Yes, Remitly can send money directly to a bank account
Remitly transfers money into a recipient's bank account in the destination country. You choose the bank account when you set up the transfer, and Remitly deposits the funds there rather than to a pickup location or mobile wallet. The recipient does not need a Remitly account — only a valid bank account in their name.
The process works the same way whether you are sending domestically (within the United States) or internationally. You provide the recipient's bank details, Remitly processes the transfer, and the money arrives in their account according to the speed option you selected.
Key Takeaways
- Remitly sends directly to bank accounts in over 130 countries and territories, and the recipient does not need their own Remitly account.
- You must provide the recipient's full legal name, bank account number, and routing number (or the equivalent in their country) to complete the transfer.
- Transfer speed varies: same-day or next-day delivery costs more, while standard transfers typically arrive within three to five business days.
- The recipient's bank may hold the funds for an additional one to two business days before they appear in the account, depending on the receiving bank's processing time.
- Remitly charges a flat fee or percentage fee depending on the destination country and the amount sent; fees are shown before you confirm the transfer.
What information you need to provide for a bank transfer
Before Remitly can send money to a bank account, you must collect specific details from the recipient. Ask them for their full legal name exactly as it appears on their bank account, their account number, and their bank's routing number or SWIFT code. In some countries, you may also need the recipient's bank address or a branch code instead of a routing number.
The exact details required depend on the destination country. Remitly's website shows you which fields are mandatory for each country as you enter the recipient's information. If the recipient is unsure of their routing number or SWIFT code, they can ask their bank directly or find it on their bank statement.
Remitly stores this information in your account after the first transfer, so you do not have to re-enter it every time you send to the same person. You can edit or delete saved recipients at any time.
How long the money takes to arrive
Remitly offers three speed options, and the cost increases with speed. Standard transfers typically arrive within three to five business days from the time Remitly processes your payment. Express transfers arrive within one to two business days. Same-day transfers are available to some countries and arrive the same day you send, though this option carries the highest fee.
The timeline begins after Remitly has received and processed your payment — not from the moment you initiate the transfer. If you send money on a Friday evening, for example, Remitly may not process it until Monday, so the three to five business days starts from Monday. The recipient's bank may then hold the funds for an additional one to two business days before they appear in the account, depending on that bank's internal processing time.
You can see the exact arrival date before you confirm the transfer. Remitly shows you the processing time and the expected delivery date based on the speed option you selected and the destination country.
Fees and exchange rates
Remitly charges either a flat fee or a percentage of the amount sent, depending on the destination country and transfer amount. A transfer to Canada might cost a flat $2, while a transfer to Mexico might cost 2 percent of the total. Remitly displays the fee before you confirm, so you know the exact cost and the amount the recipient will receive.
Remitly also applies an exchange rate when converting US dollars to another currency. This rate is not the mid-market rate you see on financial news sites — it includes a margin that Remitly keeps. The exchange rate shown on Remitly's website at the time you initiate the transfer is the rate applied to your transaction. Exchange rates change throughout the day, so the rate you see in the morning may differ from the rate in the afternoon.
What happens if the transfer fails or the bank rejects it
If the recipient's bank rejects the transfer — usually because the account number does not match the name, or the account is closed — Remitly will attempt to return the money to your original payment method. This reversal can take five to ten business days. During this time, the money is not in your account or the recipient's account; it is in transit back to you.
If the recipient's bank account details were incorrect, you can send the money again once the reversal completes. Ask the recipient to double-check their account number and routing number before you resend. Some banks also require that the recipient's name match exactly as it appears on the account — middle initials, hyphens, and spacing all matter.
Remitly does not charge a second fee if you resend money after a failed transfer, but you will pay the fee again if you choose to send a new transfer to a different account or recipient.
Bank account transfers versus other Remitly delivery methods
Remitly offers several ways for recipients to receive money: bank account deposit, cash pickup at partner locations, or mobile wallet transfer. Bank account transfers are the most direct — the money goes straight into the recipient's account without them having to visit a location or use a mobile app. This method works best when the recipient has a stable bank account and does not need the money when ready.
Cash pickup is faster in some cases — some Remitly partners offer same-day or next-day pickup — but requires the recipient to travel to a pickup location during business hours. Mobile wallet transfers are available in certain countries and deposit money into apps like GCash or M-Pesa, which the recipient can then withdraw or spend. You choose the delivery method when you set up the transfer, and Remitly shows you the fee and timeline for each option.
Setting up a bank account transfer for the first time
To send money to a bank account through Remitly, start by creating an account on the Remitly website or mobile app. You will need to verify your identity with a government-issued ID and provide your address. Remitly may ask additional questions about the source of your funds or the purpose of the transfer, depending on the amount and your account history.
Once your account is verified, select "Send Money" and choose the destination country. Enter the amount you want to send in US dollars, and Remitly will show you the exchange rate, fee, and amount the recipient will receive. Select "Bank Account" as the delivery method, then enter the recipient's name, account number, and routing number. Review all details carefully — especially the recipient's name and account number — before confirming the transfer.
Choose your payment method (debit card, bank account, or other options depending on your account status) and confirm the transfer. Remitly will process your payment and send the money according to the speed option you selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to a joint bank account?
Yes, but Remitly requires the account to be registered in the recipient's name. If the account is jointly owned, use the name of the person who will receive and manage the funds. Some banks may require both account holders to authorize the deposit, so let the recipient know the money is coming.
What if the recipient's bank is not in their home country?
Remitly can send to bank accounts in most countries regardless of the recipient's citizenship or residency, as long as the account is in a country where Remitly operates. The recipient's bank location matters more than their location — provide the routing number or SWIFT code for the specific branch where the account is held.
Do I need the recipient's permission to send money to their bank account?
Yes. You should always confirm the recipient's account details directly with them before sending. If you send money to an incorrect account, the receiving bank may reject it or the funds may go to someone else. Remitly cannot redirect money once it has been sent to a bank account.
Can Remitly send to a savings account, or only a checking account?
Remitly can send to both savings and checking accounts. The process is the same — you provide the account number and routing number, and Remitly deposits the funds. Some savings accounts may have restrictions on how many deposits they can receive per month, so the recipient should check with their bank if they use a savings account frequently for incoming transfers.
What if I send money but the recipient says they never received it?
Ask the recipient to check their bank account carefully — the money may have arrived but not yet posted, or it may be in a pending transaction. If several business days have passed and the money does not appear, contact Remitly with the transfer reference number (shown in your account history). Remitly can trace the transfer and determine whether the receiving bank accepted it or rejected it.