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Send money to Tunisia
Save time and money when sending money to Tunisia from Canada.
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With over 25,000 Canadians claiming Tunisian descent, there are plenty of reasons to send money from Canada to Tunisia. Whether you need to manage a portfolio of businesses expenses or want to send money home to family and friends living in the region, check out our handy guide to find the most competitive exchange rates and lowest fees on your next money transfer overseas.
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The “Rate” and “Amount Received” displayed are indicative rates that have been supplied by each brand or gathered by Finder.
Exchange rates are volatile and change often. As a result, the exchange rate listed on Finder may vary to the actual exchange rate quoted for the brand. Please confirm the actual exchange rate and mention “Finder” before you commit to a brand.
Banks vs. money transfer services
While some Canadian banks do allow transfers to Tunisia, they tend to charge higher transfer fees and offer less competitive exchange rates than money transfer companies. On top of that, they can take up to six business days to process a transfer. Money transfer companies provide more competitive exchange rates and lower transfer fees than the banks. They also tend to take only one to three business days to process bank-to-bank transfers, with cash transfers reaching recipients in a matter of minutes.
Case study: Henry sends money to Tunisia
Henry’s girlfriend Alyssa has been posted to Tunisia to work for six months. Henry has always wanted to visit Northern Africa, and figures there’s no better time than the present to knock the trip off of his bucket list. He decides to surprise Alyssa with $1,000 for her birthday, so she can buy flights to meet him in Morocco and they can travel back to Tunisia together over land. Since Henry has some time to peruse his options, he decides to compare two money transfer companies to see which one offers the best deal.
| Money transfer company 1 | Money transfer company 2 | |
|---|---|---|
Exchange rate | CAD$1 = TND 2.1 | CAD$1= TND 2.2 |
Transfer fee | $5 | $10 |
Transfer method | Online bank account transfer | Online bank account transfer |
Processing time | Less than 24 hours | 1-3 days |
Amount received | TND 2,100 | TND 2,200 |
By choosing to send funds with the second money transfer service, Henry pays $5 more for the transfer fee, but Alyssa receives an additional TND 100 (around $47) in the exchange rate.
How do I compare transfer companies when transferring money to Tunisia?
There are a number of money transfer companies that will let you send money to Tunisia from Canada. It’s best to compare a couple of different options to get the best deal. Consider the following factors when you make your comparison.
- Exchange rate and fees. Compare both rates and fees together to understand how much your transfer will cost you in total. Don’t get lured in by low to no transfer fees, as it’s often the exchange rate that can make the biggest difference when it comes to your bottom line. Your best option is to search for a company that offers competitive exchange rates in addition to minimal fees.
- Transfer methods. Many banks won’t send wire transfers to Tunisia in the local currency, which can end up costing you more money because you’ll need to exchange funds into TND at a local kiosk. Money transfer services can offer different options for transferring funds – including cash pickups, bank-to-bank transfers and even mobile wallet top-ups – for a fraction of the cost.
- Fast transfer times. Banks have a reputation for taking a considerable amount of time to process transfers (some up to five business days), while money transfer services can take around 1 – 3 days for a bank transfer. Cash pickups typically go through in a matter of minutes.
- Reliable customer service. Some companies set the bar high when it comes to customer service, so make sure to settle on a service that will make sure your transfer ends up in the right place at the right time, no questions asked.
How do I send money to Tunisia from Canada?
There are a few different ways to send money to Tunisia, including:
- Banks. If your Canadian bank allows money transfers to Tunisian accounts, you may be able to initiate the process by visiting a branch or booking through internet banking. You can also consider sending a bank-issued check, draft or money order to Tunisia by mail.
- Online money transfer companies. Online transfer services like XE Money Transfer and World First offer competitive exchange rates and minimal fees on international money transfers.
- Cash pick up services. Money transfer companies, such as Western Union and MoneyGram let you send money to Tunisia from Canada. You can send a transfer online or in person with Western Union, while you must visit a branch location in Canada to send money via MoneyGram.
- PayPal. As long as both you and your recipient have PayPal accounts, you can send and receive money using the service. Accounts are free and easy to set up online.
Emergency cash transfers in Tunisia
If you’re in Tunisia and end up losing your wallet or purse, you should report your credit and debit cards as lost or stolen immediately. You can then think about getting some emergency money in different ways.
- Cash pickup. You can have a friend or family member send you money via a cash pick up service. Consider using companies like Western Union or MoneyGram which will allow you to pick up cash in minutes at one of hundreds of thousands of locations around the world.
- Credit card cash advance. If you have an existing MasterCard, Visa or American Express credit card, you may be able to get an emergency cash advance by visiting a local participating financial institution. Keep in mind that the money you receive will be added to your credit card balance.
- Travel insurance. Getting the right kind of travel insurance before going to Tunisia is very important. It is recommended that you never travel without insurance, which can cover lost and misplaced luggage, flight delays/cancellations and unexpected medical expenses.
Tips for picking up cash
The Government of Canada recommends that Canadian visitors to Tunisia exercise a high degree of caution (as of 18 September 2018). Street crime including theft, pickpocketing and purse snatching has been much more frequent in Tunisia since the 2011 revolution. “Drive-by” thefts by individuals on scooters and motorcycles have occurred in tourist areas. If you do need to collect cash, look for an agent location in a safe neighborhood and call ahead to make sure they’ll have cash on hand. Visit during daylight hours in the company of a good friend and return to your hotel to stow your cash in a safe place as quickly as possible.
The steps involved in sending money to Tunisia depend on the method you choose.
- Transfer to a bank account. When sending money through your bank, you’ll need to provide your recipient’s name, email and/or address, account number, bank’s name and bank’s SWIFT/BIC code. If you’re using a service provider other than your bank, you should provide details of your bank account, debit card or credit card in order to pay the transfer fees. You can use the reference number you receive after sending the transfer to track the transfer’s progress at any stage.
- Cash pick up. If you’re sending money in person, you’ll need to provide your recipient’s name and the desired cash pickup location. When sending money online or over the phone, prepare to provide your bank account, debit card or credit card details as well in order to pay transfer fees. After you initiate the transfer, you will receive a reference number. Pass this onto your recipient so they can retrieve the funds. You should also supply them with the amount of money sent and the type of currency sent.
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