Around ten million Bangladeshis work overseas, and the money they send is the single largest source of foreign currency the country has. This page brings together what that money is worth today across the fifteen currencies that matter most — and, more usefully, explains why the numbers differ and what you can actually do about it.
The three facts that shape every rate on this page
1. Today's rates across 15 currencies
Indicative bank rates for late August 2026. Rates move daily — confirm with your bank before transacting.
| Country | Currency | Approx. bank rate (BDT) | With 2.5% incentive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | US Dollar (USD) | 122.70 – 123.81 | ~126.9 |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) | 396.50 – 398.20 | ~408.2 |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | Bahraini Dinar (BHD) | 322.50 – 324.00 | ~332.1 |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | Omani Rial (OMR) | 315.80 – 317.10 | ~325.0 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | British Pound (GBP) | 165.01 – 165.88 | ~170.0 |
| 🇪🇺 Eurozone | Euro (EUR) | 141.16 – 142.40 | ~146.0 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Singapore Dollar (SGD) | 95.55 – 95.93 | ~98.3 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Canadian Dollar (CAD) | 88.13 – 88.85 | ~91.1 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Australian Dollar (AUD) | 79.50 – 80.20 | ~82.2 |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | Qatari Riyal (QAR) | 33.38 – 33.55 | ~34.4 |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | UAE Dirham (AED) | 33.10 – 33.77 | ~34.6 |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Saudi Riyal (SAR) | 32.37 – 33.10 | ~33.9 |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) | 29.70 – 30.11 | ~30.9 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Japanese Yen (JPY) | ~0.83 | ~0.85 |
| 🇮🇳 India | Indian Rupee (INR) | ~1.46 | — |
The incentive column assumes the mid-point of each range. It applies only to remittance arriving through legal channels.
2. Why the rate is what it is
Bangladesh no longer fixes the dollar rate. The crawling peg was introduced on 8 May 2024 with a mid-rate of BDT 117, later raised to BDT 119 — and then abandoned in May 2025 in favour of a market-based regime, a condition of the IMF programme. In June 2025 the IMF released USD 1.3 billion of its USD 4.7 billion package.
Today the rate emerges from interbank trading. Bangladesh Bank intervenes only to reduce volatility.
It has worked more smoothly than many expected. Between March 2025 and March 2026 the taka depreciated just 0.59% — among the most stable currencies in the region.
For the full explanation of TT Clean, BC Selling and how banks build their published rate, see how bank dollar rates are set.
3. Pegged, managed or floating — why it matters to you
Not every currency behaves the same way, and knowing which group yours belongs to tells you whether waiting for a better rate is worth the effort.
| Currency | Regime | Since | Should you time your transfer? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Riyal | Pegged at 3.75 to USD | June 1986 (SAMA) | No — it barely moves |
| UAE Dirham | Pegged at ~3.67 to USD | 1997 | No |
| Qatari Riyal | Pegged at 3.64 to USD | 2001 | No |
| Omani Rial | Pegged at ~0.385 to USD | 1986 | No |
| Bahraini Dinar | Pegged at ~0.376 to USD | 2001 | No |
| Kuwaiti Dinar | Basket peg, not USD alone | May 2007 | Worth checking |
| Singapore Dollar | Managed within a basket band (MAS) | — | Worth checking |
| Malaysian Ringgit | Managed float (Bank Negara) | July 2005 | Yes |
| GBP · EUR · USD · CAD · AUD | Free floating | — | Yes |
The practical takeaway: if you work in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain or the UAE, the rate will be almost identical next week — so compare fees, not rates. If you are in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia or Malaysia, a few days genuinely can make a difference.
4. Banking days differ by country
A transfer sent on the wrong day sits idle over a weekend. The Gulf weekend is not the Western one — and the UAE is not like the rest of the Gulf.
| Region | Working week | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait | Sunday – Thursday | Friday – Saturday |
| UAE | Monday – Friday (since January 2022) | Saturday – Sunday |
| UK, Europe, North America, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore | Monday – Friday | Saturday – Sunday |
Mobile wallet transfers are the exception — they run 24 hours a day including holidays. See our mobile banking guide.
5. The 2.5% incentive
The government adds a 2.5% cash incentive to remittance arriving through banks and authorised exchange houses. It was maintained in the FY2026-27 budget on 11 June 2026. It is credited automatically — no application needed.
To be clear about a persistent rumour: a rise to 5% was proposed but never announced. The confirmed rate is 2.5%.
| You send | At BDT 123 | Incentive | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD 500 | 61,500 | 1,537 | 63,037 |
| USD 1,000 | 123,000 | 3,075 | 126,075 |
| USD 5,000 | 615,000 | 15,375 | 630,375 |
Documentation is generally not required up to BDT 500,000. Above that, the receiving bank may ask about the source of income — employment papers or salary evidence usually suffice.
6. Getting the most from your transfer
- Compare the TT Clean rate, not the BC Selling figure on the same sheet.
- Ask for the fee separately. A strong rate with a heavy fee is often the worse deal.
- Check two or three providers. Bank-to-bank differences are typically BDT 0.50–2.00, which on USD 5,000 is up to BDT 10,000.
- Mind the calendar. Know your country's banking week before sending.
- Keep every receipt. They matter for proof of income, loans, visas and CIP applications.
7. Per-currency detail pages
US Dollar · Saudi Riyal · UAE Dirham · Kuwaiti Dinar · Qatari Riyal · Omani Rial · Bahraini Dinar · British Pound · Euro · Singapore Dollar · Malaysian Ringgit · Canadian Dollar
Frequently asked questions
Why do banks quote different rates on the same day?
Each bank adds its own margin to the interbank rate. The spread is usually BDT 0.50 to 2.00.
Does the crawling peg still exist?
No. It ran from May 2024 to May 2025 and was replaced by a market-based regime.
Which currency gives the best value?
None inherently — a Kuwaiti dinar is worth more than a Saudi riyal simply because it is a larger unit. What matters is your salary in that currency, not the rate itself.
Do I get the incentive on every currency?
Yes, on any remittance arriving through a legal channel, regardless of the sending currency.
How often should I check the rate?
Daily if you are in a floating-currency country. If you are in the pegged Gulf states, there is little point checking more than occasionally.
Sources
- Bangladesh Bank — exchange rate data, Foreign Exchange Guidelines and stability reporting
- Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), Central Bank of the UAE, Qatar Central Bank, Central Bank of Oman, Central Bank of Bahrain, Central Bank of Kuwait
- Bank Negara Malaysia and Monetary Authority of Singapore — currency regime information
- FY2026-27 national budget — remittance incentive provisions (11 June 2026)
- Published commercial bank exchange rate sheets, August 2026
All rates on this page are indicative for late August 2026 and change daily. Confirm the current rate with your bank before transacting. This article is general information, not financial advice.