How to send money to Saudi Arabia from Kenya with the best KES-SAR rate

Comparing providers offering services between Kenya and Saudi Arabia, based on your specific needs is the best way to send money with confidence.

Right now, for KES/SAR

• Key Currency is our top choice for KES to SAR transfers. Sending 1,000,000 KES to SAR will cost you KSh0 in fees, and you will receive 28,906.55 SAR. The delivery time usually is minutes - 3 days, but it depends on the day you make the transfer.

• Key Currency offers the lowest cost transfers of the 2 compared. Data collected for transfers between Kenya and Saudi Arabia over the past week shows that Key Currency is 0.02% cheaper than the second-best option.

• Of 2 companies compared, Regency FX offers the quickest way to send Kenyan Shillings to Saudi Arabia is with minutes - 24 hours. When speed matters, Regency FX is our recommended choice for sending into Saudi Arabia from Kenya.

Our comparison includes 2 companies that provide the ability to send Kenyan Shilling to Saudi Arabia.

This ensures you get the best options for transfers to Saudi Arabia from Kenya, based on the amount you want to send.

The exchange rate determines the price you’ll pay for Saudi Riyal when sending Kenyan Shilling to Saudi Arabia.

The rate between the Kenyan Shilling and Saudi Riyal is currently 0.029.

The total cost of money transfers from Kenya to Saudi Arabia is a combination of fees and exchange rates. Get the best of both, and you will be getting a good deal.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: The mid-market rate for KES-SAR is currently 0.029 SAR per Kenyan Shilling. Providers offering services closer to this rate will ensure more Saudi Riyal for your Kenyan Shillings.

• Fees: Transfer fees are charged alongside a transfer. The company offering the lowest fee is Key Currency, charging 0 KES per transfer. In all cases, we recommend searching for your exact send amount as fees may change.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount eventually received in Saudi Riyal. Simply, the higher the amount received in Kenya, the lower the cost of sending from Saudi Arabia.

Sometimes, waiting a day or two can help you get more SAR for the same amount of Kenyan Shilling. Using a forward contract that also allows you to lock in an agreed exchange rate between Kenya and Saudi Arabia.

Sending money via a bank transfer is the recommended option for sending money from Kenya to Saudi Arabia.

Here are all the ways to send money from Kenya to Saudi Arabia:

Bank transfers

Paying via a bank transfer is often the better option for sending money from Kenya to Saudi Arabia.

By using a money transfer company such as Key Currency for transfers from Kenya to Saudi Arabia, you can send money and while benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get with a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from Kenya to Saudi Arabia with a debit or a prepaid card is easy with .


is a one of the better options in the market for international debit card transfers from Kenya to Saudi Arabia.

Credit cards

Not many money transfer companies offer direct credit card deposits, because it is more expensive for everyone (especially with high cash advance fees).

We recommend using a bank transfer or a debit card transfer if you can; otherwise, make a quick comparison to find the latest deal.

Some services between Kenya and Saudi Arabia have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can transfer. This is applies when receiving money in Saudi Arabia as well.

Companies will offer different rates and fees for different transfer amounts. For regular transfers to Saudi Arabia, use Key Currency. The combination of rates and fees when sending from Kenya to Saudi Arabia is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

Also, always check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money leaving Kenya, or entering Saudi Arabia. Mis-understanding these could result in a slower, or even failed, transfer.

There are different ways to receive Saudi Riyal in Saudi Arabia. This includes a direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all providers serving transfers from Kenya to Saudi Arabia will offer every method for incoming Saudi Riyal, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

One of the more common ways to transfer from Kenya into Saudi Riyal is directly into a bank account. Key Currency is the best company for bank transfers between Kenya and Saudi Arabia.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between Kenya and Saudi Arabia.

Mobile wallet services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular too, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like Key Currency.

When signing up to and sending Kenyan Shilling to Saudi Arabia, through a money transfer company, you will have to verify your ID.

The precise documents you need will vary and in some cases you will need more than one.

For the most part however, in Kenya this will be a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license. In Saudi Arabia it will be similar, although this should only be needed if you are opening a new account in Saudi Arabia, or collecting in cash. Sending to an existing bank account in Saudi Arabia shouldn’t require any additional ID checks.

Large transactions between Kenya and Saudi Arabia, are subject to additional checks. A provider may ask you for proof of address or may want to carry out a proof of funds check.

One of the reasons Key Currency has scored so highly for transfers to Saudi Arabia is their easy sign up process in Kenya.

When sending large amounts of money between Kenya and Saudi Arabia there will potentially be a tax declaration to consider.

Some transfers into Saudi Riyal may need to be reported to tax authorities in Saudi Arabia, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Tax limits and personal allowances will change in Saudi Arabia based on age, income and a few other elements. When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in Kenya or Saudi Arabia to discuss your personal circumstances.