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Send Money to the United States

Whether you are paying tuition, supporting family, or making business payments — here is how to send money to the US at the lowest cost from anywhere in the world.

Best Services for Sending Money to the USA (2026)

Wise

Fee:
Varies by origin
Rate:
Mid-market (0% markup)
Speed:
1-2 business days
Limit:
Varies by origin

OFX

Fee:
$0 (min varies)
Rate:
0.3-0.8% markup
Speed:
1-3 business days
Limit:
No limit

Remitly

Fee:
$0 - $4
Rate:
0.5-1.5% markup
Speed:
Minutes - 1 day
Limit:
$10,000/transfer

WorldRemit

Fee:
$2 - $5
Rate:
0.5-2% markup
Speed:
Minutes - 2 days
Limit:
$5,000/transfer

Western Union

Fee:
$5 - $15
Rate:
2-4% markup
Speed:
Minutes (cash pickup)
Limit:
Varies

Bank Wire (SWIFT)

Fee:
$15 - $45 + intermediary fees
Rate:
2-4% markup
Speed:
3-5 business days
Limit:
No limit

The US Banking System: What Senders Need to Know

The United States uses two primary domestic payment networks: ACH (Automated Clearing House) and Fedwire. ACH transfers are the standard method for most money transfer services depositing into US bank accounts. They are free or very low cost but can take 1-2 business days to settle. Fedwire is real-time but costs more and is typically used for large or time-sensitive transfers.

To send money to a US bank account, you will need the recipient's routing number (a 9-digit number identifying their bank, also called an ABA number) and their account number. Some services also support delivery via Zelle, which provides near-instant delivery if the recipient's bank supports it.

Cheapest Options by Sending Country

🇮🇳 From India

Wise and BookMyForex offer the best INR to USD rates. Be aware of India's Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) limit of $250,000 per financial year and the 20% TCS (Tax Collected at Source) on amounts over INR 7 lakh.

🇬🇧 From UK

Wise is the cheapest GBP to USD option, using the mid-market rate. CurrencyFair is also competitive. Avoid PayPal which adds 3-4% on top of the rate.

🇪🇺 From EU

Wise and Revolut offer excellent EUR to USD rates. SEPA transfers to Wise are free and settle same-day, making the total cost very low.

🇦🇺 From Australia

Wise and OFX are the top choices for AUD to USD. OFX is particularly good for large transfers over AUD $10,000 with no fees.

Common Reasons for Sending Money to the USA

People send money to the United States for many reasons. Understanding your purpose can help you choose the right service:

  • - Tuition payments: US universities often accept wire transfers or services like Flywire that specialize in education payments.
  • - Family support: Online services like Wise or Remitly are cheapest for regular family transfers.
  • - Business payments: OFX and Wise Business offer tools for recurring international business payments with batch processing.
  • - Property purchases: For large real-estate transactions, OFX or a specialist broker can lock in forward rates.
  • - Investment funding: For funding US brokerage or investment accounts, wire transfers may be required by the financial institution.

Tax and Reporting Rules for Receiving Money in the US

Receiving international transfers in the US has specific reporting requirements. Banks are required to report international wire transfers over $10,000 to FinCEN via a Currency Transaction Report (CTR). This is an automatic process and does not mean you are doing anything wrong — it is simply a regulatory requirement.

If you receive gifts from a foreign person totaling more than $100,000 in a calendar year, you must report them on IRS Form 3520 (Annual Return to Report Transactions with Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts). This is an informational return only — there is no tax on the gift itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What details do I need to send money to a US bank account?

You need the recipient's bank name, routing number (9 digits), account number, and the account holder's name and address. For SWIFT transfers, you also need the bank's SWIFT/BIC code.

How long does an international transfer to the US take?

Online services like Wise typically deliver in 1-2 business days. Bank SWIFT wires take 3-5 business days. Cash pickup via Western Union is available in minutes.

Are there any limits on receiving money in the US?

There is no legal limit on receiving international transfers. However, banks may hold or question large transfers, and amounts over $10,000 are automatically reported to FinCEN.