How to send a wire transfer

Sending money to people at home and abroad isn’t always as simple as writing a check or using a credit card. No matter your circumstances, you can get your money where it needs to go safely, securely and quickly with a wire transfer.

What's in this guide?

How can I send a wire transfer?
What do I need to send a wire transfer?
Compare money transfer services
What are my wire transfer options?
What happens next?
Frequently asked questions about wire transfers

How can I send a wire transfer?

Depending on what kind of wire transfer you need, sending a wire transfer involves:

Gathering the information you need.
Choosing your preferred wire transfer option and applying.
Tracking your transfer to confirm it is received.

What do I need to send a wire transfer?

Before you can send a wire transfer, you will need to know:

How much money you need to send.
The name, address, and contact information for the person you are sending money to.
The recipient’s bank account information, including routing and account numbers.

How quickly your recipient needs the money.
Whether you are transferring money directly to a bank account or for cash pickup at a money service branch.
Your method of payment for the wire transfer — either cash or through your bank account.

Compare money transfer services

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
$1,000	1 day	USD 0.00	0.831	EUR 4,154	OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, AZN, BGN, BHD, BND, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MGA, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, RUB, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, TWD, TZS, USD, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
GBP 1,000	1 - 2 days	USD 0.00	0.831	EUR 4,154	Exclusive: Minimum transfer of $1,000 for Finder readers (normally $5,000). CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount GBP 1,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
USD 1	Same day	USD 0.00	0.835	EUR 4,177	XE has fast transfers with no fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount USD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts 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, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUC, 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, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, SVC, 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, ZWD, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$10	Within an hour	USD 1.99	0.822	EUR 4,110	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	1 - 2 days	USD 40.00	0.839	EUR 4,162	Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, GBP, GEL, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, RON, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
$1	Within an hour	USD 3.99	0.836	EUR 4,175	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
USD 10,000	1 - 2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Dunbridge Financial offers diverse transfer options to more than 120 countries. Powered by Currencycloud.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount USD 10,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ARS, AUD, AZN, BAM, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BOB, BRL, BWP, BYR, CAD, CHF, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, IQD, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MXN, MYR, MZN, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, THB, TJS, TND, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

What are my wire transfer options?

You have a few options for conducting a wire transfer: bank-to-bank, in a money services office, or online.

Bank-to-bank wire transfers

A bank-to-bank wire transfer sends money directly from your bank account to another bank account, usually by filling out a form with the contact and account details for the recipient.

Secure and familiar. Major US banks have higher security to protect agains scams and thieves. It also keeps your information secure so you can make multiple payments if needed

High transfer fees and weaker exchange rates. Though fees and exchange rates vary between banks, you’ll pay between $14 and $40 for outgoing domestic wire transfers, and $35 and $65 for outgoing international transfers.

Average wait time: 0–5 days. Most bank wires take a couple of days to complete — but can be quicker between the same bank.

In-office wire transfer

In-office wire transfer companies like Western Union offer quick transfers and are located worldwide.

To make the transfer, complete a form with you and your recipient’s information, including the location of the office your recipient will pick up the money. Confirm your exchange rate if you’re making an international transfers, and save your tracking number to be notified that the money has arrive safely.

Quick. Good for a recipient who needs cash fast

Wire options vary. Depending on where you’re sending your money or which company you use, you may be required to use cash rather than debit or credit card.

Average wait time: 0-5 days. Most transfers take one to two days to complete, but international transfers can take longer.

Online transfers

Online services like PayPal, OFX and WorldRemit have become popular because of lower fees and ease of sending money worldwide. You’ll have to create an account and attach your bank account or credit card to make a transfer. Once your financial details are saved, you can make future transfers more easily.

Cost less. Competitive exchange rates, lower fees

Service varies. Depending on which company you use, you may be limited to the amount of money you can transfer and where you can send it.

Average wait time: Most transfers take minutes to complete.

What happens next?

After you receive confirmation that your wire transfer is successfully sent, use your tracking number to confirm that it gets to your recipient and they’ve received the money.

If there is any trouble with the wire transfer, you can contact the money transfer service you used — whether a bank, in-office service or online. Many banks and services offering international wire transfers have 24-hour customer service lines to assist with questions or concerns.

Whether needed often or occasionally, wire transfers are a dependable option to send money internationally — especially when it needs to get there quickly. And when it comes to your money, that’s just the peace of mind you deserve.

Learn how to receive a wire transfer from someone else

Frequently asked questions about wire transfers

When processed through a reputable bank or company, your funds are safely tracked until in the hands of your recipient. And if you’re sending money internationally, federal protections are in place that require banks, credit unions and money transfer companies to, for example, disclose all fees upfront and give you 30 minutes to cancel a transfer, assuming it hasn’t yet been picked up or deposited.
No. You should never wire money to somebody that you don’t know, or you could fall prey to a wire transfer scam. Often for these scams, you are notified that you’ve won a prize or the lottery, but that you need to first pay a fee to receive it. They can also involve an email from “friends,” often ones traveling abroad, who find themselves in trouble and need money wired immediately. When in doubt, research online to see if others have received such an offer. If you confirm a scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 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.

Review: Payoneer international payment services Currencies Direct review

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2 Responses

IngridMay 15, 2017

My bank is not doing International wires and I need to send money outside the USA which bank is doing that without having an account with them.

finder Customer Care

HaroldJune 28, 2017Staff

Hi Ingrid,

Thank you for your inquiry.

We do have a list of international money transfer awards which you may want to check and see which company would best fit your needs, preference, and budget.

I hope this information has helped.

Cheers,
Harold

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How to send a wire transfer

A quick and secure way to send money anywhere in the world.

Guides

Services

Send Money To

Exchange Rates

Banks

What's in this guide?

How can I send a wire transfer?

What do I need to send a wire transfer?

Compare money transfer services

Compare up to 4 providers

What are my wire transfer options?

Bank-to-bank wire transfers

In-office wire transfer

Online transfers

What happens next?

Frequently asked questions about wire transfers

Adrienne Fuller

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

2 Responses

How to send a wire transfer

A quick and secure way to send money anywhere in the world.

Guides

Services

Send Money To

Exchange Rates

Banks

Sign up & start saving!

What's in this guide?

How can I send a wire transfer?

What do I need to send a wire transfer?

Compare money transfer services

Compare up to 4 providers

What are my wire transfer options?

Bank-to-bank wire transfers

In-office wire transfer

Online transfers

What happens next?

Frequently asked questions about wire transfers

What's the difference between a telegraphic transfer, wire transfer and bank transfer?

How safe is a money transfer?

Can I receive money through a wire transfer?

What happens if my recipient doesn't pick up the money?

I was just notified that I won a prize, but that I need to wire a small fee in order to receive it. Should I wire money to somebody that I do not know?

Adrienne Fuller

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

2 Responses

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