6 Easy and Safe Ways to Send Money Abroad

Sending money to family or friends abroad has become simple and reliable thanks to online banking and digital remittance platforms. Whether you live in Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE, there are now many convenient options to support your loved ones back home. Choosing the right method depends on how much you are sending, how fast it needs to arrive, and the total cost after fees and exchange rates.

This guide explains six reliable ways to transfer money overseas and, under each section, highlights options commonly used in Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. At HelperPlace, we support overseas workers and employers across Asia and the Middle East.

Below are six trusted and accessible ways to transfer money abroad safely.

1) Bank Transfers

Bank transfers remain a trusted way to send money abroad. You can initiate the transfer in-branch or via online banking to deposit funds directly into a recipient’s account. You will typically need the recipient’s full name, account details, and international identifiers such as SWIFT/BIC and IBAN. Transfers often complete within one to three business days, depending on the banks and corridors involved. While secure and straightforward, banks frequently charge higher fees and may apply less competitive exchange rates than digital providers.

Regional Notes

Hong Kong: Major banks such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Bank of China support SWIFT transfers. Fees can apply per transaction, and exchange margins vary by corridor.

Singapore: DBS, OCBC, and UOB offer online international transfers (e.g., DBS Remit) with same-day credit to selected countries and transparent fee displays in-app.

United Arab Emirates (UAE): Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and Mashreq provide global remittance services, often with preferential pricing for app-initiated transfers.

Saudi Arabia: Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank (SNB), and Riyad Bank are widely used for remittances to South and Southeast Asia, with improving mobile app experiences.

2) Online Money Transfers via Internet Banking

If you maintain online banking access, cross-border transfers can be completed entirely on your phone or computer. The process mirrors a domestic transfer: log in, choose “International Transfer,” add the beneficiary, review the exchange rate and fee, and confirm. You receive immediate confirmation and can track status in your banking app. Costs and FX rates generally match in-branch transfers, so compare against digital remittance platforms when you send regularly.

Regional Notes

Hong Kong: Solutions like HSBC Global Transfer help move funds between eligible linked accounts across countries with a simplified flow.

Singapore: Internet banking platforms (DBS, OCBC, UOB) provide 24/7 transfers and show estimated arrival times before you confirm.

UAE: Emirates NBD and Mashreq apps enable instant or same-day transfers to key destinations, with status tracking inside the app.

Saudi Arabia: Al Rajhi and SNB support easy beneficiary setup and multilingual interfaces, helping first-time senders avoid common errors.

3) Mobile Apps and Digital Remittance Platforms

Dedicated remittance apps offer speed, transparency, and competitive FX compared with traditional banks. After a quick sign-up, you can fund transfers by debit/credit card or bank account and deliver to a recipient’s bank, mobile wallet, or a cash-pickup location. Fees and exchange rates are shown upfront, and many transfers arrive within minutes; economy options can take up to three business days.

Regional Notes

Hong Kong: Wise (TransferWise), WorldRemit, Panda Remit and AlipayHK are widely used for the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Nepal corridors.

Singapore: Wise and Remitly are popular for transparent pricing and speed; many families also receive through GCash for the Philippines.

UAE: Emirates NBD DirectRemit, Al Ansari Exchange App, and UAE Exchange digital services provide fast transfers and cash-pickup choices.

Saudi Arabia: STC Pay and Enjaz App offer real-time transfers and extensive pickup networks across South and Southeast Asia.

4) PayPal

PayPal is convenient for smaller amounts when both sender and recipient hold accounts. Transfers are rapid and do not require sharing bank details. However, fees apply for international transactions and currency conversion, and some regions have limited direct bank withdrawal options. Consider PayPal for occasional or low-value payments; for frequent remittances, specialized apps often deliver better total value.

Regional Notes

Hong Kong & Singapore: Broad availability and bank connectivity; widely used by freelancers and cross-border families.

UAE & Saudi Arabia: Available, though bank withdrawals or card withdrawals can be more constrained; many users prefer local remittance apps for improved rates.

5) Traditional Remittance Centers

Established networks such as Western Union, MoneyGram, and RIA remain vital where recipients need cash pickup or live far from bank branches. You can pay in cash or by card at an agent location or initiate online for branch collection. Delivery is typically same-day. Always review the final payout amount because weaker exchange rates can offset low advertised fees.

Regional Notes

Hong Kong: Western Union, and MoneyGram operate across major districts, offering extended hours and multilingual support.

Singapore: RIA, Western Union, and POSB Remit are common for Southeast Asia remittances with dense pickup networks.

UAE: Al Ansari Exchange and Lulu Exchange provide cash pickup and online-to-cash options with rapid availability.

Saudi Arabia: Enjaz, Tahweel Al Rajhi, and MoneyGram serve popular corridors to the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

6) Foreign Exchange and Money Transfer Agents

For high-value transfers—such as tuition, property, or savings—licensed FX brokers and exchange houses can deliver superior exchange rates and tailored service compared with banks. Transfers often clear within a business day. This route suits occasional large payments more than monthly remittances.

Regional Notes

Hong Kong: Reputable exchange houses in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui offer competitive FX for bulk transfers; verify licensing and receipts.

Singapore: Digital providers and licensed money changers (e.g., online FX brokers) facilitate larger transfers with bank settlement.

UAE: Al Ansari Exchange and UAE Exchange are widely used for personal and corporate high-value transfers with negotiated rates.

Saudi Arabia: Enjaz and Tahweel Al Rajhi provide regulated solutions for larger amounts with clear documentation and tracking.

How to Choose the Best Option

Compare the total cost (fees plus exchange rate), transfer speed (instant to three business days), and payout method (bank deposit, mobile wallet, or cash pickup). For safety, use licensed providers overseen by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), or the UAE Central Bank. Read recent reviews, confirm customer support availability, and keep proof of each transfer for your records.

Popular Destinations for Overseas Transfers

From Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, common destinations include the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Mobile wallets such as GCash and Maya (Philippines) and bank deposits via established remittance apps remain the fastest ways for many families to receive support.

Conclusion

No single method is best for everyone. Banks provide reliability, digital remittance apps often deliver the best combination of speed and price, traditional centers help with cash pickup, and FX brokers suit large transfers. Before each transfer, check the final amount the recipient will receive, the expected arrival time, and whether the provider is locally regulated.