Send money to India

When you’re sending money abroad, no matter the destination, it’s important to choose a method that offers maximum security and efficiency — especially if you’re in a hurry.

Perhaps the easiest way to send money to India is through an international money remittance service like Ria. We offer multiple options for you to send money to your recipient, including bank transfers and digital wallet deposits. We also have over 120,000 physical locations in and around India, making it easy for your recipient to pick up their money in person.

With Ria, you can send money to India using either the website or the app. If you do not already have an account, you can set one up online. The process does not take long and only requires some basic information like your full name, home country, email address, date of birth, and phone number.

Once you’ve got an account, you can then choose “India” from the list of countries. From there, select your recipient — or add a new one — and decide how much money you want to send. Be sure to account for any transfer fees.

Then, pick your payment and payout delivery methods. Your payment options include cash, credit card, debit card, and bank transfer. Payout options depend on whether you’re using the app or website, as well as which country you’re sending money from.

Review everything and start the transfer process. It typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to five business days for a transfer to go through. The exact timeline depends on your chosen payment and payout methods.

If you’d prefer a different way of sending money to India, you have other options as well. Just keep in mind that each of these options comes with its own timeliness, security features, and fees. Certain options might also not be available in specific countries — such as those beyond Canada or the U.S.

That being said, here are some of your options:

•Bank remittance: As long as you and your recipient have an active bank account, you can schedule a digital bank transfer. Bank transfers may be cheaper than credit or debit card transfers. However, this is one of the slower methods, so it’s generally best for those not in a rush.

•International money order: With an international money order, you can send your recipient an exact amount. Once they get it, they can exchange it for the listed cash value — sans any currency exchange fees that come with converting the amount to Indian rupees. Like bank transfers, sending a money order abroad can take a while. How long it takes depends on several factors, such as the sender’s country, the date the money order is sent, and the sending method. Expect this option to take at least a few days — if not weeks. Money orders might also get lost in the mail, so put tracking on yours to ensure it reaches its destination.

•Card or debit card transfer: If time is not on your side, you could schedule a credit or debit card transfer to your recipient in India. This method tends to be secure, but it can be pricey.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to five business days to send money to an overseas location — including India. However, how long it takes depends on several factors, such as:

1.Transaction type

2.Payment method

3.Where you’re sending money from

4.Whether Ria requires additional information for security purposes

5.When you initiate the transfer

Some currencies or transfer methods are only available during local business hours. If you set up an Indian remittance payment outside of typical business hours, on a holiday, or on the weekend, you could experience delays.

If you’re looking for the fastest way to send money to India, you may want to use a debit or credit card for your transaction. These methods may incur additional fees, so be aware of that. However, they also typically finalize the same day they’re completed — sometimes within minutes -meaning your recipient could have the money almost immediately.

And if time isn’t a concern, consider setting up a bank transfer instead. This option usually takes three to five business days and comes with fewer fees.

 The cost of sending money to India depends on several key factors, such as:

1.The payment method you use

2.The payout method (that is, the way your intended recipient gets the money)

3.Transfer amount

4.Currency exchange rates

Bank remittances are usually the cheapest option, while credit and debit card transfers can come with additional fees. This is especially true with credit card payments, as some credit card companies will charge extra. Keep in mind, though, that international money transfers usually come with certain charges — regardless of how you go about it.

As an international remittance service, Ria strives to keep our rates and fees as low as possible on money transfers to India and other countries. We do that by working with financial institutions worldwide to get you the lowest possible fees and best exchange rates. At times, we also have promo codes to cut down on some of the more unavoidable fees.

The overall transfer amount includes all fees. If you want to see the cost of sending money to India, here are your options:

5.Before you complete the transfer (but after you’ve logged into your account): You can see what it costs to send money to India via the app or website. Simply log into your account and go to “Send” or “Send Money.” Then, select your destination country, how much you want to send, your payout currency, and your payment and delivery methods.

6.Before you initiate a transfer (without logging in): You can go to Ria’s website for an estimate of what it will cost.

Both options can help prevent you from being surprised by any fees or charges associated with sending money overseas.

We offer several ways to track your money transfer to India, but the easiest option is to use our Track a Transfer tool, which provides real-time updates of your transfer — no matter where you are.

Here’s how to use this free online feature:

1.After logging into your Ria account: Once logged in, choose “Track” (from the app) or “Track a transfer” (from the website). Then, input the transfer’s unique personal identification number (PIN) to see its status.

2.Without logging into your Ria account: If you don’t have a Ria account, you can still use the Track a Transfer feature. You’ll still need the unique PIN, however. This enables both the sender and recipient to see the transfer status at any point.

Two things are worth noting.

3.If you reside in Australia, you must also provide your birth date and recipient’s country (India) to track the transfer.

4.As the sender, you’ll also receive emailed updates regarding the transfer’s status and any major changes.

There are several ways to send money to India safely and efficiently. Which method is the best for you is a personal decision — it all comes down to how fast you need the India money transfer to arrive, how you want your friends and family to receive it, and how you want to pay.

Bank transfers: You can use your bank to transfer money to a bank in India through an international wire transfer. With this method, there’s no cash involved — you simply instruct your bank to send money to your recipient’s bank account. 

To complete a wire transfer through your bank, you usually must provide your recipient’s name, address, contact information, and banking information. This includes their international bank account number (IBAN) and their bank’s SWIFT/BIC code.

There are several drawbacks to using a bank transfer to send money to India. For one, both you and your recipient need to have bank accounts at institutions that allow international transfers. 

For another, they’re typically expensive. Some banks charge as much as $50 for the convenience of an international wire transfer to the sender. And a few charge a fee to the recipient as well. In addition, your bank may limit the amount of money you can send through this method.

Money transfer agents: Traditional money transfer agents allow customers to send money abroad using cash. These agents usually have offices you can visit to fund the transfer with cash. Your recipient can then visit the transfer agent’s office closest to them and receive the money as cash. 

Of course, one of the main drawbacks of using this method for sending money is that your recipient must live near a transfer agent’s office. Another is the fact that these agents sometimes have complicated pricing structures, and fees and exchange rates can vary widely.

Money orders: Sending an international money order is similar to sending a check through the mail. You can buy a pre-paid money order certificate from your local post office or bank and then send it directly to your recipient via international mail. They can then redeem the certificate for cash.

There are several big disadvantages to this money-sending method, mainly that it’s expensive and slow. 

Online money transfer services: Online money transfer services such as Ria make it easy to send money to India and more than 165 other countries around the globe. Ria charges no sneaky hidden fees, so your India remittance will go further. 

Ria also offers great exchange rates and allows you to send money through our convenient mobile app or any of the 500,000-plus participating locations. Ria offers a quick alternative to other money-sending methods. Many transfers arrive within minutes. Send money with Ria now. 

Signing up for an account with Ria is easy. The exact steps you’ll take vary depending on your location and whether you want to use the app or website.

Create a Ria account via the app in the US or Canada:

1.Download the Ria app and tap the “Register” button.

2.Confirm your current country. 

3.Enter your email address and choose a password.

4.Agree to Ria’s Terms and Conditions.

5.Enter your full name, date of birth and phone number, then tap “Continue.”

6.Choose to subscribe to receive promotions, discounts, and other special offers or tap “Not now” to opt out.

7. Enter your mailing address and tap “Continue.”

8.Select and answer three security questions to protect your account.

Create a Ria account via the app everywhere else:

9. Download the Ria app and tap the “Register” button.

10. Confirm your current country.

11. Enter your phone number and verify it by entering the 6-digit code we send you.

12. Choose a password.

13. Agree to Ria’s terms and conditions.

14. Enter your full name, email address, and date of birth (we may also ask for your country of birth, nationality, occupation, and ID information).

15. Tap the “Continue” button.

16. Choose to subscribe to receive promotions, discounts, and other special offers or tap “Not now” to opt out.

17. Enter your mailing address and tap the “Continue” button.

Create an account via the website:

18. Visit riamoneytransfer.com.

19. Click “Register” in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

20. Choose your country of residence.

21. Click “Get started.”

22. Enter your phone number and the security code we send to your phone.

23. Choose a password. 

24. Enter your first and last name, date of birth, and email address.

25. Select whether you’d like to receive marketing messages from Ria.

26. Enter your address.

You’ll need to provide some information when sending money to India, but the specific details depend on the remittance method you choose.

If you’re using Ria for your online remittance to India, you’ll need some details about your recipient to complete the transfer. This includes their address in India, a valid phone number, and their full name (must match their official ID).

For bank transfers, you’ll also need some additional information from your recipient. They’ll need to provide you with their bank name, account number, and routing number — also called the Indian Financial System Code. Be sure to obtain this information securely.

You’ll also need to input information about yourself as the person sending money abroad. For example, you’ll need to specify exactly how much money you want to transfer and in what currency — yours or theirs. And you’ll need to choose your desired payment and payout method from the list of options

Whatever method you use to send money to India, make sure you have the option to track your transfer. That way, you can watch for any updates related to your money, such as unexpected delays or when it arrives.

If you’re in the USA or Canada, you can set up a India money transfer from the Ria app or website. Start by signing into your existing account or create a new one if you don’t have one. If you haven’t verified your phone number or set up your online profile yet, you can do that now.

Since this is your first money transfer to India, you’ll need to add a new recipient to your account — that is, the person who will receive money in India. Adding a recipient is easy. Just provide basic information about them, such as their name, current location, and phone number. If you want to transfer money to their bank, input their bank account details as well.

Once you’ve added a recipient to your account, you can decide how much money to send them — either in your currency or theirs. At this point, you can also select the payout method. Remember, each payout method comes with its own advantages and fees.

With that done, simply choose your payment method for the India remittance. You can add a new payment method to your account on the website or the app.

Once you’ve completed that first transfer, the process becomes even easier as your recipient’s basic information is saved to your account. Ria doesn’t store your recipient’s bank account information, however, so you will need to input that again.

Some money transfers go through within minutes of setting them up. However, you might have to wait a few hours or days before your transfer is complete.

That’s where tracking your transfer comes into play. You can use the Track a Transfer feature for status updates on your India remittance. You’ll just need the PIN, which you can find in your account or the confirmation email you received after scheduling the transfer. Your recipient can also use this tool.

A standard money transfer to India doesn’t take very long to complete, though it depends on the payment and payout methods. If you’ve chosen a debit or credit card transfer, your recipient should receive money in India within minutes. A bank transfer, on the other hand, can take several business days to complete.

Certain factors may delay your transfer. For example, if you set up the transfer outside local business hours or on a holiday or weekend, it might take a little longer. In some cases, Ria will also request additional information from you for security purposes, which could cause additional delays.

Senders and recipients can use Ria’s Track a Transfer feature for real-time transfer updates. All you need is the transfer’s PIN and order number.

Senders can also use the Ria app to track the transaction — just tap the “Track” option. In addition, senders will be notified by email when their recipient has picked up or received the money — or if there’s another major status change.

Just as there are multiple ways to send money to someone in India, there are also several options to receive it. While you can choose whichever method best suits your needs, make sure you pick one that’s secure, reliable, and gets you the money when you need it.

Here are some of the best ways to receive money in India:

•Money transfer agent: This is a third-party service that can transfer money from one location to another — even overseas. These services do come with their own fees and timelines, so keep that in mind when using this option. Be sure to choose a legitimate agent that has a good reputation on sites like the Better Business Bureau.

•Bank account deposit: If you do not mind waiting a few days to receive the money, ask your sender to set up an online wire transfer from their bank to yours. You’ll need to provide them with your basic bank account details for the transfer to be successful. Once the transfer clears, you’ll have direct access to the money in your bank’s currency.

•Mobile wallet: Sometimes called a digital wallet, mobile wallets are convenient because you can use them to transfer or receive money, pay bills, and more — all from the comfort of home. These are especially useful if you do not have a bank account in India but still need to receive money. If you’re looking for a mobile wallet compatible with Ria, Paytm is a good option. Like other digital wallets, however, Paytm has its own transfer limits.

•Cash pickup: You can also receive money via an in-person cash pickup. If your sender uses Ria, have them send the money to the location that’s closest to where you live. Ria has a map of locations online that you can peruse from the app or website. Make sure you have your government ID (with a photo) and the transfer’s PIN when you go to get your money.

•Digital remittance service: If you’re looking for an option that lets you do more than just receive money overseas, you can use an online remittance service. Ria lets you conduct international money transfers, pay bills, cash checks, and more — all with low fees and at competitive rates.

Although there are many payment methods available to you in India, there are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing one. For one, every method comes with its own fees — such as currency conversion or transfer fees. Specific methods may be faster or more secure than others as well.

If you decide to use Ria for your India remittance, your available payment methods vary based on where you’re sending money from and whether you’re doing it through the website or the app.

On the website, your payment methods include online bank transfers, debit cards, and credit cards. You might also be able to pay in cash if you live near a Ria location.

On the app, your options are as follows (based on your location):

•Credit or debit card (Canada)

•Cash (Singapore)

•Cash or Sencillito (Chile)

•Debit card, credit card, or Pay ID (Australia)

•Cash, bank transfer, credit card, or debit card (USA)

•Debit or credit card (U.K. or Europe)

•Debit card, cash, or FPX (Malaysia)

If you live in Europe, you might have additional options depending on your country.

Unfortunately, you can't use Zelle to send money to India.

That's because Zelle currently works only with bank accounts based in the U.S. There's no way to make a money transfer to an international account. Both the recipient and the sender must have U.S.-based checking or savings accounts — as well as U.S. phone numbers.

Instead, consider using an online money transfer service like Ria. Ria is quick, safe, and convenient. We offer great exchange rates, low fees (with no hidden charges), and a variety of payment and pickup options — all from our website or mobile app.

Ria serves customers in more than 165 countries — meaning sending money to or receiving money in Canada is a breeze. You don't even need to have a bank account to use Ria — unlike with Zelle. Send money now with Ria. 

Currently, you can't use Venmo to send money to India. That's because only U.S. residents can use the app to send or receive money transfers.

Venmo may not work with international accounts. But Ria serves more than 165 countries around the globe — including India. Ria makes sending money internationally simple, quick, and secure. Your recipient in Indi could get the money transfer in as little as 15 minutes if you use Ria. Plus, there are no additional fees.  You are fully aware of all costs and the amount of Canadian dollars your recipient will get before you even complete the transfer.

Send money now with Ria.

Visit any Ria location, use our website, or log into our mobile app to send money directly to your recipient’s bank account in India. All you need is:

1.The recipient’s full legal name (as it appears on their bank account)

2.The name of the recipient’s bank 

3.The recipient’s bank account number or IBAN (international bank account number)

Ria will take care of the rest!

Hands down, sending money via electronic transfer is the safest way to send money to India.

In the old days, it was common for people to send remittances by mailing cash. Not only does this method take a long time (they call it “snail mail” for a good reason), but it’s also just not safe. The mailed money could get stolen or lost at any point during its long journey.

Instead, using an online money transfer service like Ria ensures that your money gets exactly where you intend it to go. 

In addition, Ria’s team of world-class security experts works around the clock to monitor your money transfers and keep a watchful eye out for unusual behavior. Ria’s software allows the team to spot any suspicious activity long before any harm can be done to your account.

Plus, Ria never stores your payment details on its servers. So, your credit or debit card or bank account information will never be compromised in Ria’s system.

Your safety is Ria’s number one priority when sending money to India.

Sending money to someone you know in India, whether that’s a family member or a friend, is easier than ever with modern technology. Here are some of the most common options:

•Digital or mobile wallet

•International bank remittance

•Physical money order

•Debit card

•Credit card

•Cash

If you’re not sure which option to choose, consider using Ria for your overseas money transfers. We make sending money to India as simple and convenient as possible at low rates — all without sacrificing security or speed. Plus, if you’ve never used our services before, you could set up your first transfer for free using the promo code HELLORIA.

Download the Ria mobile app now to learn more about how it works. Or, if you’re ready to send money to your friend in India, schedule your first transfer today via the app, online, or in person.