Western Union international wire transfer: Fees, limits, and rates

Western Union is one of the world's largest money transfer providers. You can make a Western Union international transfer in a few different ways, including cash pickup, mobile wallet delivery, and wire transfers directly to bank accounts.

However, there are fees and limits that you should be aware of when making an international wire transfer with Western Union. Here's everything you need to know to successfully send money abroad.

Can I make an international wire transfer with Western Union?

Yes, you can send an international wire transfer with Western Union to more than 200 countries and territories.¹ You can set everything up online or visit a Western Union agent location.

When you make an international wire transfer, you send the funds directly to your recipient's bank account. You can use your debit card, credit card, or bank account.²

Another alternative is a Western Union international money order.

Western Union international wire transfer fee

Western Union charges fees for international wire transfers, but these fees aren't fixed and can be difficult to predict before you enter your transfer details.

They depend on the amount you're transferring, your destination country, your payment method, and other factors.

Western Union will show you the complete fee breakdown before you confirm your transfer. That said, they may not always be able to predict how much you'll pay in intermediary and receiving bank fees.

Western Union exchange rates

Western Union uses its own exchange rates when converting your money to a foreign currency.¹ These rates won't be the same as the mid-market rate you see on Google or financial sites.

This difference between Western Union's rate and the mid-market rate is one of the ways the company makes a profit on international transfers. You'll get less foreign currency for your money than if the conversion were done at the mid-market rate, and Western Union will keep the difference.

When you send large amounts of money, this difference can end up being quite big. For smaller amounts, it's less noticeable, but you're still losing money on the exchange rate, which is frustrating.

When your money moves internationally, it often passes through an intermediary bank that handles the currency conversion for the recipient. These intermediary banks typically don't use the mid-market rate either.

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How do you make a Western Union international wire transfer?

Here are the international wire transfer instructions to send money with Western Union:³

1. Log in to your Western Union account
2. Click on Send Money
3. Choose Wire Transfer from the available options
4. Enter the recipient's details, including their full name, bank account number, and their bank's SWIFT or IBAN code
5. Enter the amount you want to send
6. Select the currency for the transfer
7. Review all the transfer details, including fees and exchange rates, and confirm the transaction

Once you're done with these steps, Western Union will process your transfer and move the funds to your recipient's bank account.

You should also be able to track your international wire transfer.

What information do I need to make an international wire transfer?

Western Union will need the following information to send your international wire transfer:³

• Your recipient's full legal name as it appears on their bank account
• Their bank account number
• The receiving bank's SWIFT code (an 8-11 character code that identifies banks globally) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number, usually used in Europe)

You can get this information directly from your recipient. If they're unsure, they can contact their bank for this information.

If you're sending a large amount of money, Western Union may require additional documentation to comply with international wire transfer regulations:⁴

• Proof of your funding source (such as bank statements)
• Supporting documentation (like receipts, invoices, or contracts)
• A clear reason for the money transfer

These Western Union wire transfer requirements help prevent fraud, money laundering, and other illegal activities.

How long does an international wire transfer with Western Union take?

It typically takes 1 to 2 business days to send a Western Union international wire transfer.³ However, it can sometimes take longer depending on the destination country and banking hours.

If you need to submit extra verification documents, your transfer may take longer to get to your recipient as well. You should see your estimated international wire transfer time in your Western Union account.

What is the wire transfer limit for Western Union?

Western Union transfer limits depend on a few factors, such as where you're sending the money to.

In the US, you'll need to verify your identity when sending more than 3,000 USD. This usually means showing your ID and sometimes other documents.⁵

After verification, you can typically send up to 50,000 USD per transfer.⁵ Some countries might have lower Western Union international transfer limits because of their local laws.

Western Union contact information

If you have questions about your international transfer, you can get in touch with Western Union:⁶

• Customer Care (US): 1 800 325 6000
• Website Help: 1 877 989 3268
• For TTY users: 1 800 877 8973

You can also chat online through their website or visit in person at a Western Union location.

Western Union makes it easy to send money to over 200 countries around the world.¹ However, when you add up both the fees and the less favorable exchange rates, it can be quite expensive.

It's a good idea to compare prices with other money transfer services to see if there's a better option out there, especially for big transfers or if you send money regularly.

To send fast and secure international money transfers with low fees and no exchange rate markup, try Wise.

Sources

1. Western Union
2. Western Union - Send Money Abroad Quickly & Securely
3. Western Union - Understanding Wire Transfers
4. Western Union - International wire regulations
5. Western Union - How much can I send with Western Union?
6. Western Union - Contact Western Union United States