Transferring money from overseas might be necessary for a variety of reasons, from purchasing a home there to sending money to your loved ones. It’s not the same thing as transferring money from one bank account to another or paying your pal back for lunch with an app on your phone. An international money transfer involves a lot of work, and we’re here to help you get your money where it needs to be.
While there are a plethora of ways to send money overseas, we’ll focus on Western Union as a popular choice.
One of the largest financial services companies in the United States, Western Union is based in Denver, Colorado.
After merging with a rival in 1856, the Rochester, New York-based New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company changed its name to the Western Union Telegraph Company. Through complementing its primary business of sending and delivering telegrams, the corporation led the American telegraphy sector from the 1850s to the 1980s, pioneering new technologies like telex and providing a range of telegraph-related services (including wire money transfers).
In the 1980s, Western Union began shifting its focus away from communications and toward money transfer services after running into financial difficulties. Since ceasing all communications in 2006, the company has grown to become the world’s second-largest money transfer provider.
Over the past 145 years, Western Union has been moving money and has a network of more than half a million agents. Transferring 80 billion dollars annually, they manage to conduct 31 secure transactions every second on average.
Transfer of Funds by Wire
Western Union offers both online and in-person money transfer options. At any Western Union agent location worldwide, the MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) and proper identification are required to collect cash. A secret question and answer can be substituted for identification in some situations.
With Western Union, you can send money securely over the world.
Western Union’s cash transfer service is available at more than 140 Swiss railway stations, allowing you to send money to more than 200 countries in only a few minutes.
If you’re sending money to a relative or acquaintance who wants it in cash, Western Union is the way to go. A markup of less than 1% is typical for Western Union’s fees, which are equivalent to those charged by its competitors. Each country sets its limit. Cash, debit, or credit card payments can be received on the same day.
Why use Western Union to Transfer Money Abroad?
For the following reasons:
Transparency in fees
If you want to transfer money to a friend’s bank account abroad, banks in many countries demand hefty fees. As a result, transmitting money from a bank account to a bank account can be complicated and costly. If you’re seeking an easy way to transfer money from one bank to another, Western Union is the answer.
When you use Western Union’s money transfer services, you’ll know exactly how much the transaction will cost you upfront. One of the finest ways to transfer money internationally, bank account transfers are generally cheaper than transferring money for cash pickup.
Makes it simple for loved ones to send and receive money.
The most prevalent purpose for sending money to Western Union is to help out family and friends. People transfer money to someone they care about in part to make their lives simpler. If you can’t be there in person, at least you know they’ll be financially supported. That means your recipient doesn’t even have to leave the house to retrieve their money if they utilize Western Union. Just the money your loved one needs in their bank account, no lineups, no waiting.
Transfers that are simple to repeat
Online money transfers should be as easy as possible, and we believe this is one of the most efficient ways to transfer funds. Regular transfers to an international bank account should only necessitate entering the recipient’s account information the first time. Your recipient’s bank account information can be saved on WU.com and transferred again at any time from the convenience of your home or on the go with the Western Union app.
Financing foreign investments abroad.
Anyone who plans to invest in a foreign country has to be able to make substantial payments in a method that is both reliable and easy to follow. The maximum amount that you can transfer to a bank account varies depending on the source and receiver countries. If you have any issues with transfer limits, please feel free to contact our customer service team.
Even when sending a substantial sum of money abroad, we understand how crucial it is to have a sense of security. There is no need to worry about your international money transfers, thanks to the MTCN (tracking number).
Widespread acceptance
The cliché “cash is king” is accurate, but it isn’t always possible to pay for things in cash when you’re abroad. It is easier to pay mortgages and other expenses in a foreign country if you can transfer money to an offshore account. Paying monthly bills has never been easier thanks to the convenience of repeat transfers and the lack of the need to register a foreign bank account.
Western Union Money Transfer Instructions
Set up an account via Western Union official website
Verify that the information you submit is identical to the information on your government-issued identification.
Western Union is legally mandated to ask for the following:
- Name in full
- BVN number that can be trusted (Bank Verification Number)
- Address
- Email address or mobile phone number
- Your place of birth
- When you were born
- Nationality
- Occupation
Verify your Online Identity
It is done instantly and within minutes after you have created an online profile.
Send Cash
You can now transfer money online with a verified profile!
Answers To The Most Common Queries Q&A
How can I transfer money to a bank account in the Overseas?
- Log in to your Western Union account or create a new one.
- Select ‘Send immediately’ as your final option.
- Specify your location and the amount of money you wish to transfer.
- Select ‘Bank account.’
- Input the recipient’s information and make a payment with a credit or debit card or cash.
- Look for a unique tracking number in your email (MTCN). Send your recipient a copy of the tracking information so they may pick up their funds.
What are my options for sending money from an agent in another location?
Start by looking for a local agent location.
Ensure you have an ID in hand. The recipient’s bank details, address, and phone number are also required.
Bank transfer, cash, Visa/MasterCard/Discover/Amex/Discover Debit Card
How long does it take to send money abroad?
Sending money overseas can take a long time, depending on the method you use.
For instance:
Within minutes, if you send money to an agent’s location for cash collection, it will arrive.
Bank processing times might affect the amount of time it takes for a Direct to Bank deposit to clear.
For cash pickup in the United States, where should I transfer money?
All of the states in the United States are available for cash pickup. The recipient can then go to any of the state’s agent locations to pick up their money.
To send money overseas, what do I need to do?
Once western union validates your profile and payment, you can begin sending money to your loved ones outside the country.
Included here are:
- Your official photo identification card.
- Information about your credit/debit card(s) or bank account(s), depending on how you intend to pay.
- The first and last name of the person you’re sending an ID to.
- If you’re transferring money to someone else, you’ll need their bank account information and mailing address.
What safeguards are in place to protect the data?
To ensure the safety of your money, the western Union encrypts all of its transactions.
Sending money overseas using Western Union might be challenging but here’s a summary to guide you on the whole process.
Log in or create an account for free. To begin your money transfer, select ‘Send now.’
Select your destination and enter the amount of money you’d like to contribute.
Select the method by which you wish to transfer your funds. Send money to a bank account abroad or choose from a wide options of agent locations. For now, you’ll be able to estimate your transfer fees and delivery time.
To begin sending money overseas via bank accounts or agent locations, you must first pay for your transfer. Bank transfer, debit/credit card2, and cash are all options for payment.
Rest assured, we’ve got this. Your tracking number can be found in your email’s spam folder (MTCN). To keep track of your money transfer and receive an alert when it arrives, use this. Let your loved ones know so they can get their money.
