Western Union Transfer Limits, Fees And Delivery Time

Author

Felix

March 26, 2024

Western Union is a globally recognised platform for money transfer, offering a convenient way to send and receive funds across borders. Here, we explore its transfer limits, fees and delivery time and how Pesa can help you with swift and affordable international money transfers.

What is Western Union’s Transfer Limit?

When transferring funds directly from your bank account to the recipient's bank account, you can send up to 50,000 USD/EURO (or the local equivalent) from select countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, or the United States. In the US, sending more than $3,000 requires identity verification. Once verified, you can send up to $50,000.

However, this limit may not apply to all recipient countries and could be subject to restrictions based on various factors. In most other countries, the limit for transferring money from one personal bank account to another is 5,000 USD/EURO (or the local equivalent). However, certain agent locations or countries might have specific restrictions; the fees may vary depending on the payment method, the countries involved, and other factors.

What are Western Union's Transfer Fees?

While occasional promotions and coupons offer some discounts, expect to pay around $0.65 to $3.76 per $100 sent. These fees can be even higher depending on the currencies involved.

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With Pesa, you get free transfers on every transaction.

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Western Union Fees in the USA

Typically, expect to pay between 0.5% and 4% of the amount you send for international transfers. Below is an estimated breakdown of how much it costs to send between $100-$5000

Western Union Transfer Fees in Canada

Similar to the USA, transfers originating in Canada with Western Union can be reasonably priced, but only if you use their online platform (Western Union Online) instead of visiting a physical branch. Expect fees for Western Union transfers from Canada to range between 0.5% and 4% of the transfer amount.

Western Union Transfer Fees in the Philippines

What is Western Union's Delivery Time?

If you're sending funds for recipients to pick up as cash from Western Union locations worldwide, they can typically do so within 15-30 minutes or on the same or the next day. However, the exact timing depends on factors such as the destination, the amount being sent, and the operating hours of the specific location.

Money sent to a bank account generally becomes available within two working days, depending upon the recipient's country.

The delivery time shown on the "send money" page can vary based on where you're sending it, how you're paying, and how the recipient will get it. This estimate only covers the time it takes to deliver the money after it's received, not the processing time. Time zone and exchange rate differences can also impact delivery. If the country you're sending to is considered "slow-to-pay" by Western Union, it might take even longer, sometimes up to three weeks, depending on the rules in place.