MENA companies doing business across the US, Europe, and Asia often need international payment routes alongside their domestic bank accounts. This guide covers the available rails, account setup, onboarding documents, and stablecoin considerations in key regional markets.
International payment routes for MENA companies
An approved MENA company can use HEVN to collect USD or EUR, pay overseas suppliers, and access supported AED or SAR transfers. Invoices, transaction records, and supporting documents stay together for reconciliation and review.
For most customer and supplier payments, fiat transfers provide the clearest transaction record. Depending on the company and corridor, supported rails include SWIFT, SEPA, ACH, US domestic wire, UAE FTS, IPP, and local bank transfers.
Supported payment rails
USD is available through SWIFT. UAE rails support pay-in and payout with account details in the company's name. The payout-only SAR rail uses a pooled account in the provider's name.
| Currency | Direction | Corridor | USD vs Spread | Payment Fee | Sender account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | Pay-in | SWIFT (Global) | - | $25 | Account under your company name |
| USD | Payout | SWIFT (Global) | - | $25 | Account under your company name |
| AED | Pay-in | IPP | 0.30% | Free | Account under your company name |
| AED | Pay-in | FTS | 0.30% | Free | Account under your company name |
| AED | Payout | IPP | 0.30% | Free | Account under your company name |
| AED | Payout | FTS | 0.30% | Free | Account under your company name |
| SAR | Payout | Local bank transfer (KSA) | 0.5% | 0.5% | Account under the provider's name (pooled) |
Documents to prepare
Onboarding documents depend on the country of incorporation. Examples include:
- UAE: current Trade Licence, TRN Certificate, an Ejari contract, DEWA or ADDC bill, or business bank statement dated within the past 90 days, and a Power of Attorney or Wakala with a certified Arabic translation where required
- Saudi Arabia: Commercial Registration Certificate, ZATCA TIN Certificate, an Ejar contract, Saudi Electricity Company or National Water Company bill, or recent business bank statement, and a Wakala issued through Najiz or the Ministry of Justice
HEVN may also request identity documents for directors and beneficial owners, an ownership chart, contracts and invoices, expected counterparties, and evidence of source of funds.
Stablecoins and regulation across MENA
MENA does not have one regional stablecoin framework. In the UAE, the Central Bank's Payment Token Services Regulation, Circular No. 2/2024 regulates payment-token issuance, conversion, custody, and transfer through licensed or registered providers.
Saudi Arabia does not yet have a clear legal framework specifically for stablecoins. In practice, stablecoins are actively used for trading and investment on international crypto markets, and Saudi companies are supported by major exchanges subject to verification and product availability. For international customer and supplier payments, fiat transfers are usually simpler because the beneficiary receives fiat directly and the bank records are easier to reconcile.
Benefits of a Fiat Account for a MENA company
- Receive payments from US customers through ACH or domestic wire.
- Use account details in your company's name to match incoming payments with customers and invoices.
- Keep USD to pay US suppliers, contractors, software vendors, and other operating costs.
- Move funds between local accounts and the Fiat Account when another currency or payment rail is needed.
- Keep invoices, payment records, confirmations, exports, roles, and approvals in one workspace.
We'll confirm available accounts, payment rails, limits, pricing, and expected account-opening time during onboarding.
