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How much does it cost to send money to India?
Sending money to India can be more affordable than you might think. However, understanding the fees can be confusing. This confusion arises because money transfer providers make money in different ways. They can charge transfer fees, mark up the exchange rate, or do both simultaneously.
Let's imagine you want to send $1,000 from the United States to India.
After analyzing the 20+ providers in our database, we have found that your best option would be to make a bank transfer through Wise. They add no markup to the exchange rate, and charge a fee of approximately $9.58.
Mid-market rate versus markup
The mid-market rate is the average between the buying and selling prices of two currencies. It fluctuates over time. The markup is the additional amount charged by the provider above this rate.
At MoneyTransfers.com, we make it easy to compare rates by providing the updated exchange rate markup for each money transfer provider. Additionally, you can review fees, transfer times, and read customer reviews.
Best services to send money to India
When choosing a method to send money to India, you'll want to consider factors like convenience, cost, and transfer times.
Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate on transfers to and from India, and allows you to open a multi-currency account to help you simplify your finances.
TorFX prioritizes keeping the costs down, so you have always a cheap way to send money to India.
XE offers the fastest transfer times and fee-free transfers on amounts over $500.
Use our data to find the best options for you and discover the money transfer providers that offer the exact service you need.
The suggestions below are created by combining data from thousands of real-life searches that were conducted on MoneyTransfers.com by individuals who, like you, wanted to send money internationally to India.
Overall, Wise is the best way to send money to India. They have low, transparent fees and offer the mid market exchange rate.
This isn't just our opinion, this is based on thorough analysis of the benefits, costs, and speed of using Wise for your transfers.
Cost: Wise fees aren't always the lowest, but their mid-market exchange rate is unbeatable. You can also calculate your exact fees before you send any money.
Speed: Wise is one of the fastest providers on the market. Transfers to India are usually completed in 48 hours.
Ease of use: Wise is the most user-friendly provider we've reviewed, with an intuitive app and clear navigation.
You can calculate your fees for sending money to India with Wise before you send any money using their online, in-app calculator. You can also open a multi-currency account, in which you can hold up to nine different currencies at once, including Indian rupees.
Watch our video review of Wise
The cheapest way you can send money to India is TorFX.
When you sign up with TorFX, you'll be assigned an account manager to help you process your transfers. They'll help you find the fastest way to send money to India.
Low cost isn't the only thing TorFX has going for it. Its customer service record is impressive, with a team known for answering queries quickly and effectively.
Check out our review for more details about TorFX.
XE is the fastest way to send money to India, based on our research.
A key benefit here is the lack of fees for transfer amounts over $500. This makes them widely recognized for larger transfers, but they come out ahead on some smaller ones too.
Check out our review for more details on XE's main benefits.
Need more options? Compare ALL rates
Get more for your money: compare and choose from over 20 money transfer providers and find the top options to send money to
What is the cheapest way to send money to India?
Money transfer services are the cheapest way to send money to India
Whether you need to send money to your loved ones in India, pay for tuition fees, or send large amounts of money to invest in a property, money transfer services help you avoid bank charges and processes.
The exact cost of sending money to INR can be influenced by factors like:
The country of origin
The amount you need to send
The payment method you select
The current exchange rates
Our comparison engine helps you find the best deal for your transfer by comparing the exact costs of all the most reliable money transfer services on the market in 2024.
USD to INR Live Exchange Rate
Sending money to another country requires an understanding of exchange rates. An exchange rate can be compared to a constantly changing price tag that indicates the value of your currency in relation to another country's currency, in this case India's INR.
A favorable exchange rate means that you will receive more foreign currency for each unit of your own currency, making your transfer more effective.
Use the tool on this page to get the latest exchange rate for your currency to INR. It's pre-set to USD but, if you are dealing with different currencies such as Euros or Canadian dollars, you can easily adjust the settings and get the values you need. This helps you know exactly how much money will arrive in India when you send it.
Expert Tip: Watch the Exchange Rate
Did you know you can save money by keeping an eye on exchange rates? If you're not in a hurry to send money to India, watching how the rates change can be smart. When the USD to Indian Rupee rate is good, your money will get you more in India. This means you can send more money without spending extra!
Sign up for our automated notifications. We'll let you know the best time to send money. With these alerts, you won't miss out on a great rate. It's like having a money-saving expert in your pocket!
How long does it take to send money to India?
Quick and efficient - that's what you need when sending money to India. Money transfer services offer a great solution to those times when speed is of the essence, as their transfer times tend to be much shorter compared to banks.
Take, for instance, an urgent need to transfer $1,000 from the USA to India. Services like Wise excel in this regard, offering near-instantaneous transfers. Even other providers like Instarem and TorFX, while not as fast, ensure your money arrives swiftly.
Bear in mind that speed, like costs, can be influenced by:
The amount you're transferring. Smaller sums often move through the system quicker, while larger amounts may face delays due to necessary security verifications.
The time you start the transfer. To maximize speed when you send the money via bank transfer, initiate the operation before your bank's cut-off time. Miss this, and your transfer gets postponed to the next business day.
How to send and receive money in India
Sending money to India, is easy, especially when you gather the necessary documentation, and meet all legal requirements. To help you avoid unnecessary complications and delays, we have compiled a simple step-by-step process.
Transfer limits in India. Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), any citizen of India can receive up to $250,000 USD (or currency equivalent) per year.
Indian tax laws. Transfers to India are tax free, provided they’re used for covering living or travel expenses, for education, as a gift, or for medical treatment. Transfers to relatives in India are also usually tax free. Transfers sent from India are subject to an Outbound Remittance tax of 20%, if the funds exceed 700,000 INR.
What do you need to complete an international transfer to India?
When you open an account with a money transfer service, you will be asked to provide your personal information. Before the transfer is executed, you will also need to share the necessary details of your recipient.
Your contact details
You will need to share your contact details with the provider of your choice, so make sure to double check your email and address are correct.
Photo ID
Money transfer services will need you to share a photo ID to confirm your identity. Have it ready and make sure it's valid.
Proof of address (optional)
Some providers may ask you to share a phone bill or a bank statement to prove your address.
India money transfer guides
Indian monetary policy
Indian monetary policy is conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Analysis and methodology
At MoneyTransfers.com, we're not just another comparison site; we're your ally in beating the high costs and complexities of international money transfers. Our platform is designed to turn the tables on overpriced banks and providers, ensuring you get the best deal every time.
What sets us apart
Unmatched Transparency: We believe in honesty and clarity. With us, what you see is what you get - no hidden agendas, no preferential treatment for providers.
Comprehensive Provider Network: We go the extra mile to include an extensive range of providers in our comparisons. From industry giants to innovative newcomers, we partner with a diverse array of trusted providers, ensuring you have access to the best options available.
Tailored Solutions: We understand that every customer's needs are unique. That's why we offer personalized recommendations based on your specific requirements, ensuring you find the perfect match to send money to India.
The results displayed on this page are based on data we collected via our comparison engine during the past six months and show you a simple way to get the best fees, fastest transfer times, or most helpful customer support.
