Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

How to send a wire transfer

Adrienne Fuller

Updated Apr 27, 2020

Fact checked

Quick and secure way to send money anywhere in the world.

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 happens next?
Frequently asked questions

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
GBP 1,000	1 - 2 days	USD 0.00	0.827	EUR 4,137	Exclusive: Minimum transfer of $1,000 for Finder readers (normally $5,000). For larger transfers, get no transaction fees and no maximum send limits.	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
$1	Same day	USD 0.00	0.832	EUR 4,160	XE offers fast transfers with no fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 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, LYD, 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	0.819	EUR 4,094	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. 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, NGN, 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	0.836	EUR 4,146	Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 20 currencies while saving up to 90% over local banks.	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	0.832	EUR 4,158	Use promo code 3FREE to send your first 3 transfers with no fee. Send to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposit, cash pickup or mobile top-up.	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

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.

Image: Getty Images
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

More guides on Finder

First Foundation Bank Online Savings Account review
No monthly fees and a competitive APY from this high-yield savings account.
TAB Bank High-Yield Savings account review
TAB Bank’s high-yield savings account has a competitive APY, but it’s probably best for truckers.
Netspend Small Business Prepaid card review
This business account supports in-person payments and lets you manage employee spending.
Teladoc review 2020
Find out how this telemedicine app stacks up against its younger competitors.
PayPal now lets struggling businesses crowdfund for support
The PayPal Generosity Network is a crowdfunding platform that can help struggling businesses raise money through community donations. Here’s what you need to know.
Daylight Visa prepaid card review
The first LGBTQ-focused digital banking platform launches with this prepaid card.
Can I get a 5% interest savings account in 2020?
You can find a 5% interest savings account in 2020. But find out if it’s worth it here.
Douugh banking review
The Douugh banking app uses AI to optimize your finances, but it lacks key features.
Can I get a 12% interest savings account?
These international banks offer accounts with 12% APYs or higher, but watch out for risks.
Save Market Savings account Review
With this savings account, you can invest your interest in the stock market for an average 3.13% return. Learn more here.

Ask an Expert

Click here to cancel reply.

Display Name

Your Email (will not be published)

Your Question

Subscribe to the Finder newsletter for the latest money tips and tricks

I agree to the Privacy and Cookies Policy, finder.com Terms of Use and to receive emails from Finder. We need your consent to our privacy policy. Please tick the box if you wish to continue with newsletter subscription.

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

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.

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  HaroldJune 28, 2017Staff
  
  Hi Ingrid,
  
  Thank you for your inquiry.
  
  Regarding money transfer, you may be interested with the offers on this page.
  
  I hope this information has helped.
  
  Cheers,
  Harold
  
  Reply

Card Finder: Get a personalized card recommendation with this free tool

Find the best personal loan offer

See how much you could save:

Find the best mortgage rates and offers

How to send a wire transfer

Guides

Services

Send Money To

Exchange Rates