- Good for fast transfers with cash pickup, mobile wallet and airtime top-ups options.
- Not so great for fixed fees - fees vary depending on transfer destination and payment method.
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WorldRemit review
WorldRemit isn't available on Finder right now.
- Fastest Transfer Speed
- Within minutes
- Minimum Transfer Amount
- $1
- Maximum Transfer Amount
- $9,000
Our verdict
Here’s a secure way to send money to over 130 countries and track it every step of the way.
WorldRemit's network isn't quite as large as brands like Western Union, but you'll often find better rates and lower fees with WorldRemit. Plus, WorldRemit's app and website tell you upfront what exchange rate and fees you'll be paying without needing to sign up first. This makes it easier to compare against other companies to see if you're getting the best deal.
One major downfall of WorldRemit is that you can't pay in cash, but its global network does support cash pickups in many countries worldwide. Other delivery options like mobile airtime top-ups, bill pay and door-to-door cash delivery help round this service out for some sending destinations. You'll also often be able to find promo codes to get a better deal if you're a first-time customer.
Pros
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No minimum transfers.
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Wide range of destinations.
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Competitive exchange rate.
Details
Features
| Available Currencies | AED, ALL, ARS, AUD, BDT, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, 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 |
| Customer Service | Phone, Live chat |
| Pay By | Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer, Apple Pay |
| Receiving Options | Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet, Home delivery, Prepaid phone credit |
WorldRemit’s network isn’t quite as large as brands like Western Union, but you’ll typically find it offers better rates and lower fees. Plus, WorldRemit’s app and website will tell you upfront what exchange rate and fees you’ll be paying without the need to sign up first. This makes it easier to compare against other companies to see if you’re getting the best deal.
One big drawback of WorldRemit is that you can’t pay in cash, but its global network does support cash pickups in many countries worldwide. Other delivery options like mobile airtime top-ups, bill pay and door-to-door cash delivery help round this service out for some sending destinations. And if you are a first-time customer, you’ll also often be able to find promo codes to get a better deal.
Why should I consider WorldRemit?
- Straightforward website. Signing up and sending money can be done in as little as a few minutes and support can be accessed through phone, email, live chat and FAQs.
- Worldwide network. You can send money to over 130 countries using a variety of methods, including bank transfers, cash pickup at thousands of locations, door-to-door delivery, delivery to services like Alipay and more.
- Flexible payment options. Pay with a credit or debit card, from your bank account, through Apple Pay and even with prepaid cards.
- Fast transfers. Cash pickups, WorldRemit Wallet transfers and airtime top-ups are typically available instantly after sending, while mobile money and bank deposits may take one or more business days to process.
What to be aware of
- Maximum daily limits. Transaction limits depend on how you are sending funds, while a total 24-hour cap of $9,000 applies to all transactions being sent by you out of the US.
- Changing fees. Depending on where you are sending to, how you are paying and how you are transferring money, your transfer fees may vary. You can view your fee once you have input your transfer information.
- No hedging options. WorldRemit only offers one-off transfers, unlike some of its competitors that offer additional tools to help you save money. Hedging tools are most often used to lock in an exchange rate, helping you save money on future transfers if the market shifts against your position.
- Inconsistent markups. Exchange rates vary through WorldRemit and depend not only on the currency you are sending but also the destination country. Expect mid-market markups from 1-4%.
How much are WorldRemit’s transfer fees?
WorldRemit’s transfer fees vary depending on transfer method and where you are sending money to. For most countries, there is a standard fee of $3.99, but this can drop as low as $1.99 depending on the transfer criteria. WorldRemit will often have some sort of promo code available, so it’s worth checking to see if there is one you can use to save yourself some money.
Overall, factors that could affect your fee include:
- Location. Transfer fees may vary based on the country you are sending to. Even if two destination countries share the same currency, fees and exchange rates offered by WorldRemit may differ.
- Amount. Although the fee for most transfers will be $3.99, you may find this is higher or lower depending on the amount you are sending.
- Payment method. Sending cash will typically have higher transfer fees, while sending to a bank account tends to be cheaper.
How are WorldRemit’s exchange rates?
WorldRemit applies a mid-market margin markup to its exchange rates. How much this is will largely depend on the transfer location. The mid-market rate is the exchange rate you’ll see when you look up a currency pair on Google and is the current recognized rate that traders use to buy and sell a pair of currencies. The low the percentage above the mid-market rate that WorldRemit is charging, the better.
As of February 22, 2022, here are the mid-market rate markups for popular destinations when sending to a bank account:
| Sending to | Currency | Mid-market rate | WorldRemit rate | % above mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | BDT | 86.31 | 83.80125 | 2.91% |
| China | CNY | 6.33 | 6.22928 | 1.59% |
| Guatemala | GTQ | 7.74 | 7.52405 | 2.79% |
| India | INR | 74.84 | 73.32709 | 2.02% |
| Mexico | MXN | 20.32 | 20.04305 | 1.36% |
| Pakistan | PKR | 177.06 | 171.9124 | 2.91% |
| Philippines | PHP | 51.34 | 50.03146 | 2.55% |
What are the ways I can send money abroad with WorldRemit?
Depending on where you live, the ways to send money through WorldRemit may vary. But the good news is that there are usually plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the ways to send and receive money using WorldRemit:
- Cash pickup. Pick up a cash transfer at one of WorldRemit’s partner network locations – these are typically banks.
- Bank transfer. Have the money delivered straight to your bank account. Additional fees may apply, so always double-check with your bank before accepting a transfer this way.
- Mobile money. Receive money into your existing mobile wallet service, which you can then use to pay bills or withdraw at authorized agents.
- Airtime top-up. Have money sent directly to your telecom network to cover your phone bill.
- Door-to-door delivery. Physical cash is delivered straight to your door, but you must present a valid ID that matches the details entered by the sender.
How to send money transfer online with WorldRemit
To send money with WorldRemit, you will first need to set up an account. You will need to wait for this to be verified before you can send your first transfer.
After you have received confirmation that your account has been verified, just follow these steps to have money sent in as little as a few minutes:
- Create an account. Set up your free account, which can be done in just a few minutes.
- Submit your ID. Your identity will need to be verified before you can make a money transfer using WorldRemit. Acceptable forms of ID must include your photograph, your full name, date of birth and more. If using state ID, it must be issued by the same state you are registering to send money from.
- Select transfer destination. Once your identity has been verified, head online or use the WorldRemit app to choose the country you want to send funds to.
- Choose your transfer method. Select the method of transfer. Depending on your destination you can choose from cash pickup, bank transfer. Mobile money, airtime top-up or door-to-door delivery.
- Enter amount. Input how much you want to send and then double-check the fees and exchange rates.
- Enter beneficiary details. Add your recipient’s information including their mobile number and email address, as these will be used to notify them on the progress of the transfer.
- Make your payment. The final step is to enter your payment information. You can pay via wire transfer, an ACH transfer, Apple Pay or with a debit or credit card.
What are WorldRemit’s payment options?
WorldRemit accepts different payment methods depending on where you are sending your transfer from. From the US, WorldRemit payment methods include the following:
- Wire transfer from a bank account
- Debit, credit and prepaid cards
- Apple Pay
- ACH transfer from a bank account
How long does an international transfer with WorldRemit take?
WorldRemit’s transfer speeds depend on the delivery method you choose. If you opt to send money via cash pickup, mobile money or airtime top-up then your funds will arrive within minutes. However, bank transfers can take up to five business days and home delivery up to seven days.
Transfers typically take
1-5 days
WorldRemit Wallet, mobile money and airtime top-ups explained
WorldRemit has some transfer services that you may not have heard of before, or know under different names. Not all of them are available worldwide, but let’s take a look at how they work:
- WorldRemit Wallet: Similar to other digital wallets, the WorldRemit Wallet enables users in select countries to store money without having to move it to a bank account or for cash pickup. The service is included in the WorldRemit app in participating countries and can currency store US dollars, Philippine pesos, Ugandan shilling and Central African francs.
- WorldRemit mobile money: Mobile money is an e-wallet service that is available for use in dozens of countries around the world. It can be particularly useful for the underbanked and unbanked. Mobile money uses smartphones and basic phones to store money that can be saved, withdrawn and sent by the user through their phone. Users can also use their mobile phone to purchase items at participating stores or online, as well as to pay bills and more.
- Airtime top-ups: Many mobile service providers allow you to pay for service through money transfers. This is where airtime top-ups come into play. WorldRemit allows you to pay for service in other countries, perhaps for your friends or family, so that they will have airtime minutes and text balances to stay in touch with you.
Is WorldRemit safe to use?
WorldRemit uses many methods to protect your transaction and is authorized and regulated by many government agencies.
In short, here’s what protection you can expect from WorldRemit money transfers:
- Secure payment channels. Depending on where you are sending money from and to, you can expect your payments to be secured by one of the following: Apple Pay, Verified by Visa, Mastercard or Maestro SecureCode.
- Regulation compliance. WorldRemit holds many licences around the globe including in the US.
- Dedicated security teams. WorldRemit uses machine learning to monitor all transactions, and anything suspicious is forwarded for human attention.
How does WorldRemit compare to other money transfer services?
If you want to see how WorldRemit compares to the exchange rates and fees offered by other money transfer services, enter the details of your transaction into the table below.
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Frequently asked questions
How does WorldRemit work?
WorldRemit is a digital money transfer provider. You can send money to over 130 countries either online or via its app. Just enter your transfer destination and amount, and then you will be able to view fees and exchange rates before confirming your transaction.
Can I send money with WorldRemit without ID?
No, WorldRemit requires ID when sending from the US to verify your identity.
What are my rights when cancelling my WorldRemit transfer?
The US has federal laws in place to protect you when sending a money transfer within certain guidelines. You’ll have a minimum of 30 minutes from the time of your transfer to cancel, and refunds can take up to 7 business days to return to your account. In some circumstances, your transfer cannot be cancelled. For example, if it has already been picked up in cash.
Is WorldRemit available in the USA?
Yes, WorldRemit is available in the USA. You can transfer money from the US to over 140 destinations in the world.
How much does WorldRemit charge to send money?
You will pay a transfer fee and an exchange rate markup when sending money abroad using WorldRemit. Transfer fees vary depending on location, amount and payment method.
How long will it take to receive money from WorldRemit?
Transfer for cash pickup, mobile money or airtime top-up will be completed within minutes. However, bank transfers can take up to 5 business days to arrive.
How do I receive money from WorldRemit?
To collect a cash pickup transfer, you will need a valid photo ID that shows your full name and the transaction reference number. This will have been sent to you by SMS once your payment is available for collection.
Is WorldRemit a legitimate company?
WorldRemit has 5.7 million customers worldwide and was established in 2010. It is regulated and authorized by many government agencies, including the Financial Conduct Authority.
Is WorldRemit a good app?
WorldRemit has an app available on both the App Store and through Google Play. Through this, you can save contact information, get daily price notifications, track transfers and access customer support.
WorldRemit is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered Instarem?
New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.
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