How Long Does an International Money Transfer Take?

An international money transfer can take anywhere from a few minutes to more than 5 business days to reach the recipient.

The exact timeline depends on the transfer method you choose, the currency corridor between the sending and receiving countries, compliance and identity verification requirements, banking hours and cut-off times, and the number of intermediary banks involved in routing the payment.

This guide breaks down transfer times by method, explains the factors that cause delays, provides real-world corridor data, and shows you how to speed up your next cross-border payment. Whether you are sending money internationally for personal remittances, business invoices, tuition fees, or emergency funds, knowing what to expect helps you plan around your recipient's needs.

What Is International Money Transfer Processing Time?

International money transfer processing time is the total elapsed time between initiating a cross-border fund transfer and the recipient gaining access to the funds in the destination currency.

It encompasses every stage of the transaction, from the sender's initiation through network routing, compliance screening, and final crediting. Banks and transfer services measure it in business days, which excludes weekends and public holidays in both the sending and receiving countries. The total duration depends on the transfer method, currency corridor, compliance checks, and the number of intermediary banks involved.

It is important to distinguish processing time from two related but separate concepts. Clearing time refers specifically to the verification and routing phase where the payment instruction is validated and directed through the network.

Settlement time is when the sending and receiving banks finalize their financial positions with each other, reconciling debits and credits across their nostro and vostro accounts. Processing time is the full end-to-end experience from the sender's perspective, while clearing and settlement are institutional processes that occur within that window.

Processing Time vs. Settlement Time vs. Clearing Time

Processing time is what matters to you as a sender. Clearing and settlement happen behind the scenes within that window. When you send a SWIFT wire, for example, clearing may take 1 day, settlement 1 to 2 days, but total processing time including initiation and delivery is typically 1 to 5 business days.

How Long Does an International Money Transfer Take by Method?

The transfer method you select is the single largest factor determining how quickly your money arrives. Choosing a faster method can reduce delivery from weeks to minutes, so understanding the options is critical before you send.

Bank Wire Transfers (SWIFT): 1 to 5 Business Days

A SWIFT international wire transfer typically takes 1 to 5 business days. Transfers between major banks in developed countries often arrive in 1 to 2 days, while transfers involving multiple intermediary banks or emerging-market currencies may take 3 to 5 days. SWIFT gpi-enabled transfers offer same-day delivery in many corridors.

Here is what happens at each stage of a SWIFT wire transfer:

1. Initiation and debit. You provide your bank with the recipient's details (name, account number, SWIFT/BIC code, bank name) and authorize the transfer. Your bank debits your account and prepares the payment instruction. This typically happens the same day if you submit before the bank's cut-off time.

2. SWIFT message sent. Your bank transmits a standardized SWIFT message (typically an MT103 for single customer transfers) through the SWIFT network to the next bank in the chain. The message contains all payment details and routing instructions.

3. Intermediary bank processing. If your bank does not have a direct correspondent relationship with the recipient's bank, the message passes through one or more intermediary banks. Each intermediary receives the funds into its nostro account, processes the transaction, and forwards it onward. Each intermediary adds roughly half a business day to a full business day of processing time.

4. Beneficiary bank credit. The recipient's bank receives the incoming funds, performs its own compliance checks, converts the currency if necessary, and credits the recipient's account. Final crediting can happen the same day or the next business day depending on the bank's internal processing.

SWIFT gpi (Global Payments Innovation) has significantly improved this process. Banks participating in SWIFT gpi commit to same-day use of funds, transparency of fees, end-to-end tracking, and confirmation of credit. According to SWIFT, over half of gpi payments are credited to the beneficiary within 30 minutes, and the vast majority within 24 hours.

Online Money Transfer Services: Minutes to 2 Business Days

Online money transfer services like Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit typically deliver funds within minutes to 2 business days, depending on the payout method and destination country. These platforms have shortened cross-border transfer times by using local payment rails in both the sending and receiving countries, avoiding the traditional correspondent banking chain altogether.

Speed varies significantly by payout method. Bank deposits take the longest because the receiving bank still needs to process the credit. Mobile money payouts are often the fastest because funds go directly to the recipient's mobile wallet. Cash pickup is near-instant on the network side but requires the recipient to visit a physical agent. Airtime top-ups deliver instantly in supported markets.

Mobile Money Transfers: Minutes to 24 Hours

Mobile money transfers bypass traditional banking infrastructure entirely, enabling near-instant delivery to mobile wallets in supported countries. This makes them one of the fastest options for sending money to emerging markets across Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Key platforms include M-Pesa (widely used in Kenya and Tanzania), GCash (Philippines), and MTN Mobile Money (West Africa). When the sender's platform has a direct integration with the recipient's mobile money network, funds arrive in minutes. If there is no direct integration, the transfer may route through an intermediary bank, which adds processing time and negates the speed advantage.

Mobile money is particularly effective for smaller remittances where the recipient does not have a traditional bank account but does have a mobile phone with an active mobile money wallet.

Cash Pickup Transfers: Minutes to Hours

Cash pickup services like Western Union and MoneyGram can deliver funds in minutes once the sender initiates the transfer and the recipient visits an agent location. The "minutes" claim applies to the network transfer itself. In practice, the recipient still needs to physically travel to an agent, present identification, and collect the cash, which adds real-world time.

This method remains heavily used in remittance corridors where recipients lack bank accounts or need immediate access to physical cash. The trade-off is cost: cash pickup transfers typically carry higher transfer fees and wider exchange rate margins compared to bank deposits or mobile money. For emergency funds where speed matters more than cost, cash pickup remains one of the fastest options available.

Cryptocurrency Transfers: Minutes to 1 Hour

Blockchain-based transfers using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins like USDT and USDC can confirm on-chain in minutes to 1 hour, depending on network congestion and the number of confirmations the recipient requires. From a pure network speed perspective, cryptocurrency is among the fastest ways to move value across borders.

However, the "transfer time" metric for crypto is misleading without accounting for the full fiat-to-fiat journey. On-ramp time (converting the sender's local currency to cryptocurrency) can take 1 to 3 days if funded via bank transfer to an exchange. Off-ramp time (converting crypto back to fiat at the destination) adds a similar delay. Price volatility during this window creates additional risk, though stablecoins like USDC mitigate that specific concern.

The practical takeaway: raw blockchain speed is fast, but the total time for a complete fiat-to-fiat transfer using crypto may not be faster than an online remittance platform.

International Money Orders and Demand Drafts: 7 to 14 Days

International money orders and demand drafts are physical instruments that must be mailed or couriered to the recipient, adding 7 to 14 days to the total delivery time. Once received, the recipient must deposit or cash the instrument, which may add further processing time.

These methods are used when recipients lack bank accounts, when documentary proof of payment is required for legal or regulatory purposes, or in corridors where digital infrastructure is limited. While declining in usage globally, money orders remain relevant in certain markets and for specific transaction types where a physical paper trail is necessary.

7 Key Factors That Affect International Transfer Speed

Seven key factors determine how long an international money transfer takes: (1) transfer method, (2) currency corridor, (3) KYC/AML compliance requirements, (4) number of intermediary banks, (5) cut-off times and banking hours, (6) destination country infrastructure, and (7) transfer amount.

1. Transfer Method Selected

As the comparison table above illustrates, method selection alone can swing transfer time from minutes (cash pickup, mobile money) to weeks (money order). Even within a single method, speed tiers often exist. Remitly, for example, offers an Express option that delivers in minutes and an Economy option that takes 3 to 5 business days at a lower fee. Choosing the right method and speed tier for your urgency level is the most impactful decision you can make.

2. Currency Corridor and Country Pair

Transfers between major currencies like USD to EUR or USD to GBP are faster because banks in these corridors often have direct clearing relationships. Funds move through fewer intermediary steps, and currency conversion happens instantly in highly liquid markets.

Transfers involving exotic or emerging-market currencies (USD to NGN, EUR to PHP) often require multiple intermediary banks and sequential currency conversions, adding 1 to 3 business days. Here are typical corridor timelines for context:

• US to UK (USD to GBP): 1 to 2 business days via SWIFT
• US to India (USD to INR): 1 to 3 business days via SWIFT
• US to Nigeria (USD to NGN): 2 to 5 business days via SWIFT

The destination country matters as much as the currency. Countries with robust financial infrastructure process incoming transfers faster than those with limited interbank clearing capacity.

3. KYC, AML, and Compliance Checks

Every international transfer undergoes KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) screening. Standard automated checks add minimal time, often completing in seconds. However, transfers can be held for enhanced due diligence if they trigger compliance flags: unusually large amounts, transfers to or from high-risk corridors identified by FATF, newly opened accounts, or incomplete documentation.

First-time transfers with a new service always take longer because of the initial identity verification process. You may need to submit government-issued ID, proof of address, and in some cases, proof of the source of funds.

Sanctions screening against OFAC (US), EU sanctions lists, and other databases is largely automated, but flagged transactions may require manual review. These holds are unpredictable and can add 1 to 5 business days. The best prevention is completing your KYC verification fully before initiating your first transfer.

4. Number of Intermediary Banks

When your bank does not have a direct correspondent relationship with the recipient's bank, your transfer routes through intermediary banks. The process works like this:

1. Your bank sends the payment to its correspondent bank.
2. The correspondent bank routes the payment to the recipient's correspondent bank (sometimes through a second intermediary).
3. The recipient's correspondent bank forwards the funds to the recipient's bank for final crediting.

Each intermediary bank in the chain adds approximately 0.5 to 1 business day of processing time. This is because each bank independently processes the transaction, performs its own compliance checks, and operates on its own schedule. Transfers between banks with direct relationships skip this chain entirely, which is why they are significantly faster.

SWIFT gpi has improved transparency in this process by enabling end-to-end tracking of payments as they move through each bank in the chain.

5. Cut-Off Times, Banking Hours, and Time Zones

Banks have daily cut-off times, typically between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM local time, after which transfers are queued for the next business day. A transfer initiated at 5:00 PM on a Friday will not begin processing until Monday morning, effectively adding two days before any banking activity occurs.

Time zone differences compound this effect. If you send money from the US to Asia in the late afternoon EST, the Asian bank is already closed for the day (it is early morning the next day there). The transfer sits until the next business day in the receiving country.

Consider this example: a SWIFT transfer initiated Friday at 5:00 PM EST to an Indian bank will not begin processing at the US bank until Monday. The SWIFT message arrives in India during Monday evening IST, meaning the Indian bank processes it Tuesday. With intermediary bank handling, the recipient may not see funds until Wednesday, a full five calendar days for what is technically a 1 to 2 business day transfer.

6. Destination Country Banking Infrastructure

Countries with modern real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems can process incoming international transfers much faster once funds arrive in-country. The UK's Faster Payments system, the EU's SEPA Instant network, and India's UPI and IMPS systems all enable near-instant domestic crediting, which shortens the "last mile" of an international transfer.

Countries with less developed banking infrastructure may rely on manual processing, limited interbank clearing windows (once or twice per day), or physical branch-level crediting. In these markets, mobile money often provides a faster alternative to traditional bank deposits.

7. Transfer Amount and Risk Triggers

Transfers above certain thresholds trigger additional compliance reviews. These thresholds vary by country and service but commonly sit in the $3,000 to $10,000 range. The receiving bank may also place a hold on large incoming international transfers, particularly if the recipient's account does not regularly receive such amounts.

First-time large transfers are especially prone to delays because the combination of a new customer profile and a large amount triggers multiple review flags simultaneously.

Important: splitting a large transfer into smaller amounts to avoid compliance scrutiny is illegal and classified as structuring. Instead, prepare your documentation in advance. Have source-of-funds evidence (pay stubs, sale contract, investment statement), the purpose of the transfer, and any supporting invoices or contracts ready to submit if requested.

International Money Transfer Times by Corridor: Real-World Data

The table below provides typical transfer times for popular corridors across different methods. These ranges are based on provider-published timelines and represent standard conditions without compliance delays.

These are typical ranges under normal conditions. Actual transfer times vary based on the specific banks involved, time of initiation, compliance requirements, and the service provider used. Transfers initiated before cut-off times on business days consistently fall at the faster end of these ranges.

How to Speed Up an International Money Transfer

1. Use an online money transfer service instead of a bank wire. Online platforms like Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit typically deliver faster than traditional bank wires because they use local payment rails rather than routing through multiple correspondent banks. For most personal remittances, this single switch is the biggest speed improvement you can make.

2. Complete identity verification before initiating the transfer. Every provider requires KYC verification for your first transfer. Upload your ID, proof of address, and any other required documents well before you need to send money. This ensures your first transfer is not delayed by the verification queue.

3. Initiate transfers early in the business day, before the cut-off time. Banks and transfer services have daily processing cut-off times, typically between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM local time. Transfers submitted after the cut-off are queued for the next business day. Submitting early in the morning gives your transfer the best chance of same-day processing.

4. Choose the fastest payout method available. Mobile money and cash pickup are generally faster than bank deposits because they do not depend on the receiving bank's processing schedule. If your recipient has a mobile money wallet (M-Pesa, GCash, MTN Mobile Money), this is often the fastest delivery option.

5. Avoid weekends and public holidays in both countries. Check the holiday calendar for both the sending and receiving countries before initiating your transfer. A bank holiday in the receiving country will delay crediting even if your country's banks are open. Initiating a transfer mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) gives the most buffer before the weekend.

6. Have documentation ready for large transfers. For transfers above $3,000 to $10,000 (thresholds vary), have your source-of-funds documentation, invoices, contracts, or any supporting paperwork ready to upload immediately if your provider requests it. This prevents multi-day delays while compliance teams wait for your response.

7. Use a service with SWIFT gpi or direct local payment rail integration. SWIFT gpi reduces bank wire delivery times significantly by requiring participating banks to process payments the same day. For non-SWIFT transfers, services that connect directly to local payment systems (like India's UPI or the EU's SEPA Instant) bypass the correspondent banking chain entirely.

Why Is My International Money Transfer Delayed? Common Causes

International money transfers are most commonly delayed by compliance reviews, incorrect recipient details, intermediary bank processing, weekend and holiday timing, and currency conversion queues. Here are the specific causes and what to do about each one.

Compliance or AML hold. Your transfer may be flagged for enhanced due diligence if the amount is large, the corridor is considered high-risk, your account is new, or your profile triggers automated risk flags. These holds can last 1 to 5 business days. What to do: contact your provider, ask specifically whether the transfer is under compliance review, and provide any requested documentation immediately.

Incorrect or incomplete beneficiary details. A wrong IBAN, missing SWIFT/BIC code, or name mismatch between the transfer and the recipient's bank account will cause the payment to be rejected and returned. The reprocessing cycle can add 5 to 10 business days. What to do: double-check every detail before submitting, paying particular attention to the recipient's full legal name as it appears on their bank account.

Intermediary bank delays. Each intermediary bank in the correspondent chain processes the transaction independently on its own schedule. If one intermediary has a backlog or is located in a different time zone, the entire transfer waits. What to do: ask your bank if they can route through fewer intermediaries or use SWIFT gpi for better tracking.

Weekend and holiday timing. Interbank clearing systems operate on business days only. If your transfer hits a weekend or public holiday in either the sending or receiving country, it will sit unprocessed until the next business day. What to do: check holiday calendars for both countries and plan transfers mid-week.

Currency conversion queues. Exotic currencies with limited liquidity may have restricted conversion windows, meaning your transfer waits in a queue until the next available conversion batch. What to do: if possible, send in a major currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and let the recipient convert locally.

Technical issues. System outages, batch processing schedules, and internal bank IT issues occasionally delay transfers. What to do: contact your provider's support team with your reference number and ask for a status update.

How to Track an International Money Transfer

Three main methods exist for tracking the status of an international money transfer, each with different levels of visibility.

SWIFT GPI Tracker. SWIFT gpi assigns a Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference (UETR) to each payment. Participating banks update the status of the payment at each stage, providing real-time visibility into where your money is in the chain. Ask your bank for the UETR when you initiate the transfer. Many banks now offer gpi tracking through their online banking portals.

Service-specific tracking. Online platforms like Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit provide built-in tracking through their apps and websites. You receive push notifications at each stage: payment received, transfer in progress, money delivered. This is typically the most user-friendly tracking experience, with estimated delivery times shown upfront.

Bank reference number. For traditional bank wires without SWIFT gpi, your bank provides a reference number at initiation. You can call your bank's international payments team and provide this reference number to request a status update. Visibility is limited because your bank can only see its own leg of the transaction, not what is happening at intermediary or receiving banks.

International Money Transfer Speed Comparison: Banks vs. Online Services

Neither option is universally better. Banks remain the stronger choice for very large transfers, business payments requiring documentation, and corridors where online providers do not yet operate.

Their broader correspondent banking network means they can reach virtually any country with a functioning banking system. Online transfer services win on speed, cost, and transparency for personal remittances and mid-sized transfers.

Their use of local payment rails, real-time tracking, and competitive exchange rates (particularly Wise's mid-market rate model) has fundamentally changed what senders should expect from cross-border payments. The right choice depends on your transfer size, urgency, destination, and how much you value fee transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions About International Money Transfer Times

How long does a SWIFT transfer take?

A SWIFT international wire transfer typically takes 1 to 5 business days to arrive. Speed depends on the number of intermediary banks in the chain, the currency corridor, and whether the banks involved use SWIFT gpi. SWIFT gpi-enabled transfers average under 24 hours for delivery. Simple corridor transfers like US to UK often arrive in 1 to 2 business days.

Why is my international money transfer taking so long?

International transfers are most often delayed by compliance reviews, incorrect recipient details, intermediary bank processing, or weekend and holiday timing. Large or first-time transfers trigger enhanced due diligence that can add several business days. Incorrect SWIFT/BIC codes or name mismatches cause rejection and reprocessing. Contact your provider with your reference number to check the current status.

What is the fastest way to send money internationally?

The fastest way to send money internationally is through cash pickup services like Western Union (available in minutes) or online platforms like Wise and Remitly that offer instant or same-day delivery to mobile wallets and bank accounts in supported corridors. Mobile money transfers to Africa and Asia are often the fastest option for those regions, delivering funds in minutes to wallets like M-Pesa and GCash.

Do international transfers go through on weekends?

Most bank-initiated international transfers do not process on weekends or public holidays because interbank clearing systems operate on business days only. Transfers initiated on Friday evening typically begin processing Monday. Online services like Wise may initiate on weekends, but bank-side crediting still waits for business days. Cash pickup and mobile money services often operate 7 days a week.

How long does a Wise (TransferWise) international transfer take?

Wise international transfers typically arrive within 1 to 2 business days for bank deposits, though many transfers in major corridors are delivered within hours or even instantly. Speed depends on the funding method (debit card is faster than bank transfer), the destination country, and the payout type. Wise publishes estimated delivery times for each corridor on their platform before you confirm.

Can I speed up an international bank wire transfer?

You can speed up an international bank wire by initiating it early in the business day before your bank's cut-off time, ensuring all recipient details (IBAN, SWIFT/BIC, full name) are accurate, and asking your bank to use SWIFT gpi if available. Completing KYC verification in advance and having source-of-funds documentation ready for large transfers also prevents delays.

How long does an international transfer take from the US to India?

An international money transfer from the US to India typically takes 1 to 4 business days via bank wire (SWIFT) and minutes to 1 business day via online services like Wise or Remitly. India's advanced domestic payment infrastructure, including UPI and IMPS, enables fast final-mile crediting once funds arrive in the Indian banking system.

Are online money transfers safe?

Reputable online money transfer services are safe and regulated by financial authorities such as FinCEN (US), FCA (UK), and equivalent bodies in other countries. Licensed providers must comply with KYC/AML requirements, use bank-grade encryption, and segregate customer funds from operational accounts. Always verify that your provider is licensed and regulated before sending money.

Conclusion

The time it takes to move money across borders varies enormously, from minutes with the right service to over two weeks with traditional instruments. Three actionable takeaways should guide your approach.

First, method choice is the biggest speed lever. Switching from a bank wire to an online transfer service or mobile money payout can reduce delivery time from days to minutes in many corridors.

Second, preparation prevents avoidable delays. Completing identity verification, gathering documentation for large transfers, and timing your submission before cut-off hours on business days eliminates the most common causes of holdups.

Third, online platforms have fundamentally reduced cross-border transfer times by connecting directly to local payment rails and bypassing the correspondent banking chain that slows traditional bank wires.

If speed is your priority, compare online transfer services for your specific corridor. If you are sending a large sum, understand the compliance requirements in advance and have your documentation ready. If you need to track a transfer in progress, use your provider's reference number or SWIFT gpi tracker to get real-time status updates.