Yes, you can send money directly to an international bank account, but the method and cost depend on where the money is going and which bank you use

Direct transfers to international bank accounts are possible through most US banks and several dedicated money transfer services. The money moves from your account to a specific bank account abroad, usually identified by an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or a SWIFT code paired with an account number. The process is straightforward in concept but the actual timeline, fees, and success rate depend on which route you choose and whether the receiving bank accepts the transfer method you're using.

The most common routes are a wire transfer through your own bank, an international ACH transfer if the receiving country supports it, or a third-party money transfer service like Wise, OFX, or Remitly. Each has different costs, speed, and requirements. Your bank's wire transfer might cost $15 to $50 and take one to three business days. A service like Wise typically charges a percentage of the amount (usually 0.5% to 2%) and can be faster and cheaper for smaller amounts, but not all countries are supported.

Key Takeaways

  • Wire transfers through your US bank work to most countries but usually cost $15 to $50 per transfer and take one to three business days.
  • You will need the recipient's full name, bank account number, bank name, and either their SWIFT code or IBAN — missing or incorrect details cause delays or rejection.
  • Third-party services like Wise or OFX often charge lower fees than banks for smaller amounts but may not support all countries or all types of accounts.
  • The receiving bank may charge a fee on their end, which comes out of the money that arrives, so ask the recipient what they actually receive.
  • Some countries restrict which banks can receive international transfers or require additional documentation, so confirm with the recipient's bank before you send.

Wire transfers through your US bank

A wire transfer is the most direct method and works to nearly every country with a functioning banking system. You initiate it through your bank's online portal, mobile app, or by calling or visiting a branch. Your bank will ask for the recipient's name, account number, bank name, and either a SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies the bank) or an IBAN (a longer account number that includes country and bank information). Some banks ask for both.

The fee is usually $15 to $50 depending on your bank and whether the transfer is domestic or international. The money typically arrives within one to three business days, though some countries take longer. The receiving bank may also charge a fee — sometimes $5 to $15 — which is deducted from what the recipient gets. Ask the recipient to confirm with their bank what they will actually receive before you send, because the fee structure varies widely by country and institution.

Wire transfers are generally reliable once the details are correct, but a single wrong digit in the account number or SWIFT code can cause the transfer to be rejected or sent to the wrong account. Some banks allow you to cancel a wire within a few hours of sending; others do not. Check your bank's policy before you hit send.

International ACH transfers and IBAN-based payments

Some US banks now offer international ACH transfers to countries that participate in the system, primarily Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. These work similarly to domestic ACH transfers — slower than wire but cheaper — and typically cost $0 to $10. The timeline is usually three to five business days. Not all banks offer this service, and not all countries accept it, so check with your bank first.

If the receiving country uses IBAN (most of Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia and Africa), your bank may accept an IBAN-based transfer instead of a SWIFT wire. These sometimes cost less than a full wire transfer and can be faster. The process is the same — you provide the IBAN and the recipient's name — but the underlying system is different. Ask your bank whether they charge less for IBAN transfers than for SWIFT wires to that country.

Third-party money transfer services

Services like Wise, OFX, Remitly, and MoneyGram offer international transfers with fees that are often lower than banks for amounts under $5,000. Wise, for example, charges a percentage of the amount (typically 0.5% to 2%) plus a small fixed fee, and shows you the exact amount the recipient will get before you confirm. OFX charges a flat fee per transfer plus a currency markup. Remitly charges a percentage or a flat fee depending on the country and speed you choose.

The timeline varies: Wise often delivers within one business day, while others may take two to five. The catch is that not all countries are supported — Wise covers around 190 countries, but Remitly and MoneyGram have narrower networks. You also need to set up an account with the service, which requires identity verification. For one-time transfers to countries with high bank fees, a third-party service is often cheaper. For recurring transfers or large amounts, a bank wire may be simpler despite the higher cost.

What information you need from the recipient

Before you send any money, get the following details from the recipient in writing: their full legal name (exactly as it appears on their bank account), their account number, their bank's name and location, and either the bank's SWIFT code or the recipient's IBAN. If you are using a third-party service, check their website to see which pieces of information they require — some ask for all of these, others ask for fewer.

The recipient's name must match their bank account exactly. If their account is under "Maria Garcia" but they give you "Maria G. Garcia" or "Maria Garcia Lopez", the transfer may be rejected. Ask them to provide the name as it appears on their bank statements or account documents. For SWIFT transfers, the account number is usually numeric but can include letters depending on the country. For IBAN transfers, the IBAN itself is the account identifier and includes the country code and bank code, so it is longer (typically 15 to 34 characters) but more standardized.

Fees and what the recipient actually receives

The total cost of an international transfer includes your bank's or service's fee, any currency conversion markup, and potentially a fee charged by the receiving bank. Your bank or service controls the first two. The receiving bank's fee is outside your control and varies by country and institution — it might be $0, or it might be $15 or more.

The receiving bank's fee is almost always deducted from the amount that arrives. If you send $1,000 and your bank charges $25, the receiving bank charges $10, and the exchange rate markup is 1%, the recipient receives less than $965. This is why you should ask the recipient to confirm with their bank what they will actually get. Some banks publish their incoming wire fees on their website; others do not. If the recipient's bank does not disclose the fee, ask the recipient to call and ask directly.

Third-party services like Wise show you the exact amount the recipient will receive before you confirm the transfer, which removes this uncertainty. Banks usually do not — they show you what you are sending and what you are paying, but not what arrives on the other end.

Common reasons transfers fail or are delayed

The most common reason a transfer is rejected is an incorrect account number, SWIFT code, or IBAN. The second most common is a mismatch between the recipient's name on the transfer and the name on their bank account. The third is that the receiving bank does not accept international transfers from the US, or does not accept transfers from your specific bank. This is rare but happens in some countries with banking restrictions.

If a transfer is rejected, your bank will usually return the money to your account within five to ten business days, though some banks take longer. You will not lose the money, but you will lose time and may lose the fee you paid. To avoid rejection, triple-check the account details with the recipient, use copy-and-paste rather than typing by hand, and confirm that the recipient's bank accepts incoming international transfers before you send.

Delays happen when the receiving bank is in a different time zone or when the transfer arrives on a weekend or holiday. A transfer sent on a Friday afternoon to Europe may not arrive until Tuesday. Some countries also have banking hours restrictions — transfers may only be processed during business hours in that country, which can add a day or two.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a SWIFT code and an IBAN?

A SWIFT code identifies the bank itself — it is eight or eleven characters and tells the sending bank which institution to route the money to. An IBAN is a longer code that includes the country, bank, and account number all in one. Not all countries use IBANs; most use SWIFT codes. Some countries use both, and your bank may accept either one.

How long does an international transfer actually take?

Most transfers arrive within one to three business days, but the timeline depends on the countries involved, the time of day you send it, and whether it hits a weekend or holiday. A transfer sent on Friday afternoon to a country in a different time zone may not arrive until the following Tuesday. Third-party services like Wise are often faster than bank wires.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

It depends on your bank and how quickly you act. Some banks allow cancellation within a few hours; others do not allow it at all once the transfer has been sent. Wire transfers that have already been processed by the receiving bank cannot be cancelled. Check your bank's policy before you send, and if you need to cancel, contact them when ready.

What happens if I send money to the wrong account by mistake?

The money goes to that account, and recovering it is difficult and often impossible. You would need to contact the receiving bank and ask them to reverse the transfer, but they are not obligated to do so. This is why confirming the account details with the recipient is critical. If you make a mistake, contact your bank when ready — they may be able to stop the transfer if it has not yet been processed.

Do I need to report international transfers to the IRS or FinCEN?

If you send more than $10,000 in a single transfer or multiple transfers that total more than $10,000 in a calendar year, your bank is required to file a Currency Transaction Report with FinCEN. You do not file this yourself — your bank does. There is no penalty for the transfer itself; the report is for record-keeping. If you are sending money regularly, keep track of the amounts so you know when you are approaching the threshold.