Kuwait has about 40 licensed exchange companies regulated by the Central Bank of Kuwait. The biggest networks are Al Mulla Exchange, UAE Exchange (Unimoni), Al Muzaini, Bahrain Exchange (BEC), Aman Exchange and Al Nada Exchange. All of them have apps that let you send money home from your phone after a one-time branch registration with your Civil ID. Rates to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, the Philippines and Nepal are usually 0.5–1% better than bank rates, fees are around KD 0.5–2 per transfer, and most bank credits arrive the same day.
On this page
- Major exchange companies in Kuwait
- Exchange company, bank or app: which is cheaper?
- How to send money from Kuwait step by step
- What to bring when you register
- Fees, rates and limits
- How to compare rates properly
- Delivery options
- Buying and selling foreign currency cash
- Safety and staying within the rules
- Opening hours
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
Major exchange companies in Kuwait
All the companies below are licensed and supervised by the Central Bank of Kuwait. They have branches in the main expat areas – Salmiya, Hawally, Farwaniya, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Fahaheel and Jahra – and most of them run their own money-transfer app.
| Company | Known for |
|---|---|
| Al Mulla Exchange (الملا للصرافة) | Over 100 branches; launched Kuwait’s first remittance app |
| UAE Exchange / Unimoni Kuwait (يو إيه إي إكستشينج) | Large branch network, India and Philippines corridors |
| Aman Exchange (أمان للصرافة) | Competitive INR, PKR and BDT rates; Aman Kuwait app |
| Al Nada Exchange (صرافة الندى) | Egypt, India and Nepal corridors; branches in Farwaniya, Jleeb, Fahaheel |
| Al Muzaini Exchange (المزيني للصرافة) | Oldest exchange house (1942); app and branches nationwide |
| Bahrain Exchange Company (BEC) (شركة البحرين للصرافة) | BEC app, WhatsApp support, 40+ branches |
| Kuwait India International Exchange (KIIEC) (الكويت والهند الدولية للصرافة) | India-focused, Salmiya and Fahaheel |
| Dollarco Exchange (دولاركو للصرافة) | Branches in Hawally, Salmiya, Jleeb |
| Oman Exchange (عمان للصرافة) | Philippines and Sri Lanka corridors |
| Joyalukkas Exchange (جويالوكاس للصرافة) | India and Sri Lanka corridors |
Phone numbers change and fake “customer service” numbers circulate on social media. Use the contact details inside each company’s official app or website, which you can find through the official App Store or Google Play listing.
Aman Exchange
Aman Exchange is popular with Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi residents because its rupee and taka rates are often among the best on the day. Its app, Aman Kuwait, lets registered customers send bank transfers and cash-pickup payments by K-Net, track transfers and save beneficiaries. As with every exchange company, the first registration is done at a branch with your Civil ID.
Al Nada Exchange (صرافة الندى)
Al Nada Exchange is a common choice for Egyptian, Indian and Nepali residents, with branches in Farwaniya, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Fahaheel close to where many workers live. Compare its rate with one or two other companies on the day, especially for Egyptian pounds, where rates between companies can differ.
Al Mulla, Al Muzaini, BEC and UAE Exchange
- Al Mulla Exchange: the largest branch network in Kuwait, with more than 100 branches, and the company that launched Kuwait’s first remittance app.
- Al Muzaini Exchange: the oldest exchange house in Kuwait, founded in 1942, with an app and branches across the country.
- Bahrain Exchange Company (BEC): over 40 branches, the BEC app and WhatsApp support.
- UAE Exchange / Unimoni: a large network with strong India and Philippines corridors.
Exchange company, bank or app: which is cheaper?
| Option | Rate | Fees | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange company app | About 0.2–0.5% below interbank | KD 0.5–2, sometimes waived | Regular monthly remittances |
| Exchange company branch | Same as the app or slightly different | KD 0.5–2 | Cash payments, first registration, cash pickup |
| Bank transfer | Typically 1–1.5% below interbank | KD 3–10 | Large transfers, transfers to your own account abroad |
| Bank remittance services (e.g. NBK, KFH apps) | Competitive on main corridors | Low or waived | Customers who already bank there |
The fee alone does not tell you which option is cheapest. A company with a KD 2 fee and a better rate often delivers more money than one with no fee and a weaker rate. Always compare the final amount the recipient gets.
How to send money from Kuwait step by step
- Register once at a branch with your Civil ID (and passport for first-time customers). The company records your details under Central Bank anti-money-laundering rules.
- Download the company app and log in with your Civil ID and the OTP sent to your mobile.
- Add the beneficiary: bank name, account number or IBAN, and IFSC or SWIFT code. For cash pickup choose a partner such as Western Union, MoneyGram or Ria.
- Pay by K-Net from your Kuwaiti bank account. Most apps cap transfers at KD 3,000–5,000 per transaction, with a monthly limit tied to your declared salary.
- Track the transfer in the app. India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Egypt bank credits usually land within minutes to a few hours; some corridors take one business day.
What to bring when you register
- Original Civil ID with valid residency.
- Passport, for first-time registration at most companies.
- A Kuwaiti mobile number for app OTPs.
- Salary certificate or recent bank statement if you plan to send larger amounts.
- Beneficiary details: full name as on the bank account, account number or IBAN, bank name and branch code.
Fees, rates and limits
- Transfer fee: KD 0.500–2.000 depending on the company and destination; app promotions often waive fees.
- Exchange rate: exchange houses quote around 0.2–0.5% below the interbank rate, banks about 1–1.5% below plus higher fees.
- Limits: transfers above KD 3,000 need a source-of-funds document such as a salary certificate or bank statement.
- Income matching: Central Bank rules require companies to match your transfers with your declared income, so very large transfers relative to your salary will be questioned.
- Rates change several times a day; check the app just before you send.
How to compare rates properly
Use the same amount at every company and work out how much arrives for every dinar you pay in total, including the fee. Illustrative example: Company A offers 272.00 with a KD 1 fee, so KD 100 delivers 27,200 for a total of KD 101, which is 269.31 per dinar paid. Company B offers 269.00 with no fee, so KD 100 delivers 26,900 for KD 100, which is 269.00 per dinar. Company A is better despite the fee. The smaller the amount you send, the more a fixed fee matters, so for small transfers a no-fee offer often wins. Most apps show the final amount before you confirm, which makes this check quick.
Check our KWD to INR and KWD to USD pages for today’s reference rates before comparing exchange company offers.
Delivery options
| Method | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank account credit | Minutes to one business day | Needs correct IBAN or account number and bank code |
| Cash pickup (Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria and others) | Usually minutes | Recipient brings ID and the reference number |
| Mobile wallet | Minutes | Available on some corridors; check the app |
Buying and selling foreign currency cash
Every exchange branch buys and sells major currencies such as US dollars, euros, sterling, Indian rupees and Saudi riyals. City branches usually give better rates than airport counters. For less common currencies, call or check the app first, since smaller branches may not hold stock. Bring your Civil ID for larger amounts, and remember that travellers must declare cash and valuables worth more than KD 3,000 to Kuwaiti customs.
Safety and staying within the rules
- Use only Central Bank-licensed exchange companies and banks. Informal hawala transfers are illegal and give you no protection.
- Never send money for someone else using your Civil ID; transfers are recorded against your income.
- Keep receipts. They help if a transfer is delayed and may be asked for when sending larger amounts.
- Ignore social-media offers of “better rates” from individuals.
- Double-check beneficiary details; a wrong account number can take weeks to correct.
Opening hours
Most exchange branches open from about 8 AM to 10 PM, including Fridays, when many open in the afternoon from around 2 PM. Branches in co-operative societies and malls often keep longer hours. Apps work 24/7, but transfers sent at night or on a Friday may be credited on the next working day in the destination country.
Frequently asked questions
Which exchange gives the best rate in Kuwait?
It changes daily. Al Mulla, Aman, Al Nada and BEC are usually within a few fils of each other, so compare the final amount in the apps on the day you send.
Can I send money without a Civil ID?
No. Registration requires a valid Civil ID. Visitors can exchange cash but cannot send transfers.
Are exchange companies open on Friday?
Most branches open on Friday afternoons, roughly 2–10 PM, and the apps work 24/7.
Does Aman Exchange have an app?
Yes. The Aman Kuwait app lets registered customers send transfers and pay by K-Net.
Where are Al Nada Exchange branches?
Al Nada has branches in areas with many expat residents, including Farwaniya, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Fahaheel.
How much money can I send from Kuwait?
Most apps allow KD 3,000–5,000 per transaction. Larger or frequent transfers need proof of income and must match your declared salary.
Is it cheaper to send money through a bank or an exchange company?
For regular remittances, exchange companies are usually cheaper because their rates are closer to interbank and fees are lower.