Find the best way to send money to India
If you're looking for the best way to send money to India from the United States, use our list to find the cheapest, fastest way to transfer money online.
It can be time consuming researching money transfer companies and comparing the best rate of foreign exchange. Our guide shows you which service has transparent fees, mobile apps and different delivery options to make your international money transfers easier.
Need to send money from India to the US instead? Learn more here.
5 of the best money transfer services to send money from the USA to India
Wise (formerly known as TransferWise)
If you prefer to transfer money online, Wise is the easiest way to do it. It's incredibly simple to set up an account or make a transfer using their app. They also have the best exchange rates, because they offer the same market rate you see on XE or Google and don't add any hidden exchange rate mark ups.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to India?
Transfer Fee: 1.13 USD + 0.6% of your amount.
Exchange Rate: Wise gives you the best possible rate (google rate). They do not use a margin.
Additional Fees: Bank debit (ACH) is the cheapest; then bank wire transfer; followed by debit card and credit card.
How to transfer money with Wise?
- Create an online account and login.
- Tap in how much and where to. Enter your recipients details.
- Make local US payment to Wise, using a bank transfer, SWIFT, or your debit or credit card.
How long does it take?
Your recipient will get the money in Indian rupee from Wise's local account within 0-1 business days.
Is Wise safe?
Yes they are. Click here to see our full review of Wise.
Best features:
- Quick online set-up
- Transparent fees and offer the best rates online
- Very fast transfers to a bank account
- Simple cell phone app
Service details:
Remitly
Credit cards are accepted by Remitly and with their Express option, money can be sent within minutes. Remitly have no minimum limit so it can be handy when sending small amounts to family or friends overseas. What we like about Remitly is they are cheaper than Xoom/PayPal or Western Union for money transfers within minutes. It's also easy to make payments on the Remitly website or mobile app.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to India?
Transfer Fee: No fees when sending $1000 or more and $3.99 when you send less than that for Express.
Exchange Rate: The exchange rate you receive depends on the amount of your transfer and which country your money is being sent.
How to pay with my debit or credit card with Remitly?
- Log into the Remitly website
- When you're ready for payment, just type your name, card number, expiry date and card verification details
- Bank transfers or SWIFT payments are also available to send money from the US
How long does it take?
Within minutes for international money transfers.
Is Remitly safe?
Yes they are. They are fully licensed and authorised. Click here to see our full review of Remitly.
Best features:
- The person can receive their money transfer by bank deposit, cash pick up, mobile money or home delivery.
- Money back guarantee - if your money doesn't arrive on time.
- Same-day cancellation requests are possible.
- Easy to sign up and quick to transfer money on mobiles or laptops.
Service details:
For help from Remitly and phone number: US- 1-888-736-4859
WorldRemit
WorldRemit specializes in remittances and smaller transfers. They're perfect for personal money transfers from the US of up to US$10,000 to India. Their rates are usually better than your local bank's and they offer more flexible delivery options than companies like PayPal, Western Union or MoneyGram.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to India?
Transfer Fee: 1.99 USD.
Exchange Rate: WorldRemit add a margin to the exchange rate. Click here to get an indicative exchange rate to send money from the USA to India.
Maximum transfer amount: US$5,000
How to transfer money with WorldRemit?
- Create an online account and login.
- Tap in how much, how you want to transfer (cash pickup, bank deposit, Mobile Money or Airtime top-up) and where to. Enter your recipients details
- Make local US payment to WorldRemit, using a bank transfer or your debit or credit card.
How long does it take?
Depends on your delivery choice. For a wire transfer they will get Indian rupee in minutes. Cash delivery is ready instantly with valid photo ID and transaction reference number.
Is WorldRemit safe?
Yes they are. Learn more about how trustworthy WorldRemit are.
Best features:
- Offers cash pick-up, bank deposits, Mobile Money and Airtime top-up
- Easy online platform and cell phone app
- Transparent costs with accurate calculator tool
- 24/7 customer support
Service details:
XE Money Transfers
As a trusted and seasoned name in foreign exchange, XE could be a good option for online users who aren't under time pressure. They don't charge fixed fees and don't have any minimum amounts so are good for any sized transaction.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to India?
Transfer Fee: Free, but there can be hidden charges at the local bank.
Exchange Rate: The USD/INR exchange rate you receive, when you convert your US dollars into Indian rupee, will depend on the amount of your transfer.
How to transfer money with XE?
- Set up account online or over the phone.
- Tap in how much, where to and which currency.
- Pay XE and they will transfer the funds to your recipients bank account.
How long does it take?
Your recipient will get the money in Indian rupee (INR) into their account in 1-3 business days.
Is XE safe?
Yes they are. They are licensed as a Money Transmitter by the DFS in New York and registered with FINTRAC.
Best features:
- No fees or minimum amounts for money transfers
- Better exchange rates for larger amounts
- Well known and trusted brand
- Business and individual support, plus accessible customer service
Service details:
For help from XE and phone number: US- 1-877-932-6640
Xoom powered by PayPal
Xoom is convenient for money transfers, but costly compared to other money transfer specialists.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to India?
Transfer Fee: Differs depending on amount and how you pay them. Paying them by bank transfer is free, but if you pay by card the fee is percentage based.
Exchange Rate: A margin is added to the exchange rate when you convert your US dollars (USD) into Indian rupee (INR).
Get a quote: Click here to find out the cost to transfer money to India with Xoom.
How to transfer money with Xoom?
- Sign up to an account and login.
- Tap in how much and where to. Enter your recipients details. Enter how you would like to pay.
- Recipient receives money in bank account or in cash available for pick up at agent location.
How long does it take?
It will take 1-2 business days. Transfers submitted by 11 am EST on a bank business day will be delivered by 5 pm EST the next business day.
Is Xoom (PayPal) safe?
Yes they are. They are powered by PayPal, which is one of the oldest online payment platforms trusted for secure online money transfers.
Best features:
- Safe, trustworthy, fully licensed and authorized company
- Pay recipients bills or phone reloads via app
- Regular status updates via text or email
Service details:
Xoom help phone number: (877) 815-1531 (toll free) or +1 (415) 395-4225 from US or India
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FAQs
Are there any minimum or maximum money transfer limits?
These vary depending on which online money transfer company you use.
For minimum transfer amounts, XE and Wise have no limits. OFX have a minimum of US$150 per single transaction.
For maximum transfer amounts, Wise has maximum limits of US$50,000 for personal accounts. For business accounts they have a maximum limit of US$250,000 in unlicensed states and up to US$1,000,000 in licensed states.
OFX and XE have no maximum transfer amounts. Meanwhile, Xoom has a limit of US$50,000 over 24 hours if you have the required documents.
How do I keep my money online safe when I send it to India?
Safety is very important and all of the online companies above take their legal responsibilities very seriously. They take extreme measures to protect the sensitive data you provide them like your personal details and identification. However, it's still better to be safe than sorry. Here are some additional ways you can transfer funds safely:
- Double check privacy policies and tracking process for your money transfer provider
- Use a strong, long and unique password with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols when you set-up your account
- Ensure your money transfer service provides two-factor authentication, including SMS or email-based security code
What information do I need to send money to an Indian bank account from the United States?
To wire money from the US, you will need the following information about the recipient's account:
- Recipient account holder name and full address
- Account number you will be transferring money to
- Swift / BIC code or Routing Number
How do I send money from my bank account in the US to another bank account in India?
Send money from your bank account to another bank account in India using these steps:
- Find the wire transfer section from the website of your financial institution
- Check any transfer limits there might be
- Enter the recipient’s bank details
- Enter the amount and choose the currency you want to send your money
- Pay the transfer processing fee - your bank can charge anywhere between US$30-80. Your recipient bank can charge as much as US$30 to receive the money.
- Find out how long it will take for your transfer to arrive
Do all money transfer companies have a mobile phone app?
Yes. When you have an account with any of the online money transfer services highlighted above, you can make transfers through their website, or via their iOS Apple and Android apps. However, some are easier to use than others.
What other common countries or currencies can I send money to from the US?
The most common countries or currencies money is sent to from the US includes: Mexico (MXN), China (CNY), India (INR), Germany (EUR), France (EUR), South Korea (KRW), United Kingdom (GBP), Japan, (JPY) and Italy (EUR) and Australia (AUD).
Send money to and from the United States with these guides
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- Send money from India to the United States
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- Send money from Singapore to the United States
- Send money from the UK to the United States
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Updated December 9th, 2021