Wells Fargo International Wire Transfer: Fee, Rates and Transfer Time [2025]
If you’re looking to transfer money abroad with Wells Fargo, you’ve come to the right place. This article will address everything you need to know about Wells Fargo international wire transfers. We’ll cover how to initiate a transfer, how much it costs, and how long it takes your money to get there.
Plus, if you decide that Wells Fargo isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll introduce some of the many international money transfer alternatives available. Services such as Wise or OFX are cheap, fast and easy to use for digital payments all over the world. But more on that in a moment.
A cost example – sending $1,000 from the US to Canada
Before we get into the nitty gritty details of Wells Fargo international wire transfers, we’re going to compare how much it costs to send money with Wells Fargo and how long it might take compared to specialist providers.
The number one item to consider when deciding how to transfer money internationally is total cost. The total cost has two components:
- the transfer fee
- the exchange rate markup
Many providers like to offer “free” or low-cost transfers as a way to attract customers. In reality, they just add a larger margin to the exchange rate. To illustrate this, we’ve modeled the same payment using Wells Fargo and 2 other US banks, as well as Wise and OFX as specialist providers.
Let’s take a closer look at how much it might cost you to send $1,000 to Canada.
| Provider | Transfer fee | Recipient gets: |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo | 0 USD | 1,320.86 CAD |
| Bank of America | 0 USD | 1,325.49 CAD |
| Chase | 5 USD | 1,316.15 CAD |
| Wise | 10.15 USD | 1,349.86 CAD |
| OFX | 5 USD | 1,329.89 CAD |
**Fees and rates correct at time of research – 13th June 2025
As you can see in this example, the recipient gets most in the end with Wise. That’s despite the fact that Wise fees look to be the highest. The key here is the exchange rate. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and a transparent transfer fee, while Wells Fargo and the other banks and providers we’ve looked at add a variable mark-up to the exchange rate they offer.
This mounts up, and can mean you’re paying more than you think for your transfer in the end.
Key info on transferring money overseas with Wells Fargo
| 💡 Key points | Wells Fargo international wire transfer |
|---|---|
| 💰 Transfer fees | No Wells Fargo transfer fee for outgoing international digital wires, 40 USD if you send in a branch |
| 🚀 Transfer speed | Speeds vary – if you submit your request before the cut off time the transfer will be processed immediately, but may take several days to arrive |
| 🎯 Transfer limits | Limits are shown in the Wells Fargo app or online banking before you transact |
| 💱 Exchange rates | Wells Fargo exchange rate may include a variable markup depending on the currency |
| 🔐 Safety | Get in branch support if you need it, and track payments in online banking for peace of mind |
| ⬇️ Receiving wire transfers | Incoming international transfers have a 15 USD fee |
**Fees and rates correct at time of research -13th June 2025
Does Wells Fargo accept international wire transfers?
Yes. You can send and receive Wells Fargo international wire transfers online and in a branch, depending on your preferences and the exact services you need.
Wells Fargo international transfer fees
Wells Fargo has different fees for local and overseas payments, and depending on how you arrange your transfer. In some cases, accounts qualify for fee waivers – for example, the Premier Checking account has unlimited waivers on international outgoing payment fees. For other accounts, fees generally apply.
Here are the standard fees when you make an international transfer with Wells Fargo.
| Service | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming | $15 | $15 |
| Outgoing digital | $25 | No transfer fee |
| Outgoing in branch | $40 | $40 |
| Repetitive outgoing | $25 each | Not available |
**Fees and rates correct at time of research -13th June 2025
Wells Fargo exchange rate
The Wells Fargo exchange rate is likely to include a variable margin – a percentage fee that’s added to the mid-market rate to calculate the rate offered to retail customers.
This isn’t unusual – banks typically add a margin to the exchange rate and take the difference as profit. The issue is that small differences in the exchange rate can make a huge difference in the total cost of your transfer. Unfortunately, you can’t see all the rates unless you’re a customer and log in to your account. Even then, you won’t know what it cost you unless you calculated the difference between that and the mid-market rate.
Want the mid-market rate? Wise might be a better option as they use the mid-market rate with no added margin, and you can see the exact exchange rate on their website without logging into the service.
Need a cheaper alternative?
Using Wells Fargo to send your international wire isn’t your only option. There are some great alternative providers out there which can help, with low fees and great exchange rates. Here are some to consider – we’ll look at these services more closely later.
| Providers | International transfer fees |
|---|---|
| Wise | Low, transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates |
| OFX | No fee for transfer, small markups apply on currency exchange |
| Xe Money Transfer | Variable fees depending on the transfer details, with small markups on currency exchange |
| TorFX | No fee for transfer, small markups apply on currency exchange |
| Remitly | Variable fees depending on pay in and pay out options, with small markups on currency exchange |
More about the alternatives to Wells Fargo
Let’s dig into the details about the alternatives to Wells Fargo you may choose to consider:
| Coverage | Fees and exchange rates | Limits | Are they safe? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Send to 140+ countries | Low, transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates | Limits are usually set around 1 million GBP – about 1.35 million USD | Yes – 24/7 manual and automatic security protocols apply |
| OFX | Send to 170+ countries | No fee for transfer, small markups apply on currency exchange | Usually unlimited | Yes – get help from a specialist broker by phone any time you need it |
| Xe Money Transfer | Send to 130+ countries | Variable fees depending on the transfer details, with small markups on currency exchange | 500,000 USD per transfer | Yes – part of a huge global company which has industry standard security tools in place |
| TorFX | Send in 40+ currencies | No fee for transfer, small markups apply on currency exchange | Usually unlimited | Yes – well respected provider which has phone support and an excellent credit rating |
| Remitly | Send to 170+ countries | Variable fees depending on pay in and pay out options, with small markups on currency exchange | 25,000 USD (30,000 USD when sending to India) | Yes – popular provider with good customer support and anti-fraud tools |
**Fees and rates correct at time of research -13th June 2025
Wise
| 💡 Great for: International payments to 140+ countries with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees |
Wise has international account and payment services for personal and business customers in the US. If you need an easy way to transfer money to a bank abroad, Wise can help. Set up your transfer online or in app, and pay from your US bank or with a US issued card. Your money is then deposited quickly in your recipient’s account, in fact 60%+ of transfers are instant, 80%+ arrive within an hour. All currency exchange uses the mid-market rate and low fees which you can see before you transact.
*The speed of transaction claims depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions
| Wise is good for: | Wise may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
| ✅ Low cost payments to 140+ countries ✅ Mid-market exchange rates ✅ Account services to hold, send, spend and receive foreign currencies ✅ Debit cards available to spend when you travel | ❌ You need to pay in cash or have the funds received in cash ❌ You want to transact in person or by phone |
OFX
| 💡 Great for: International transfers and currency risk management solutions, with 24/7 phone support available |
OFX is a currency specialist which offers easy ways to set up online and in-app payments, but also has a phone service which allows you to talk your payment through with a broker any time of the day or night. There are usually no limits on the amount you can send and there’s no transfer fee to pay either – exchange rates have a small markup added instead.
| OFX is good for: | OFX may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
| ✅ Payments to 170+ countries ✅ 24/7 phone support ✅ No limit on the amount you can send ✅ More complex products like currency risk management tools | ❌ You want the mid-market exchange rate ❌ You want to generate a quote before committing to an account |
XE Money Transfer
| 💡 Great for: International payments online and in app in an excellent range of currencies, with variable fees and rates |
XE Money Transfer is part of a huge global group of money transfer services, and supports payments from the US to 130+ countries in a good range of currencies. You can register an account online or in an app, to arrange your payments digitally in just a few taps. The fees vary depending on the details of your transfer, including how you pay and the currency – you can see the costs when you sign up to an account.
| XE Money Transfer is good for: | XE Money Transfer may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
| ✅ Excellent range of supported countries and curenies ✅ Intuitive app for payments ✅ Recurring payments offered ✅ Business services available | ❌ You want to manage your money in a branch ❌ You want to convert with the mid-market rate |
TorFX
| 💡 Great for: Excellent customer service and no transfer fee, for payments in 40+ currencies |
TorFX is a UK based company which offers comprehensive payment services to personal and business customers in the US. You can send in 40+ currencies online, by phone and in an app, and there are no transfer fees to pay. Instead a small markup is added to the exchange rate – transfers can arrive in just a day or so.
| TorFX is good for: | TorFX may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
| ✅ Phone support, with excellent customer ratings ✅ Send in 40+ currencies ✅ Personal and business solutions available ✅ Best possible credit rating | ❌ You want to send for cash collection ❌ You want the mid-market rate for your currency exchange |
Remitly
| 💡 Great for: Personal transfers to friends and family in 170+ countries, with a great range of pay out options |
Remitly covers a strong range of popular remittance routes with lots of ways for your money to be received in the end. Sending options including cash pickup, bank deposit, mobile money, home delivery, and deposit to a debit card. Fees do vary depending on the details of the transfer you want to make but you can get a quote ahead of time to see what to expect.
| Remitly is good for: | Remitly may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
| ✅ Payments to friends and family in 170+ countries ✅ Cash collection and delivery services ✅ Ease of use with online and in app services ✅ Intuitive app | ❌ You’re sending a very high value transfer ❌ You’d prefer the mid-market rate |
Wells Fargo additional fees
Wells Fargo international wire transfers may include additional fees charged by third parties or other banks. Often these fees appear during SWIFT transfers.
The SWIFT network is a global financial messaging system that allows banks and other institutions to send money all over the world. When you transfer from one bank to another with SWIFT, the currency typically gets passed to several different banks on its way to the recipient.
These banks may charge additional fees. Plus, it slows down the transfer, as the speed at which your money travels depends on opening hours in different time zones or public holidays in different countries.
Pros and cons of transferring money abroad with Wells Fargo
| Wells Fargo is good for: | Wells Fargo may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
| ✅ Convenient: If you’re already a Wells Fargo customer, you can initiate an international wire transfer from your account online or via the mobile app. ✅ Secure: You will be sent a special access code in order to be able to process your transfer. ✅ Currency: You can send your money as foreign currency or in US dollars. ✅ Familar and reliabale | ❌ Exchange rate: Wells Fargo uses the exchange rate to make money, so there’s a margin added to the mid-market rate. ❌ Speed: It can take as long as 5 business days for the money to get to your recipient. |
How to make an international transfer with Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo international bank transfers can be initiated several different ways:
- Online: sign in to your account and find the Transfer and Pay section and then select Wire Money.
- Mobile app: open the app on your phone and look for Transfer and Pay and then Wire Money.
- Over the phone: this option is only available if you’ve already completed a wire transfer agreement at a branch office.
- In person: visit your local branch.
You’ll need to have all the relevant information on hand to initiate a transfer. Make sure to double check account numbers; once a wire transfer has been initiated, you cannot cancel it.
Here’s a step by step guide to sending a payment with Wells Fargo online:
- Sign on to Wells Fargo Online
- Tap Transfer & Pay
- Add your recipient and select the funding account
- Enter the amount you’d like to wire
- Review and send your payment
What information do you need to make an international transfer with Wells Fargo?
Here’s what you’ll need to transfer money abroad with Wells Fargo:
| Required information |
|---|
|
Wells Fargo international business transfers
You can send Wells Fargo international business transfers at a branch, over the phone or online. The terms and fees may depend on the specific business account you have.
Wells Fargo business transfer fees
Here are the standard Wells Fargo business transfer fees:
| Service | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming | $15 | $15 |
| Outgoing digital | $25 | $25 |
| Outgoing in branch | $40 | $40 |
| Repetitive outgoing (analyzed accounts) | $25 | $25 |
| Repetitive outgoing (analyzed accounts) | $18 each | Not available |
**Fees and rates correct at time of research -13th June 2025
Alternatives to Wells Fargo international business transfers
Compare your options for Wells Fargo international business transfers against the providers we’ve looked at in this guide – here are those which offer business services in the US as a reminder:
| Providers | International business transfers |
|---|---|
| Wise | Send up to 1 million GBP (about 1.3 million USD) digitally, with payments to 140+ countries |
| OFX | Unlimited business transfers with no transfer fees – exchange rate markups apply |
| Xe Money Transfer | Specific business services available for US businesses trading internationally |
| TorFX | Unlimited business transfers with no transfer fees – exchange rate markups apply |
Wells Fargo international transfer limits
Wells Fargo restricts the amount you are able to send online for standard international wire transfers. You can review these limits in online banking before you initiate a transfer. If you’d like to send more money than allowed online, you will have to visit a local branch.
Need to send a larger transfer?
Here are the limits of the providers we looked at earlier:
| Providers | Large international transfers |
|---|---|
| Wise | Limits are usually set around 1 million GBP – about 1.35 million USD |
| OFX | Usually unlimited |
| Xe Money Transfer | 500,000 USD per transfer |
| TorFX | Usually unlimited |
| Remitly | 25,000 USD (30,000 USD when sending to India) |
Large amount transfers with Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo does not advertise its limits on international transfers. Instead, if you’re sending a payment digitally you can view the limits which apply to your specific transfer when you set it up.
You may find you can send a higher amount in a branch – but here there are also higher fees to pay.
How to send a high amount transfer with Wells Fargo
Digital transfers with banks usually have a lower limit compared to sending money in a branch. This is likely to mean that you need to visit a Wells Fargo branch to set up your high value payment.
In this case, higher fees apply, which makes sending your payment more expensive overall.
More information: Wells Fargo Large Money Transfers
How long does a Wells Fargo international money transfer take?
When you transfer money abroad with Wells Fargo, it can take 1-5 business days for your recipient to receive their money. The time it takes depends on the country you’re sending to.
If you need your recipient to get their money fast, Wells Fargo might not be the right provider for you. In comparison, Wise or OFX can send your money abroad almost instantaneously in some cases.
Need a faster alternative?
The Wells Fargo cut off time is 2:20 pm Pacific Time for international wires. If you submit your payment after this, it won’t be processed until the next working day.
Once Wells Fargo starts to process your payment, it can take 1-5 business days for your recipient to receive their money. The time it takes depends on the country you’re sending to.
If you need your recipient to get their money fast, Wells Fargo might not be the right provider for you. In comparison, Wise or OFX can send your money abroad almost instantaneously in some cases. Here’s a quick recap of how fast Wells Fargo transfers your money compared to other services:
| Providers | International transfer times |
|---|---|
| Wise | Instant – 2 business days |
| OFX | 1-2 business days |
| Xe Money Transfer | Variable delivery times |
| TorFX | Same day or next day in most cases |
| Remitly | Variable delivery times |
How to track your transfer with Wells Fargo
You can track your transfer with Wells Fargo in the bank’s app – you’ll see the transfer status, to know how it’s getting on along its journey.
Countries to send money with Wells Fargo
You can send money with Wells Fargo to 200+ countries and territories.
How to receive an international transfer with Wells Fargo
When someone sends money from abroad to your Wells Fargo account, you’ll need to provide them with the following information which they can include in the transfer instructions they give their bank:
- Your account number
- Your name as it appears on your account
- Your bank name and address
- SWIFT code
Wells Fargo SWIFT code
The SWIFT international payment network is a worldwide financial messaging system. The SWIFT code is necessary, as it indicates the final destination of the funds being transferred. SWIFT transfers often take longer, as the money may pass through several intermediary banks before arriving at the final destination.
| Wells Fargo SWIFT code |
|---|
| WFBIUS6S |
Wells Fargo bank address for incoming wires
You may be asked for a bank address when receiving a wire – this is to help ensure your money arrives safely and without delays.
| Wells Fargo bank address |
|---|
| 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 |
Wells Fargo international transfer receiving fees
Whenever you receive a Wells Fargo international transfer, receiving fees of 15 USD apply.
In some cases, specific accounts might waive or reduce this fee – check the details for your own account to be sure.
Wells Fargo incoming transfer limits
There are not usually any Wells Fargo incoming transfer limits on payments – if you’re concerned about a payment you are planning to receive do check the details for your own account before the payment arrives.
Wells Fargo contact information
Need to talk to your bank? Here’s how:
| Wells Fargo contact information |
|---|
| General Banking – call on 1-800-869-3557 Visit a branch or make an appointment in advance to meet a banker through the Wells Fargo app |
Conclusion
Wells Fargo is a leading banking provider in the United States, so it makes sense that you may think they’re the best option for sending money abroad. Other options do exist, though. Providers such as Wise, OFX, and TorFX may be able to get your money overseas faster and more cheaply, with high limits and great exchange rates.
FAQs
How much does a Wells Fargo international transfer cost?
International wire transfer fees depend on the transfer type – there’s no transfer fee for digital payments, but an exchange rate markup applies which is a fee.
How long does a Wells Fargo international money transfer take?
Depending on the country and currency, international wire transfers can take anywhere from 1-5 business days.
How to transfer money internationally with Wells Fargo?
There are several ways to initiate an international wire transfer. You can do it through online banking, the mobile app, over the phone (after completing a wire transfer agreement in person), or at a local Wells Fargo branch.
Why did Wells Fargo return my international wire?
Wells Fargo may return an international wire if the details were incorrect or incomplete – contact the bank directly to confirm what has happened and to recreate your payment with full details.
