Enjoy easy, flexible international money transfers when you send funds overseas with Western Union.
Speed: 5.0 / 5.0
Services: 4.0 / 5.0
User experience: 2.0 / 5.0
Western Union’s brand name and services are well-known in many countries around the world. For over 160 years, Western Union has made it easy to transfer money over long distances, whether you’re sending funds inside the US or across international borders.
Today, Western Union operates one of the world’s largest money transfer networks by providing customers the ability to transfer money quickly and easily to 200 countries and territories across the globe. With a four-star rating on TrustPilot, it boasts more than 500,000 agent locations around the world, 70,000 of which are in North America.
| Product Name | Western Union Money Transfers |
|---|---|
| Min. Transfer Amount | USD 1 |
| Max. Transfer Amount | USD 5,000 |
| Transfer Methods | |
| Transfer Options | |
| Transfer Speed Minimum transfer time | 3 - 5 days |
| Customer Service | |
| 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, BYR, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUC, CUP, 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, LTL, LVL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, STD, 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 |
| Exchange Rate Updates | Real time |
|---|
Pros
- Low minimum transfer amount of $1.00
- Option to send money in minutes
- Transfer to a wide range of countries
Cons
- Not the cheapest option depending on transfer location
Western Union provides a variety of options
Western Union helps individuals and businesses transfer money around the globe and right here in our own country. You’ll find many options for transferring and collecting funds, like cash pickup, mobile wallet deposits and more. You can even transfer money to an inmate in a correctional facility. And you can make your transfer online, through WU’s mobile app, in person or over the phone. The variety of options Western Union offers is unusual in today’s mostly online-based money transfer providers.
How much does it cost to transfer money with Western Union?
International money transfer fees vary depending on the transfer method you use. The best way to learn how much you’ll pay is to input your transfer details into the price estimator on Western Union’s website.
To give you an idea of transfer fees, here’s what you’d pay to send $1,000 to Mexico:
| Location | Fee |
|---|---|
| Cash pickup at an agent location | $4 from a bank account; $15 with a credit or debit card |
| Deposit into a bank account | $14 |
Sending the same amount to the UK would attract different fees, such as a fee of $2.99 for a transfer between bank accounts or $81 for a Money in Minutes transaction paid for with your credit or debit card.
Western Union exchange rates
You’ll need to take the exchange rate into account when sending money overseas. Western Union’s rates are updated regularly based on the market, and you can find out the rate that applies to your specific transaction by clicking Estimate Price at the top of the Western Union website. Here’s what we found when we sent live transfers to Mexico and France through Western Union. We recognize Western Union as a winner of three categories in the finder.com Money Transfer Awards 2017: Best User Experience, Most Convenient and Fastest Transfer.Our experience transferring money with Western Union
Western Union would not accept our recipient’s Mexican bank account, resulting in an incomplete transfer.
What types of transfers can I carry out with Western Union?
There are multiple ways you can send money overseas with Western Union, starting with the ease and convenience of online transfers. The next option is to initiate a transfer by phone, although you can also visit one of Western Union’s 70,000 North American locations for a face-to-face transaction using cash or a debit card.
With Western Union, your recipient can collect the cash you send by:
- Cash pickup. Cash transfers sent online, by phone or in person are available for pickup within minutes at any number of agent locations worldwide. Transfers from your bank account can take one to three days to arrive.
- Mobile wallet deposit. Funds sent online or from an agent location are deposited in minutes.
- Bank account deposit. Expect to wait one to three days for funds to arrive if you pay with a credit or debit card online, while transactions from your own bank account online or by cash at an agent location take two to five days.
- Prepaid card. In select markets you can have the money transfer loaded onto a Western Union branded prepaid card.
Pros and cons of using Western Union
Pros
- Trusted provider. Western Union has managed domestic and international money transfers since 1871.
- Huge network. More than 500,000 agent locations around the world.
- Flexible transfer options. Whether you pay with your credit or debit card or a bank account for cash pickup or a bank deposit, Western Union can take care of your transaction.
Cons
- Weak exchange rates. With weak exchange rates that can be nearly 5% more than the mid-market rate, you have cheaper online options.
- High fees. Where some companies offer free transfers or low-fee transfers, expect to pay more in fees to transfer with Western Union.
Shopping for an alternative? See a list of other sites like Western Union for sending money.
How do I use Western Union?
Western Union offers several ways for you to send your money. You’ll need:
- A Western Union account. It’s easy to set up a free account as part of your transfer.
- Valid payment method. You can pay by debit card for Western Union’s fastest and cheapest transfer or use a credit card or bank account.
- Your recipient’s name and contact information. If sending to a bank account, you’ll need the bank name and account number. If you’re sending a prepaid card for home delivery, you’ll need the address and phone number.
- Your contact and payment information. The card number or account number and security information for the account you’re transferring from.
If your recipient is picking up cash in person, let them know to bring along a required ID.
The registration and transfer process
You’ll need to create a Western Union online profile before you can send funds online. It’s free to register with your personal contact information and details about your linked bank account or credit or debit card.
You can also initiate a transfer by phone through Western Union’s toll free number, providing the details of your transaction and your payment information.
If you prefer the security of a face-to-face transaction, visit one of Western Union’s 70,000 North American locations to transfer funds using cash or a debit card.
Steps to transfer your money online
Bottom line
Western Union offers plenty of useful transfer and cash pickup options when you need to send money overseas. Before you commit to sending your hard-earned dough, of course, you should always make sure to compare all the available options and find the best deal.
Hi my name is Michael and I have a question I won’t to know how can you find someone that won’t to send money and pickup by Western Union and they will pay you well for doing it for them I know about Western Union I have been picking up and also sending money thru Western Union at different locations and I do have a valid driver’s license too do it well I’m just trying to find someone that needs money to pickup and send by Western Union and they will pay well I’m from United States i will like to do it that kind of good thing I to do
Hi Michael,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
It is less likely that you will be able to find people who want to send and pick up money through Western Union. For one, by doing so, you will be breaching their privacy as well as the terms and conditions put up by WU. Next, money is a highly sensitive issue and WU works hard to ensure that the money they handle will safely reach their clients. Finally, it would be difficult to pick up money that you were not a recipient of or you don’t have a tracking number.
If you want to know more or discuss your concern, you may want to directly get in touch with Western Union.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi Team,
It has been 4 days that my friend from Australia transferred the money into my bank account (India) and still I have not received it.Would you like to tell me when I can expect the money into my account.
Thanks and regards,
Nik
Hi Nik,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
The minimum transfer time in bank transfer using Western union is 3 – 5 days not counting bank holidays and weekends. If it takes longer than 5 business days, you can contact Western Union or the sender to follow up and see what could be causing the delay.
Please send me a message if you need anything else. :)
Cheers,
Joel
Someone else has picked up my money, who can I contact and how can I possibly go about it? Or can I at least get the location so I can try to investigate or maybe question a teller from that organization?
Hello Tinashe,
Thank you for your comment.
I am sorry to hear about what happened to your money. If something like that happened, you must directly get in touch with Western Union and have them traced it for you. You must ensure to keep the necessary details, especially the reference number, so they can check it for you.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
If I sent money yesterday, when my friend picks it up tomorrow, does he get the money exchange rate of yesterday or tomorrow’s rate
Hi Jeanette,
Thank you for contacting finder.
The exchange rate that will be followed is on the day that you have sent the money. Exchange Rate changes from time to time so you may use Western Union’s price estimator first to see the estimated amount that your recipient will receive.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you will have additional questions.
Cheers,
Ash
Money was sent to me already but I don’t have an ID how can I transfer that money into my spouse’s name
Hi Ruby,
Thank you for leaving a question.
Please see the list of requirements needed to receive money from Western Union:
Complete the Receive Money form.
Give the form to the agent with your government-issued photo ID and the tracking number (MTCN).
Review and sign the receipt.
The agent will give you the money and a copy of the receipt.
It is a Western Union requirement that a government ID is needed to remit money via Western Union. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Is it true that Western Union is now requiring passports from immigrants for cash pick ups in Eastern Countries? Malaysia, China, Thailand etc? I heard they are posting notices that ID is no longer good enough identification… that recipient must bring passport also in order to pick up their cash?
Hi ActorC,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
As of this time, I cannot find any official announcement or publication coming from Western Union that would confirm this new ID requirement for immigrants in Eastern Countries when claiming money through cash pick-ups. You may want to contact Western Union directly to confirm this information.
Cheers,
Charisse
Can I send money through Western Union even if I don’t have an account with them?
Hi Jame,
Thank you for your comment.
Yes, you can still send money through Western Union without having an account with them. Just go to their website and start sending money.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
Am n Libya misurata,I want to transfer money to India.How can I transfer please help me
Hi Tintu,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
As per the Western Union’s Agent locator in their website, there are 6 stores in Misurata:
MISURATA
Misurata Center
Misurata
GASER AHMED
Gaser Ahmed Iron And Steel Com
Misratah Libya
Misratah
KOZ ATTEK BRANCH
Misurata
Misurata,
BANK OF COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT
Africa Trade Center,misurata
Africa Trade Center Agency
Misurata
MISURATA PORT
Misurata Port Libya
Misratah
MISRATHA FREE ZONE
Misratha, Misratha
If you are still looking to weigh your options when it comes to sending money to India. please click HERE.
Cheers,
Joel
Nagpapalit pu ba kayo ng pera ng kuwait at india?
Hi Mae,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
Please note that we are a financial comparison and information website that helps consumers make better decisions. We do not represent any of the providers we feature on our website.
Western Union’s rates are updated regularly based on the market, and you can find out the rate that applies to your specific transaction by clicking Estimate Price at the top of the Western Union website.
If you are looking for money exchange services you can click HERE. Also You can ask around the locals in your area or look up money changer services in your neighborhood so you can get your money exchanged right away.
Cheers,
Joel
Hello for Western Union sending money online to the Philippines what are the limits that can be sent in a single transaction?
Thank you
Greg
Hi Greg,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
As per the Western Union website, you can send up to 19,000.00 USD for bank transfer and 5000 USD for cash pickup. Western Union offers plenty of useful transfer and cash pickup options when you need to send money overseas. Before you commit to sending your hard-earned dough, of course, you should always make sure to compare all the available options and find the best deal.
Cheers,
Joel