What information is needed for international wire transfer

What is a wire transfer? The goal of international wire transfers is the quick transfer of funds, eliminating the delays caused by mailing and clearing of checks. While people often use the terms “wire transfer” and “bank transfer” interchangeably, this is not 100% accurate: wire transfers are used by both banks and non-banking financial institutions. This means that all bank transfers are wire transfers, but not all wire transfers are bank transfers.

What is an international wire transfer?

A wire transfer is the electronic transfer of funds from one person to another via a bank account or a money transfer account held with a specialised provider (e.g. a credit union). There is no physical transfer of money between banks or financial institutions when conducting a wire transfer. In fact, only information is exchanged between the institutions about the recipient, their account details and the transfer amount, with the transfer itself happening electronically.

The difference between wire transfers and bank transfers

The two terms wire transfer and bank transfer are often used to describe the same thing, but this is not always the case. A bank transfer is a term used to describe the process of transferring money from one bank account to another. This transfer could happen between two different types of bank accounts of the same person (for instance from a savings account to a checking account), but more commonly the term refers to the process of transferring funds from one location to another (even overseas) via banks. 

Conversely, an international wire transfer is more generic terminology which refers to sending money electronically from one location to another. So, we can say that a bank transfer is a type of wire transfer, along with other types of wire transfers as well. For example, to send money from the US to France you may use bank transfer or you may wire it through MoneyGram, Western Union or another money transfer provider.

How do wire transfers work?

The majority of international wire transfers are processed via the SWIFT network. The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) is a secure messaging system used by banks to exchange information quickly and securely, including instructions for wire transfers. This network spans 200 countries and includes over 10,000 banks and financial institutions. 

If you live in Europe, your international wire transfer is likely to be processed as a SEPA payment. SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) operates in a similar way to the SWIFT network, but its purpose is to provide low cost and fast Euro-denominated transfers to the 36 countries that are part of the group. All 27 EU states are members of this group.

When you send a wire transfer, the instructions are sent to the recipient’s bank either directly or through an intermediary bank. There are costs associated with using the network, which can vary depending on the currency and amount being sent, so be sure to check before deciding on how to wire money.

Most money transfer companies enable international wire transfers in the same manner, but they operate a bit differently. They employ specialised technologies that connect local banks across the world, helping to reduce costs and transfer times. We will talk more about choosing the best money transfer providers in the upcoming sections. 

What you need to know about wiring money internationally

Wiring money internationally is a popular way of sending money abroad. The electronic nature is this type of transaction makes sending money via wire transfer fairly hands off, requiring you only to know your recipient’s name, bank details, and the sum you are sending abroad.

However, there are a few caveats to wire transfers you may want to consider when deciding if this is the right option for you:

• Wiring money internationally via your bank can be expensive: An international wire transfer processed via your bank can incur large fees (anywhere between £8 to £40), as well as a high markup on the interbank exchange rate. You may also need to take into account any fees likely to be charged by your recipient’s banks, which could leave them with much less money than you meant to send.

• One-off sums vs frequent smaller amounts: Typically, wiring money internationally will work out cheaper if you can send a larger sum in one go than incurring fees on smaller sums sent multiple times.

If you want to know more about wire transfers, check out our wire transfer guides below, otherwise, continue reading.

International Transfers Over $10,000

This Wire Transfer guide is designed to offer assistance to readers who may be struggling to find a suitable provider for their larger remittance needs of $10,000 or more. Whether you are sending this amount for personal or business reasons, this guide will help you minimize fees, save time and find a safe and secure service for your next transfer.

Are Wire Transfers Instant?

Many of our readers want to know how fast their money will reach their recipient, albeit for a domestic or international wire transfer. This guide will provide insight into the typical transfer speeds of wire transfers, explaining how the delivery is affected by intermediary banks and financial institutions, in order to help you choose the best money transfer service for your requirements.

Bank Transfer Vs Wire Transfer

This comparison will detail the different types of money transfers, to identify the respective strengths and weaknesses of each method, as we outline what you can expect to pay and how long you may need to wait for the money to arrive. We will also share our best tips for alternative money transfer services that provide better value than everyday banks.

Fastest Way to Wire Money

What is a wire money transfer? A wire transfer refers to the electronic method of sending funds from one account to another. Unlike a bank transfer, in which money must be sent between two bank accounts, a wire transfer can be sent from a bank account to any account provided by a financial institution, such […]

Best Way To Wire Money Internationally

These days, it isn’t just traditional banks that can initiate a wire transfer abroad. Money transfer providers are well equipped to move your funds online, often for lower fees and more competitive exchange rates. If you don’t know what exchange rates are, we have a section within our different bank guides where we explain that […]

Cheapest Way To Wire Money

A wire transfer can be a fast and efficient way to send money around the world, but what’s the cheapest way to organise transferring your funds? In this article, we’ll look at the cheapest way to wire money plus potential alternative ways of sending money for even lower fees or free. Before we dive into […]

Wiring Money From A Credit Card

Why send money from your credit card? Wiring money from your credit card to your own bank account is known as a cash advance. Some people may choose to do this if you are looking to borrow a small sum of cash, to pay off an overdraft, or if you need to make a payment […]

Can A Wire Transfer Be Reversed?

Wire transfers are an electronic means of sending money from one account to another. Most wire transfers are processed via a secure messaging system such as the SWIFT network, which is used by banks worldwide to send information to one another. You can send domestic wire transfer, or they can also be used to send […]

How To Wire Money For Free

What is a wire transfer? A wire transfer is a means of moving money from one account to another electronically. This method of sending money is popular for one-off payments, sending money urgently (wire transfers are often much faster than direct deposits, for example), and sending money internationally. Make sure to check our guide on […]

Transferring Money to a Foreign Bank Account

If you’re interested in transferring money internationally to another bank account, you may be wondering what your options are. In this guide, we’ll take a look at your main options to transfer money abroad, plus the steps you need to follow to safely and securely deposit your money to a foreign bank account. Take a […]

How Safe Are Bank Transfers

In this helpful guide we will share all you need to know about the safety of bank transfers, the different options available to you and the regulations that are employed to keep your money safe. Our goal is to make it easier for our readers to send international money transfers quickly and efficiently, albeit through a bank or money transfer company.

Guide to Making Domestic Wire Transfers

While an international wire transfer can take several working days to appear in your recipient’s account, a domestic wire transfer will be almost instant. When you’re ready to make a wire transfer, below are a few steps to follow to make things hassle-free. What is a domestic wire transfer? A domestic wire transfer is an […]

Wire Transfer Fees

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the wire transfer fees for popular US and UK banks, what kind of fees you can expect, and how to reduce those fees for cheaper international wire money transfers. Make sure you’ve checked out our guide on the cheapest ways to send money abroad which explains […]

How Long Does A Wire Transfer Take?

Although you can rarely get a definitive answer for how long your wire transfer will take, you can get a good indication when looking at the particular circumstances of your transfer. Here, we’ll be addressing everything you need to know about international bank transfer times. Wire transfers are a fast and convenient way to send […]

Learn the difference between services

Difference Between Wire Transfer And Direct Deposit

If you’re looking to send money from one bank account to another, you may have come across two popular sending methods: wire transfers and direct deposits. Wire transfers are an electronic means of transferring money to another bank account internationally or domestically and are available with banks worldwide. On the other hand, direct deposits are most commonly used to send regular payments domestically, for example, to distribute salaries. This article will look at the critical differences between the two.

ACH vs Wire Transfers

What’s the difference between ACH and wire transfers? Both wire transfers and Account Clearing House (ACH) transfers are methods of sending money electronically, but there are a number of differences between the two. The main difference between ACH and wire transfer is that ACH payments are predominantly US-based and are processed in batches through the […]

Wire Transfers vs EFTs

What is the difference between a wire transfer and an EFT? There are subtle differences between wire transfers and electronic funds transfers (EFTs), which mainly centre around the fact that wire transfers are a specific type of EFT. A wire transfer refers to an electronic transfer of funds between individuals or entities across a network […]

Pros and cons of wire transfers

Wire transfers offer a convenient and secure way to transfer money across borders, which is why they are one of the most popular ways of sending money. Whether you want to send funds to your family living overseas or to one of your suppliers in another country, wiring funds is a simple and efficient money transfer method.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using wire transfers when transferring your money:

Pros

Speed: In most instances wire transfers take 1-2 days. In some cases and depending on the currency, the amount and the service you are using, the transaction can be near-instant and the fastest way to wire money.

Safety: Both banks and specialised money transfer providers must adhere to financial regulations put in place in the country they operate in. Wire transfers are a commonly used method of sending funds, so any business that offers money transfer services will have experience keeping your transactions secure.

Convenience: You can send money to any part of the world from the comfort of your home via the internet. All you have to do is log in to your online banking and make a transfer. However, circumstances might be different for those planning on sending a large sum. On these occasions, your provider might require some additional information.

Global reach: Wire transfers can facilitate the delivery of funds to almost anywhere in the world, in any currency (as long as you find the right provider).

Cons

Cost: Wire transfers can be expensive; there are several money transfer companies that have decreased their costs substantially, so research is crucial to find out the cheapest way to wire money. Generally speaking, wire transfers are likely to be accompanied by higher exchange rate markups and fees than some other payment methods.

Non-reversible: If a mistake is made when entering details of the wire transfer, it can be very hard to reverse. Be sure to double check details are entered correctly before sending.

Top 5 providers to send money internationally

These days, it isn’t just traditional banks that can initiate a wire transfer abroad. Money transfer providers are well equipped to move your funds online, often for lower fees and more competitive exchange rates. At a glance, the top 5 best ways to wire money internationally are:

Below are some of our top recommended transfer companies in a bit more detail.

1. XE

XE has a large distribution network, supporting transfers in 60 currencies to over 170 countries worldwide. This online money transfer is a popular and trusted name in the industry with no transfer fees for sending money internationally, although their exchange rate markup can be higher than some other providers in some cases.

Transfers can take anywhere between 1 – 4 working days, depending on the specifics of your transfer.

2. Wise, formerly TransferWise

Wise is an extremely well-known online money transfer operator, with over 8 million users worldwide. The company is popular for its policy to always provide transfers at the mid-market rate, with a transparent fee structure that clearly explains the fees you’ll be charged for any international transfer.

Transfers can take anywhere from minutes up to 5 working days, taking longer you if pay for your transfer via bank account.

3. WorldRemit

Supporting transfers to over 150 countries across the globe, WorldRemit is popular for its versatile delivery options, including cash pickups, mobile airtime top-ups, and bank transfers. With over 2 million people using WorldRemit’s services in the last year alone, this is a well-trusted company supporting a wide range of transfer options.

Transfers with WorldRemit could be instant, or they could take up to 3 working days for your recipient to receive the funds in their account.

4. OFX

OFX is known for offering competitive exchange rates with no transfer fees, making it a popular choice for affordable international transfers via the company’s user-friendly online platform or mobile app.

With OFX, transfers will typically take between 1 and 5 days to be processed.

5. Remitly

Remitly supports transfers to over 50 countries worldwide and has over 140,000 agent locations worldwide to support in-person transfers and cash pickups. Remitly is well-known for providing a high-quality service with a range of payout options, even including home delivery for added convenience for your recipient.

Transfers with Remitly can take minutes, or between 1 and 3 working days for a transfer with lower fees.

Alternatives to wire transfers

Bank transfer

International bank transfers can be a convenient way to wire money internationally because typically all you’ll need is your recipient’s bank details plus the sum you are sending. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that though convenient, banks usually come with higher international bank transfer fees when it comes to international wire transfers – not to mention one of the slowest.

SWIFT transfers can take anywhere from 1 to 5 working days, although this can be affected by factors including the destination you are sending to and what day of the week you are sending the funds. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you’ve got the correct details for your recipient as an incorrect digit or entry can delay your transfer even more.

Online money transfer provider

Online money transfer providers are an extremely popular option for sending money internationally, and tend to be a much cheaper and faster way to wire money internationally.

Money transfer providers will either charge a set fee for your international transfer at the mid-market rate (such as TransferWise), no fees but a markup on the exchange rate (such as OFX and XE), or a mixture of both (such as Instarem and World Remit).

Sending money internationally online

Online transfer providers are an extremely popular option for sending your money internationally, offering:

• Lower fees
• More competitive exchange rates
• Faster transfer times

Whether you’re looking to send money abroad as a one-off payment or as a regular thing, researching money transfer providers could potentially save you a lot of money. Instarem, for example, promises savings up to 90% compared with a traditional bank.

Walk-in transfer providers

Another option for wiring money internationally is to use a walk-in transfer provider with a physical location, such as Western Union or MoneyGram. These options can be convenient if you would prefer to talk to someone in-person and both provide the option to deliver your funds to your recipient as a cash pickup.

Canadian Regulators

In Canada, there are some organisations that are responsible to supervise the different financial institutions operating.

We created the following guides to help customers by providing relevant information related to the process of sending money to Canada:

• CDIC (Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation): it helps customers by ensuring their money always is protected.
• FCAC (Financial Consumer Agency of Canada): ensures customers are protected by the laws against money transfer companies.
• FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada): investigates and detects money laundering.
• IIROC (Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada): it is in charge of overseeing the trading activity and investments in the Canadian markets
• PC (Payments Canada): also known as Canadian Payments Association, it makes sure the Canadian economic system is trustable.

How to send an international wire transfer?

How to wire money is generally pretty straightforward. The process typically works as follows:

1. Decide on a money transfer provider

2. Gather all the information you need

3. Familiarise yourself with the fine print

4. Fill out the wire transfer forms

Remember, a wire transfer is irreversible. If you fill out the form incorrectly, you may end up sending your money to someone else. So make sure you check all the details carefully before submitting all the details; this includes your recipient’s bank account details and the exact amount you want to send.

5. Track your wire transfer

Once you have initiated a wire transfer, you can track it using the transaction number provided by the bank or payment provider. If there is a delay, you can use this information to follow up on the status of the transfer.

What are the fees associated with wire transfers?

International wire transfers, despite their convenience, are not always the cheapest way to send money. When making an international wire transfer, the two costs you will have to look out for are exchange rate markups and fixed transfer fees. 

Exchange rate markups

In order to find out the cheapest way to wire money, most people search the exchange rate before making an overseas wire transfer and expect to get the same exact rate for their transaction. However, this is rarely the case. Banks and financial institutions charge a markup on the mid-market rates (the rate you see on search engines and from financial news services). Banks are known to charge 4 – 6% margins, whereas specialised money transfer providers often keep their margin at 0.5 – 2%. It’s important to compare the exchange rates before you go ahead with the transaction, especially if sending a large amount of money as a small percentage increase can cost you a lot of money.

Fixed fee

To make a wire transfer, you may have to pay a fixed fee to the bank or provider. The fee can range anywhere from $15 – $45 depending on the bank or payment provider you choose. Banks typically charge both a fixed fee and an exchange rate margin on wire transfers. 

Wire transfer fees can be quite high depending on the number of intermediary banks involved. However, there are many money transfer providers that charge only a fixed fee and no exchange rate margin. This fee is sometimes also much lower than you’ll find with a bank. Again, it is all about choosing the right provider. 

What to look out for when wiring money internationally

As well as cost, there are a number of other factors to watch out for when sending money internationally that can affect your overall experience. These factors are all taken into consideration in our comparison tool to help you find the best service for your sending needs, and include:

• Security
• User reviews
• Transfer speed

How long do international wire transfers take?

When you want to wire money abroad, you should keep in mind how long does a wire transfer take. International wire transfers can take anywhere between 1 – 5 days depending on various factors including the origin and destination country, the amount being transferred and the currencies used. Many non-bank transfer providers are able to reduce the wire transfer times by utilising technology that connects local bank accounts across the world. Some even offer near-instant transfers for users transferring money along a corridor in which the provider specialises. Using an online money transfer provider to send your money, for example, can get your funds to your recipient’s account within minutes (especially if you arrange for the transfer to be a cash pickup and you pay by card). But, how long does a traditional wire bank transfer take? It can take longer, closer to 3 – 5 business days.

What is the cheapest way to wire money internationally?

• The sum you are sending
• The currency pair you are converting between
• How fast you want your recipient to receive the funds

Charges associated with sending money abroad can be broken down into a few key areas:

• Fixed fees
• Exchange rate markups (a percentage added on to the mid-market exchange rate)
• Charges for particular payment methods, such as credit card fees

Finding the cheapest way to wire money internationally therefore really depends on comparing these various charges for the individual circumstances of your transfer. Typically, an online money transfer operator such as the examples listed above will give you more competitive exchange rates and lower fees than wiring money abroad with a traditional bank.

How do I stay up to date with latest changes to regulations and fees?

You can stay up to date by reading industry news from leading professionals at MoneyTransfers.com. Check out some of the topics you might be interested in:

• Latest cost of living news
• Latest expats news
• Latest FX news
• Latest news from the industry
• Latest investing news
• Latest news on mortgages
• Latest news on remittance
• Latest technology news
• Latest travelling news
• Our latest research
• Latest stats and facts from the industry

Bottom line: should you wire money internationally?

A wire transfer is a method of transferring money electronically between people or businesses across the world. It only involves exchange of information between the institutions about the recipient, their account details and the transfer amount. This means that a bank transfer is a type of wire transfer, but there are other non-banking financial companies that can also facilitate wire transfers. Examples of these services are money transfer companies such as WorldRemit, Wise, XE, Currencyfair, Currencies Direct, Key Currency, Instarem and TorFX

Wire transfers offer a convenient and secure way to transfer funds. You can send money anywhere in the world. However, it’s good to be aware that they can be costly as you may have to pay both a fixed transfer fee and exchange rate markups when sending your money. These fees are often higher than you’ll find with other payment options. 

It is important to shop around and make comparisons to get the best rates and lowest fees on your transaction, as there are a lot of providers now offering wire transfer services at different rates. Before deciding on how to wire money, quickly compare your options by filling out our form. So you can find out your best option in minutes and ensure your recipient gets the maximum amount possible of the money you are sending.

Article Factchecked by Elliot Laybourne on 20th July 2022

Elliott is a former investment banker with a 20 year career in the city of London.

During this time he held senior roles at ABN Amro, Societe Generale, Marex Financial and Natixis bank, specialising in commodity derivatives and options market-making.

During this time, Elliott’s client list included Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Schroders Asset Management, and the Pennsylvania State Public School Employees Retirement System, amongst others.

Artiom is a marketing graduate from the University of Portsmouth, Artiom’s primary experience is in SEO but he has a broad knowledge of all facets of digital marketing. He optimises the organic experience on MoneyTransfers.com with the content team, manages and creates unique marketing tactics, and generally supports the overall growth of the website.

How do I do an international wire transfer?

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