requirements, including having an income that is below the minimum threshold, having contributed to Medicare/Social Security for at least ten years, and having lived in the US for at least five years.
Voting
Citizens of Saudi Arabia living in the US are not permitted to vote in American federal elections. Currently, voting for federal office is restricted to American citizens. Although states may allow non-citizens to vote, this is rare and limited to local elections in only a few places today.
Importing from Saudi Arabia to the US
Saudi Arabia and the United States have historically had strong political and economic ties. They are currently partners in two important trade initiatives. The US-Saudi Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) provides an opportunity for ongoing dialogue between the two countries related to trade and investment issues. The second, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Framework Agreement, aims to foster closer collaboration between the US and Gulf countries related to trade, economic partnerships, investment and technical cooperation. Bilateral trade of goods and services between the US and Saudi Arabia amounted to US$81bn in 2012, with imports to the US (especially energy products) accounting for US$56bn of the total. In 2013, Saudi Arabia was the United States tenth-largest trading goods partner overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the money transfer companies shown above safe to use?
Yes, all the companies are safe and fully-regulated money transfer services.
Each are authorised and regulated by the relevant authority such as the Financial
Conduct Authority(FCA) in the UK, FinCEN in the US, FinTRAC in Canada or ASIC in Australia.
How long does an international money transfer take?
The speed of delivery will depend on where the money is being from and to and how
you are sending and receiving the money. Transfers sent using bank to bank transfers
can depend take anywhere from minutes to days and you should check the time estimates
from the relevant provider. Debit and credit card payments sometimes allow for faster
transfers for smaller amounts.
How do I use FXcompared?
First review the comparison results (such as for a table above) for a given amount
of money sending from Saudi Arabia to USA. Then select a provider based on
factors such as price, speed, their rating and click the green button to be taken to
their website. From there, you can register and sign up for an account. Once you have
done that and the provider has verified your identity to ensure the money can be send
safely, you will be ready to transfer money.
What payments methods can I use to send money overseas?
The results shown above are typically for bank to bank transfers. It is possible
via some providers to pay in your funds for the transfer via cash, debit or credit
cards as well but this is usually reserved for smaller amounts. Some providers also
give you different options for how the money will be received - to a bank account
(most common), to a debit card, to cash or to a digital or mobile wallet.
What if the price shown above isn’t exactly what I am offered when I try to transfer money?
There can be a number of reasons why the final price you are offered may be different
to that shown in the table above. Exchange rates between two currencies change all
the time and is the most common reason. Additionally, some providers offer different
pricing depending what method you are using to send funds or how the funds will be
received. Others may offer you a premium service for faster payments. In some cases
FXcompared has a special rate with a provider and this is reserved for first time
customers who sign up to the provider starting from FXcompared’s website.
As prices do change often, be sure to confirm the total cost with the provider
before transferring money.
Your Feedback
We welcome all suggestions for improvements. Send us an email at support@fxcompared.com.
Latest Money Transfer News Articles for Middle East and Africa