What are the International Money Transfer Limits in the US? 

4 min read

A woman with long dark hair, wearing an orange blouse, stands outdoors, smiling at a smartphone as she checks the international transfer limits in her banking app. The background reveals a blurred urban setting with another person walking by.

If you’ve tried transferring money abroad, you’ve probably noticed there are limits to how much you can send. These limitations, known as international money transfer limits, are there to ensure compliance with financial regulations and help prevent fraud. 

But here’s the thing—not all transfer limits are the same. They depend on your provider, payment method, and even the country you’re sending money to. Knowing how these limits work can help you make informed decisions and avoid surprise roadblocks, so let’s break it all down. 

What Affects Your Transfer Limit? 


The limit for sending money internationally depends on several factors: 

  • Payment method: Bank transfers typically allow higher limits than cash or card payments. 
  • Destination country: Some countries impose their own restrictions on incoming transfers. 
  • Verification level: Higher verification (such as providing ID or proof of income) can increase your sending limit. 
A person in a suit holds out a passport with U.S. dollar bills peeking out, subtly highlighting international money transfer limits in the US. The focus is on the passport and money, with a blurred background.


Money Transfer Limits by Provider 


Not all services handle transfer limits the same way. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from different types of providers. 

Banks 

Banks generally allow for larger transfers, which makes them ideal for big-ticket transactions. However, they often take longer, and fees can add up quickly. Transfer limits for banks typically range from $1,000 to $50,000 per transaction, depending on the bank and your account. 

Note that, due to wire transfer regulations, international transfers of $10,000 or more must be reported to the IRS. 

Here’s an overview of the wire transfer limits for three major U.S. banks: 

Chase Bank 

  • Business Accounts: Up to $250,000 per day. 
     

Citibank 

  • Citi Priority, Citigold, and Citigold Private Client: Up to $500,000 per transaction. 

Goldman Sachs  

  • Goldman Sachs offers international wire transfer services through its consumer banking division, Marcus by Goldman Sachs.  
  • Online international wire transfers are capped at $50,000 per statement period. 


Money Transfer Services 

Specialized money transfer services, like Ria, give you a strong balance of flexibility, speed, and affordability. Here’s what it looks like: 

Ria Money Transfer 

  • For cash-funded transfers: $495.00 per transfer. 

With 100+ currencies, better rates, and quick, stress-free transfers, at Ria we make sure you get the most out of your money. Use Ria’s calculator to learn exactly how much your recipient will receive and start sending money today. 

A person in glasses and a plaid shirt smiles while holding a phone, perhaps checking international money transfer limits in the US. They stand on a bustling city street with people moving around and blurred buildings and lights in the background.


Digital Wallets  

Apps like PayPal and Cash App are best for smaller, casual transfers and operate within lower limits.  

Pay Pal  

PayPal’s international transfer limits depend on whether your account is verified or unverified: 

  • Verified Accounts: Up to $60,000, though some currencies may have a lower cap of $10,000. 
  • Unverified Accounts: Up to $4,000. 

Cash App 

Cash App only supports international transfers between the U.S. and the U.K. It does not allow transfers to or from other countries: 

  • Unverified accounts can send and receive up to $1,000 on a rolling 30-day period. There’s also a total account limit of $1,500. 
  • Verified accounts can send up to $10,000 weekly and $20,000 on a rolling 30-day period and receive up to $12,500 weekly and $25,000 on a rolling 30-day period. 

How to Increase Your Transfer Limit 


If the current cap doesn’t meet your needs, there are simple steps you can take to increase it: 

  • Complete Your Verification: Submitting extra ID or proof of address often raises your limit.   
  • Contact Support: Have a larger one-time transfer? Many providers, including Ria, can work with you to make it happen.   
  • Explore Higher-Cap Providers: Services like Ria and Wise often offer options for large transfers.   
  • Break It Down: You can also divide the amount into smaller transfers as a workaround, though this may take extra time.   
A smiling man in a striped shirt sits at his desk, surrounded by colorful office supplies and papers, perhaps pondering international money transfer limits in the US as he works on his computer.


US Regulations You Should Know 


Before sending larger sums, it helps to be aware of key regulations:  

U.S. Laws and Regulations  

  • The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires financial institutions to monitor and report large transactions. 
  • The Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws help prevent illegal financial activities. 

Know Your Customer (KYC) & Verification 

  • To comply with these regulations, money transfer services use Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. This means you may need to provide: 
  • A government-issued ID 
  • Proof of address 
  • Additional documentation for high-value transfers 

Make Transfers Simpler with Ria 


Dealing with transfer limits doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether it’s for personal or business purposes, Ria is here for you with a secure, flexible service you can rely on.

From starting with hassle-free daily limits to increasing your cap as needed, Ria makes the process smooth and straightforward. Send money with Ria today

A smiling man with gray hair and a beard walks through a modern office space with large windows, embodying the professionalism required to navigate international money transfer limits in the US. He wears a blue button-up shirt and carries a laptop and notebook, all set for his busy day.

About the author

Gabriela Solis

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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