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Find the best way to send money to Afghanistan

Learn how to send money to Afghanistan from the US in our step-by-step guide.

Looking for the best way to send money from the United States to family, friends or businesses in Afghanistan (or even to your own overseas bank account)?

Don't head straight to your American bank – compare specialist money transfer services instead. They nearly always offer better AFN exchange rates and lower fees, so for the same amount of US dollars you send, your recipient will receive more afghanis.

Of the companies we've compared, MoneyGram is among the cheapest, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $0. Need a really fast transfer? MoneyGram can get money to your recipient in Afghanistan within minutes.

Best ways to send money to Afghanistan from the US

The best way to send money to Afghanistan depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.
  • Online money transfer provider. When buying US dollars or afghanis money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank.
  • Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money to Afghanistan but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower than other methods. US banks generally add a 3% to 6% markup onto exchange rates.
  • Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive fast, cash pickup gives your recipient instant access to the money you've sent when they collect it from their agent location in Afghanistan.
  • Mobile wallet. Essentially an electronic wallet service, mobile wallets allow users to store, send and receive eligible currencies using their phone, often with fees attached.
  • Home delivery. If your recipient may struggle to get to a cash pickup location, you may be able to opt for door-to-door cash delivery.

Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Afghanistan

Use our table to compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Afghanistan. You can compare deposit and receiving options, fees and transfer speeds, then click the "Go to site" button when you've found the best one to get your money to Afghanistan.
1 - 2 of 2
Name Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
MoneyGram
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Go to site
View details
Western Union
Western Union
Within minutes
From $0
Enjoy $0 fee on your first online transfer. Western Union makes money from currency exchange. Not valid on credit cards or sends to Cuba.
Western Union sends money online to friends and family in 200+ countries and territories around the world.
Go to site
View details
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Cheapest way to send money to Afghanistan

Bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to Afghanistan. MoneyGram and Western Union have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.

When you're hunting down the cheapest ways to send money to Afghanistan, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer. This has a couple of elements:

  • Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your American bank, some money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
  • Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is to add a margin to the mid-market USD/AFN exchange rate.

Some providers may charge the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have very low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many afghanis your recipient will end up with.

Fastest way to send money to Afghanistan

Many online providers can offer transfers to Afghanistan within minutes, although you're likely to pay a premium for the convenience.

Here are some of the fastest average transfer speeds to Afghanistan:
  • MoneyGram — within minutes
  • Western Union — within minutes

Actual transfer times from the United States to Afghanistan can depend on several different factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency.

Safest way to send money to Afghanistan

The safest way to get your money to Afghanistan is to use a provider registered with the United States's industry regulator, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. All of the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in both the United States and Afghanistan.

A great way to dive deeper is by reading our extended reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.

Large money transfers to Afghanistan

If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Afghanistan, consider using a provider such as to benefit from its expertise in handling larger transfer amounts.

Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:
  • Tax guidance. Large transfers to Afghanistan may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on IRS's latest advice.
  • Foreign exchange (forex) tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the AFN exchange rate you want.
  • Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can help and advise you on your transfer needs.
  • Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as MoneyGram and Western Union can give you support over the phone.

How to send money to Afghanistan from the US

To send money to Afghanistan, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.
  1. Compare your options.
    Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to Afghanistan. One may be better for cash pickups while another may suit a bank transfer. Once you've found the best one for your requirements, click "Go to site".
  2. Create an account.
    You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment.
  3. Provide your recipient's details.
    Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Afghan bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address.
  4. Enter your transfer amount.
    Check you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send. Double-check the total afghanis your recipient gets.
  5. Complete your transfer.
    Send your money transfer to Afghanistan. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.

    6. How to choose the best money transfer companies to send money to Afghanistan

    When choosing a money transfer provider to send money from the United States to Afghanistan, it's important to consider the cost, how you want your recipient to receive the funds and the turnaround time. Here are other features to review:

    • Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. It is the best rate you can get. However, not all money transfer providers offer you this mid-market rate so compare the AFN you're offered to the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
    • Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount? For example, a provider offering to transfer your money to Afghanistan for a flat or low fee might work out better if you plan to send a large amount.
    • Transfer type. Does your recipient have an Afghan bank account or is cash or cell phone top-up a better option? Each transfer type will have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
    • Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for an express delivery. Companies such as Western Union offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value and get your money to Afghanistan faster and cheaper than banks.
    • Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, MoneyGram has a transfer limit of $25,000 while Western Union allows transfers up to $50,000.
    • Discounts. Some providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may offer a discount if you transfer more than a specific amount of afghanis.

    Frequently asked questions

    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.

    Name Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
    MoneyGram
    MoneyGram
    Within minutes
    From $0
    MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
    Go to site
    View details
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    6 Responses

      Default Gravatar
      mattJuly 29, 2019

      how can I send us dollars to afghanistan

      Reply
        Default Gravatar
        nikkiangcoJuly 29, 2019

        Hi Matt,

        Thanks for your question. Some of the options to send money from the US to Afghanistan is via Western Union or Moneygram, Paypal, Checks and money orders, and via M-Pesa. To do so, you must choose which option you’d like to use, make an account with the money transfer provider Provide your name, address, contact information and ID. Then, provide your beneficiary’s name and the agent location where they will pick up the funds. Select the amount of money you are sending and complete your transaction. Make a note of your tracking number so you can monitor the progress of your money transfer.

        Hope this helps!

        Best,
        Nikki

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      JJune 4, 2018

      Ok there is a guy stationed he has not told me where he is but asked me to send money western union to TX and an agent name and address. And if I send copy of receipt via hangout app. He will be able to use money where he is. Is this how it works.

      Reply
        AvatarFinder
        JoshuaJune 5, 2018Finder

        Hi J,

        Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well for you. :)

        For you to be able to send money and your friend receive the money, you would have to provide the necessary personal details. You need to fill out a “To Send Money” form while you receiver fills out “To Receive Money” form.

        You can then send the receipt, giving a special attention to the tracking number. Your receiver should present a valid ID and he should be able to receive it.

        I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

        Have a wonderful day!

        Cheers,
        Joshua

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      JohnsonApril 26, 2017

      Please I need an answer.
      My friend want to send money from Afghanistan through western union to ivory coast here in Africa.
      But he said I have to pay for transfer taxs fee $62 before he can be able to send me the money.
      PLEASE I need attention from you people to know if this he said is real ?

      Reply
        AvatarFinder
        HaroldJuly 6, 2017Finder

        Hi Johnson,

        Thank you for your inquiry.

        Regarding this matter, we have limited information about transferring money from Afghanistan. However, in your case, it would be best to check with Western Union directly. Usually, the receiver doesn’t pay anything for the transfer. It is always the sender who pays all the fees. So, it is a must that you learn more about sending money to South Africa to ensure you understand the process.

        I hope this information has helped.

        Cheers,
        Harold

        Reply
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