About Remitly
Your complete directory to mastering Remitly. Discover how to unlock exclusive first-time user exchange rates, navigate international delivery options, and send money globally with zero hidden fees.
Remitly is a global, digital-first remittance service that allows you to safely send money to over 175 countries worldwide. Built to replace expensive, slow traditional wire transfers and brick-and-mortar locations, Remitly processes billions of dollars annually for millions of immigrants and expatriates sending money back to their loved ones in countries like the Philippines, India, Mexico, and Colombia.
Remitly's platform is famous for its extreme transparency. Before you hit "Send," the platform locks in the exact exchange rate, explicitly outlines any fees, and provides a guaranteed delivery time. You can fund your transfers using a standard bank account, debit card, or credit card directly from your smartphone or computer.
Remitly removes the anxiety of sending money abroad with a strict promise: If your money doesn't arrive by the exact time they promised when you clicked "Send," they will completely refund your transaction fees.
Sending money internationally can incur hidden margins, but using Remitly effectively allows you to maximize the amount your recipient actually receives on the other end.
If you are signing up for Remitly for the very first time, you will almost always be greeted with a massive "First Transfer Bonus." This usually includes a significantly boosted exchange rate and zero fees on your initial transfer, allowing your recipient to get more money than usual.
Once you are a customer, you can generate a unique referral link. If a friend signs up using your link and successfully completes their first transfer, you will receive a cash discount (often $20 to $50) applied directly to your next remittance.
You can control your fees. If you fund your transfer with a debit/credit card, you pay an "Express" fee for instant delivery. However, if your recipient isn't in a rush, choose "Economy." Funding directly from your bank account takes 3-5 days but usually drops the transfer fee to zero!
One of Remitly's biggest advantages is that your recipient does not need a Remitly account to receive the money. You can tailor the delivery method to exactly what is most convenient for them in their local country.
If you are sending from the United States, you do not have to worry about the Federal Remittance Tax. The 1% tax only applies to cash or cash-like wire transfers, not digital transfers sent through the Remitly platform.
Because Remitly deals with global banking networks, you must act very quickly if you make a mistake on your recipient's details.
As long as the money has not yet been deposited or picked up by the recipient, you can cancel the transfer instantly for a full refund. Simply log into the app, select the specific transfer on your home screen, scroll to the bottom, and click "Cancel Transfer."
If you successfully cancel a transfer before completion, Remitly will refund the entire amount (including any fees) back to your original payment method.
Note: If the recipient has already picked up the cash or the funds have cleared their bank, the transfer is considered final and cannot be canceled or refunded under any circumstances.
Sending money abroad can be stressful. If a transfer is delayed or you need to update a recipient's misspelled name, Remitly provides robust, multi-lingual support.
Remitly provides 24/7 assistance in English, Spanish, and French.
Remitly is a fully licensed and regulated Money Transmitter. They utilize bank-level 256-bit encryption to protect your financial data and employ automated fraud detection systems to flag suspicious transfers before they process.
We have compiled the most common questions regarding sending money with Remitly to ensure your transactions are secure and seamless.
Sending limits depend on your "Tier," which is based on how much identity verification you have provided. In the US, a Tier 1 (basic) account can send up to $2,999 per day. If you provide additional documentation (like a Passport or SSN), you can upgrade to Tier 3 and send up to $30,000 in a single transfer.
Yes, you can use a Visa or Mastercard credit card. However, be aware that your credit card issuer will likely view this transaction as a "Cash Advance" and may charge you an additional, steep cash advance fee on top of your standard Remitly transfer fees.
During the transfer process, Remitly will ask for the recipient's phone number. Remitly will automatically send them a free SMS text message letting them know the money has been sent, providing the necessary reference number for Cash Pickup.
To comply with global anti-money laundering laws, Remitly's security team randomly reviews transfers. If yours is flagged, they may ask you to upload a photo of your ID or explain the reason for the transfer. Once reviewed, it will process normally.
Yes! Unlike banks that fluctuate the rate while the wire is processing, Remitly locks in the exact exchange rate the moment you click "Send." The amount you see on the final checkout screen is the exact amount your recipient will receive, down to the penny.
No. Remitlyโs standard service is strictly designed for personal, peer-to-peer remittances (sending money to family and friends). You cannot use standard Remitly to pay commercial invoices, buy real estate, or fund a business entity abroad.