How to send money to Yemen in 2026: to a 30-character account or through the central bank's single network with payout in the recipient's city
In 2026 Yemen lives with two rial exchange rates and two central banks, and money transfers within the country go through the single network of the central bank in Aden. We explain what rate a family in the north and the south will receive, what details a bank needs and what the US licence allows for the Sanaa areas.
In short
- The rate in Aden is 1,565 rials per dollar, in the north almost three times fewer.
- Since 26 June 2024 transfers within the country go through the central bank's single network.
- Personal transfers to the Sanaa areas are allowed by US general licence 24A.
- The international account number has 30 characters.
In detail
In 2026 money is sent to Yemen to an account at a Yemeni bank by a 30-character international number or by a money transfer system with payout at a licensed member of the central bank's single network. The rate in Aden is 1,565 rials per dollar. In the north, in the Sanaa areas, only old banknotes circulate, and a dollar there buys almost three times fewer rials.
| Method | Status in 2026 | Where it is received | What the sender needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| A bank transfer | works through banks linked to the central bank in Aden | to an account at a Yemeni bank | a 30-character international account number and the name as in the passport |
| A money transfer system | works | at a member of the central bank's single network | the recipient's name and the payout city |
| A personal transfer to the Sanaa areas | works under US general licence 24A | at a bank or company outside the US Treasury lists | the recipient's name and the payout city |
| A transfer within Yemen | works through the single network since 26 June 2024 | at a licensed company | the recipient's document |
Checked on 8 October 2026. The average market rate in the report of the central bank in Aden for March 2026 is 1,564.17 rials per dollar, and on the Aden market on 8 September 2026 it was 1,565. On 4 May 2026 the Saudi riyal sold for 413 Yemeni rials.
Two rial rates: Aden and Sanaa
Yemen has two central banks. The recognised central bank works in Aden: its head office was moved there from Sanaa by presidential decree No. 119 in 2016. Sanaa has its own central bank, which is not internationally recognised. Since January 2020 the country has had two currency zones: in the north only old banknotes circulate, in the south and east new ones too. The Aden rate passed a peak of 2,575 rials per dollar in April 2025, held at 1,624 from August to December 2025 and since spring 2026 has stood at 1,565.
Money issued by the central bank in Sanaa is not accepted in the south: the central bank in Aden declared the 2024 100-rial coin, the 50-rial coin and the 2025 200-rial banknote counterfeit. New Aden banknotes are not accepted in the north. So a sum in rials is calculated by the payout city: $500 in Aden is 782,500 rials, and in Sanaa three times less.
The central bank's single network: how money reaches the recipient
The central bank in Aden launched a single transfer network in February 2024, and since 26 June 2024 all money transfers within the country go only through it. In summer 2024 the central banks of Aden and Sanaa argued over banks, and on 23 July 2024 the UN special envoy announced an agreement: both sides cancelled their decisions against banks and undertook not to take new ones. In September 2026 the central bank again revoked the licences of companies that broke the rules by decisions No. 17 and 18, so payout is received only at a company with a valid licence. A manager will choose a company in the recipient's city.
A transfer to the Sanaa areas: US licence 24A
UN measures on Yemen are targeted: the regime of resolution 2140 of 2014 freezes the assets of listed persons, not payments to the country. On 4 March 2025 the US State Department designated the Ansar Allah movement, which controls Sanaa, a foreign terrorist organisation. The next day the US Treasury issued general licence 24A: it allows non-commercial personal transfers even if the authorities in Sanaa collect fees along the way or banks in the north take part. In 2025 2 banks in the north were added to the US Treasury lists, so a transfer to relatives in Sanaa goes through a bank or company outside these lists.
Details: a 30-character international account number
A Yemeni international account number has 30 characters: the country code, 2 check digits, a 4-character bank code, a 4-digit branch code and an 18-character account number. It was introduced by the payment systems department of the central bank in Aden. International transfers go through banks that work with this central bank. In June 2026 the international anti-money-laundering task force kept Yemen on its grey list, so the sender's bank checks such a payment more closely: a payment purpose and the recipient's name as in the passport speed up crediting.
Where money to Yemen comes from
According to the World Bank, transfers from abroad made up 20% of Yemen's economy in 2023, almost $3.8 billion. The main sender is Saudi Arabia, the source of 61% of transfers, and together with the Gulf countries almost 90%.
A recipient in the north collects the money where they live: banknotes of one currency zone are not accepted in the other, and a payout in their own city keeps the whole sum at the local rate.
A large sum to Yemen: documents and the bank's check
Since 2010 Yemen has lived under Law No. 1 on countering money laundering and terrorist financing, amended in 2013; the financial information unit works at the central bank. The larger the sum, the more papers in 2026:
| Amount | The bank's question | Document |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $10,000 | who the recipient is and why | the purpose: family, medical treatment, studies |
| $10,000-$100,000 | where the money comes from | an account statement, an income certificate |
| From $100,000 | what the money will be spent on | a home purchase or supply contract, company documents |
A foreigner can buy a home for their own use under Law No. 23 of 2009: the deal is registered by a notary after the seller's documents are checked and registered. A manager will put together the document package and check the recipient before sending.
We will help you send money to Yemen
A payout in the wrong city and at someone else's rate, a bank on the US Treasury lists, a company without a central bank licence: such mistakes cost more than the fee. We will help you avoid them: we will choose the bank and the transfer route, check the recipient and the payout city, prepare documents on the origin of the money and carry out the transfer through licensed partners through to crediting.
Details and the cost are with a manager in the chat: it all depends on the amount, the currency and the payout city in Yemen.
Transfers to the countries of the Arabian Peninsula
- Saudi Arabia: the northern neighbour and the main source of transfers to Yemen.
- Oman: the eastern neighbour with the Omani rial.
- UAE: the financial centre of the Gulf with the dirham.
- Qatar: a Gulf country with the Qatari riyal.
- Egypt: a neighbour across the Red Sea.
Choosing a country for living and capital is on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
What is the Yemeni rial rate to the dollar in 2026?
How many characters are in a Yemeni account number for a transfer?
Which US licence covers transfers to families in the north of Yemen?
Which country sends the most transfers to Yemen?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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