How To Wire Money Internationally: Steps, Fees and Timing

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Wiring money internationally means sending funds 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 you confirm the transfer.

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

How To Send an International Wire Transfer

Here’s the basic process for wiring money internationally:

1. Gather the recipient’s details.
2. Choose a transfer method.
3. Compare fees and exchange rates.
4. Enter the amount and currency.
5. Review the delivery estimate.
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 route the transfer correctly, including BIC or SWIFT codes for financial institutions and IBANs in countries that use them.

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

What You Need To Wire Money Internationally

Before you start, gather the following:

• Recipient’s full legal name
• Recipient’s bank name
• Recipient’s account number
• SWIFT or BIC code
• IBAN, if the destination country uses one
• Transfer amount
• 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 Wire Money Internationally

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Step 1: Choose Your Transfer Method

You can usually send money internationally through:

• A bank wire: Often familiar and secure, but sometimes more expensive
• An online money transfer service: Often easier to compare on cost and speed
• A cash pickup service: Useful when the recipient doesn’t need a bank deposit only
• A banking app or fintech platform: Sometimes cheaper than a traditional branch transfer

Step 2: Gather the Recipient’s Banking Details

This is the most important part of the process. If the name, account number, SWIFT code or IBAN is wrong, the transfer may be delayed, returned or rejected.

Step 3: Compare Fees and Exchange Rates

Don’t look at the transfer fee alone. 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.

That means a transfer with a low upfront fee can still cost more overall if the exchange rate is less favorable or if third-party fees reduce the final amount delivered.

Step 4: Enter the Amount and Currency

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

Step 5: Review the Delivery Estimate

International wire transfers usually do not arrive instantly. International outbound transfers typically arrive in 1 to 5 business days, and many international bank transfers are quoted in that same general range, though timing varies 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. It helps you track the payment, request a correction or cancel the transfer if the situation qualifies under 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 may pay:

• A sending fee
• An exchange-rate markup
• Intermediary or third-party fees
• Possible receiving-bank fees

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 that reaches the recipient.

How Long Does an International Wire Transfer Take?

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

Transfers can take longer if:

• The recipient details are incorrect
• The transfer misses a same-day cutoff
• A bank holiday affects either country
• Compliance or fraud checks slow the payment
• Additional intermediary banks are involved

Can You Cancel or Fix an International Wire Transfer?

Sometimes, yes. You may have the right to cancel an international money transfer at no cost if it meets certain conditions, and providers generally have to investigate certain reported errors.

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

Is It Safe To Wire Money Internationally?

Yes, wiring money internationally is generally safe 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 itself. The FDIC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, and impostor scams were the second-highest category of reported losses.

To reduce the risk:

• Verify the recipient and provider independently
• Double-check the account number, SWIFT code and currency
• Be cautious if someone pressures you to wire money quickly
• Avoid sending money through a link, email or message you did not verify first
• Keep your receipt and confirmation details in case you need to report a problem

Alternatives to an International Wire Transfer

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

• Online money transfer services
• Cash pickup networks
• Multi-currency banking apps
• Other regulated remittance providers

These alternatives 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 wire money internationally, the safest approach is to gather the correct recipient details, compare the full cost of the transfer and confirm the timing before you send anything.

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

Information is accurate as of April 2, 2026.

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