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How Long Does a Ria Money Transfer Take?
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When you're sending money, timing matters. Whether it's rent due tomorrow or an emergency that can't wait, you need to know how fast your transfer will actually arrive.
The honest answer is: it depends on the delivery method you choose. Here's what you can expect for each one.
How long does a Ria Money Transfer take?
Here's a summary. Scroll down for the details on each method:
Cash pickup — usually minutes
Cash pickup is Ria's fastest delivery option for most destinations. Once your transfer is processed, your recipient can walk into any of Ria's 600,000+ partner locations worldwide and collect the money, often within minutes.
They'll need their government-issued ID and the PIN or reference number you send them. That's it.
One thing to keep in mind: transfers sent late at night or during non-business hours in the destination country may not be available until the location opens the next morning. If timing is critical, send earlier in the day.
Mobile wallet — minutes
Sending to a mobile wallet is also one of the fastest options. Ria supports over 100 digital wallets across 50+ countries, including:
Philippines: GCash, PayMaya, Coins.ph, GrabPay, ShopeePay, Palawan Pay
Peru: Yape
Mexico: Spin by OXXO, Mercado Pago
Bangladesh: bKash, ROCKET, Nagad, Upay
West Africa: MTN MoMo, Orange Money, Wave
Your recipient just needs to be registered with the wallet provider. Funds typically land within minutes of your transfer being confirmed.
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Bank deposit — minutes to 1 business day
Bank deposits are available to 180+ countries. Speed varies more than cash pickup because it depends on the receiving bank's processing schedule, not just Ria's.
In many corridors, especially high-traffic ones like US to Mexico, Philippines, or India, transfers complete the same day, often within hours. In others, it can take until the next business day.
A few things that affect bank deposit timing:
Time of day: Banks process transfers in batches. A transfer submitted at 11pm may sit until the morning batch runs.
Weekends and holidays: Banks don't process on non-business days, so a Friday afternoon transfer might not settle until Monday.
First-time transfers: If it's your first time sending to a new recipient, there may be a brief verification check that slightly delays processing.
Bank deposit is ideal for regular, predictable payments (monthly support, rent, tuition), where speed is less critical than reliability.
Home delivery — 1 to 3 days
Home delivery is available in select countries and delivers cash directly to your recipient's door.
Because it involves a physical courier or agent, it naturally takes longer; typically 1 to 3 business days, depending on the country and location.
It's a useful option when your recipient lives in a rural area without easy access to a pickup location or bank branch. Click here to see if home delivery available for your destination.
Why might a transfer take longer than expected?
Most transfers go through smoothly and on time. But occasionally things take a little longer. Here's why:
Identity verification: New accounts or unusual transfer amounts may trigger a routine review. This is standard security practice and usually resolves quickly.
Sending outside business hours: Even digital transfers can queue if sent when recipient banks or partner systems are offline.
Public holidays: A holiday in the destination country can delay bank processing, even if everything on Ria's end went through instantly.
Incorrect recipient details: Wrong account number, wrong name, or mismatched ID can hold up a transfer. Double-check before you confirm.
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How to track your transfer
You don't have to wonder where your money is. Ria gives you real-time tracking from the moment you send:
In the app: Open the Ria app and tap on the transfer to see its current status.
On the website: Go to riamoneytransfer.com/track-a-transfer and enter your PIN or order number — no login required.
By email: You'll receive a confirmation when your transfer is sent, and a notification when it's available to collect.
Your recipient can also be notified directly. When you send, share the PIN or reference number with them; they can use it to collect cash or confirm the deposit has arrived.
What to do if your transfer is delayed
If your transfer hasn't arrived within the expected timeframe, first check the tracking status. Most delays resolve on their own within a few hours.
If something doesn't look right, Ria's customer support is available 24/7 at Ria's Help Center.
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Send money with Ria today
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Cash pickup in minutes, bank deposit by tomorrow: pick your delivery method and see exactly when your recipient gets the money.
About the author
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Gabriela Solis
Gabriela Solis is Ria's Senior Content Writer. Located in Querétaro, México, she focuses on telling stories that show the myriad human faces of remittances.
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