5 Things to Know When Transferring Money Internationally

If you have family or friends in other parts of the globe or do personal business abroad, you’re most likely familiar with international money transfers. Every year, millions of people worldwide send billions overseas, and they would probably take the easiest way when transferring money across different countries.

When it comes to sending money different from your location, the first thing that would probably come to mind is a bank transfer. However, it will depend on the level of funds you need to transfer. If you choose the right method, you’ll be able to save a significant amount of money.

That being said, it would be best to understand the process and study everything in between before sending money overseas.

In this article, you’ll be able to discover some of the most important things you need to consider when transferring funds internationally.

1. International Money Transfer Fees

One of the most critical things you need to know when sending money abroad is the fees on international money transfers. The amount you need to pay will depend on the following factors, such as:

• Time Of Transaction – Time plays an important role in international money transfers. An increase or decrease in the currency’s value may affect the transaction or conversion rate.
• Speed Of Transaction – Transfer charges are also affected by how soon the receiver needs the funds. Usually, overseas transfers may take around four days to complete. Extra fees may be incurred if you need to send the money instantaneously, such as same-day transactions.
• Country And Currency Involved – Not all locations have the same charges. Some may be more expensive than others, especially those countries that lack advanced financial technologies to receive the money. Not to mention the amount of money you need to send.
• Transaction Provider – This is the biggest factor affecting international money transfer fees. A financial institution with technological limitations may be more expensive since they rely on traditional methods. For example, a transfer between France and the United Kingdom is probably cheaper than between Nepal and Bangladesh.

Taking these factors into consideration will help you save money every time you send funds overseas. Also, if it’s non-urgent, it would be best to opt for regular transfers. It may take several days to complete, but it’s significantly less expensive than same-day transfers.

2. Exchange Rate

Exchange rates between different countries vary each day. It never rests and always fluctuates even in the shortest period of time. It’s in your best interest to get the best possible rate to gain the most value for your money. Why is that so? It’s because you’ll be able to save more when sending large amounts of money. The receiving party can also minimize the loss from currency conversion if you carefully watch out for these fluctuations before every transaction.

Furthermore, many suggest transferring money with currency specialists instead of banks as they offer better and more favorable exchange rates. So, it’s best to look around before you make your decision.

3. Service Providers’ Reputation

Before you work with any financial institution to transfer your money abroad, it would be best to determine whether they are authorized to conduct overseas money transfers. At the very least, they should be licensed by the local government agency that regulates money transfer or remittance businesses. Otherwise, your money might not have enough protection from scammers and fake organizations.

Legal and authorized financial institutions will be able to guarantee the best protection for your funds. They’ll make sure that your money will be kept separate from their own funds. You may also check their balance sheet and transaction history to determine if they’re a good and reliable international money transfer provider.

4. Method of Transfer

There are plenty of ways to send money abroad. These include bank-to-bank transfers, wire transfers, automated clearing house (ACH) transfers, cash-to-cash transfers, and transfers via debit card transactions. But first, what are they?

Here is a brief discussion that may help you distinguish one from another and help you choose what’s better for you:

• Bank-To-Bank Transfers – In this method, you send the money abroad through a banking institution, and your recipient will receive it from their nearest local bank. Also, you need to watch out for conversion rate fluctuations to avoid incurring extra charges.
• Wire Transfer – This method should be done personally with the help of a banking officer. Also, it has extra charges that protect your money, so it’s actually worth the payment, especially when sending large sums of money.
• ACH Transfers – This is an online process with a clearinghouse acting as a middleman between the sender and the receiver. There might be no extra fees in this method, but it requires a link between the two banks.
• Cash-To-Cash Transfers – This can be done with the help of money transfer or remittance institutions, such as Western Union and MoneyGram. Your recipient will receive the cash you send to any local money transfer branch nearby.
• Transfers Via Prepaid Debit Card – You can send your money abroad through a prepaid debit card, which can be withdrawn once the receiver gets it. They can use it like a normal debit card, but fees and extra charges may apply.

Before you decide where to send your funds, check how much you’re planning to send. If you need to transfer huge sums of money, it would be better to go with transfer methods that offer extra protection for your money.

5. Online Money Transfer Platforms

Almost everything can be done digitally in today’s age, from online banking to sending money overseas. By using these platforms, you don’t have to wait in long queues at the bank or make time-consuming phone calls. All you need to do is visit the platform, such as a mobile app, of your trusted and reputable financial institution, if they have one, to conduct your transfers.

But to complete your transfer, you’ll likely be required to submit digital copies of some documents, such as valid ID, etc. Once you comply with their requirements, you’ll be able to send your money immediately. This process is usually the initial step when creating a new account. After this, you can Send money to El Salvador anytime and anywhere you are.

The good thing about online overseas money transfers is their availability and ease of function. With this, you can send money 24/7 with just the simple touch of a button. Not to mention the history of transactions you can easily view and trace anytime. Furthermore, many businesses with employees across the world use online money transfers when sending money remotely.

However, take note that some of these platforms may have limitations in terms of the amount that you will be sending. Thus, you may have to check the maximum amount possible to avoid delays and other inconveniences if you are processing large amounts frequently.

Final Words

International money transfers are done when you need to send some funds to your family and friends abroad or for other reasons. However, it would be best to learn everything you need to know and consider before engaging in any transaction.

These include transfer fees, exchange rates, the institution’s reputation, online money transfer platforms, and other methods of overseas money transfers. Knowing these will help you avoid paying for extra charges you don’t even need.

Also, if you don’t need an express or same-day transfer, it’s better to opt for regular transfers that may take a couple of days to complete.