Can I mail a check to someone in another country?

Yes, but it’s generally one of the slowest options available, since it depends on international mail delivery in addition to the time it takes the recipient’s bank to process a foreign check. A digital transfer typically arrives with far more predictable timing.

Why does a foreign check take longer to clear than a domestic one?

Foreign checks generally require additional verification between banking systems in different countries, which adds processing time beyond what a domestic check would take. Some banks also place a longer hold on foreign check deposits as a result.

Is a check safer than sending cash internationally?

A check is generally safer than mailing cash, since it’s made payable to a specific recipient and requires their endorsement to cash or deposit. That said, a digital transfer typically offers stronger tracking and verification than either a check or cash.

Back to Glossary

Bank check: slower and pricier for international payments

Key takeaways
- A paper check is a written instruction to pay a specific amount from an account to a named recipient.
- Checks can bounce if the account they’re drawn on doesn’t have sufficient funds, unlike a prepaid money order.
- Cashing or depositing a foreign check often takes longer than a domestic one, and may involve additional bank fees.
- For most international transfers today, a digital option is faster and more predictable than a paper check.
- Checks still remain relevant in specific circumstances, including certain government or institutional payments.

A bank check is a paper instruction to pay a specific amount, but for international transfers, it’s one of the slowest and most expensive options available. Here’s when it still makes sense.

What is a paper check?

A paper check is a written instrument instructing a bank to pay a specific amount from the account holder’s account to a named recipient. Unlike a money order⁠(opens in new window), which is prepaid, a check can bounce if the account it’s drawn on lacks sufficient funds, which is one of the key differences worth understanding when deciding between the two.

Bank checks: benefits, limitations, and when to use one

What can work well:

Checks are still widely accepted for certain payments. Some institutions, landlords, or government agencies specifically require or prefer a paper check.
They provide a physical, signed record. Some senders and recipients prefer the paper trail a check provides for larger or more formal payments.

What to watch for:

International check processing is slow. Cashing or depositing a foreign check often takes considerably longer than a domestic one, since it typically requires additional verification between banking systems.
Fees can be higher for foreign checks. Banks sometimes charge an additional fee specifically for processing a check drawn on a foreign account.
A check can bounce. Unlike a prepaid instrument, a check depends on the sender’s account actually having sufficient funds when it’s processed, which introduces a risk a prepaid transfer doesn’t carry.

Paper checks and international money transfers

Checks are rarely the best option for international transfers today, but in some corridors and specific circumstances, they remain relevant, particularly for formal payments like tuition or certain institutional transactions. Someone new to the U.S. banking system who receives a check benefits from understanding how to endorse and deposit it correctly⁠(opens in new window), since an improperly handled check can delay access to funds regardless of where it originated.

For sending money to family abroad specifically, a digital money transfer generally offers more predictable timing than mailing a check internationally, since a check depends on physical mail delivery in addition to the bank processing time on either end.

Why a foreign check takes so long to clear

When a bank check crosses a border, it typically can’t be processed through the same fast, automated clearing systems used domestically. Instead, the receiving bank often has to route the check back through international correspondent banking relationships to verify funds and confirm the check’s authenticity with the originating bank, a manual, multi-step process that can take considerably longer, sometimes several weeks, compared to a domestic check’s typical clearing time. Under Regulation CC⁠(opens in new window), a bank placing an extended hold on a check it doubts it can collect, a common basis for holding a foreign check, must still generally make the funds available no later than the seventh business day after deposit, though the bank must be able to show the extra time was reasonable. Even after a foreign check technically clears, the funds may not be immediately available to the recipient given this added verification complexity.

When a check might still make sense today

Despite being slower and often more expensive than digital alternatives, a paper check still serves a purpose in specific, narrower circumstances. Some recipients in certain regions may not have reliable access to a bank account, mobile wallet, or nearby cash pickup location, making a mailed check one of the few delivery methods that can eventually reach them, even if slowly. Some formal transactions, particularly certain legal, real estate, or business settlements, still specifically require a paper check or similar instrument for documentation purposes. Outside of these narrower cases, a digital transfer generally offers a faster, safer, and less expensive alternative worth considering first.

Common questions about paper checks

Can I mail a check to someone in another country?

Yes, but it’s generally one of the slowest options available, since it depends on international mail delivery in addition to the time it takes the recipient’s bank to process a foreign check. A digital transfer typically arrives with far more predictable timing.
Why does a foreign check take longer to clear than a domestic one?

Foreign checks generally require additional verification between banking systems in different countries, which adds processing time beyond what a domestic check would take. Some banks also place a longer hold on foreign check deposits as a result.
Is a check safer than sending cash internationally?

A check is generally safer than mailing cash, since it’s made payable to a specific recipient and requires their endorsement to cash or deposit. That said, a digital transfer typically offers stronger tracking and verification than either a check or cash.

In Summary

A bank check still has a place for certain formal or institutional payments, but for sending money internationally, its slower processing and potential added fees make it one of the less practical options available today. Understanding when a check still makes sense, and when a digital alternative would serve better, helps in choosing the right tool for each specific payment.

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.