How long can a wire transfer be delayed?

Asked by: Dorothea Stoltenberg  |  Last update: October 29, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (42 votes)

While domestic wire transfers can be completed within one business day, international transfers typically take one to five business days, and they can take longer depending on a variety of factors. In rare cases, a perfectly executed transfer can reach the recipient within a single business day.

What's the longest a wire transfer can take?

Domestic transfers can take less than 24 hours, but international transfers can take up to 5 days, depending on things like weekends, bank holidays, cut-off times, and the method you use.

Why is my wire transfer delayed?

The reason for delays in wire transfers are mainly due to: 1. Wrong or incorrect Beneficiary details ( most common) 2. Enhanced Due Diligence 3. No Funds 4. The format of recipient institution different from that of the sender institution 5. Too m...

What to do if a wire transfer is taking too long?

Go to your bank's wire customer service department and ask them for a status on the funds. If they cant locate the funds, ask them to open an investigation case and send a message to the sending bank requesting a status on the transfer.

How long should I wait for a wire transfer?

While most banks will process funds within 24 hours, it could be a day or two before they arrive in the recipient's account. Most banks will advise 24 to 72 hours before funds land and are available.

Why Do Bank Transfers Take So Long?

31 related questions found

Why would a wire transfer not go through?

There are a few possible reasons why a wire transfer might fail. The most common ones are having insufficient funds in your account, providing incorrect recipient information, and going over the transfer limit. Sometimes, your wire transfer might also be flagged for compliance or security reasons.

What happens if money is transferred but not received?

If money is transferred but not received, the sender should contact the bank or service used to initiate the transfer to track the transaction. They can also contact the recipient's bank to inquire if the funds have been received.

Why is my wire transfer taking 2 weeks?

Time zones and working hours

Differences in time zones between sending and receiving countries can significantly impact the processing time of international wire transfers. Banks typically operate during specific business hours, and transfers initiated outside of these hours may experience delays.

What to do if wire is too long?

What to do if the wire of your braces is too long or poking you
  1. First option: Apply orthodontic or dental wax to the pokey wire end to stop it from hurting or irritating your gums.
  2. Next option: Use nail clippers to trim the archwire if it's too long. ...
  3. Lastly:

Is there a way to track a wire transfer?

When you send a wire transfer, you'll receive a Federal Reference number, or fed number, that confirms the transaction¹. If you're worried about your payment, you can contact the sending bank and request a trace on the wire transfer using the reference number¹.

What if my wire transfer hasn't arrived?

If the bank initiated the transfer, notify the bank immediately so that it can investigate your claim. If you first contact the bank by phone, it is a good practice to follow up in writing. If you wired the funds through a third party (e.g., Western Union), contact that party to find out what their procedures are.

Why is my transfer taking so long?

Why is my bank transfer taking so long? Delays in bank transfers can be caused by factors such as the amount being transferred, bank security checks, or the bank's operational hours when transferring money internationally or during weekends and public holidays.

How to check if someone transferred money into your account?

Check your bank account balance: Log in to your online banking platform or check your account statement to see if the funds have been deposited. The balance should reflect the transferred amount. 2. Look for transaction details: Review your transaction history or statement to find the incoming transfer.

Can a bank hold a wire transfer?

Granted, it's always possible to place an exception hold on the wired funds with proper notice to the customer, but the bank should make sure to do at least a rudimentary investigation before placing such a hold in order to substantiate that it is reasonable.

What's the longest a bank transfer can take?

Your specific bank transfer time will vary depending on a range of factors, including fraud prevention, different currencies, different time zones, and bank holidays/weekends. In general, the bank transfer time will be around one to five working days.

Can a wire transfer get lost?

Only send money to people or businesses you know and trust. Verify the recipient and double-check their details before initiating the transfer. Make sure the recipient's information is accurate, as even a small error can result in the transfer getting lost or being sent to the wrong account.

Can a wire go bad?

Worn out wiring can lead to electrical safety issues such as arcing, electrical fires or electrical shock.

What to do when your wire pops out?

Leaving a loose wire untreated can affect your treatment progress and prolong the time you'll need to wear braces. Contact your orthodontist immediately if: The wire is causing significant pain or injury. The wire is fully dislodged from the bracket and cannot be repositioned.

Can a wire be extended?

As long as you can stripe the ends of a wire, using a push-in connector shouldn't be an issue. Can you splice electrical wire to make it longer? Yes, you can splice electrical wires together to make them longer.

Why would a bank delay a wire transfer?

There can be many reasons why international money transfers take time to be processed such as bank holidays, weekend delays, currency conversion delays, fraud detection & prevention measures, slow international bank networks, global events, and natural disasters among many other reasons.

Why is my transferred money not showing up in my account?

The receiving bank is still processing the money

But some banks are slower than others — they might take up to 1 working day for them to release the money. So your money's safely on its way, but the recipient bank is still processing it. Your recipient can ask their bank to speed this up.

What is the average wait time for a wire transfer?

While domestic wire transfers can be completed within one business day, international transfers typically take one to five business days, and they can take longer depending on a variety of factors. In rare cases, a perfectly executed transfer can reach the recipient within a single business day.

Why haven't I received my wire transfer?

You might not have received your payment because: Your payment has been delayed. The length of time it takes for your wire transfer to arrive in your bank account may vary depending on your country and banking institution. If your payment hasn't arrived after 15 business days, you should contact your bank.

Can I track a wire transfer online?

Utilise online banking: If you have online banking access, log in to your account and navigate to the section for wire transfers. Check for any tracking features or options available. Some banks provide real-time tracking updates for international wire transfers.

What delays money transfer?

Why bank transfers might be delayed
  • Weekends and holidays.
  • Paperwork errors.
  • Differences in time zones.
  • Missed bank cut-off times.