Find the best ways to transfer money to Belarus

The exchange rate plays a key role in determining how much BYN your recipient will get when you send money to Belarus. For example, in the past month average rate for USD to BYN was 3.2718 BYN.

Since USD-BYN exchange rates fluctuate with market conditions, waiting a couple of days could result in a better rate, giving your recipient more BYN.

If you need to send money now, we recommend using Wise, which has consistently offered the best rates for Belarussian Ruble over the past six months.

The most cost-effective way to fund your transfer to Belarus is through a Bank transfer with Revolut, which is 2.8% cheaper than the second-best service.

The way you fund your transfer to Belarus impacts the cost, speed, and how much BYN the recipient will receive.

Based on our data from the last six months for a $2,000 transfer from the US to Belarus, the following are your best options:

• Revolut with bank transfer deposit costs $0 and has a 0.09% markup.

• Wise with a debit card deposit costs $16.2 with 0% markup.

• Wise with a credit card deposit costs $40.06 with 0% added to the BYN exchange rate.

We advise against using Credit card for transfers to Belarus, as they tend to be the most expensive option for BYN transfers.

Credit card transfers may incur cash advance fees and higher interest rates on BYN.

CC deposits also tend to be more expensive. For example, Wise charges $40.06 for credit card deposits, while a bank transfer via Revolut costs $0.

Whenever possible, avoid sending money to Belarus via the SWIFT network. SWIFT transfers to Belarus are slower and come with higher fees.

Instead, look for a cheaper option such as ACH or account balance.

Money transfer companies often have min and max limits on how much BYN you can send to Belarus.

The amount you transfer can also affect the fees and the BYN exchange rate you receive. For instance, Wise is the best choice for larger transfers to Belarus.

Additionally, there may be government-imposed restrictions, commercial limitations, and other factors that influence the amount of BYN you can send.

This is why it’s really important to compare your options when sending money to Belarus.

The speed of sending Belarussian Ruble to Belarus depends on factors like the amount, timing, deposit, and withdrawal method chosen. Typically, faster transfers come with higher fees.

For example, if you’re sending $2,000 to Belarus from the US:

Use Western Union for fastest transfers

Of the 7 companies offering BYN transfers, Western Union consistently offers the fastest delivery times across all deposit methods, appearing 62 times in our searches over the past 6 months.

For bank account & card deposits use Ria Money Transfer

Ria Money Transfer offers fast and affordable Belarussian Ruble transfers, with fees of around $4 for bank deposits and $Wise for debit card deposits, plus a small 2.8% markup on top of the BYN rate.

For credit card transfers use Wise

Based on our six-month search data, Wise takes up to one day for credit card transfers to Belarus, with a fee of $41.53 and 0% markup. However, be aware of potential cash advance fees and interest rates with CC payments.

For urgent transfers use cash transfer

If you need money urgently, we recommend cash pickup services through providers like Western Union or MoneyGram.

Avoid the SWIFT network

Avoid using SWIFT transfers for BYN transfers. Due to intermediary banks on the way to Belarus, SWIFT is slower and comes with higher fees.

There are a few different ways to send money to Belarus:

Money transfer services

You can transfer money online using an FX broker (managed service) such as OFX or an online-only company (self-managed) such as Wise.

Based on our six-month analysis, Wise appeared as the top money transfer company for transfers to Belarus, appearing in 98.5% of BYN transfers in our search system.

Mobile apps and e-wallets

Most money transfer services that accept Belarus offer mobile transfer apps, which often have better deals on BYN exchange rates.

You can check our guide on the best money transfer apps to find one that suits your needs.

Cash transfers

Cash transfers to Belarus are sent in person through services like Ria Money Transfers, MoneyGram, or Western Union.

Sending Belarussian Ruble as cash is almost always instant but requires the recipient to visit a nearby agent in Belarus to collect the BYN.

Bank wire transfers

You can also send money to Belarus via your bank.

We strongly recommend not using your bank to wire BYN directly to Belarus due to high fees and slow transfer times.

Instead, use the bank transfer deposit option with Wise and send BYN from there.

There are multiple ways to receive money in Belarus. Picking the right one can save you on fees and speed up the BYN transfer process. Here are your options:

Deposit to the bank account

To deposit money directly into a recipient’s bank account in Belarus, we recommend Revolut. They appeared in 45.3% of BYN searches as the cheapest option for bank transfers to Belarus.

The card transfer will also land in the recipient’s bank account in Belarus. Use Wise to deposit with a debit card at just $16.2 per transfer.

Cash pickup and delivery

If the recipient in Belarus needs BYN urgently or doesn’t have access to a bank account in Belarus, cash pickup or home delivery are good options.

Be sure to check if this service is available for transfers to Belarus.

Mobile and digital wallets

You can receive BYN directly into digital wallets like PayPal, though this often comes with more limitations and costs more compared to services like Revolut.

For transfers to a bank account or e-wallet in Belarus, Belarussian Ruble will arrive without any involvement from the recipient.

However, if you're sending BYN as cash or transferring large amounts to Belarus, the recipient may need the following:

• Government-issued ID: A national ID of Belarus, a valid passport, or driver's license.

• Sender’s details: The sender's personal details such as full name and address.

• Transfer Details: The amount of BYN being received.

• Confirmation No.: This is usually given to the sender. They should give it to the receiver.

• SWIFT Code / IBAN: Occasionally required for bank transfers.

The exact documents required may vary depending on the money transfer company and the transfer method used.

Themed Notice: For larger transfers to Belarus, companies may request proof of funds such as bank statements and address verification with the utility bill in line with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) policies.

We recommend using Wise to send large amounts of Belarussian Ruble.

There may be tax obligations and government-imposed limits or restrictions when sending money to Belarus.

Some BYN transfers could be subject to taxes such as gift tax or commercial tax.

Even if no limits or taxes apply, certain BYN transfers (especially large sums of Belarussian Ruble) may need to be reported to the tax authorities in Belarus or in your country.

When unsure, it’s best to consult with a tax professional in Belarus or your home country to ensure compliance with the regulations.