How to send money internationally from the US

If you live in the US and need to send money abroad — whether to support family, pay for a vacation rental, or settle an international invoice — you're likely looking for a fast, secure, and low-cost solution.

For years, international money transfers were known for being slow, expensive, and confusing. But that's all changing now.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about making an international payment online with Revolut, empowering you to manage your global finances with confidence. You no longer have to settle for long waits or additional charges when you're sending money overseas with us.

Exchange fees,remittance fees, fair usage limits, and Terms and Conditions apply.

The information provided is accurate as of January 16, 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial advisor.

International and wire transfers: What you should remember

When you're sending money overseas, taking a moment to plan your transfer can save you time, money, and hassle. International transfers aren't complex, but they involve more moving parts than a regular domestic payment.

How to send money internationally

Choose your provider: a modern app like ours helps you manage your global transfers easily from the palm of your hand. Here's how it works:

1. Check the exchange rate: Look for a competitive rate (if your transfer includes currency conversion).
2. Enter recipient details: Provide the recipient's full name, IBAN or account number, and BIC/SWIFT code.
3. Review and send: Confirm the final amount and fees, then send your money right away.

What you need to know to send money overseas

• Understand the methods: Know the difference between SWIFT transfers and fast, low-cost local payment systems
• Master the cost structure: Look beyond transfer fees to understand the impact of the exchange rate
• Time your transfers: Choose the right speed and be aware of daily cut-off times
• Safety first: Double-check recipient details and understand how your money is protected
• The Revolut solution: Use our app for fast, simple, and cost-effective global payments

Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.

Step 1: Understand international transfer methods

When you send money from the US to another country, it's not always a single, rapid transfer. The money travels through different financial systems, which impacts the time it takes and the fees you pay.

How to send a wire transfer: The reality of SWIFT transfers

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or SWIFT, is the established, global messaging network used to communicate transfer instructions.

While reliable, the system's designed around a chain of communication, not speed. If you send money from the US overseas, it might pass through several intermediaries before reaching its destination. This multi-stage process creates friction and added costs. Here's a breakdown:

• Speed: SWIFT transfers often take 3–5 business days, but can be longer if you make the transaction on weekends or public holidays.
• Cost clarity: A common issue for customers is the lack of clarity. Intermediaries often deduct their own fees along the way, meaning the recipient may receive less money than you intended to send.

The efficiency of local payment networks for international transfers

Modern payment providers like us use local payment rails wherever possible. These are domestic or regional systems, such as the Single European Payments Area (SEPA) in Europe, or equivalent systems in the UK or Australia.

By having accounts and networks in different countries, we're able to route money quickly through the recipient's local system. That way, international transfers with us may bypass the long, multi-stop SWIFT network.

In the US, we use systems like ACH (Automated Clearing House) to move money domestically before it enters our global network. This ensures the first leg of your money’s journey is as efficient as the last.

Exchange fees,remittance fees, fair usage limits, and Terms and Conditions apply.

Step 2: Master the costs when sending money internationally

The total cost of sending money from the US is determined by 2 main factors: the transfer fee and the exchange rate.

Decoding the 2 types of transfer fees

Transfer fees are what the provider charges for the payment. You need to consider:

• The outgoing fee: This is charged by the service you use. It should always be clear and upfront.
• Intermediary fees: These are the unpredictable costs that can be taken from your transfer total by SWIFT correspondent institutions along its way.

At Revolut, we avoid the SWIFT system and use local payment systems where possible. This generally helps you avoid this type of fee, and gives you more control over the final amount that goes to your recipient.

Sending money overseas: the exchange rate factor

The exchange rate is the price of one currency in relation to another, and it’s the main factor determining the final value of your transfer. Most providers, including ourselves, apply a mark-up to the real-time exchange rate.

When a provider offers you a rate, they often widen the gap between the market rate and the rate they charge you. For example, if the real-time rate is €0.92 to $1, but the provider offers €0.90, that 2-cent difference is a fee. On large international money transfers, this difference quickly adds up.

At Revolut, we aim for clarity and competitive pricing. We offer you our competitive Revolut exchange rate for your overseas transfers. You can check exchange rates at any time in-app, and we’ll always show you the rate before you complete a payment.

Timing your transfers to manage rate volatility

Global exchange rates are constantly changing based on market volume, news events, and economic data. This volatility can affect your transfer amount.

• Market hours: The most competitive and stable exchange rates are generally available during global business hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm GMT). Outside these hours, currency markets are closed, and we may charge weekend fees, depending on your plan.
• Fixed vs variable rates: When you initiate a transfer, your rate can either be fixed (locked in at the moment you confirm the payment) or variable (set when the receiving bank processes the payment, which could be days later). At Revolut, we set the rate as soon as you tell us what you want to spend.

Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.

Step 3: Understand international transfer speed and timing

Speed's a critical factor when deciding how to send money internationally. Whether you're making a low-priority transfer for an account, or you need a rapid payment to clear a bill, your provider and the method you choose should depend on your priorities.

The difference between rapid, same-day, and multiday transfers

• Rapid: These take seconds. This is typically only possible between accounts on the same platform (like between 2 Revolut customers) or through integrated domestic payment systems.
• Same-day: This is standard for payments within major economic areas when they're made before the provider’s daily cut-off time.
• Multiday (SWIFT): These can take 3–5 days due to the involvement of multiple other banks.

When you use our money transfer app, we give you a clear, estimated arrival time before you confirm the payment, so you can choose the right service and know exactly when your money should land.

How cut-off times impact international payments

Every financial institution has a daily cut-off time for processing international payments. This is the moment they batch and send out the day's payments. If you start a SWIFT transfer after this time, the provider won't begin processing it until the start of the next business day.

This is a major consideration for multi-day transfers. A payment you start on a Friday afternoon often won't begin processing until Monday morning, adding 3 days to the estimated arrival time. To get the fastest transfer time, always try to make payments during normal business hours.

We offer different transfer methods that aren't impacted by cut-off times, such as our Revolut-to-Revolut transfers.

Step 4: Verify recipient details

Modern financial technology has made transfers faster, but you must be careful to protect yourself. Make sure your money's going to the right person and that the provider's trustworthy.

What information do you need to send money internationally?

To successfully send money abroad from the US to a non-Revolut customer, you generally need:

• Recipient’s full name: Must match the name on their account
• Recipient’s address: Required for compliance and security checks
• IBAN or account number: The unique identifying number for the recipient’s account
• Bank Identifier Code (BIC) or SWIFT code: Used to identify the recipient’s financial institution

Always ask the recipient to double-check their details before you confirm the payment. A small error can lead to significant delays or fees for returning the money. Even if the money can be returned, you could end up getting less than the original amount back because of exchange rate changes.

Protecting yourself against transfer scams

Be vigilant against common transfer scams, which usually involve pressure or urgency. Remember, no reputable financial institution or authority will ever ask you to:

• transfer money to a "safe" account after an unexpected phone call
• use a money transfer service to pay taxes or government fines
• send money to a stranger to receive a prize or lottery winnings
• respond to urgent emails asking you to change payment details for an existing invoice

Scammers often target people sending money abroad by pretending to be a family member in distress or a government official. If a payment request feels off, stop and verify it through a separate, trusted channel. If in doubt, you can always check out our resources on fraud prevention to better protect yourself.

Institutional trust and safeguarding your money

When choosing a provider, it's important to understand how they protect your money. In the US, we work with partner banks to ensure your money's handled securely.

For example, money held by our partner banks is FDIC insured up to $250,000. This provides a layer of protection for your money.

Learn more about how we protect your money.

Step 5: Send money internationally with Revolut

Our platform offers a modern experience for international money transfers. We offer an alternative to the costs, delays, and complexities of older systems.

Sending money abroad 24/7

Transfers to other Revolut customers are completed quickly, regardless of the time of day, day of the week, or the country they live in.

Since the payment takes place within our network, there are no additional fees and no cut-off times, making it ideal for regular payments to friends, family, or colleagues around the world (currency exchange fees may apply). All you need is the recipient’s Revtag or phone number — no complex account details.

Clarity on exchange rates and minimal fees

We're committed to providing competitive exchange rates. Before you confirm any payment, our app clearly displays:

• the exact amount you're sending
• the exchange rate being used
• any fees (which are minimal or zero, depending on your plan and the currency)
• the estimated arrival time

Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply.

How to send money internationally with Revolut

Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Download our app from the App Store or Google Play and sign up in a matter of minutes.
2. Open the app, then go to Payments.
3. Tap the + symbol in the top-right corner.
4. Select the method you prefer and add your recipient’s details.
5. Enter the amount and currency. We'll show you the final exchange rate, any fees, and the estimated time of arrival right away.
6. Confirm the transfer, and your money will be on its way.

Exchange fees, remittance fees, and limits may apply.