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.
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.
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.
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.
Nothing. When you send an international bank transfer, your bank is sending your money as a telegraphic transfer. Wire transfer is the name used most often in the US, whereas telegraphic transfer is more often used in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
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.
Yes. Your sender would initiate the transaction for deposit or pickup on your end.
This is a good question to ask your specific bank or wire transfer company, because the process may differ slightly among them. Generally, your money is held for a period of time before released back to your account.
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.
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Adrienne Fuller is the former head of publishing at Finder US. With a decade of experience creating guides in finance and education, she aimed to deliver the accurate and transparent information she wished she had when she made some of life's important financial decisions. Adrienne has a BA from Colorado College and loves to hike with her two Catahoula dogs.
How do you know if your international money transfer made it safely? Learn how to track or cancel, and find out what your rights are when it comes to sending money.
From bank transfers to specialist money transfer companies, there are several options available when you need to transfer money overseas from your bank account.
If you need to transfer money overseas using your credit card, you can do so via your bank, MoneyGram, Western Union and PayPal. This can be useful in emergency situations, but credit card transfers are usually not a cost-effective option.
If you’re looking for a secure way to send money overseas, an international bank draft could be for you — but if speed is important, consider using a money transfer service instead.
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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.