Sending money from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan can still cost you nothing. SNB Quickpay charges no fee on the Pakistan corridor, stc bank waives the fee above about SAR 750, urpay is free from SAR 375, and Enjaz runs regular app promotions. These are now commercial promotions rather than a government scheme — the state subsidy behind them ended on 1 July 2026 — so check the fee in the app before you send. Your real cost is the exchange rate, so compare the rupees your family receives.
Zero-fee options compared
| Service | Fee to Pakistan | Condition | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNB Quickpay | SAR 0 | Pakistan corridor (others SAR 18.40) | Bank account, cash pickup |
| stc bank | SAR 0 | Transfers above ~SAR 750 (else ~SAR 17) | Bank account, wallets |
| urpay | SAR 0 | Minimum SAR 375 | Bank, wallet, cash pickup |
| Enjaz (Bank Albilad) | SAR 0 app promos | "Instant remittance to Pakistan" product | Bank account, cash pickup |
| Tahweel Al Rajhi | SAR 0 via app/ATM (reported) | App/ATM channel | Bank account, cash pickup |
| Western Union | ~SAR 17 | Standalone app | Cash pickup, bank |
Wise and Remitly do not send from Saudi Arabia. Fees confirmed in each app before sending.
Why this corridor is so cheap — and what changed in July 2026
For years the State Bank of Pakistan reimbursed banks for waiving transfer charges: a flat SAR 20 on eligible transactions of USD 200 or more, under the Telegraphic Transfer Charges Incentive Scheme. That scheme ended on 1 July 2026 (SBP EPD Circular Letter No. 12 of 2026). The Sohni Dharti points programme ended too, with existing points redeemable until 30 June 2027.
Banks are currently absorbing the cost, so most zero-fee offers still stand. But they are now commercial promotions, not a state guarantee — they can be withdrawn without notice. Always confirm the fee in the app before you send.
Delivery options in Pakistan
- Bank account (IBAN): all services above; same day to 24 hours, Enjaz advertises instant.
- Raast: Pakistan's instant-payment system moves money between banks and wallets free once it lands.
- JazzCash / Easypaisa: JazzCash accepts international remittances directly; check your app's wallet payout list.
- Cash pickup: bank branches and exchange companies via Western Union/MoneyGram networks — recipient needs their CNIC and the reference number.
Compare rupees, not fees
With fees at zero, the whole game is the SAR→PKR rate — around PKR 74 per SAR interbank in early August 2026. Type the same amount into two apps and send with whichever shows more rupees. A 1% rate difference on SAR 2,000 is PKR ~1,480.
Hawala/hundi: what you actually risk
People use hawala because it is fast, asks no questions, and works even when your paperwork does not. That is a real reason, so here is the honest trade-off rather than a lecture.
- You can simply lose the money. There is no receipt, no complaint route, and no regulator to escalate to. If the money disappears, nobody will help you recover it. This is the risk that actually reaches senders.
- Running an unlicensed transfer service in Saudi Arabia is a criminal offence under the Banking Control Law — up to two years' imprisonment plus daily fines. Those penalties target the operator, not you as a sender, but using one can still expose you to anti-money-laundering questions.
- In Pakistan, section 23 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 sets a maximum of two years' imprisonment plus fines and confiscation; FIA prosecutions have produced one-year sentences with fines around PKR 500,000.
- The old price advantage is largely gone: licensed apps now charge SAR 0 on this corridor, and they give you a receipt you can complain with.
FAQ
What do I need to send? A valid iqama and an account/wallet in your own name (SAMA requirement), plus your recipient's IBAN or CNIC details. Setup guide: How to send money from Saudi Arabia.
Is money received from Saudi Arabia taxed in Pakistan? Remittances through legal banking channels are not taxed as the recipient's income — and PRI explicitly keeps receiving free at the bank.
How fast is it? Enjaz advertises instant; most bank deposits land within hours; cash pickup is ready in minutes.
Can my family receive on JazzCash? Yes — JazzCash accepts international remittances directly; confirm the wallet option inside your sending app.
Related corridors: India · Philippines · Kenya