To transfer money from the USA to India, use online services (Wise, Remitly, Revolut), traditional bank wire transfers (SWIFT), or cash pickup services (Western Union), providing recipient bank details like name, address, bank name, account number, and SWIFT/BIC code, with options varying in speed, fees, and exchange rates. Online services often offer better rates and faster delivery, while banks are reliable but can be pricier.
You can send up to $50,000 directly to an Indian bank account from your US account. You can make a money transfer to India banks including State Bank of India, HDFC and ICICI.
A wire transfer is a popular way for NRIs to directly send money from one bank to another. Most major US banks offer this service. You can transfer money from your US bank account to your NRE (non-resident external) bank account, or to another recipient.
5 Best Apps to Send Money from USA to India – Features, Fees, Speed & More
Yes, you can use Google Pay from the USA to send money to India by integrating with services like Wise or Western Union within the US Google Pay app, but you need an Indian recipient with a UPI ID or bank account and an Indian phone number to receive it. The US Google Pay app was discontinued in June 2024, so you'll use the Google Wallet app (which is the new name for GPay in the US) to initiate international transfers powered by partners like Wise to send money to India.
Xoom charges exchange rate markups, and Wise doesn't, so Wise can often end up being less expensive. With Wise, you can send up to 1,000,000 USD per wire transaction to 140+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.
How to send money to India with Remitly
The cheapest way to transfer money internationally usually involves online money transfer services like Wise, OFX, or Revolut, which offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks by using transparent mid-market rates and bypassing SWIFT network markups. Funding transfers with a direct bank transfer (ACH) is often cheaper than using debit/credit cards, though slower, while providers like XE Money Transfer offer competitive rates with low/no fees, especially for larger amounts.
As long as you have his bank account details there is no problem- you need the swift code for his bank to do a wire transfer but you can send him as much as you can. The $10k limit is something that people worry about but there is no real issue - thousands of reports are generated every day as a matter of routine.
This means your foreign salary transferred to India won't face additional taxation there. No direct tax exists on outgoing remittances from the US. However, gift transfers have specific reporting requirements. The IRS requires reporting gifts exceeding USD 19,000 per person annually (2025 limit) through Form 709.
In many cases, Remitly tends to offer lower fees and competitive exchange rates compared to Western Union. Just keep in mind that the total transaction cost varies depending on the amount sent, the destination and the transfer method. We advise you to compare current rates and fees before choosing a provider.
Any transfer over $10,000 triggers a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) to FinCEN, but this doesn't mean you owe taxes — it's just for monitoring purposes. However, if the transfer represents income, a taxable gift, or a business transaction, you must report it when filing your taxes.
The 9 best apps for transferring money
Types Of SWIFT Transfer Fees
Cost: The bank sending the money might charge a flat fee, usually between $25 and $50. Example: Sending $10,000 from a U.S. bank to India may cost $50.
Citibank Global Transfers let you transfer money from your Citibank checking or savings account to other Citibank accounts in the U.S. and select countries with no transfer fee.
Zelle is only available for customers with a US bank account and US registered mobile number. That means it's not an option for sending international payments to friends and family overseas.
Does Zelle work to send money to India from the U.S.? Unfortunately, you can't use Zelle to send money to India. That's because Zelle currently works only with bank accounts based in the U.S. There's no way to make a money transfer to an international account.
Price: Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with low fees for currency transfers. This can mean it's a cheap, simple and reliable provider to pick. Banks have variable fees depending on how you arrange your payment, and can include additional costs in the exchange rate offered.
There isn't necessarily an upper limit, but your bank or money transfer provider may impose their own restrictions. You'll also need to consider financial regulations in both the US and India. If you send more than 10,000 USD, you'll need to report your payment to the IRS.
Is Remitly or Xoom faster for money transfers? Both offer options for fast delivery, but speeds will depend on the chosen service and delivery method. Remitly's Express option typically transfers in minutes, while Xoom often completes transfers in a similar timeframe for higher fees.
We make your login safe
Every time you log in, and every time you make a transfer, we'll ask you to verify that it's you by text message, fingerprint, or face recognition. This way no one else can access your account or make payments on your behalf.