How to Send Money from Qatar – Cheapest Remittance Options 2026
Remittances are one of the most financially significant things millions of Qatar residents do every single month. Qatar consistently ranks among the world’s top remittance-sending countries per capita, which makes complete sense when you consider that roughly 88% of the population are expatriates, the majority of whom are supporting families back home.
I’ve been sending money home from Qatar for years and watched the remittance landscape change significantly. The options available in 2026 are meaningfully better than they were five years ago: more competition, better exchange rates, faster transfer times, and digital options that didn’t exist before. But the difference between using the right channel and the wrong one for your corridor is still real enough to matter. On a QR 3,000 monthly remittance, choosing a better exchange rate can save QR 50-150 per month, which is QR 600-1,800 per year.
This guide covers every realistic remittance option from Qatar in 2026: the major exchange houses, digital transfer apps, bank transfers, and the situations where each makes most sense. It includes specific rate benchmarks for the most common corridors and the practical details that make a real difference to your monthly transfer.
How Remittance Costs Actually Work
Before comparing options, understand what you’re actually paying because it’s rarely as simple as a single fee.
The transfer fee: The explicit charge per transaction. Some services charge a flat fee (QR 25 per transfer regardless of amount), some charge a percentage (1-2% of the transfer amount), and some advertise zero fees but make their money elsewhere.
The exchange rate margin: This is where most remittance services actually make their money and where most senders lose money without realizing it. The mid-market rate (the real exchange rate you see on Google) is never what you get. Every service adds a margin above the mid-market rate. The difference between 0.5% margin and 3% margin on a QR 5,000 transfer is QR 125 that you never see.
Correspondent bank fees: For bank wire transfers, intermediate banks in the transfer chain sometimes deduct fees from the transfer amount before it reaches the recipient. Your recipient gets less than you sent without any warning. This is one reason bank SWIFT transfers are often the worst value remittance option despite seeming official and straightforward.
Total cost comparison: The only honest way to compare remittance options is to check: for QR X sent, how many units of the destination currency does my recipient actually receive? This single number accounts for all fees and exchange rate margins combined.
Exchange Houses: The Primary Remittance Channel
Exchange houses are the dominant remittance channel for most of Qatar’s expat population and for good reason. They’ve been competing for the remittance business of Qatar’s large South Asian and Southeast Asian workforce for decades, and the competition has driven rates and service quality to a level that banks simply cannot match for high-volume corridors.
Al Ansari Exchange
Al Ansari is the largest exchange house in Qatar by branch network and transaction volume. Originally from Oman, Al Ansari has built an extensive Qatar presence with branches in most major malls, residential areas, and commercial districts.
Strengths: Al Ansari’s rates for the India, Pakistan, Philippines, Nepal, and Sri Lanka corridors are consistently competitive and often the best available on any given day. Their branch network means there’s usually one accessible within 10-15 minutes from anywhere in Doha. Service is fast, typically 5-10 minutes for a standard transfer once you’re at the counter. Transfers to most major South Asian and Southeast Asian destinations arrive within minutes to hours for bank-to-bank transfers, or are available for immediate cash collection in some corridors.
The Al Ansari app allows fully digital transfers for registered customers, including sending from your Qatari bank account directly without visiting a branch. The app’s exchange rate is typically the same as or very close to the branch rate, which is not always the case with other exchange houses.
Corridor performance (approximate rates versus mid-market, early 2026): India (INR): 0.8-1.2% margin over mid-market Pakistan (PKR): 1.0-1.5% margin Philippines (PHP): 0.8-1.3% margin Nepal (NPR): 1.0-1.5% margin UK (GBP): 1.5-2.5% margin USA (USD): 1.2-2.0% margin
Weaknesses: For Western destination corridors (UK, USA, Europe, Australia), Al Ansari’s rates are less competitive than specialized digital transfer services like Wise. The branch queues during peak periods (end of month, Thursday evenings, and weekends) can be long at popular locations. Wait times of 20-40 minutes during peak hours are not unusual at busy branches.
Best Al Ansari locations: The Al Ansari branch at Landmark Mall is well-located for central Doha. The branches in Madinat Khalifa and Al Waab serve the family residential corridor. For Industrial Area workers, Al Ansari has branches within the area. The airport branch is useful for urgent transfers before departure.
Al Fardan Exchange
Al Fardan is Qatar’s other major exchange house and Al Ansari’s primary direct competition. Both companies compete aggressively on rates for the same high-volume corridors and the rate difference on any given day is typically marginal.
Strengths: Al Fardan’s rates match or marginally beat Al Ansari on certain days for certain corridors. The quality of service is comparable. Al Fardan has traditionally been strong for the Arab world corridors (Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan) and for some African destinations. Their corporate remittance service for businesses is well-regarded.
Al Fardan’s digital app similarly allows registered users to transfer from their Qatar bank account without a branch visit, which is a genuine convenience for regular senders.
Weaknesses: Branch network is slightly smaller than Al Ansari, meaning access is less convenient from some residential areas. The app, while functional, has received slightly more mixed reviews than Al Ansari’s for reliability.
The Al Ansari versus Al Fardan question: Honestly, for most corridors and most users, the choice between Al Ansari and Al Fardan on any given day comes down to which branch is more convenient and which has a shorter queue. Check both apps’ rates before visiting a branch; the better rate on a given day is worth using. Over a year of regular transfers, consistently checking and using the better rate saves meaningful money.
Western Union and MoneyGram
Western Union and MoneyGram both operate extensively in Qatar through agent locations including exchange houses, some supermarkets, and dedicated outlets.
When to use them: Cash pickup transfers. If your recipient needs to collect cash rather than receive a bank deposit, Western Union and MoneyGram’s global cash pickup networks are genuinely useful. For a family member in a location with limited banking infrastructure who needs cash quickly, these services fulfill a specific need that bank transfers and most digital apps don’t address.
When not to use them: For standard bank-to-bank transfers, Western Union and MoneyGram are consistently more expensive than Al Ansari, Al Fardan, and digital alternatives. Their exchange rate margins and explicit fees are higher for equivalent service. Use them specifically for cash pickup scenarios, not routine bank transfers.
Other Exchange Houses in Qatar
Qatar has numerous smaller exchange houses alongside Al Ansari and Al Fardan. These include Orient Exchange, Doha Exchange, Marhaba Exchange, and several others. Many are concentrated in the areas with high South Asian workforce populations: Industrial Area, Al Mansoura, and the streets around the Labor City accommodation zones.
Are smaller exchange houses worth using? Sometimes. Smaller exchange houses occasionally offer better rates than the major chains on specific corridors, particularly for less common destinations, because they’re competing directly with their immediate neighbors. The Old Airport Road and Al Mansoura area cluster of exchange houses creates intense local competition that can produce very good rates for India, Pakistan, and Philippines transfers specifically.
The trade-off is service reliability and transaction protection. Al Ansari and Al Fardan are regulated, well-capitalized, and your transfer is backed by their institutional infrastructure. A small exchange house offers fewer guarantees if something goes wrong. For transfers under QR 2,000, the rate saving from a small exchange house might justify the slightly higher risk. For large transfers, stick with the major houses.
Digital Transfer Apps
The digital remittance space has changed the competitive landscape significantly, particularly for Western destination corridors where exchange houses have traditionally been less competitive.
Wise (Formerly TransferWise)
Wise is the most transparent and often the best-value digital transfer service available in Qatar for transfers to Western countries. Their business model is built on offering the mid-market exchange rate and charging a small transparent fee, rather than the traditional model of hiding margin in the exchange rate.
How it works from Qatar: You fund your Wise transfer from your Qatari bank account (IBAN transfer) or debit card. Wise converts and sends to your recipient’s bank account in the destination country. For most Western corridors, the transfer completes within 1-2 business days.
Rate comparison: For UK, USA, Europe, and Australia transfers, Wise consistently beats exchange houses on total cost. A QR 5,000 transfer to a UK bank account through Wise versus through an exchange house typically results in QR 80-200 more GBP reaching the recipient through Wise, depending on the day.
Where Wise is less competitive: For South Asian corridors (India, Pakistan, Philippines, Nepal), the major exchange houses in Qatar often match or beat Wise’s rates because of the volume of competition in those corridors. The advantage of Wise is most pronounced for Western country transfers where exchange house competition is thinner.
Practical considerations: Wise requires account registration with identity verification (passport and QID). The verification process takes 1-3 days on first registration. Once verified, transfers are initiated entirely through the app or website. There are transfer limits that apply; very large transfers may require additional documentation.
The Wise app is well-designed and the fee display is genuinely transparent: you see exactly how much the recipient receives before confirming, including both the transfer fee and the exchange rate applied.
Remitly
Remitly is a US-based digital remittance company operating in Qatar and focused heavily on South Asian and Southeast Asian corridors. They compete directly with exchange houses for the India, Philippines, Nepal, and similar transfers.
Strengths: Remitly offers competitive rates for South Asian corridors and has an express option (higher fee, faster delivery) and an economy option (lower fee, 3-5 day delivery) giving users a choice of speed versus cost. Their promotional rates for new users are often very competitive, though these normalize after initial transfers.
Weaknesses: For the Qatar-to-India or Qatar-to-Philippines corridor, Al Ansari and Al Fardan frequently offer better rates than Remitly, particularly for cash-funded transfers. Remitly’s edge is in digital convenience for users who want to avoid exchange house visits rather than in offering the absolute best rate.
Other Digital Options
Paysend: Operates in Qatar with competitive rates for certain corridors, particularly European and African destinations. Worth checking for those specific corridors.
InstaRem (Nium): Digital transfer service with reasonable rates for certain corridors. Less prominent in Qatar than in some other markets.
WhatsApp Pay and similar: Not currently operational for international remittances from Qatar.
The general principle for digital apps: for Western country transfers, Wise is typically the benchmark to beat. For South Asian corridors, compare Wise and Remitly against Al Ansari and Al Fardan’s app rates before choosing. The best option varies by day and by exact corridor.
Bank Transfers: When and Why
Qatar’s major banks all offer international SWIFT transfers. As covered in our best banks for expats guide, the fees and exchange rates vary by bank.
Typical bank SWIFT transfer costs: Fee per transfer: QR 25-60 at most Qatar banks Exchange rate margin: 2-4% above mid-market Correspondent bank fees: Additional USD 10-35 deducted by intermediate banks in some corridors Total effective cost: Often 3-5% of the transfer amount for Western corridors
For a QR 5,000 transfer to a UK account through a Qatar bank SWIFT transfer, the recipient might receive the equivalent of QR 4,750-4,850 after all fees and margins. The same transfer through Wise delivers the equivalent of approximately QR 4,900-4,950 to the same account.
When bank transfers make sense: Very large transfers (QR 50,000+) where the per-transaction fee is a small percentage of the total. Business payments requiring a formal bank paper trail. Transfers to countries not covered by exchange houses or digital apps. Situations where the recipient can only receive funds through a specific bank SWIFT transfer.
When bank transfers are poor value: Routine monthly remittances of QR 1,000-10,000. Any transfer where the fee and exchange rate margin constitute more than 2% of the transfer amount. Any corridor where exchange houses offer direct bank deposit services.
Corridor-by-Corridor Guide
Different corridors have different best options. Here’s the practical recommendation for the most common remittance destinations from Qatar.
Qatar to India
Volume: The single highest-volume remittance corridor from Qatar. Approximately 700,000+ Indian nationals in Qatar send regular remittances.
Best options: Al Ansari Exchange and Al Fardan Exchange compete extremely aggressively for this corridor. Their rates for INR are typically among the best available anywhere for QAR-INR transfers. Check both apps before visiting. Wise is worth checking for comparison but rarely beats the exchange houses for this specific corridor. Remitly occasionally beats exchange houses for promotional rates.
Transfer speed: Bank-to-bank transfers through major exchange houses arrive within minutes to hours for IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) transfers to Indian accounts. NEFT transfers arrive same-day or next-day.
Practical tip: Major exchange houses have specific India transfer promotions regularly, sometimes including bonus rates during Eid, Diwali, or similar occasions. Check for active promotions before a large transfer.
Qatar to Pakistan
Best options: Al Ansari and Al Fardan for PKR, with competition from smaller exchange houses in the Al Mansoura and Industrial Area cluster. Rates for QAR-PKR are competitive across exchange houses. Pakistan’s Roshan Digital Account system allows Pakistani expats to send directly to a specific account type with some additional benefits worth researching.
Transfer speed: Bank transfers to major Pakistani banks (HBL, MCB, UBL, Meezan) arrive within hours through exchange houses using Pakistan’s RAAST instant payment system.
Note: Pakistan’s currency has been volatile in recent years. Monitor exchange rates actively rather than sending on autopilot, as the difference between sending on a good rate day versus a poor one can be significant.
Qatar to Philippines
Best options: Al Ansari Exchange has traditionally been strong for the PHP corridor. Remitly is worth comparing for digital convenience. Western Union is more competitive for Philippines cash pickup specifically than for most other corridors.
Transfer speed: Bank-to-bank transfers to major Philippine banks (BDO, BPI, Metrobank) typically arrive same-day through exchange houses. Cash pickup at Western Union agents is near-instant.
Practical consideration: The Philippines has a strong Pera Padala (money remittance) culture and many Filipino families in the Philippines have established preferred receiving channels. Ask your recipient which channel and bank is easiest for them to receive through, as this affects which Qatar-side service makes most sense.
Qatar to Nepal
Best options: Al Ansari and Al Fardan for NPR. The corridor is high-volume and exchange house competition keeps rates competitive. Remitly has been growing its Nepal presence.
Transfer speed: Transfers to Nepalese banks (Nabil, Global IME, Himalayan Bank) typically arrive within hours.
Qatar to Sri Lanka
Best options: Exchange houses for LKR. Both Al Ansari and Al Fardan cover this corridor competitively. Wise is worth checking for comparison.
Qatar to Egypt
Best options: Al Fardan has traditionally been strong for the Egyptian pound corridor. Al Ansari also covers Egypt. The corridor has been affected by Egypt’s currency fluctuations in recent years; rates vary more day-to-day than more stable currency corridors.
Important note: Egypt has had multiple exchange rate adjustments since 2022. If you’re sending to Egypt regularly, monitoring the rate environment and understanding the official versus parallel rate situation is important. Legitimate remittance channels use the official rate.
Qatar to UK
Best options: Wise is typically the best value for QAR-GBP transfers. Exchange houses cover this corridor but their GBP rates are less competitive than Wise’s. Commercial Bank’s in-app international transfer is the most convenient bank option if you’re already a Commercial Bank customer.
Transfer speed: Wise transfers to UK accounts via Faster Payments typically arrive within 1-2 hours during UK banking hours.
Qatar to USA
Best options: Wise for USD transfers to US bank accounts. Exchange house rates for USD are less competitive than for Asian corridor currencies. Bank SWIFT transfers are costly; Wise beats them on both fee and exchange rate.
Transfer speed: Wise to US accounts via ACH typically takes 1-2 business days. Wire transfers are faster but more expensive.
Qatar to Europe (Eurozone)
Best options: Wise for EUR transfers to European accounts. Excellent rates and SEPA transfer availability make Wise the clear leader for Eurozone transfers.
Qatar to Australia
Best options: Wise for AUD. Exchange houses cover Australia but with less competitive rates than Wise. For large transfers (property purchases, large savings movements), consider calling both Wise’s large transfer desk and an exchange house for a direct quote.
Qatar to Lebanon
Lebanon’s banking situation has been complex and unstable since 2019. Standard bank transfers to Lebanese bank accounts have been problematic due to capital controls and the banking crisis. Most people sending money to Lebanon have been using cash-based channels or transfer to specific accounts outside Lebanon. This situation may have evolved since early 2026; verify current options with Al Fardan or Al Ansari who handle Lebanon transfers and can advise on the current best approach.
Large Transfers: Special Considerations
For transfers above QR 20,000-30,000, the process and considerations change.
Documentation requirements: Qatar Central Bank regulations require source of funds documentation for large transfers. Exchange houses and banks will typically ask for salary certificates, bank statements, or other documentation explaining the source of funds for large outward transfers. Have this ready to avoid delays.
Rate negotiation: For large transfers, it’s worth calling exchange houses directly to ask for a better rate rather than accepting the counter rate. Both Al Ansari and Al Fardan have business or premium counters that can handle large transfers with slightly better rates. For transfers above QR 50,000, a direct conversation with a relationship manager at either exchange house or your bank is worth having before proceeding.
Splitting transfers: For very large amounts, splitting across multiple transactions on different days can sometimes capture better rates if the market is moving in your favor, though this requires active monitoring and carries its own timing risk.
Property purchases and large personal transfers: For transfers related to property purchases overseas or large life events (sending money for a family member’s wedding, education fees, etc.), Wise and bank transfers both work for amounts that digital apps support. For very large amounts exceeding digital app limits, exchange house large transfer desks or bank SWIFT transfers are the realistic options.
Protecting Yourself: Avoiding Remittance Scams
Qatar has seen remittance-related fraud targeting expat workers, particularly those with less experience of the financial system.
Fake exchange house agents: Only use licensed exchange houses. Verify that any exchange house you use is licensed by the Qatar Central Bank. Don’t hand cash to individuals claiming to offer better rates outside of licensed premises.
WhatsApp money transfer scams: Multiple scams have circulated targeting Qatar’s expat community via WhatsApp, offering better exchange rates for transfers conducted outside licensed channels. These are scams. Always use licensed, regulated channels.
Phishing targeting exchange house app users: App credentials for Al Ansari and Al Fardan are targeted by phishing. Use only official apps downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, never click links in messages claiming to be from exchange houses, and enable two-factor authentication on your accounts.
Too-good-to-be-true rates: If someone is offering an exchange rate significantly better than what Al Ansari or Al Fardan are offering, there is a reason. Legitimate arbitrage opportunities in mainstream currency corridors don’t persist and aren’t available to retail senders through unofficial channels.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem 1: “My transfer hasn’t arrived after the promised time.” Contact the exchange house or service with your transaction reference number immediately. Most services have 24-hour customer support. For exchange house transfers, the branch where you sent is often the fastest route to resolution. Keep your receipt until transfer is confirmed received.
Problem 2: “The exchange rate was different from what I saw on the app when I arrived at the counter.” Exchange rates update in real-time and can change between checking the app and completing a transfer. The counter rate at the time of transaction applies, not the rate you saw earlier. For large transfers, ask to lock a rate before proceeding if the service offers this.
Problem 3: “My recipient is complaining they received less than expected.” Check whether correspondent bank fees have been deducted from the transfer amount (common in SWIFT transfers). For exchange house transfers, recipient should receive the exact amount quoted minus any recipient-side bank fees their own bank charges. Get the exact received amount and compare against the quoted amount; if there’s an unexplained discrepancy, raise it with the sending service.
Problem 4: “I need to send money urgently but the exchange house is closed.” Use the digital app of Al Ansari or Al Fardan, which operates outside branch hours. Wise operates 24/7 for digital transfers. Most major exchange house apps allow transfers any time, with processing occurring on the next available banking day for some corridors.
Problem 5: “I’m leaving Qatar permanently and want to transfer all my savings.” This is a large transfer requiring planning. Ensure your documentation (salary history, bank statements showing legitimate accumulation of funds) is organized. For very large amounts, speak with your bank’s relationship manager about the transfer mechanics. Consider whether a single large transfer or several transfers over final weeks is more practical. There is no restriction on taking your legitimately earned money out of Qatar.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to send money from Qatar? For South Asian corridors (India, Pakistan, Philippines, Nepal), Al Ansari Exchange or Al Fardan Exchange offer the best combination of rate and reliability. For Western corridors (UK, USA, Europe, Australia), Wise typically offers the best total value. Always compare both options for your specific corridor before sending.
How long does it take to send money from Qatar? Exchange house transfers to South Asian bank accounts: minutes to hours. Wise transfers to Western accounts: 1-2 business days typically. Bank SWIFT transfers: 1-5 business days. Cash pickup services (Western Union): typically within minutes of sending.
Can I send money from Qatar without visiting a branch? Yes. Al Ansari Exchange app, Al Fardan Exchange app, Wise, and Remitly all allow fully digital transfers from your Qatari bank account or debit card without a branch visit. First-time registration requires identity verification but subsequent transfers are fully digital.
Is there a limit on how much money I can send from Qatar? No statutory limit on legitimate outward remittances from Qatar for residents. Large transfers trigger documentation requirements (source of funds) from exchange houses and banks. Digital app services have their own transfer limits (Wise limits vary by corridor and verification level). For very large transfers, bank or exchange house large transfer desks handle unlimited amounts with appropriate documentation.
Do I need to pay tax on money I send home from Qatar? Qatar has no personal income tax, so there is no Qatar-side tax on remittances. Your home country’s tax treatment of received funds depends on its own rules. For large transfers, particularly to countries with income or gift tax, seek local tax advice in the receiving country.
Which exchange house has the best rate for India? Al Ansari and Al Fardan both compete aggressively for INR. Check both apps on the day you want to send rather than assuming one is always better. The difference on any given day is typically small but worth checking for large transfers.
Can my employer send my salary directly abroad instead of to a Qatar bank account? In practice, Qatari employers pay salaries to Qatar bank accounts as required by the Wage Protection System (WPS). You then remit from your Qatar account through your chosen channel.
What documents do I need to send a large transfer from Qatar? Salary certificate from your employer, recent bank statements showing the funds, and your QID. Exchange houses handling large transfers may ask for additional documentation. Having three to six months of payslips and bank statements organized is practical if you’re planning a large transfer.
Summary: Best Option by Corridor
| Destination | Best Exchange House | Best Digital Option | Transfer Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Al Ansari / Al Fardan | Wise / Remitly | Minutes to hours |
| Pakistan | Al Ansari / Al Fardan | Wise | Hours |
| Philippines | Al Ansari | Remitly / Wise | Hours |
| Nepal | Al Ansari / Al Fardan | Remitly | Hours |
| Sri Lanka | Al Ansari / Al Fardan | Wise | Hours |
| Egypt | Al Fardan / Al Ansari | Wise | Hours |
| UK | Al Ansari (less competitive) | Wise (best option) | 1-2 hours |
| USA | Al Fardan (less competitive) | Wise (best option) | 1-2 days |
| Eurozone | Any major exchange house | Wise (best option) | Hours |
| Australia | Any major exchange house | Wise (best option) | 1-2 days |
| Lebanon | Al Fardan (verify current) | Limited options | Variable |
Next Steps
- Download both Al Ansari and Al Fardan apps and register your account including identity verification before you need to make your first transfer
- Register a Wise account if you send money to Western countries, as the verification process takes a few days and you want it ready before you need it
- Compare rates on your specific corridor using both exchange house apps and Wise on the same day before sending to see which is genuinely better for your situation
- Set up your Qatar bank account if you haven’t already – see our bank account opening guide as this is the funding source for all digital transfers
- Keep records of all large transfers including receipts and any source of funds documentation for your own records and for any home country tax requirements
Last updated: February 2026.
Exchange rates, transfer fees, and service availability change continuously. Always verify current rates and fees directly with your chosen service before transferring.
Alzeenah – Your trusted guide to life in Qatar.