Find the best way to send to Send Money to the United Kingdom

Need to send money to the United Kingdom? No matter where you are in the world, we have all you need to know.

The best ways to send money to the UK from abroad?

You’ve got options if you want to send money to the UK from abroad:

• Stick with your bank and make an international wire

• Use an online money transfer

• Choose a provider with a local agent which lets you pay in cash

Which of these is the best way to send money to the UK from abroad might surprise you. While using your normal bank may seem like the obvious choice, it’s usually slower and more expensive compared with using a specialist online money transfer service.

Online money transfer services let you sign up and pay online or in an app, using a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. You don’t even need to leave home.

How to send money to the UK from abroad?

Using an online money transfer to send money to the United Kingdom from abroad is usually very straightforward. The exact steps may vary depending on the provider you pick, but basically you’ll need to:

1. Register your account online or in an app

2. Upload some documents to get verified

3. Set up your transfer by entering the recipient’s details

4. Pay using a card or bank transfer

5. Track your transfer online once it’s on its way

How long does it take to send money to the UK?

How long it takes to send money to the UK depends on the service you choose, where you’re sending from, the currency, and the payment value. Bank SWIFT transfers can take 3 - 5 working days. Online money transfer services can often get your money moving faster - some payments even arrive instantly, and delivery times of 1 or 2 days are common.

Make sure your transfer goes through smoothly by preparing all the required verification documents in advance - especially if you’re making a high value payment.

What’s the safest way to send money to the UK? 

While many online money transfer providers are newer than banks, they’re usually regulated in just the same way as your normal bank is. That makes them just as safe for the services they offer.

Here at Exiap we only ever review trustworthy, fully regulated international money transfer services - and if you want to learn more about them, you can always check out reviews from previous customers on Trustpilot.

Why would you want to send money to the UK?

There are lots of reasons you may want to send money to the UK. Maybe you’re sending money to a family member, supporting a loved one studying in the UK, paying a mortgage, or settling an international invoice. No matter why you’re sending money, Exiap can help you pick the perfect service for your needs.

What information do I need to transfer money to a bank account in the UK?

The information you need to send money to a bank account in the United Kingdom will depend a bit on whether you’re making a local or international payment. However in most cases you need:

• The recipient’s full name

• The name and address of the recipient’s bank

• Recipient’s bank account number or IBAN

• Recipient’s bank SWIFT/BIC code if requested

Depending on the payment type, and the specific provider’s processes you may also need further information - check before you send to make sure you have all you need.

Do banks charge for bank transfers?

Banks charge for bank transfers overseas. In fact, they can charge a lot. Even if their headline transfer fee is low, there is also usually an exchange rate markup, which pushes up costs - and SWIFT fees may be deducted as the transfer is processed, so the recipient gets less in the end.

How much do banks charge for international transfers?

Yes. Typically banks charge a relatively high transfer fee, and also use a marked up exchange rate to convert funds. This can mean that your recipient gets far less when sending with a bank compared to making a transfer with a specialist service.

As an example, here’s a look at how much a recipient would get in the US if they were sent money from a few different countries, from the best provider in our comparison, versus the most expensive one.

Get more online comparisons on Exiap today, so you can see which provider is best for your payment to the UK.

Fees and exchange rates correct at time of research - 23rd September 2022

Conclusion

When transferring money to a bank account in a foreign country, it's important to compare the fees and exchange rates of different providers. Banks typically charge high fees and use a marked up exchange rate, which can leave your recipient with far less than if they used a specialist service. At Exiap, we recommend only the most trustworthy, fully regulated international money transfer services - so you can be sure that your payment goes through smoothly.