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

Asked by: Prof. Enoch Rohan  |  Last update: February 21, 2026
Score: 5/5 (66 votes)

If a wire transfer between US bank accounts takes more than 24 hours, or a transfer between a US and international account takes more than five days, ask your bank to trace the wire using the IMAD/OMAD ID assigned when the wire was sent.

Why is my wire transfer taking so long?

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's the longest a wire transfer can take?

If transfers occur between accounts at the same financial institution, they can take less than 24 hours. Wire transfers via a non-bank money transfer service may happen within minutes. If you're sending money to another country, however, it may take as many as five days for the recipient to receive their funds.

How many days should a wire transfer take?

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.

Is there any way to speed up a wire transfer?

You can use online methods like Western Union to process international transfers within one business day. These apps or websites generally need your debit or credit card to initiate the process. Some banks also provide same-day transfers to chosen countries for extra charges.

How long does a wire transfer take?

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What if my wire transfer is not showing up?

Double-check the transfer details: Review all the information you provided for the transfer. Even a small error in the account number, routing number, or recipient name can delay your transfer. Contact your bank: If the details are correct and your wire transfer is lost, reach out to your bank.

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.

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.

Why would a wire transfer not go through?

One of the most common reasons why a bank might refuse a wire transfer is that you provided incorrect or out-of-date information. This could be something as simple as inputting one wrong digit in your recipient's routing number or bank account number. Or it could be a misspelling.

Why is my bank 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.

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.

Do wires go through on weekends?

In general, it is not possible to send bank wires on the weekend because banks typically operate on a business schedule that follows regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

How much money can you legally wire transfer?

Is there a limit on wire transfers? Broadly speaking, you can send as much money as you want in either a domestic or international wire transfer. However, your bank may have its own wire transfer limits on how much you can transfer at once, daily or monthly.

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.

How do I know if my wire transfer is successful?

To check if your bank has received a wire transfer, you can follow these steps:
  1. Online Banking: Log into your bank's online banking platform or mobile app. ...
  2. Transaction Notifications: If you have notifications set up, you might receive an alert via email or text message when a wire transfer is credited to your account.

Why does a wire transfer take 3 days?

Bank transfers between banks will take longer, up to three business days for some transactions, because they have to go through intermediary banks that help facilitate the transfer.

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 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.

How long does it take for a $30,000 check to clear?

Generally, it takes two to five business days to get all the funds from a check into your account. However, some factors might hold up the check-clearing process, like the status of your account or the place where you deposited the check.

Can money get lost in a wire transfer?

Once initiated, the funds transfer is guaranteed. A transaction can only be stopped if the receiving bank gets a cancellation notice from the sending bank before instructions are processed to complete the transfer.

How do I know if a bank transfer has gone through?

If the payment or transfer you have made left your account immediately you will see the transaction in your list of most recent transactions. If you have scheduled a payment or transfer for a date in the future you will be able to check online that it has been created successfully.

How long does it take to trace a wire?

Most banks will generally provide tracking information within 24 hours of initiating the wire transfer. If your bank has taken more than 24 hours to provide tracking information, you can call them and ask why there has been a delay.

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.

Why is it taking so long to receive a transfer?

Banks can take longer depending on your currency. For example, it might take 2 working days to process your transfer, and longer if it falls on a holiday. If you make a Swift transfer, which is a global payment that uses multiple banks, we'll need to wait until we get your money.

How long does it take for a wire transfer to go through?

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.