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Fastest ways to make an emergency money transfer

If you or a loved one are in an emergency and need cash quickly, here are your best options.

Adrienne Fuller

Updated Mar 16, 2020

Fact checked

Money transfer services offer some of the fastest ways to transfer money to someone in cash or for direct deposit in an emergency — but which provider you should use depends on how much you’re sending and how quickly you need it to arrive.

Compare the fastest international money transfers

Even though speed is crucial, compare exchange rates and fees to make sure you aren’t paying too much for your transfer.

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
$10	Within an hour	USD 1.99	19.255	MXN 96,237	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 10.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ALL, AMD, ARS, AZN, BAM, BDT, BGN, BIF, BOB, BRL, BSD, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KZT, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MWK, MXN, MYR, NIO, NPR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SLL, SRD, SVC, THB, TJS, TND, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$1	Within an hour	USD 3.99	19.566	MXN 97,750	WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$1	3 - 5 days	USD 20.00	19.157	MXN 95,401	Western Union sends money online to friends and family in 200+ countries around the world.		Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, International Money Order Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email, Branch Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUP, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GGP, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, IMP, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JEP, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KPW, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, STD, SYP, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TVD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XDR, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW Read the full review
$1	Within an hour	USD 8.00	19.206	MXN 95,876	MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.		Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer, International Money Order Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SLL, SRD, STD, SVC, SZL, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Read the full review
$1	Same day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Ria lets you send money to 130+ countries with cash pick-up at 240,000 locations.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Email, Branch Available currencies AED, ALL, ARS, AUD, BAM, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, KES, KMF, KRW, KWD, LAK, LBP, LKR, MAD, MMK, MNT, MUR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SCR, SEK, SLL, THB, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZMW Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

Moving money domestically?

You may need to use a money transfer specialist when sending money internationally during an emergency, but domestic transfers have more options. Read our guide on the best way to send money, both domestically and internationally, to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your transfer.

Three of the fastest services to transfer money

When there’s an emergency, getting money out as quickly as possible is key. These three service providers deliver the fastest money transfer services easily and safely.

WorldRemit
MoneyGram
Western Union

WorldRemit

WorldRemit is entirely online, meaning you can access it from the convenience of your computer or its app. It operates in more than 140 countries around the world with flexible transfer options from your bank account, credit card or debit card.

Your fastest option is mobile money (if available) or for cash pickup at a WorldRemit agent location.

WorldRemit at a glance

Maximum transfer: Varies by country
Minimum transfer: $1
Transfer speed: Within 1 hour
Transaction fee: $3.99

How can I send money quickly?

You’ll need to sign up for a free account with WorldRemit. You’ll also need to provide your personal information, the transaction details and your payment information.

Go to site
More info

What happens next?

WorldRemit will confirm the transaction with both you and your recipient by email or text and notify you when the funds are received or picked up. If you have any problems, you can contact customer service 24/7 at 888-772-7771 or online through live chat.

MoneyGram

As the second-largest provider of international money transfers in the world, MoneyGram is one of the most trusted. Its extensive network of 350,000 agent locations has a presence in more than 200 countries.

With MoneyGram, sending funds can take minutes depending on local regulations and procedures. Your fastest option is to pay with a credit or debit card (or with cash at an agent location) and choose the cash pickup option. Once the money is sent, it arrives for almost immediate cash pickup at locations worldwide. In some countries, you even have a mobile wallet option.

MoneyGram at a glance

Maximum transfer: $10,000
Minimum transfer: $1
Delivery speed: Typically within minutes, but up to 1 day
Transaction fee: $4.99 plus anywhere between 3% and 7% of the transfer

How can I send money quickly?

Head to the MoneyGram site and start a transfer using your bank account, credit card or debit card.
Use MoneyGram’s online locator tool or call to find a location near you. You’ll often find them in a 7-Eleven.

What happens after?

Once the money transfer is complete, the receiver can visit their nearest MoneyGram location to collect it. Remind them to bring along their reference number (which is included in the confirmation emails for online transfer) and ID for pickup. If you have a problem, contact customer service through the site or toll-free at 800-666-3947.

Western Union

Western Union has the biggest network of agent locations with 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries. You can send funds online, through a mobile app, in person or by phone. You’re able to pay with a bank transfer, cash, debit card or credit card.

As with MoneyGram, your fastest option is to pay by debit or credit card for cash pickup.

Western Union Money Transfers logo

Western Union at a glance

Maximum transfer: $50,000
Minimum transfer: $1
Transfer speed: In minutes if using a debit or credit card for cash pickup
Transaction fee: Typically around 5% of the transfer

How can I send money quickly?

Head to Western Union’s website. You’ll need your personal information, your recipient’s details and a valid method of payment to make the transfer.
Visit a Western Union location near you with cash or a debit card.

What happens next?

You’ll receive a unique Money Transfer Control Number with your confirmation. You can track your transfer online with this number. If you have any problem, contact customer service 24/7 at 800-325-6000 or through the online form on Western Union’s site.

What do I need to look out for when sending cash quickly?

Fees for emergency transfers will vary among banks and money transfer services. Before you make your transfer, compare:

Exchange rates. Money transfer services make money by skewing exchange rates. You’ll want to look for a rate that’s as close to the mid-market rate as possible.
Transfer fees. Fees can range from flat fees of a few dollars to up to $80 or more, depending on how you’re sending it or picking it up.
Transfer options. Can your recipient accept a bank account transfer, or do they need to pick up cash right away?
Security. For emergencies, you’ll appreciate being able to track your transfer through to receipt.

Bottom line

Being robbed of your valuables, needing emergency medical treatment or missing your return flight home can be stressful. But having the ability to quickly receive funds or help loved ones far away can let off at least some of the pressure. If you have a little more time, however, compare your available options for international money transfers.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. A typical wire transfer scam involves an email from “friends,” often ones traveling abroad, who find themselves in trouble and need money wired immediately. Other scams claim that you’ve won a prize or the lottery, but that you need to first pay a fee to receive it. When in doubt, slow down. Try to confirm the details of your email with other family and friends before sending money, and reference our detailed guide on money transfer scams for further help. If you confirm a scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357 or ftc.gov/complaint.

Thank you for your feedback!

Adrienne Fuller

Adrienne Fuller is the head of publishing at Finder US. With a decade of experience creating guides in finance and education, she aims to deliver the accurate and transparent information she wishes she had when she made some of life's important financial decisions. For the past 3 years she has been the publisher of money transfers, helping readers save when they send money all over the globe. She has a BA from Colorado College and loves to hike with her two Catahoula dogs around her home in San Diego.

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Fastest ways to make an emergency money transfer

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