💲 The cheapest way to send money to India from the US: currencyFair
⏲️ The fastest way to send money to India from the US: WorldRemit
🏦 The best way to send money from the USA to India via a bank transfer: XE
💳 The best provider for credit card transfers from the US to India: XE
💳 The best provider for debit card transfers from the USA to India: XE
How to send money from United States to India
If you’re looking to send money from United States to India, here’s how you can get started:
1.Step 1 Find a Trusted Provider
Use our comparison table to compare providers so you can see who offers the best all-round service for sending money from United States to India
2.Step 2 Register Your Details
Once you’ve chosen your provider, enter a few details and you’ll be signed up in minutes
3.Step 3 Transfer Money
When you’re registered, you’ll be able to start sending money from United States to India as soon as you’re ready
Sending money from United States
The United States has a huge immigrant population, and with migration to the USA returning to high levels following COVID-19, we'll only see this go up. That means more people will be sending money from the USA back to countries like India - here's what you need to know.
How do I send money from United States?
Not many countries offer as many different options to send money abroad as the United States. Depending on the destination, you can use direct bank transfers, international money orders, or e-wallets. But if you want to send money from the USA to India, choosing international money transfer providers is your best option.
These companies solely focus on international transactions, and that helps them secure lower fees than banks or money orders. Direct bank transfers go over a SWIFT system, which involves intermediary banks charging fees. You can learn more in our guide to international bank charges.
These transfers also take too long, especially since money transfer providers can transfer your money to the destination quickly. Last but not least, using money transfer providers is simple. You can do it from almost any location or device with an internet connection, and the entire process is completed in minutes.
What details do I need to send money from United States?
If you are sending money abroad from the USA, these are the necessary documents and info to provide:
Proving your identity: The United States has social security cards but also issues driving licenses and passports. Any valid document with a photo will do
Providing information about the recipient: Apart from the destination country, you'll need their full name and address. If using a bank transfer, an IBAN will be necessary, as well as the receiver's other bank account details
Payment option: Each transaction costs the sum you plan to send (converted to the destination currency based on the rate provided) and the fee the provider charges. You can usually pick from bank transfers or card payments
Delivery method: Most providers offer multiple delivery options. It's something to discuss with the recipient to confirm how they'd like to receive the money
Do I have to pay tax on money transfers from United States?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) monitors international transactions and requires you to report any transfer above USD 10,000. Providers will often do this automatically, but we strongly suggest checking because you don't want to avoid potential legal issues.
As for taxes, you won't pay them when sending money for gifts, family support, or other private reasons. If you send money from the USA to India to purchase a property, check if there are applicable taxes in the destination country. And if you are a business paying a remote worker, you should contact a tax expert to see if there are eligible taxes in either country.
Sending money to India
India has millions of ex-pats living abroad who frequently send money back to support their families, or as gifts for birthdays and other special occasions. It's common for people to send money from the USA to India, and here's more information about receiving it.
How do I receive money in India?
Several options exist for receiving money in India, and they include the following:
Cash pickup: Cash collection points are the most common and usually fastest ways to receive money. MoneyGram and Western Union are some examples of services available in India, and you can even collect money at post offices or banks partnered with the chosen provider
Bank account deposits: You get the cash to your bank account, so there's no need to head to a cash pickup point. Most adults in India don't have a registered bank account, so you'll either need to open one or find a bank willing to do that for you
Mobile wallets: Google Pay supports sending money from the USA to India, but PayPal isn't available for personal use. These methods could come with extra fees or additional waiting times
What details do I need to receive money in India?
It depends on the method selected, but at some point, you are likely to need the following:
Personal information: Apart from providing your name and address, you'll need to prove your identity by submitting a document issued by the local government. It must contain a picture, and it shouldn't be past the expiration date - you can normally use a passport or driving license
Transaction details: The sender should provide the transfer reference number. Also, since the sender enters your information during the transfer process, it should match the details in your personal documents
Signature: Most providers give you a printed form that you sign to confirm you received the money
Do I have to pay tax on money transfers to India?
As our guide on sending money to India simplifies, family members don't have to worry about taxation when receiving money from abroad. If the money is sent from a person who isn't family, the tax exemption is INR50,000.
Some other exemptions exist, but Indian residents should be aware there is a personal income tax in this country. It varies from 0% to 30%, depending on the category of your revenue. The local tax system isn't the simplest in the world, so it could be best to consult a tax expert to ensure you do everything properly.
What is the fastest way to send money from United States to India?
When sending money from United States to India, speed is one of the biggest factors you need to consider in terms of the service offered by different money transfer providers. Currently, WorldRemit is the fastest way to send USD - INR.
It all comes down to picking the right transfer option and the payment method. If you send money from the USA to India, the best combo includes using a specialized money transfer provider and a card payment. While the latter is more expensive than bank transfers, it often gives you a faster transfer. Another option to accelerate transaction speed is to use web wallets, but these might come with high fees.
The recipient should select cash collection for the fastest delivery, as providers usually make money available the moment you send it to India. For frequent transfers, consider banks that operate in both countries. They might offer decent deals, but it's necessary for you and the recipient to have an account with this bank.
How long does it take to send money from United States to India?
You won't find anyone faster than international money transfer providers. They can send money from the USA to India in minutes, but it depends on multiple factors, such as:
The chosen service: MoneyTransfers.com offers a comparison of top providers that allows seeing the transfer speeds of various services on a single page
The time when you send the money. Some providers might not process it immediately if you send the funds on weekends or late at night
The sending amount: Most providers will do their best to transfer large sums since it's an excellent earning opportunity. But the money might need to go through security checks related to preventing money laundering, so patience could be necessary
What's the cheapest way to send money from United States to India?
Finding the cheapest way to send money from United States to India is easier when you compare your options with MoneyTransfers.com. currencyFair has been determined by our comparison engine to be currently offering you the cheapest rates possible.
It's Important to understand the fees you might pay during the process. These include the charges imposed by the provider, as well as losses on currency transfers. Money transfer providers offer a lower rate than the mid-market and earn from the difference. But their rates are more favorable than using direct bank transfers when converting USD to INR.
The same applies to provider fees. Some providers don't charge a single cent to send money from the USA to India, and others keep their fees symbolic. Banks and international money orders are far more expensive. And although your charges will depend on the payment method, it's still best to choose specialized money transfer companies for international transfers.
How much does it cost to send money from United States to India?
The total cost of your transaction will depend on the following:
Sending amount: Some providers charge more for transfers over USD500 or USD1,000. Others are willing to offer free transactions above those sums, so it depends on the chosen platform
Exchange rate: Check the mid-market exchange rate for converting US dollars to Indian rupees - seeing how much each currency is worth will show you what you’re getting for your money
Using different benefits: Money transfer providers often have loyalty programs that grant discounts on fees, or they are willing to welcome new users with a more attractive conversion rate and lower fees
What payment methods are available when sending money from United States to India
If you check the guide on sending money to the United States, you'll find the payment methods are similar when transferring money abroad. Let's see the main methods to send money from the USA to India.
Sending money from United States to India by credit card
If you want to send money abroad using a credit card, you can use a money transfer provider like [PROVIDER_PAYMENT_TYPE type="Credit Card"] to pay for your transfer to India.
The short description would be that sending money from the USA to India by using a credit card is fast but expensive. It’s convenient, and as it's a "credit" card, you can borrow funds beyond those available in your account and pay it back at a later date.
And credit card deposits are protected by financial institutions. For example, Visa has a zero liability policy, ensuring you aren't responsible for any unauthorized charges. Credit card deposits are instant, and some providers even give you bonuses like cashback or reward points.
But there are some negatives to using credit cards to pay for your money transfer. For starters, depositing is usually more expensive than other methods as it involves extra charges like cash advance fees and currency conversion fees. If you don't pay the money you owe back in time, you risk huge interest - and remember, using a credit card can affect your credit score.
Sending money from United States to India by debit card
With [PROVIDER_PAYMENT_TYPE type="Debit Card"] you can send money online to India using your debit card. But before making a payment, make sure you understand all the processing fees in place.
Debit cards are similar to credit cards to some extent. They are equally safe and fast, meaning they provide an instant deposit. The fees you pay are lower than when using credit cards. But if you compare debit cards to bank transfers via a money transfer provider, the latter remains more affordable.
From a user's perspective, a debit card is simpler to use. You only have the sum in your account available, and there's no way to send more and risk paying interest later. However, you won't be immune to currency conversion and other processing costs, so make sure to understand them before you send money from the USA to India.
Sending money from United States to India by bank transfer
Bank transfers are the most common ways of sending money India as they are secure, reliable, and convenient. You can use [PROVIDER_PAYMENT_TYPE type="Bank Transfer"] to send money using a bank transfer at a great rate as long as you’re happy for your transfer to take a little longer to process.
The important thing to distinguish is that there are direct bank transfers and bank transactions using international money transfer providers. Direct bank transfers use SWIFT payments, which are safe but expensive. They could take up to several working days, depending on the bank used.
The alternative is to use bank transfers via a specialized provider. You'll only pay the provider's fee, which ends up being far more affordable than when using the SWIFT system. It could take up to 24-48 hours to finalize the transaction when you send money from the USA to India, but you'll save more than when using cards.
Sending money from United States to India by digital wallet
PayPal isn't available in India for personal use, and you can only use it to pay merchants supporting this method. That means you need an alternative. PayTM is a digital wallet operating in India, so you can consider using it. Google Pay also supports sending money from the USA to this country.
While digital wallets offer fast transfers, they usually come with high fees - it's important to check to be sure before you finalize the transaction. If you are okay with the costs, using a digital wallet is a simple way to transfer money abroad.
What are the best apps for sending money from United States to India?
Apps are even more convenient than online sites for sending money from the USA to India. You can benefit from a streamlined experience and an app adapted to the smartphone, tablet, or another gadget you are using.
MoneyTransfers.com has a comparison service that allows checking the best apps for this route. XE, WorldRemit, and Wise have fast and user-friendly apps that make sending money to India simple. The software is free and simple to install on iOS and Android without taking up much room on your device.
About Money Transfers to India from the US
We’ve compared the best money transfer providers to send money from the USA to India. The cheapest provider for USD to INR transfers is currencyFair, while the fastest is WorldRemit.
💸 Number of providers
10+
💰 Most transferred amount
1000 INR +
💸 Cheapest provider (on average)
currencyFair
⚡ ️Fastest transfer time
In minutes with WorldRemit
💱 Currency Transfer Pair
USD - INR
📈 USD - INR mid market rate
82.1323
💳 Pay-in options in the USA
Bank transfer from the US with XE, Debit card with XE, Credit card with XE
What is the easiest way to send money from United States to India
Money transfer providers are the easiest to use because they offer a simple registration and transaction form. Fast transfers and reasonable fees and rates are important reasons why to choose money transfer providers. MoneyTransfers.com is here to help compare the top services for the USA-to-India route.
How much can I send from United States to India
Local laws don't recognize any limits for sending money from the USA to India. However, the IRS requires reporting all transactions above USD 10,000. And providers might have their own rules and restrictions, which could be daily, weekly, or monthly.
Can I send money from United States to India without a bank account
The odds are you'll likely have to go to the local store, but make sure to choose a provider available in both the USA and India, such as Wise or XE. You can consider a credit card to fund your money transfer, but this could cost a bit extra.
Can I send cash from United States to India
At agent locations, it's likely to be possible to send cash from the USA to India. The recipient will have cash available immediately at pickup points.
Can I set up regular payments from United States to India
TorFX and MoneyCorp are among the platforms that provide decent rates for regular transfers from the USA to India. Another option is using a bank, but only consider this if you can use one operating in both countries.
Can I send money from United States to India with PayPal
No, it's not possible to use PayPal for personal use in India. You can consider using Xoom, which is a service connected to PayPal, but you are likely to pay huge fees.
What currency is used in India
The Indian rupee is the country's official currency. Its international abbreviation is INR, and the symbol used is ₹. It's interesting that India is among the earliest coin issuers worldwide.
How to find the best exchange rate?
Finding the best exchange rate is crucial to maximising the money received on the other end. Usually, you will receive better exchange rates with money transfer provider compared to a traditional bank. Here’s are a few tips to find the best exchange rate online:
Start looking early: various providers will offer different exchange rates on different days, start looking as early as you can to identify the best provider for your currency pair
Pay attention to the current exchange rate: staying up to date with the current exchange rate will give you the advantage to buy and sell on time. Currencies fluctuate daily due to supply and demand, so checking it frequently is advised to get the best rate possible. Alternatively, you can sign up with our price alerts to know when your currency reaches the desired price
Avoid using your bank: banks are trustworthy, reliable and convenient, but they do not provide value for money. They charge high fees and usually have higher costs compared to the money transfer provider. Some money transfer companies will even provide a mid-market rate
How do we compare money transfers from United States to India?
The comparison service at moneytransfers.com shows you the most relevant brands for sending money from United States to India, so you can find the best deal for converting USD to INR for your transfer.
What do we mean by the top provider?
Our top provider is the money transfer service that we believe is the most suitable for sending money from United States to India. To keep our service free for users, we also factor in commercial agreements we have with our partners.
How do we choose which providers to display?
We make sure each table shows the most relevant brands for sending money from United States to India. We consider a range of factors when choosing which providers to display, such as the quality of their service, the benefit to the consumer, and to keep our services free, the commercial agreement we have with the partner.
We ensure every provider is authorised and regulated to provider money transfers from United States to India, by regulatory bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, Fincen, FINTRAC, and AMF. They are also manually checked by our team for both quality of service and online trust from platforms like Trustpilot and Google Reviews.
How do we order our comparisons?
We are affiliated with some of the partners displayed in the tables. However we ensure the order of providers is based on the quality of service for transfers from United States to India, followed by the commercial agreement in place.
You won’t pay any extra and the deal you get isn’t affected by our commercial agreement with the provider. We may receive a commission when you click through to a listing or when you make a transaction.
We aim to find the balance between the quality of the service, customer satisfaction and the commercial agreements we have, and continue comparing services in a transparent way.If you have any questions about our listings, please don’t hesitate to email us at contact@moneytransfers.com