Western Union - Send Money Worldwide - Money Transfer Service (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to send money internationally through Western Union? ›

Generally, an international wire transfer takes between one and five days for the money to arrive in your receiver's account. Some might take longer. Setting up an international wire transfer can be simple and take a few minutes.

The "Test Question" feature in the Western Union® Money Transfer service is designed for emergency situations where the receiver does not have proper identification (e.g. his or her wallet and identification have been stolen). It should never be used as additional security to time or delay the payment of a transfer.

Sending a Western Union money transfer costs $5 + 1% for any amount between $0 –$300.99 and $5 + 1.75% for amounts between $301 –$999.99 of the money transfer.

Money in Minutes service for pick up at an Agent location – generally delivered within minutes*. Next Day service for pick up at an Agent location is generally available the next day*. Direct to Bank deposit typically takes between 2 to 5 business days, but could vary, depending on country.

A maximum of $7,499 USD (US dollars or its equivalent in local currency) can be received per person per transaction or per day. The maximum amount of money paid out may vary according to the agent and the district. The beneficiary must submit the correct Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN).

Information needed to send money in person

Government-issued ID to confirm your identity. Cash, credit or debit card to pay the total, including transfer fees and exchange rates. The recipient's full name (as shown on their ID), country and address (if requested)

Valid government-issued photo ID is needed to verify your identity. Examples: passport, driver's license, national ID.

High fees compared to some competitors

The Western Union Company (WU) faces significant criticism due to its high transaction fees. As of 2023, the average fee for sending $200 internationally through WU ranged between $4.99 and $44.99, depending on the destination country and payment methods.

Western Union unverified accounts can usually send up to 3,000 USD. If you want to send more you must verify your account with some ID - once verified, the upper limit can be 50,000 USD.

Which international money transfer is best? ›

You will require: Their Bank Identifier Code (BIC), SWIFT code or national bank code. Their bank account number or International Bank Account Number (IBAN). Their full name.

You can avoid these fees by using a debit card. * Western Union also makes money from currency exchange. When choosing a money transmitter, carefully compare both transfer fees and exchange rates. Fees, foreign exchange rates, and taxes may vary by brand, channel, and location based on a number of factors.

International money transfers typically take between one and five business days, depending on the difference in time zones and exchange rates. Some countries are classified as “slow-to-pay” countries, meaning that money transfers may take longer (up to three weeks).

Western Union and MoneyGram provide similar payouts. Western Union tends to provide cheaper fees while MoneyGram generally provides better exchange rates.

Money transfers made easy with the Western Union^® app

Send money instantly, or start on our app and pay in-store. Track your money transfer in real time. Repeat transfers quickly to friends and family.

Generally, international wire transfers are not as fast as domestic transfers. While domestic wire transfers can be completed within one business day, international transfers typically take one to five business days, and they can take longer depending on a variety of factors.

It could be because of the following: We're verifying your identity. We are confirming a few other details. Your bank is reviewing your transfer.

Time zones: Transferring between banks in different time zones can add delays. Dates and timing: Weekends and public holidays in either the sending or receiving country can cause delays in processing international transfers, as can carrying out the transaction at the end of the business day.