How to send money internationally: a guide

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Sending money internationally means sending money from one country to another through a bank or money transfer provider.

In most cases, you’ll need the recipient’s full name, bank account details, SWIFT or BIC information and, in some countries, an IBAN, then you’ll review the fees, exchange rate and delivery estimate before confirming the transfer.

If you want to avoid delays or additional costs, the safest way is to compare providers first and double-check every detail before sending payment.

How to send an international wire transfer

Here’s the basic process for investing money internationally:

1. Gather recipient details.
2. Select a transfer method.
3. Compare fees and exchange rates.
4. Enter the amount and currency.
5. Review delivery estimates.
6. Confirm the transaction and save the receipt.

What is an international wire transfer?

An international wire transfer is an electronic payment sent from one country to another. Banks and payment providers often rely on standardized identifiers to process transfers correctly, including BIC or SWIFT codes for financial institutions and IBANs in countries that use them.

SWIFT says IBAN is an international standard to help identify account numbers and automate cross-border payment processing, while BIC helps identify institutions and route business transactions.

What you need to wire money internationally

Before you begin, gather the following:

• full legal name of the recipient
• Recipient’s bank name
• Recipient’s account number
• SWIFT or BIC code
• IBAN, if the destination country uses it
• transfer amount
• The currency you want the recipient to receive

Some providers may also ask for the recipient’s address, your reason for sending the transfer, or other country-specific banking identifiers.

Step-by-Step: How to send money internationally

Here are step-by-step details:

Step 1: Choose your transfer method

You can usually send money internationally by:

• A bank wire: Often familiar and safe, but sometimes more expensive
• An online money transfer service: It is often easier to compare based on cost and speed
• Cash Pickup Service: Useful when the recipient does not just need the bank deposit
• A banking app or fintech platform: Sometimes this is cheaper than a traditional branch transfer

Step 2: Collect recipient’s banking details

This is the most important part of the process. If the name, account number, SWIFT code or IBAN is incorrect, the transfer may be delayed, refunded or declined.

Step 3: Compare Fees and Exchange Rates

Don’t just look at the transfer fee. The CFPB’s remittance rules require providers covered by the rule to disclose the exchange rate, certain fees, and the amount the recipient will receive, which shows why the full cost matters more than the headline fee.

This means that if the exchange rate is less favorable or if third-party fees reduce the final amount delivered, the total cost of the transfer may still be higher with a lower upfront fee.

Step 4: Enter the amount and currency

When you submit a transfer, you may be asked whether to send US dollars or the recipient’s local currency. International wires can be sent in US dollars or foreign currencies, and some countries require additional bank or account identifiers depending on the destination.

Step 5: Review Delivery Estimate

International wire transfers usually don’t arrive immediately. International outbound transfers typically arrive in 1 to 5 business days, and many international bank transfers are quoted in the same general range, although times vary by currency, bank processing, and intermediary institutions.

Step 6: Confirm the transfer and save the receipt

Once you approve the transaction, save the receipt or confirmation number. This helps you track the payment, request corrections or cancel the transfer if the status conforms to the remittance rules.

How much does an international wire transfer cost?

The total cost usually includes more than one line item. Depending on the provider, you can pay:

• a shipping fee
• an exchange-rate markup
• Intermediary or third-party fees
• Potential receipt-bank charges

The CFPB requires covered providers to disclose the exchange rate used, covered third-party fees, and the total amount the recipient will receive. Non-covered third-party fees or taxes may still reduce the amount reaching the recipient.

How long does an international wire transfer take?

Many international wires arrive in 1 to 5 business days, but the exact time depends on the provider, countries involved, currency and whether an intermediary bank is part of the route.

The transfer may take longer if:

• Recipient details are incorrect
• Same day cutoff is missed in transfer
• Bank holidays affect any country
• Compliance or fraud checks slow down payments
• Additional intermediary banks are involved

Can you cancel or correct an international wire transfer?

Sometimes, yes. If an international money transfer meets certain conditions, you may have the right to cancel it without cost, and providers are usually required to investigate some reported errors.

The CFPB also says consumers generally have 180 days from the date the funds become available to report certain remittance transfer errors, and providers generally have 90 days to investigate.

Is it safe to send money internationally?

Yes, it is generally safe to send money internationally when you use a legitimate bank or transfer provider and verify the recipient’s details before sending the payment.

The bigger risk is fraud, not the wire system. The FDIC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion due to fraud in 2024, and fraudulent scams were the second-largest category of reported losses.

To reduce the risk:

• Independently verify the recipient and provider
• Double check account number, SWIFT code and currency
• Be careful if someone pressures you to send money quickly
• Avoid sending money through any link, email or message that you have not verified first
• Keep your receipt and confirmation details in case you need to report a problem

International wire transfer options

Wire transfer is not your only option. Depending on the amount and destination, you may also consider:

• Online Money Transfer Services
• cash pickup network
• multi-currency banking apps
• Other Regulated Remittance Providers

These options can sometimes offer better pricing, faster delivery, or easier tracking than a traditional bank wire, especially for smaller transfers.

final take to go

If you want to send money internationally, the safest way is to gather the correct recipient details, compare the full cost of the transfer and confirm the timing before sending anything.

A bank wire may work well when you want a familiar option, but another provider may be cheaper or faster. Before sending money, check the exchange rate, fees, delivery estimate, and cancellation or error-rights information on the receipt so you know what the recipient should get.

Information is accurate as of April 2, 2026.