How long does an international bank transfer take?

Timing varies by corridor and destination bank, and it’s generally longer than a card-funded transfer, often ranging from the same day to a few business days depending on the receiving country’s banking system and any currency conversion involved. Checking the estimated transfer time shown before confirming a transfer gives a more accurate expectation for a specific transfer.

What does a bank transfer cost?

Cost depends on the provider, the amount, and the corridor, and it typically includes both any explicit transaction fee and the exchange rate applied during conversion. Reviewing the full cost breakdown before confirming helps clarify what a recipient will actually receive.

What’s the difference between a bank transfer and a wire transfer?

Both move money electronically between banks, but a wire transfer is typically processed individually and can arrive faster, often for a higher cost, while a standard bank transfer usually moves through a batch-based network and settles a bit more slowly. Bank transfer vs. wire transfer breaks down the tradeoffs in more depth. Which one applies depends on the provider and method chosen.

Back to Glossary

How international bank transfers work?

Key takeaways
- A bank transfer moves money directly from one bank account⁠(opens in new window) to another, without cash or a paper check.
- For international transfers, a bank transfer is often how a sender funds the transaction, and often the method used to send funds directly into a recipient’s account.
- What the sender controls ends once the transfer is submitted; what happens next depends on the receiving bank and the delivery method chosen.
- Bank transfers typically take longer than card payments to fund, since they run through a clearing system rather than processing instantly.
- Double-checking the recipient’s account details before sending helps avoid a delay or a misdirected transfer.

If you’re sending money to someone’s bank account abroad, a bank transfer is likely how it gets there. Here’s exactly how it works.

What is a bank transfer?

A bank transfer is an electronic movement of money directly between bank accounts, initiated through a bank, credit union, or money transfer provider rather than handed over as cash or a paper check. For international transfers, a bank transfer often plays two roles: it’s how a sender funds the transaction from their own bank account, and it’s frequently the delivery method a sender chooses to send money directly into a recipient’s account abroad. The same underlying mechanism, moving funds electronically between accounts, applies whether the transfer stays within one country or crosses a border, though the international version typically involves more steps and more time.

How bank transfers work step by step

The sender initiates the transfer, providing the recipient’s account details and choosing how much to send.
The sender funds the transfer, typically by linking a checking account, debit card, or credit card.
The provider processes the transaction, converting currency if needed and routing the payment through the appropriate banking network.
The receiving bank credits the recipient’s account, once the transfer clears on their end.
The recipient can access the funds, though the exact timing depends on the receiving bank’s own processing.

Common mistakes with bank transfers

Providing an incorrect account number or routing number⁠(opens in new window). A single wrong digit can delay the transfer or send it to the wrong account entirely.
Assuming a bank transfer arrives instantly. Bank transfers generally take longer to fund than a debit or credit card payment, since they move through a clearing system.
Not confirming what identifying details the recipient's bank actually requires, which can vary by country, from an account number and IBAN⁠(opens in new window) to a sort code⁠(opens in new window).

Bank transfers and international money transfers

What the sender controls in a bank transfer ends at the point of submission. From there, what happens depends on the receiving bank and the corridor the money is moving through. Sending money to a bank account in India⁠(opens in new window), for example, generally means providing the recipient’s account number along with their bank’s identifying details, and the transfer typically lands directly in that account once it clears.

The distinction between what the sender initiates and what happens on the receive side matters because delivery timing isn’t entirely within the sender’s control. A bank transfer generally takes longer to settle than a wire transfer⁠(opens in new window), since it often routes through a batch-based clearing network rather than being processed individually. If a recipient needs the money by a specific date, it’s worth building in a buffer rather than assuming same-day arrival.

Federal rules from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau⁠(opens in new window) require money transfer providers, industry-wide, to disclose the exchange rate⁠(opens in new window), fees, and expected delivery date before payment for a covered international transfer, giving a clear picture of timing and cost before committing to sending.

What happens behind the scenes during a bank transfer

When a bank transfer is initiated, especially an international one, the money doesn’t simply travel directly from one bank to another in a single step. Instead, it often passes through one or more intermediary banks that maintain relationships between the sending and receiving countries’ banking systems, a network sometimes called correspondent banking. Each intermediary in this chain verifies and passes along the transfer, and this is one reason an international bank transfer can take longer, and sometimes cost more, than a domestic one, since more institutions are involved in moving the funds from one country’s banking system into another’s.

Understanding this multi-step process also explains why a bank transfer’s final cost isn’t always fully transparent upfront. Some intermediary banks deduct a small handling fee along the way, meaning the amount a recipient ultimately receives can be somewhat less than what was originally sent, even if the sender’s own bank didn’t charge an explicit transaction fee⁠(opens in new window) for the transfer itself.

Bank transfer versus other delivery methods for the same corridor

Depending on the specific country money is being sent to, a bank transfer isn’t always the more cost-effective way to get money to a recipient. In corridors where cash pickup⁠(opens in new window) or mobile wallet delivery⁠(opens in new window) are well established, it’s worth comparing these alternatives directly against a bank transfer, particularly if a recipient’s bank account is with a smaller institution that isn’t well connected to the international correspondent banking network. Comparing the specific delivery methods available for a particular corridor, rather than defaulting to a bank transfer simply because it feels like the standard option, can help identify which method actually fits a recipient’s specific situation.

Common questions about bank transfers

How long does an international bank transfer take?

Timing varies by corridor and destination bank, and it’s generally longer than a card-funded transfer, often ranging from the same day to a few business days depending on the receiving country’s banking system and any currency conversion involved. Checking the estimated transfer time⁠(opens in new window) shown before confirming a transfer gives a more accurate expectation for a specific transfer.
What does a bank transfer cost?

Cost depends on the provider, the amount, and the corridor, and it typically includes both any explicit transaction fee and the exchange rate applied during conversion. Reviewing the full cost breakdown before confirming helps clarify what a recipient will actually receive.
What’s the difference between a bank transfer and a wire transfer?

Both move money electronically between banks, but a wire transfer is typically processed individually and can arrive faster, often for a higher cost, while a standard bank transfer usually moves through a batch-based network and settles a bit more slowly. Bank transfer vs. wire transfer⁠(opens in new window) breaks down the tradeoffs in more depth. Which one applies depends on the provider and method chosen.

In Summary

A bank transfer is a common way to move money between accounts, whether it’s funding an international transfer or sending money directly into a recipient’s bank account abroad. Understanding what a sender controls, and what depends on the receiving bank, helps set realistic expectations for timing.

Fees, exchange rates, and delivery estimates vary by amount, destination, payment method, and delivery method, and are subject to change. Review the specific terms shown before confirming any transfer.

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant, or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete, or up to date.