How to Send Money Internationally
Whether you are supporting family overseas, paying a foreign supplier, or moving savings after relocating, knowing how to send money internationally without overpaying is one of the most practically useful financial skills you can develop. The method you choose can mean the difference between the recipient getting almost everything you sent or losing 10% or more to fees and exchange rate markups before the money even arrives.
The international money transfer market has changed dramatically over the past decade. Specialist online services have undercut banks on cost and often beaten them on speed, making it easier than ever to send money abroad with full transparency on what you are actually paying. But despite this, most people still default to their high street bank because it feels familiar, and they have no idea what that familiarity is costing them.
A bank wire transfer from the UK to India, for example, can cost £25 or more in flat fees plus a currency conversion markup of up to 2.75%. On a £1,000 transfer, that adds up to over £52 in charges before the recipient sees a penny. The same transfer via Wise costs roughly £6 to £8, with no markup on the exchange rate. The saving is not marginal. It is enormous, and it compounds every time you send money internationally.
This guide covers every available method for sending money internationally: bank wire transfers, specialist online services, digital wallets, and cash pickup networks. You will find step-by-step instructions, a full cost and speed comparison, and practical guidance on how to send money abroad without paying more than you need to.
If you already know what you need and want to compare live rates right now, use the tool below. Otherwise, read on for the complete picture.
What Methods Can You Use to Send Money Internationally?
There are four main ways to send money internationally: bank wire transfers via the SWIFT network, specialist online money transfer services like Wise, Remitly, and Xe, digital wallets like PayPal, and cash pickup networks like Western Union and MoneyGram. Each method works differently and carries a very different cost and speed profile. Understanding how each one works makes it much easier to choose the right option for your specific transfer.
For most people sending money internationally to a recipient with a bank account, a specialist online service will be the fastest and cheapest option. For recipients without bank accounts, or in regions with limited banking infrastructure, a cash pickup service may be the only viable route. The sections below explain how each method works, what it costs, and where it fits best.
Bank Wire Transfers: Reliable, But Usually the Most Expensive Option
A bank wire transfer, sometimes called an international wire transfer or SWIFT transfer, is the traditional method for sending money internationally. Your bank sends funds through the SWIFT network, a global financial messaging system connecting over 11,000 banks and financial institutions across more than 200 countries. It is the most established method, but it is also consistently the most expensive, and it is rarely the fastest.
How a Bank Wire Transfer Works
To initiate a bank wire transfer, you provide your bank with the recipient's full name, their bank account number or IBAN (International Bank Account Number), and their bank's SWIFT/BIC code, which is a unique identifier for that financial institution. Your bank sends the funds through the SWIFT network, which may route the payment through one or more correspondent banks before it reaches the destination account. Each intermediary bank in the chain can deduct its own handling fee from the amount being transferred, further reducing what the recipient receives.
Processing times for bank wire transfers are typically between one and five business days, depending on the countries involved, the currencies being converted, and how many correspondent banks are in the routing chain. Some bank-to-bank transfers between major markets, such as the US and UK, may complete in one to two days. More complex corridors involving multiple currency conversions or smaller destination banks can take considerably longer.
What Does a Bank Wire Transfer Cost?
The true cost of a bank wire transfer has two components: the flat transfer fee your bank charges, and the currency conversion markup they apply when converting your money into the recipient's currency. Most people focus on the flat fee and miss the conversion markup, which is often the larger of the two charges and the more damaging to the amount the recipient receives.
In the UK, Barclays charges up to 2.75% as a currency conversion charge on online international transfers, and £25 for in-branch international payments. HSBC charges up to £5 for transfers outside the SEPA zone, plus a currency conversion markup on top. In the US, Bank of America charges $35 to $45 for outgoing international wire transfers; Wells Fargo charges $30 to $45. Exchange rate markups of 2% to 4% are typical across most major banks. According to the World Bank's March 2025 Remittance Prices Worldwide report, banks cost an average of 14.55% of the transfer amount when all fees and markups are factored together.
On a concrete example: sending £1,000 from a Barclays account to a recipient in India costs roughly £25 in transfer fees plus approximately £27.50 in currency conversion markup at 2.75%. The recipient could end up receiving the equivalent of less than £950. The same transfer via Wise costs roughly £6 to £8 in fees, with no exchange rate markup at all. Same money, same destination, a difference of over £40 in what the recipient actually receives.
Banks rarely show the full cost of an international transfer upfront. The flat fee is visible, but the exchange rate markup is built silently into the rate they offer you. Before you send money internationally through your bank, calculate the real total: what amount does the recipient actually receive, compared to what the mid-market rate would deliver? Use the comparison tool above to see the difference instantly. In most cases, a specialist service will save you significantly more than the fee difference alone suggests.
Online Money Transfer Services: The Cheapest Way to Send Money Internationally
Specialist online money transfer services were built specifically to address the problem of expensive bank transfers. They use the mid-market exchange rate, the rate you see on Google or Reuters with no markup added, and charge a small, transparent fee on top. Because they operate digitally and at scale, their cost structure is far leaner than banks, and those savings flow directly to the customer. For most people who need to send money internationally, one of these services will deliver the best combination of low cost and fast delivery.
Wise
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is one of the most cost-effective ways to send money internationally, and it is a strong first choice for most senders. It uses the mid-market exchange rate on all transfers, meaning there is zero hidden markup on the currency conversion itself. Wise charges a transparent fee that typically ranges from 0.4% to around 1.5% depending on the currency pair and payment method. For major corridors like GBP to EUR or USD to INR, fees are often at the lower end of that range, making Wise hard to beat on overall cost.
Speed is a genuine strength. Wise reports that 74% of its transfers arrive in under 20 seconds, and 95% complete within a day. The service supports over 40 currencies and more than 16 million people worldwide use it to send money internationally. Wise is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, FinCEN in the US, and holds equivalent licences in the EU and Australia. Customer funds are held in ringfenced accounts separately from operating capital, which means your money is protected even in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with the company.
Wise also offers a multi-currency account and debit card, which is particularly useful for expats, freelancers, and small businesses that regularly send money abroad or receive payments in multiple currencies. The account lets you hold over 50 currencies and convert between them at the mid-market rate, making it a genuine alternative to a local bank account in many countries.
Wise is consistently the benchmark for cost when sending money internationally. The combination of mid-market exchange rate, transparent fees, and fast delivery makes it the default first option to check for most corridors.
- Mid-market exchange rate - no hidden markup on the conversion, ever
- Fees from 0.4% - the exact cost is shown upfront before you confirm
- 74% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds
- 40+ currencies supported - including GBP, EUR, USD, INR, and more
- FCA regulated - customer funds are safeguarded in ringfenced accounts
Remitly
Remitly has built its reputation on remittance corridors: transfers from the US, UK, Canada, and other sender countries to India, Mexico, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and similar high-volume destinations. It offers two speed tiers on most corridors: Economy, which is slower but lower cost, and Express, which is faster at a slightly higher fee. This gives senders control over the speed versus cost trade-off depending on how urgently the funds are needed.
Remitly's pricing structure is worth understanding before committing. For some high-volume corridors, the flat transfer fee can be very low, sometimes as little as $0.99 to $3.99. However, Remitly typically adds an exchange rate markup above the mid-market rate that can reach 2% to 4% depending on the currency pair. This means the flat fee tells only part of the story. Always look at the total amount the recipient will receive, which is the only figure that captures the real cost, and compare it against what Wise or Xe would deliver on the same transfer.
Remitly also supports cash pickup in select markets and mobile money delivery to popular wallets in countries like Kenya, Ghana, and the Philippines. This makes it useful for recipients who do not have a traditional bank account or who prefer a local collection method. It is regulated by FinCEN in the US and holds appropriate licences in all major markets where it operates.
Remitly is a strong choice for remittance-heavy corridors to Asia, Latin America, and Africa, particularly when speed is a priority or when recipients need cash pickup or mobile money delivery rather than a bank transfer.
- Economy and Express tiers - choose speed vs cost based on urgency
- Competitive on high-volume corridors - India, Philippines, Mexico, and more
- Cash pickup available - useful when recipients have no bank account
- Mobile money delivery - supports wallets in Kenya, Ghana, Philippines, and more
- FinCEN regulated - licenced in all major sender markets
Xe
Xe is one of the most widely recognised names in currency and international money transfer, trusted by over 250 million people globally. Its transfer service supports payments to more than 130 countries and handles over 65 currencies, a significantly broader reach than most competitors. This makes Xe particularly valuable for less common or exotic currency pairs that other services do not cover, and for senders who need a service capable of reaching less obvious destinations when they send money overseas.
Xe builds its margin into the exchange rate rather than charging a separate flat transfer fee. The rate markup varies by currency pair but is generally competitive on major corridors. For very large transfers, Xe provides access to dedicated currency specialists who can assist with timing and strategy on exchange rates, making it a sensible choice for businesses and individuals moving significant sums internationally.
Speed is a key advantage. Many Xe transfers arrive within minutes to hours, and next-business-day delivery is standard for major corridors. Xe is regulated by the FCA in the UK and holds equivalent authorisations across all its major markets, including the US, EU, Canada, and Australia.
Xe is the go-to option when you need to send money internationally to an unusual destination, or when you need the widest possible currency coverage and fast delivery across a broad range of corridors.
- 130+ destination countries - one of the widest global footprints available
- 65+ currencies supported - including many exotic and less common pairs
- No flat transfer fee - margin is built into the competitive exchange rate
- Fast delivery - many transfers arrive same day or next business day
- FCA regulated - authorised across all major markets
PayPal and Digital Wallets: Familiar but Often Costly
PayPal is the most familiar name in digital payments, and it can be used to send money internationally. The appeal is ease of use. Most people already have an account, and transferring money feels as simple as sending an email. But ease of use comes at a significant price when currency conversion is involved. For international transfers, PayPal charges a currency conversion fee of around 3% to 4% above the mid-market rate, plus a transaction fee on top of that.
On a £500 transfer from the UK to a recipient in Europe, PayPal's currency conversion charge alone could cost £15 to £20. A specialist service like Wise would handle the same transfer for under £5. The difference is significant, and it becomes more significant as the transfer amount increases. PayPal's pricing makes sense for very small, occasional payments where convenience justifies the cost, but for anyone regularly sending money overseas or moving larger sums, it is not the right tool for the job.
Other digital wallets like Revolut offer competitive rates on smaller monthly amounts, but typically impose limits on free-tier transfers and charge fees beyond those limits. For occasional small transfers between people who both use the same app, digital wallets can be convenient. For regular or larger international transfers, a dedicated money transfer service is almost always cheaper and more transparent about what you are actually paying.
Cash Pickup Services: The Right Tool for the Right Situation
Western Union and MoneyGram operate the world's largest cash transfer networks, with hundreds of thousands of agent locations across more than 200 countries. For recipients without a bank account, or those in regions with limited banking infrastructure, cash pickup is not just a convenient option but often the only viable route. The sender initiates the transfer online or via a mobile app, and the recipient collects cash at a local agent location using a reference code and a valid ID.
The trade-off for cash pickup is cost. Western Union and MoneyGram typically charge higher fees and apply larger exchange rate markups than specialist digital services. For a $200 transfer from the US to Mexico via Western Union, fees can range from $5 to $15 depending on the payment method and corridor, and the exchange rate markup adds further cost on top. For larger amounts, that markup becomes substantial, and the total cost can rival or exceed what a traditional bank would charge.
If the recipient has a bank account or can receive mobile money, a digital transfer service like Remitly or Wise will almost always cost less and arrive just as quickly. Reserve cash pickup for situations where there is genuinely no bank account alternative. Even then, compare the total cost across providers before committing. MoneyGram and Western Union price their services differently by corridor, and the cheaper option varies depending on where you are sending money overseas.
How to Send Money Internationally: Step by Step
The process of sending money internationally is broadly the same regardless of which service you use. These six steps apply whether you are using Wise, Remitly, Xe, or your bank, and following them in order will ensure the transfer goes smoothly from start to finish.
Step 1: Choose Your Method and Provider
Start by identifying what the recipient needs: can they receive money directly into a bank account, or do they need cash? If they have a bank account, an online money transfer service will almost always be your cheapest and fastest option. Once you know the method, compare at least two or three providers by looking at the amount the recipient actually receives, not just the stated fee. The headline fee and the real cost are often very different things when exchange rate markups are involved.
Step 2: Gather the Recipient's Details
For a bank transfer, you will need the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account, their account number or IBAN, their bank's SWIFT or BIC code, and their bank's name and address. Depending on the destination country, you may also need a routing number (US), sort code (UK), BSB code (Australia), or IFSC code (India). For cash pickup transfers, you only need the recipient's name as it appears on their ID. For digital wallet transfers to another user, an email address or mobile number is often sufficient. Confirm details directly with the recipient before sending.
Step 3: Create and Verify Your Account
Most online transfer services require identity verification before your first transfer. This is a legal requirement under anti-money laundering regulations. Verification typically takes 5 to 10 minutes and involves uploading a passport or driving licence photograph and completing a selfie or biometric check. Some platforms approve applicants in seconds; others may take a few hours. If you are sending for the first time, complete the verification step in advance rather than on the day you need to send urgently.
Step 4: Enter the Transfer Details
Log in to your chosen service and enter the amount you want to send, the destination country, and the recipient's bank details. The platform will display the exchange rate being applied, the total fee, and the estimated amount the recipient will receive. Focus on the 'recipient gets' figure. If two providers quote different fee structures but the recipient receives the same amount, they are effectively identical in real cost. If one delivers more to the recipient, it is the cheaper option regardless of how the fee is labeled or structured.
Step 5: Choose Your Payment Method
Most transfer services accept bank transfer (called ACH in the US or bank debit in the UK), debit card, and credit card. Bank transfer is almost always the cheapest payment method and typically takes one to two business days to process. Debit card payments are slightly faster but usually carry a small additional fee. Credit card payments are the most expensive option and some card issuers treat international transfer payments as cash advances, which attracts additional interest from the day of the transaction. If cost is the priority, pay by bank transfer. If speed is urgent and you can absorb a slightly higher fee, use a debit card.
Step 6: Review, Confirm, and Track
Before confirming the transfer, review all details one final time: the exchange rate, the total fee, the recipient's account information, and the estimated delivery time. Once you confirm, most services provide a tracking reference and send status updates by email or push notification. Keep the confirmation reference until the transfer completes. If the transfer does not arrive within the expected window, use the reference to contact the service's customer support team.
What Information Do You Need to Send Money Internationally?
Having the right details before you start saves time and prevents failed or misdirected transfers. The exact information required depends on the destination country and the transfer method, but these are the most commonly required pieces of information when sending money abroad.
For most international bank transfers, you will need the following:
- Recipient's full name - exactly as it appears on their bank account
- IBAN - for accounts in Europe, the Middle East, and some other regions
- Account number - for countries that do not use IBAN, including the US, Australia, and parts of Asia
- SWIFT/BIC code - the unique identifier for the recipient's bank
- Bank name and address - sometimes required, particularly for US and some Asian recipients
- Routing number - required for US bank accounts
- Sort code - required for UK bank accounts
- BSB code - required for Australian bank accounts
- IFSC code - required for Indian bank accounts
You can usually find the SWIFT/BIC code on the recipient's bank statement, on their bank's official website, or by searching for the bank name combined with 'SWIFT code'. If in doubt, ask the recipient to confirm the details directly with their bank. Sending money internationally with an incorrect SWIFT code or IBAN can result in the transfer being returned or, in some cases, credited to the wrong account. Double-checking before you confirm is always worth the extra minute.
How Much Does It Cost to Send Money Internationally?
Costs vary significantly depending on the method and provider you choose. The table below gives approximate costs for sending the equivalent of £1,000 internationally using common methods. Fees and rates change constantly, so always check the live rate on the day you transfer. The 'amount received' column is the most important: it is the only figure that accounts for both the flat fee and the exchange rate markup together.
Provider / Method | Transfer Fee | Exchange Rate | Typical Speed | Recipient Gets (on £1,000 to INR approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wise | £6 to £8 (0.6-0.8%) | Mid-market rate, no markup | Under 20 seconds to 1 day | Most - the benchmark |
Remitly (Economy) | £0.99 to £3.99 flat | Markup of 2-4% above mid-market | 1 to 3 days | Competitive on key corridors |
Xe | No flat fee | Small markup built into rate | Same day to next day | Competitive |
Your Bank (e.g. Barclays) | £25+ flat fee | 2-3% markup on top | 1 to 5 days | Significantly less than specialist services |
PayPal | Transaction fee varies | 3-4% above mid-market | Instant to 1 day | Noticeably less than Wise |
Western Union (cash pickup) | Fee varies by corridor and payment method | Markup varies | Minutes | Lower on larger amounts |
The most reliable way to see what a transfer costs is to use a live comparison tool. Rates change throughout the day, and the cheapest provider for one corridor may not be cheapest for another. Use the tool below to get a real-time view for your specific transfer amount and destination.
How Long Does It Take to Send Money Internationally?
Transfer speed depends on the method, the provider, and the specific corridor. Some services deliver in seconds for common routes; others take several days. Here is a practical guide to what to expect across the main methods available when you send money abroad.
Method | Typical Speed | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
Wise | Under 20 seconds to 1 day | 74% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds; 95% within 24 hours |
Remitly Express | Minutes to hours | Faster tier at a slightly higher cost |
Remitly Economy | 1 to 3 business days | Lower cost, slower delivery |
Xe | Same day to next business day | Standard for most major corridors |
Bank SWIFT transfer | 1 to 5 business days | Longer when multiple correspondent banks are involved |
PayPal (international) | Instant to 1 business day | Depends on recipient's withdrawal settings |
Western Union (cash pickup) | Minutes | Recipient can collect almost immediately after sender confirms |
MoneyGram (cash pickup) | Minutes | Similar to Western Union |
If you need to send money internationally urgently, Wise, Xe, and Remitly Express are the most reliable fast options. Bank SWIFT transfers are rarely the right choice when speed matters. Even a nominally 'one-day' transfer can be delayed by weekends, public holidays, or correspondent bank processing schedules that are entirely outside your or the recipient's control.
How to Send Money Internationally Without Paying Too Much
The single most effective way to reduce the cost of sending money internationally is to stop using your bank for international transfers. This one change alone can cut your transfer costs by 80% or more on common corridors. Switching to a specialist service like Wise, Remitly, or Xe takes minutes to set up and consistently delivers a better result on cost, speed, and transparency than any traditional bank wire transfer.
Always compare the amount the recipient receives, not just the stated fee. Two providers with identical flat fees can deliver very different amounts to the recipient if their exchange rates differ. The recipient's figure is the only number that tells the complete truth about what a transfer costs you, and it is the only number worth comparing across providers.
Pay by bank transfer rather than credit card where possible. Credit card payments for international transfers often attract higher processing fees from the transfer service, and your card issuer may classify the transaction as a cash advance, adding interest from the day of the payment regardless of whether you pay your balance in full at month end. Debit card payments are a reasonable middle ground if you want slightly faster processing without the full credit card cost.
For large transfers, consider the timing. Exchange rates fluctuate constantly, and even a 1% movement on a £10,000 transfer represents £100 in the recipient's pocket. If your transfer is not time-sensitive, watching rates for a few days and sending when conditions are more favourable can make a meaningful difference. Most specialist services show real-time exchange rates and some offer rate alert features that notify you when a target rate is reached.
Set up your account and complete identity verification before you need to send for the first time. The verification process is quick, but doing it at the last minute when a transfer is urgent adds unnecessary stress. Having your account ready means you can send money internationally in minutes whenever the need arises, without any delay.
Is It Safe to Send Money Internationally?
Sending money internationally through a regulated provider is safe. The leading specialist money transfer services, including Wise, Remitly, and Xe, are all regulated by financial authorities in the UK, US, EU, and other major markets. In the UK, this means FCA authorisation and a requirement to safeguard customer funds by holding them in ringfenced accounts separate from the company's own operating money. If the company were to fail, your funds would be protected and returned.
The main safety risk when you send money abroad is human error rather than platform failure. Entering an incorrect account number, wrong SWIFT code, or misspelling a recipient's name can result in a transfer being returned or, less commonly, credited to an unintended account. Always double-check recipient details before confirming a transfer. Most services allow you to save recipient details for future transfers once verified, which reduces the risk of input errors on repeat payments.
Phishing and social engineering are the other area to be vigilant about. Scammers sometimes impersonate legitimate transfer services or create false urgency around an international payment. Always access your transfer account directly through the official app or website, never via a link in an unsolicited email or text message. If someone contacts you asking you to send money internationally as an urgent favour, verify the request independently through a separate channel before taking any action.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sending Money Internationally
What is the cheapest way to send money internationally?
Specialist online money transfer services like Wise, Remitly, and Xe are consistently cheaper than banks for international transfers. Wise is often the benchmark for cost, using the mid-market exchange rate and charging transparent fees from 0.4%. The cheapest option for your specific transfer depends on the corridor - always compare the amount the recipient receives across two or three services before committing.
How do I send money internationally for the first time?
Choose a specialist money transfer service, create an account, and complete identity verification using your passport or driving licence. Enter the recipient's bank details, the transfer amount, and your preferred payment method. The platform will show you the exact fee and the amount the recipient will receive before you confirm. The whole process typically takes under 10 minutes, and most transfers arrive within a day.
What information do I need to send money internationally?
For most international bank transfers, you need the recipient's full name, their IBAN or account number, and their bank's SWIFT/BIC code. Depending on the destination country, you may also need a routing number (US), sort code (UK), BSB code (Australia), or IFSC code (India). For cash pickup transfers, only the recipient's name is required. Confirm all details directly with the recipient before you send.
How long does an international money transfer take?
It depends on the method and provider. With Wise, 74% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds and 95% complete within a day. Remitly Express delivers within minutes to hours; Remitly Economy takes 1 to 3 days. Xe transfers typically arrive same day or next business day. Bank SWIFT transfers take 1 to 5 business days and can be slower around public holidays or when the payment routes through multiple correspondent banks.
Can I send money internationally without the recipient having a bank account?
Yes. Cash pickup services like Western Union and MoneyGram allow you to send money internationally to a recipient who collects cash at a local agent location using a reference code and a valid ID. In some markets, services like Remitly also support mobile money delivery directly to digital wallets, which does not require a traditional bank account.
Is it safe to send money internationally online?
Yes, when using a regulated provider. Services like Wise, Remitly, and Xe are authorised by the FCA in the UK and equivalent regulatory bodies in other major markets. They safeguard customer funds in ringfenced accounts. The main practical risk is human error in the recipient's details, not a failure of the platform itself. Always double-check account numbers and SWIFT codes before confirming.
Do I need a SWIFT code to send money internationally?
For most international bank transfers, yes. The SWIFT or BIC code is a unique identifier for the recipient's bank and tells the SWIFT network where to route the funds. You can find it on the recipient's bank statement or on the bank's official website. Some specialist transfer services handle the routing internally and may not require you to enter the SWIFT code manually, but it is still worth having it available.
What is the difference between a SWIFT code and an IBAN?
A SWIFT or BIC code identifies the recipient's bank. An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) identifies the specific account within that bank. For most international transfers to Europe and the Middle East, you need both. For transfers to the US, Australia, or India, you typically provide a SWIFT code and a local account number rather than an IBAN, as those countries do not universally use the IBAN system.
How much does it cost to send money internationally through a bank?
Bank international wire transfers typically combine a flat fee of £25 to £45 with a currency conversion markup of 2% to 4%. According to the World Bank's March 2025 data, banks cost an average of 14.55% of the transfer amount when all fees and markups are factored together. On a £1,000 transfer, that can mean losing over £50 before the recipient sees anything. Specialist services like Wise handle the same transfer for around £6 to £8.
Can I cancel an international money transfer after I have sent it?
It depends on the timing and the service. With bank SWIFT transfers, you may be able to cancel within 30 minutes of submission, after which the transfer enters processing and cannot be recalled without a formal SWIFT recall request, which takes days and is not guaranteed. With Wise and similar services, you can cancel while the transfer is still pending, but once it has been sent it cannot be reversed. Always verify recipient details before confirming.
What is the maximum amount I can send internationally?
Transfer limits vary by service and your verification level. Wise allows personal account transfers of up to the equivalent of GBP 1 million, though very large transfers may require additional documentation. Remitly imposes lower default limits that increase as you complete higher levels of identity verification. Banks typically have higher upper limits but may require advance notice and additional compliance checks for transfers above a certain threshold.
Is there a fee to receive an international money transfer?
The recipient's bank may charge a receiving fee for incoming international wire transfers, typically $10 to $20 or equivalent. This is separate from the fees charged by the sender's service. When using Wise, if both sender and recipient use Wise accounts in compatible currencies, the transfer is effectively free to receive. For transfers arriving as traditional bank deposits, check with the recipient's bank whether they charge a receiving fee before choosing your transfer method.
Sending money internationally does not need to be expensive or complicated. Once you understand the options and know which questions to ask, the right choice becomes straightforward. For most people and most corridors, a specialist online service beats the bank on cost, speed, and transparency. Compare your options before each transfer, always look at the amount the recipient actually receives, and keep more of your money where it belongs.
Mohammad Humaid
Verified AuthorMo is the founder of MoneyTransferStore. As an expat who has experienced the challenges of sending money across borders himself, he set out to help others like him avoid hidden fees and unfair exchange rates on international transfers. With a background spanning fintech, payments, and Web3, Mo brings years of practical experience to building a platform focused on transparency and trust.
