Yes, you can send money to an international bank account, but the method, cost, and speed depend on where the account is and which bank or service you use.
The most common routes are wire transfers through your bank, money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram, and newer digital platforms like Wise, Remitly, or OFX. Each has different fees, exchange rates, and delivery times. A wire transfer might take three to five business days and cost $15 to $50. A digital service might arrive in hours and cost 1 to 3 percent of the amount sent. The catch is that not all services work in all countries, and some banks charge receiving fees on top of what you pay to send.
Before you choose a method, you need to know the recipient's bank details: their full name, account number, the bank name, and usually a SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies the bank internationally) or an IBAN (International Bank Account Number, used mainly in Europe and some other regions). Without these, the transfer cannot go through. Ask the recipient to provide them directly from their bank statement or online banking portal—do not rely on memory or informal notes.
Key Takeaways
- Wire transfers through your bank are reliable but slow and expensive, typically costing $15 to $50 and taking three to five business days.
- Digital money transfer services often have lower fees (1 to 3 percent) and faster delivery (sometimes same-day), but not all operate in every country.
- You must have the recipient's SWIFT code or IBAN, full name, and account number before initiating any transfer.
- Exchange rates vary widely between banks and services; the rate your bank offers may be significantly worse than the mid-market rate.
- Some receiving banks charge their own fees, which the recipient pays after the money arrives, so confirm the total cost beforehand.
Wire transfers through your bank
A wire transfer is the traditional method and works with nearly every bank worldwide. You go to your bank in person or online, provide the recipient's bank details and the amount, and your bank sends the money directly to their bank. Your bank will ask for the recipient's name, account number, SWIFT code, and sometimes their address. Some banks also require a reason for the transfer.
Wire transfers are slow and expensive. Most take three to five business days because the money passes through one or more intermediary banks, each of which processes it separately. Your bank typically charges $15 to $50 to send, and the receiving bank may charge $10 to $25 to receive. The exchange rate your bank uses is usually 2 to 5 percent worse than the mid-market rate (the real rate you see on financial news sites), which means you lose money on the conversion itself. A $1,000 transfer might cost you $50 in fees plus another $20 to $50 in exchange rate markup.
Wire transfers are most useful when speed is less important than certainty—the money will arrive, and there is a clear paper trail. They also work for large amounts; some digital services have daily or monthly limits.
Digital money transfer services
Services like Wise, Remitly, OFX, and Instarem offer lower fees and better exchange rates than banks. Wise, for example, uses the mid-market exchange rate with a small markup (usually under 1 percent) and charges a flat fee based on the amount and destination country. A $1,000 transfer to Europe might cost $10 to $15 total. Remitly and similar services often charge 1 to 3 percent of the amount sent.
Speed varies. Wise can deliver money in hours to some countries, while others take one to two business days. Remitly typically takes one to three business days. These services work by holding money in local bank accounts in multiple countries and matching senders and receivers, which is why they can move money faster and cheaper than traditional banks.
The limitation is coverage. Not all services operate in all countries, and not all countries' banks accept transfers from all services. Before you sign up, check whether the service works in both your country and the recipient's country. You will also need to verify your identity with the service, which usually means uploading a photo ID and sometimes proof of address. This can take a few hours to a few days.
Money transfer shops and cash pickup services
Western Union, MoneyGram, and similar services let you send money that the recipient picks up in cash at a local shop or bank. These are useful if the recipient does not have a bank account or prefers cash. Fees are typically 5 to 10 percent of the amount sent, which is higher than digital services but sometimes lower than bank wire fees for small amounts.
Delivery is fast—usually within minutes to a few hours—because the money is already sitting in the receiving location. The recipient needs a valid ID to pick it up. The main drawback is cost and the fact that the recipient must physically go to a pickup location, which may not be convenient or safe in all areas.
What happens if the transfer goes wrong
If money is sent to the wrong account number, it typically cannot be recovered. Banks do not reverse international transfers the way they do domestic ones. This is why confirming the recipient's details is critical—ask them to read their account number aloud, check it against their bank statement, and confirm the SWIFT code or IBAN matches what their bank lists.
If the transfer is delayed, contact your bank or service when ready. Wire transfers can get stuck in intermediary banks for days. Digital services usually have customer support that can track the transfer and sometimes speed it up. Keep your confirmation number and all details of the transfer in case you need to file a dispute.
If the recipient's bank rejects the transfer (usually because the account details do not match), the money returns to you, but this can take one to three weeks. Some banks charge a fee for the return. This is another reason to confirm details before sending.
Comparing costs and speed across methods
| Method | Typical Fee | Speed | Exchange Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank wire transfer | $15–$50 to send, $10–$25 to receive | 3–5 business days | 2–5% worse than mid-market | Large amounts, certainty |
| Wise | $5–$20 depending on amount and destination | Hours to 2 business days | Mid-market + under 1% | Regular transfers, good rates |
| Remitly | 1–3% of amount sent | 1–3 business days | 1–3% markup | Recurring transfers, family support |
| Western Union / MoneyGram | 5–10% of amount sent | Minutes to hours | 3–5% markup | Cash pickup, no bank account needed |
How to reduce costs and avoid mistakes
Get the recipient's bank details in writing directly from them or their bank statement. Do not rely on email or text—ask them to send a photo of the relevant page or read it aloud while you type it. Confirm the SWIFT code or IBAN by checking it against their bank's website or calling their bank yourself.
Compare exchange rates before you send. If you are sending a large amount, the difference between a bank's rate and Wise's rate can be hundreds of dollars. Use a site like XE.com or OANDA to check the mid-market rate, then see what each service is charging on top of it.
Send a small test amount first if you are using a new service or sending to a new account. This costs a little extra but prevents a large mistake. Once the small amount arrives and the recipient confirms it, you can send larger amounts with confidence.
Ask the recipient whether their bank charges a receiving fee and how much. Some banks charge $10 to $30 to receive international transfers. If they do, the recipient will see a smaller amount than you sent. Knowing this beforehand prevents confusion and arguments about whether the full amount arrived.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an international bank transfer actually take?
Wire transfers through banks typically take three to five business days because the money passes through intermediary banks in each country. Digital services like Wise can deliver in hours to some countries, while others take one to two business days. Weekends and holidays add time. Always assume the longer timeline and plan accordingly.
Why is the exchange rate different from what I see online?
Banks and transfer services add a markup to the mid-market rate (the real rate you see on financial news sites). Banks typically mark up 2 to 5 percent. Wise and similar services mark up under 1 percent. This markup is how they make money. Always ask what rate you will receive before you send.
What if I send money to the wrong account number?
International transfers to the wrong account usually cannot be reversed. The money goes to whoever owns that account number, and banks do not recover it the way they do domestic transfers. This is why confirming the recipient's details in writing before sending is critical. If it does happen, contact your bank or service when ready, but recovery is unlikely.
Can I send money if I do not have a bank account?
Yes, but your options are limited. Western Union and MoneyGram let you send cash from their locations without a bank account. Some digital services require a bank account to send but not to receive. Check the specific service's requirements before you start.
Is there a limit to how much I can send?
Yes, and it varies by service and country. Banks typically have no limit but may flag large transfers for review. Digital services often have daily or monthly limits—Wise, for example, may limit new users to $10,000 per day initially. Check the service's terms for the country you are sending to.