Remittance statistics
We've unpacked the most recently available data from the World Bank to get an idea of how much money is being sent around the globe. Read more…
Regular overseas payments are simple with overseas money transfers
Now you can make international payments from anywhere without having to pay exorbitant fees.
If you’re travelling overseas for an extended period, you’ll still need to continue paying your bills. Until recently, your only legitimate option was to arrange payments with your bank and be charged plenty of fees in the process. But now, you can look forward to making regular overseas payments without incurring fees, and can even expect locked exchange rates.
Rates last updated March 15th, 2020
Rates last updated March 15th, 2020
Regular international payments
Paying bills when you’re overseas is no longer time-consuming or complicated, with the increasing number of online businesses enabling you to do this on the move. When you sign up with a business that makes these regular international payments on your behalf, you can expect to find fixed exchange rates for specific time periods. Alternatively, you can also find businesses that take prevailing exchange rates into account before each transfer.
How does making overseas payments work?
Making overseas payments requires you to get in touch with either your bank or with a business that offers this service. If you register with your bank, funds can be debited directly from the designated account. If you register with a different business, funds will first be transferred from your bank account into the account you hold with the business in question. After converting these funds into the chosen currency, the business pays your bills. For either of these options to work, you have to make sure you have adequate funds in the designated bank account around the chosen date each month.
Examples of regular transfers overseas
An increasing number of individuals and businesses need to make recurring international payments. For individuals, these could include mortgage payments, debt repayments, transferring pensions, salary transfers, savings, rental income repatriation and school fees. Regular international payments that businesses need to make include paying wages, paying royalties and paying for services received.
What are some of the ways I can pay my international bills?
- Fixed regular payments. Mortgage payments, rent and subscription charges tend to remain the same each month, so these qualify for fixed payments. Fixed payments let you benefit from locked exchange rates that protect you from unfavourable exchange rate fluctuations.
- Non-fixed payments. When it comes to utility bills and other bills that vary from one month to the next, you can’t benefit from locked exchange rates. To make these non-fixed payments, the prevailing exchange rate comes into play.
How do I compare foreign exchange services?
- Fees. Most banks charge fees for all international transactions you make, while you may also have to pay processing fees to set up a suitable account. This is not the same with online businesses that offer such services, with many offering their services without charging processing or transfer fees.
- Accessibility. Can you setup your transactions online, using an app on your smartphone, or over the phone?
- Exchange rates. Exchange rates change every day, but some businesses provide the option to take advantage of a locked exchange rate to make regular payments. Even in such scenarios, the exchange rate varies from one business to another, so compare the rates from various companies.
- Reputation. Given that the number of businesses offering these services continues to grow, it’s important that you pay attention to reputation. After all, what good is signing up for such a service if your payments don’t make it on time? Worse still, what if you lose your money?
Why should I use a money transfer service instead of my bank?
Pros
- Pay on the move. You could be on a cruise in the middle of the Atlantic, on a safari in Africa or on an expedition in Greenland. Once you set up automatic international bill payments, all you have to worry about is having enough money in your account.
- No late charges. Late charges enter the picture only if you don’t pay on time. With automatic payments set up ahead of due dates, you won’t have to deal with late charges.
- Locked rates. If you’re making fixed recurring payments, you can benefit by opting for locked rates that protect you from exchange rate fluctuations.
Cons
- Fees and rates. If a business does not charge fees, it probably makes its profits by offering lower exchange rates. Pay attention to both of these aspects.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum and maximum limit to how much I can pay?
There generally is, though limits vary from business to business. Lower and upper limits can vary from $500 to $20,000.
Can I change the dates of transfers?
While you can change the dates of transfers, you might have to do so five to seven days in advance.
Can I cancel transfers?
You may be interested in
XE vs WorldFirst
XE and WorldFirst are put to the test to see which provider is best. Read more…
What is a telegraphic transfer?
Find out everything you should know about telegraphic transfers and how safe they are. Read more…
This is possible in most cases, but you might have to do so five to seven days in advance.
