WorldRemit Review
- Minimum Transfer Amount
- $1
- Fastest Transfer Speed
- Within minutes
- Receiving Options
- Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet, Home delivery, Prepaid phone credit
Our verdict
Send money to 130+ countries for cash pickup, Airtime top up, home delivery or direct deposit to a bank account or mobile wallet.
This provider offers a wide variety of transfer options as well as a super user-friendly app. However, look elsewhere if you need to send very large money transfers.
Pros
-
No minimum transfer amount
-
Easy-to-use website
-
Large range of destinations
Cons
-
Maximum transfer amounts
-
Unpredictable fee structure
-
No currency hedging options
Details
Product details
| Product Name | WorldRemit |
| Pay By | Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer, Apple Pay |
| Receiving Options | Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet, Home delivery, Prepaid phone credit |
| Customer Service | Phone, Live chat |
| Available Currencies | AED, ALL, ARS, AUD, BDT, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, DOP, EGP, ETB, FJD, GBP, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HNL, IDR, INR, JMD, KES, KHR, LAK, LKR, MAD, MGA, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NGN, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PYG, RWF, SGD, SRD, THB, TND, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, SLE |
What is WorldRemit?
WorldRemit is a global remittance company that was founded in 2010 by Ismail Ahmed, a Somali migrant who was studying in London at the time. WorldRemit is currently headquartered in London, UK, but operates in more than 130 countries around the world including Canada.
Pros and cons of WorldRemit
Pros
- No minimum transfer amount. A varied fee system and no minimum transfer amount makes it easy to send small transfers.
- Easy-to-use website. It takes just a few minutes to create an account. Support is accessible through phone, email, live chat and FAQs.
- Large range of destinations. Customers in 50+ countries can send funds to recipients in 130+ countries.
- Lots of transfer options. Pay by debit, credit, Interac, Apple Pay or prepaid card. Supports bank account transfers, cash pickup, mobile money, Airtime top-ups and delivery to recipients’ homes (only available in some regions).
- Fast transfer options. Some transfers including cash pickup, WorldRemit Wallet transfers and airtime top-ups process almost instantly.
Cons
- Maximum transfer amounts. You can’t send more than $40,000 CAD from Canada in a 24-hour period or more than $4,000 CAD in a single transaction.
- Unpredictable fee structure. Although a base fee of $2.99-$4.99 applies to most transfers, your actual fee could vary based on the destination country, payment method and the type of transfer. Also, the higher the transfer amount, the higher your fee.
- No currency hedging options. You can’t take advantage of options like stop-loss orders, futures contracts or forward contracts to guard against currency fluctuations.
Zero fees on your first THREE money transfers
WorldRemit fees and exchange rates
Unfortunately, WorldRemit’s fee structure isn’t completely predictable. The transfer fee is $2.99-$4.99 for many transactions, but not all. Ultimately, the total cost of your transaction depends on the following:
- Destination country. Even if the same currency is used in multiple destination, WorldRemit may charge a different exchange rate fee for transfers to each country.
- Sending amount. Although the fee for most transfers will be $2.99-$4.99, you will pay more for sending to some countries.
- Payment method. The transfer fee could fluctuate depending on whether you’re sending cash for pickup or home delivery, a bank transfer, an Airtime top up or mobile money.
- Delivery method. Cash transfers will typically incur higher fees, while sending directly to bank accounts is often cheaper.
The company makes money by charging transfer fees and by pocketing a small percentage of the midmarket exchange rate when converting currencies. This is typical for most transfer services. However, unlike some competitors, WorldRemit offers the same exchange rate no matter how much you send.
Example: Using WorldRemit to send $500 from Canada around the globe
As of March 12, 2022, here are the exchange rates and transfer fees for sending $500 from Canada to bank accounts in various destination countries using WorldRemit.
The mid-market rate is the “true” exchange between 2 currencies—essentially the value of one currency in another currency before taking into account any third-party fees or deductions. The lower WorldRemit’s exchange rate markup, the lower your fees when getting funds converted for an international money transfer.
| Sending to | Currency | Mid-market exchange rate | WorldRemit exchange rate | Markup | Fees (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | PHP | 40.99203 | 39.89771 | 2.7% | $2.99 |
| India | INR | 60.07691 | 59.42714 | 1.1% | $2.99 |
| China | CNY | 4.96897 | 4.83481 | 2.7% | $3.49 (via Alipay, bank transfer not available) |
| Pakistan | PKR | 139.88811 | 138.78438 | 0.79% | $2.99 |
| Vietnam | VND | 17,960.72300 | 17439.86171 | 2.9% | $5.99 |
| Bangladesh | BDT | 67.433289 | 66.43176 | 1.5% | $3.99 |
| United Kingdom | GBP | 0.60110 | 0.59028 | 1.8% | $3.99 |
| Mexico | MXN | 16.39650 | 16.39650 | 0% | $3.99-$8.26 depending on the bank |
How to send and receive money with WorldRemit
Transfers
Sending a WorldRemit money transfer is easy. Login to your account, and follow these steps:
- Choose the destination country
- Select the transfer method (bank transfer, cash pickup, Airtime top up etc. Note that some transfer methods may not be available for every destination country)
- Enter the amount you want to send. Double-check the transfer fees and exchange rate.
- Add your recipient’s information including their name, contact information, the details of the account the money is being sent (if applicable) and the reason for the transfer
- Add your payment information
- Send money
If you’re sending money on WorldRemit’s desktop app instead of mobile, initiate a transfer by logging into your account and inputting your transfer details in the calculator on the main page. The exchange rate and transfer fee will then appear. Select Continue to proceed, and follow the prompts.
How to find a WorldRemit location for in-person transfers and cash pickups
Withdrawals
There are different ways to receive a WorldRemit money transfer depending on where you live.
- Cash pickup. Get cash transfers at one of WorldRemit’s partner network locations around the world (mostly banks).
- Transfer to bank account. Have money sent directly to your bank account. Note that your bank may charge fees related to incoming transfers. Check with your bank to make sure you aren’t hit with any unexpected charges.
- Mobile money. Have money sent to your mobile wallet. Use funds to pay bills, withdraw in cash at authorized agents and more.
- Airtime top up. Have money sent directly to your telecom network to cover your phone bill.
- Home delivery. Get cash delivered to your door (only available in some locations). You must present valid ID that matches the details entered by the sender.
Required information
To send money through WorldRemit, you’ll need the following:
- WorldRemit account. It usually takes just a few minutes to create an account and it’s totally free.
- Valid payment method. Payment options for transfers out of Canada include debit, credit, Interac, Apple Pay and prepaid card.
- Recipient’s name and contact information. You’ll need your recipient’s name (as it appears on their ID), contact information and banking information.
- Valid ID. Must show your photo, full name, date of birth, expiry date and other details. ID that may be acceptable include:
- Canadian or international passport
- Canadian permanent residence card
- Canadian driver’s license
- Canadian military ID
- Canadian passport card
- Canadian refugee document
- Canadian visa
- Canadian employment authorization card
WorldRemit money transfer speed
WorldRemit transfer speeds depend on your delivery method.
| Delivery method | Transfer speed |
|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Minutes up to 5 business days |
| Cash pickup | Instant |
| Mobile money | Within minutes |
| Airtime top-up | Within minutes |
| Home delivery | 1-7 business days |
Compare WorldRemit to other transfer services
Is WorldRemit safe?
WorldRemit uses many methods to keep your money safe and is authorized and regulated by many government agencies.
Secure payment channels
Depending on where you are sending money from and to, you can expect your payments to be secured by the following:
- Apple Pay
- Verified by Visa
- Mastercard and Maestro SecureCode
Regulation compliance
WorldRemit holds many licenses around the globe, including in the following countries:
- Canada
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
Dedicated security teams
WorldRemit uses machine learning to monitor all transactions, and anything suspicious is forwarded for human attention. When problems arise, customers can contact WorldRemit 24/7 by using the following methods:
- Telephone
- Live chat
Where can I use WorldRemit?
WorldRemit transfers can be sent from 50+ countries and received in 130+ countries. You can check out the full list of currencies here, but popular currencies and destination countries include the following:
- Mexico: Mexican peso (MXN)
- China: Chinese yuan (CNY)
- India: Indian rupee (INR)
- Philippines: Philippine peso (PHP)
- Vietnam: Vietnamese dong (VND)
- Guatemala: Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ)
- Nigeria: Nigerian dollar (NGN)
- El Salvador: El Salvador colon (SVC)
- Dominican Republic: Dominican peso (DOP)
- Thailand: Thai baht (THB)
Does WorldRemit have a mobile app?
Yes, WorldRemit has an app available on both the App Store and through Google Play. With the WorldRemit app, you can:
- Get daily price notifications. Keep an eye on multiple currency pairs, so you can send funds when the exchange rate is in your favor.
- Track transfers. Check the progress of your transfer and opt in/out of SMS notifications.
- Save contact information. Store recipient information to make future transfers quicker and easier.
- Access customer support. Use live chat, phone numbers and email options to contact customer support.
| Reviews accurate as of March 12, 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Google Play Store | 4.4 out of 5 — based on 112,709 customer reviews |
| Apple App Store | 4.8 out of 5 — based on 129,957 customer reviews |
WorldRemit Wallet, mobile money and airtime top-ups explained
Some of these services you may know under different names. Not all of them are available worldwide.
WorldRemit Wallet
Available in some countries, the WorldRemit Wallet allows user to hold US dollars, Philippine pesos, Ugandan shilling and Central African francs, making it possible to use funds without transferring to a bank or making a cash withdrawal.
WorldRemit mobile money
Available in 80+ countries, mobile money is an electronic wallet allows users to save money, make purchases, pay bills, transfer money and more using their phones.
Airtime top-ups
Airtime allows user to pay their phone bills via money transfer, making it easy to stay in touch via phone or text with family and friends living abroad.
How do I contact WorldRemit?
You can contact WorldRemit by chat or by phone. Note that you need an account to use the chat function. You can also check out the company’s FAQ section, which is full of useful articles and information on how sending money works, payment methods, transfer tracking, troubleshooting common problems and more.
WorldRemit review: bottom line
WorldRemit is definitely an international money transfer service you should check out. The fee structure can be a little unpredictable, and it might not be the right option if you need to send very large transfers. But there are lots of benefits too:
- Easy account opening process and user-friendly mobile app
- No minimum transfer amount
- Lots of transfer options and payment methods
- Large network of destination countries and agencies for cash pickup
Want to compare WorldRemit with other services side-by-side?
Frequently asked questions
Your reviews
Stacie Finder
Associate editor
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Shirley Liu Finder
September 05, 2016
Hi Misha,
Thanks for your question.
Worldremit also sends notifications via email – you may want to check if your father provided this.
Hope this helps.
Shina
September 03, 2016
Please if I sender send money from Germany to Nigeria straight to my account how long will that take to show up at my account
Shirley Liu Finder
September 06, 2016
Hi Shina,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately the Worldremit website doesn’t say how it takes. Generally, bank transfers take two to three days while cash pick up and phone transfers are instant.
Art
August 31, 2016
How can the recipient details be modified? Coz I am the recipient but I was not aware that my bank account, which is a BDO Cash Card is not capable of receiving International Remittances. Thus it needs to be amended as “Pick Up” or it can be cancelled and create a new transaction instead? How much is the service charges? Please Help. The sender is from Sydney, Australia. The recipient is from the Philippines.
Thank you so much!
Hoping for your prompt action.
Truly yours,
Art,
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May
September 01, 2016
Hi Art,
Thank you for your inquiry. Please note that finder.com is an Australian comparison website and we don’t represent Worldremit.
If you want to modify how to receive the money, your sender (from Sydney) needs to contact Worldremit directly on the contact details listed in the blue box above.
Cheers,
May
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Dennis
August 30, 2016
Can I send money from Nigeria to United States? If yes how do I send it.
Anndy Lou
September 01, 2016
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for your question.
Worldremit offers services in the United States and Nigeria, so it is possible to send money between these two countries.
You can start sending money by clicking the “Go to site” button above. When you are in the Worldremit website, please be sure to change the “Send from” details to your own country.
Cheers,
Anndy
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BIDHAN
August 06, 2016
hello, i am sending money to KATHMANDU, NEPAL.so where would my receiver collect amount from..? Can it be collected from IME if it is cash pickup or is there any branches to collect amount..?
Misha
September 03, 2016
HeLLo Maam , My Father Send Me Money But He Did Not Ask Me To For My Phone Number ? Is That Possible For Worldremit To Give Reference Number Without phone Number ?