Send Money To Russia | Your Cheapest Choices | MoneyTransfers.com (2024)

Sending Money to Russia

Ways to Send Money to Russia

Russia has been in the cross-hairs of geopolitical forces that have affected among other things the movement of funds in an out of the country. Thanks to technology, banks, financial institutions and peer to peer (P2P) money transfer service providers have made significant progress connecting Russians in the diaspora with their families back home.

Bank-to-Bank SWIFT Transfers

Diaspora Russians can transfer money to their families, friends and business partners back home through the SWIFT network. Interestingly, as from 2014, Russia started developing an alternative to the SWIFT mechanism to cushion itself against risks of sanctions that would affect the SWIFT network.

The System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS) is now up and running offering a variety of services one of which is financial institution transfers. Over 18% of money transfers in Russia are going through the SPFS and as of November 1, 2019, over 390 participants had already enrolled in the system among them Asian banks.

Due to currency control processes, sending money through the banking system to Russia can be a nightmare. The law requires financial institutions to have a correspondent account with the Russian Central Bank for them to transfer funds to the country.

Because of these tough regulations, sending money through the bank can be expensive, result in cancellations, reversals and delays. Some of the top banks in Russia to consider when transferring money are Sberbank, VTB Bank, GazpromBank and Alfa Bank JSC.

When sending money to Russia from the UK, through Barclays Plc, you will be charged £0 for online banking, but there will be receiving fees of £13 for payments between £0 and £2,600. Payments over £10,000 are charged a receiving fee of £50. If you send money through the branch, you will be charged £25 or £40 if you are in priority banking. This excludes any recipient fees you may have to pay. Transfers can only be in GBP, EUR, USD.

Online Money Transfer Services

One alternative to banks when sending money to Russia is online money transfer providers. This category includes companies such as, WorldRemit, TransferGo, Wise, and OFX.

Once you sign up for a money transfer service, input the recipient details, the amount you want to send, and pay for your transfer, the provider will do the rest. Typically transfers can take up to 3 days depending on the payout option, but can be on the same business day. You can pay for your transfer using a credit card, debit card or bank transfer.

There are three payout methods you can opt for when transferring money through online transfer providers.

  • Bank Deposit – Money is deposited into the recipient's bank account. This can take anywhere between 1-3 days. Bank deposits are convenient when sending large transfers.

  • Cash Pickup – WorldRemit is one of the providers that allow you to transfer money to your family and friends in Russia through their agency network. The recipient collects the money in cash. Cash Pickups are best suited for small transfers.

  • Airtime Top-Up – You can also send your friends and family the gift of talk time by reloading their phones directly through the online transfer platform. WorldRemit is at the forefront in offering the direct mobile recharge service.

In-Store Cash Transfers

Money transfer operators such as Western Union and MoneyGram allow its customers to send money to Russia through direct to bank or cash pickup options. Western Union offers direct-to-bank transfers of up to 4,000.00 EUR and cash pickups of up to 5,000.00 EUR.

Western Union payout quote and receipt can be generated in both USD and Russian Ruble (RUB). The recipient can collect the money in either currency. MoneyGram transfers to Russia allow up to a maximum of 6000.00 GBP to a cash pickup location. Unlike Western Union, MoneyGram doesn’t have the direct-to-bank option when sending to Russia from the United Kingdom.

Paypal, Yandex and WebMoney

Sending to a recipient in Russia through Paypal, Yandex or WebMoney is another channel you can use to send money to your loved ones. All the above methods work in a similar manner where the money ends up in a virtual wallet from where you can withdraw to a local bank.

Yandex has over 18 million e-wallets, while WebMoney has more than 30 million registered users. Compared to the online money transfer providers, e-wallet solutions may add another layer of fees and exchange rate conversion margins. That being said, you can pay your bills right from the e-wallet without the need to withdraw the cash.

What is Needed to Send Money to Russia

When sending money to Russia, the information you’ll be asked to give will depend on the country you are sending from and the provider you choose. Typically, you will be required to give the following:

  • A government issued-ID document to identify you as the sender.

  • The recipient’s name as it appears on their Internal Russian passport or other acceptable legal documents

  • The recipient's physical address and their phone number

  • If you are sending directly to a bank account, the recipient bank details (bank name, branch and account number). Ensure to include the beneficiary’s bank BIK code and the VO code of the currency transaction.

  • The amount of money you want to send, the transfer payment option and payout methods

Send Money To Russia | Your Cheapest Choices | MoneyTransfers.com (2024)

FAQs

Send Money To Russia | Your Cheapest Choices | MoneyTransfers.com? ›

Profee is the only money transfer provider currently available for money transfers to Russia. Profee is only available to residents in the EU/EEA and UK.

What is the best way to send money to Russia right now? ›

Profee is the only money transfer provider currently available for money transfers to Russia. Profee is only available to residents in the EU/EEA and UK.

Is there a way to send money to a friend in Russia? ›

Money can be quickly transferred from the United States for someone in Russia through Western Union. Fees for services vary. Western Union will transfer money to various locations in Russia.

What is the cheapest way to transfer money internationally? ›

The cheapest way to send money internationally is to transfer funds directly from your bank account to a recipient's bank account. Most transfer services charge additional fees for debit card or credit card payments and cash pickups.

Is Xoom still sending money to Russia? ›

PayPal has suspended the ability to send or receive funds with Russian accounts, and has stopped signing up new accounts in Russia. PayPal's Russia ban extends to Xoom, a remittance company that PayPal acquired in 2015.

Does Zelle work in Russia? ›

No, you cannot use Zelle to transfer money to Russia. Zelle is only available for transfers between United States bank accounts.

Will Western Union still send money to Russia? ›

Today, Let's compare 3 popular money transfer providers to find out which one suits you best. Due to the Russia-Ukraine war sanctions, Russia has been unable to use Western Union.

How do I send a gift to someone in Russia? ›

If you want to send a gift that you have, you can send it via the post or via a private courier company (we recommend Eurosender for its great fees). Alternatively, you can buy a gift online and have it delivered to your recipient in Russia. A third option is to send your recipient money as a wire transfer.

Can I send money to Russia through Facebook? ›

Forget about likes and shares. You can now transfer money internationally through Facebook. The money transfer startup TransferWise has launched a new chatbot that enables Facebook (FB) users to move funds abroad using the social platform's Messenger service.

Can I still send money to Russia with Paysend? ›

How much does it cost to send money to Russia? If you want to send money to a bank account in Russia, you can do this with zero transfer fees using Paysend.

What is the cheapest easiest way to send money? ›

  1. Your Bank. A bank can assist with many types of transfers. ...
  2. Western Union or MoneyGram. Western Union and MoneyGram provide similar services that allow you to transfer money to a different city, state, or country. ...
  3. Personal Checks. ...
  4. Bank Drafts, Money Orders, and Cashier's Checks. ...
  5. Email Money Transfers.

What is the easiest to transfer money internationally? ›

An international bank transfer is usually the best way to transfer money internationally because it is secure, fast and cheaper than other methods such as cash, money orders or credit cards. A bank or money transfer company can carry out an international bank transfer for you.

What is the best and easiest way to send money internationally? ›

Our Top Picks for the Best Ways to Send Money Internationally
  • Wise — Best for Low Fees.
  • PayPal — Best for Peer-to-peer Money Transfers.
  • Western Union — Best for Availability.
  • MoneyGram — Best for Cash Transfers.
  • OFX — Best for Large Amounts of Money.
  • WorldRemit — Best Mobile Option.
  • XE — Best for Business Transfers.
Mar 9, 2023

Does Google pay work in Russia? ›

Payments with Google Pay are not working at this time, as some of the international payment networks may no longer support cards added to a mobile wallet.

How do I send money to Sberbank Russia? ›

What is the information you need to complete the transfer?
  1. Name of the recipient — exactly as it appears on bank statements. ...
  2. Recipient Home Address – For proof of identity ACH Routing Number – To identify the relevant bank Account Number – To ensure it reaches your recipient's account.

How much money can you send on Xoom? ›

Level24-hour limit180-day limit
12,999 USD9,999 USD
210,000 USD30,000 USD
350,000 USD100,000 USD

Does Cash App work with Russia? ›

Meantime, if you live in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, or another European country, you cannot use Cash App.

Which payment app is used in Russia? ›

KoronaPay was the most downloaded app among those specializing in money transfers in Russia, with nearly 4.4 million downloads in 2022.

Can I send money to Russia with Wells Fargo? ›

With Wells Fargo Online Wires 1 Additional fees, you can send money to both personal and business accounts in the U.S. and 200+ countries.

Does wise work in Russia? ›

Trust Wise with safe & secure money transfers to Russia

We hold your money with established financial institutions, so it's separate from our own accounts and in our normal course of business not accessible to our partners. Read more here.

Is Paypal working in Russia now? ›

Paypal has joined the list of fintechs supporting sanctions against Russia over its decision to invade neighbouring Ukraine. The company, which had been offering Russians only cross-border transactions, terminated its services in the Russian Federation on 6 March 2022.

How to send something to Russia? ›

Popular courier companies, such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL, provide their services for you to ship to Russia. So, it's up to you to choose a suitable courier. If you pick FedEx, you can choose from FedEx International First, International Priority, International-Economy, etc.

Can I send something from Amazon to Russia? ›

We ship products internationally with AmazonGlobal. Available product lines, shipping rates, and fees may vary depending on the delivery address for your order. To learn how to search and browse items that are eligible for international shipping, go to About International Orders and Deliveries during COVID-19.

Who delivers the gifts in Russia? ›

Ded Moroz or Grandfather Frost is a Russian counterpart of Santa Claus. Both bring presents and are much expected by the kids but there're a few things that make them different. 1.

Which Russian banks are not banned from Swift? ›

Notably absent from the Swift ban are Sberbank and Gazprombank, both key banks in Russia. The decision to delist some banks but not all represented an EU compromise.

Does Facebook charge to send money internationally? ›

No, Facebook won't charge you to send or receive money in Messenger. This feature is free for everyone to send money to friends and family.

What pay apps are international? ›

At a glance: The best international money transfer apps of 2023
  • Remitly — Money-back guarantee.
  • OFX — Great for large transfers.
  • Wise — Best exchange rate.
  • WorldRemit — Diverse delivery options.
  • Xe Money Transfer — Tracking currency pairs.
  • MoneyGram — Massive global network.

Is Paysend a Russian company? ›

Paysend is a UK-based Fintech company and payments disruptor on a mission to change how money is moved around the world. We are the next generation money transfer platform allowing you to send funds from card to card from 60 to over 170 countries.

How much money can I send via Paysend? ›

This information may include: name, mobile phone number, address, date of birth and/or other documents. You may send up to $999 per day without providing your Social Security number or ITIN number. See the Paysend Terms of Service for complete details about monthly and bi-annual transaction limits.

Can I send money from USA with Paysend? ›

Start sending money from the US with Paysend

You can now send money from the US to over 100 countries worldwide from the Paysend smartphone app or via our website. Money transfers to bank accounts have zero transfer fees.

How much does Western Union charge to send $100? ›

To send $100 from your bank account to their bank account still carries a significant fee of $14.00. Sending the same amount from your credit card as a cash pickup will cost you $20.50. The maximum you can send in one day is $5,000 which would cost you $243 with a credit card and $50 via bank transfer.

How much does MoneyGram charge to send $100? ›

The fee for a transfer with MoneyGram varies depending on the amount you want to transfer. MoneyGram charges a flat $5 fee to send amounts between $1 to $49 and a flat rate of $11.50 on amounts between $50 and $499. The fee on amounts of $500 and above is 2%. There is also a maximum amount of $10,000 per transfer.

Is it cheaper to send MoneyGram or Western Union? ›

Overall winner for Western Union vs MoneyGram rates and fees - It's a tie! Western Union and MoneyGram provide similar payouts. Western Union tends to provide cheaper fees while MoneyGram generally provides better exchange rates.

Which wallet is best for international money transfer? ›

Compare the Best Money Transfer Apps
AppOperating System
WorldRemit Best for International TransfersiOS and Android
Cash App Best for Low FeesiOS and Android
Venmo Best for Shared BillsiOS and Android
Facebook Pay Best for Small TransfersDepends on the apps you already use
2 more rows
Jan 12, 2023

Which bank is best for foreign money transfer? ›

Top 9 Banks and Institutions for Inward Remittances
  1. HDFC Bank. HDFC Bank provides you with inward remittance facilities for 22 currencies. ...
  2. ICICI Bank. ...
  3. HSBC Bank. ...
  4. Wise. ...
  5. Western Union. ...
  6. Instarem. ...
  7. ExTravelMoney. ...
  8. Unimoni.
Dec 12, 2022

Which bank has the lowest international wire transfer fee? ›

Citibank – Digital payments in a foreign currency may have no transfer fee or cost up to $35, depending on your account type* Wells Fargo – Digital payments in a foreign currency may have no transfer fee* PNC bank – $40 for online transfers, $45 for assisted transfers* US Bank – $50 for all transfers*

How can I send money to someone instantly? ›

Best Money Transfer Methods
  1. Zelle. Zelle can be used online, through the Zelle mobile app or through participating banks' online banking platforms. ...
  2. PayPal. PayPal lets you send, request or collect money online or with the PayPal app. ...
  3. Venmo. ...
  4. Western Union. ...
  5. Walmart2Walmart.

How much does it cost to send money through Western Union? ›

Up to $30 per transfer for domestic transfers. Varies for international transfers. Up to $16.00 per transfer. Before initiating a transfer, use a bank or transfer service's online calculator (if available) to estimate your money transfer fees and international money transfer fees.

How much does international bank transfer cost? ›

How much do international bank transfers cost? Every bank is different, but in general you can expect them to take as much as 3-4% of your total transfer as a fee when you send money internationally. Thankfully, despite that, a lot of banks will try to cap the amount they charge their customers.

How do you pay for something in Russia? ›

Credit/debit cards issued in Russia are widely used in major Russian cities, including most hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, supermarkets and other shops. ATMs are easy to find, predominantly in bank outlets.

Can I Apple Pay someone in Russia? ›

This latest Mir suspension removes Russia's own internal payment system from Apple's platform, making it so both international and domestic purchases in Russia cannot be made using Apple Pay.

Does Russia use Apple Pay? ›

Apple was among the international tech companies that suspended their services in Russia, including Apple Pay, following the war in Ukraine that started in February 2022.

Can you transfer money to Sberbank from USA? ›

Can I receive a foreign currency transfer from a non-Russian bank to my Sber account? Yes, you can. Foreign transfers can be received in euros, rubles, Japanese yen, Swiss francs, Norwegian kroner, and Singapore dollars.

Can I send money to Russia from Bank of America? ›

You can send domestic and international wires (in U.S. dollars or foreign currency) right from your Bank of America account. To add a new recipient, select Add Account/Recipient.

How to send money through Western Union to Russia? ›

Can I Send Money to Russia From the USA With Western Union? It is not possible at the moment for Americans to send money to Russia with either Western Union or Profee. Profee currently only opens accounts for customers who have residency or a bank account in the EU or the UK.

Which is cheaper Xoom or PayPal? ›

PayPal does not charge a fee if both sender and recipient have a PayPal account and the funds do not come from a debit card, credit card, or PayPal credit. MoneyGram fees range from $1.99 if no debit or credit card is used. Xoom charges $5.99 for transactions up to $999, and $9.99 for transactions over that amount.

Is Xoom cheaper than wise? ›

Wise is cheaper than Xoom for international transfers because they offer lower fees and better FX rates. This is because Xoom profits from currency conversions by adding a markup percentage.

Can I send $5000 through Zelle? ›

These two institutions tell us that the daily limit to send money through Zelle is $3,500, although if you usually send money monthly, the maximum you can transfer will be $20,000.

Does MoneyGram or Western Union work in Russia? ›

Here is a list of popular money transfer services, all of which no longer serve Russian corridors as of 2022: Western Union. MoneyGram. Revolut.

Does Russia accept MoneyGram? ›

MoneyGram International has become the latest payment firm to shutter its services in Russia amid escalating military tensions in Ukraine and sweeping sanctions by the west.

Why MoneyGram is not working in Russia? ›

We have been closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine with great concern for all those impacted. As the humanitarian crisis in the region continues to escalate, we are providing notice to our customers and agents of our decision to suspend services in Russia .

Can I send money to Russia with cash App? ›

While you can use Cash App if you're outside the US or the UK and already have the app, you cannot use Cash App to transfer money internationally.

Does Paysend work in Russia? ›

Paysend lets you send money either to a bank account or directly to a credit or debit card in Russia, meaning you can choose how you want your recipient to receive the money!

Can I send money to Russia through KoronaPay? ›

With KoronaPay, you can only send transfers in euros, U.S. dollars, Russian roubles or Ukrainian Hryvni, though you can pay for your transfer in any currency.

Does Wise still send money to Russia? ›

A money transfer from Canada (CAD) to Russia (RUB) should arrive . Sometimes transfer times can differ based on payment methods or verification changes. We'll always keep you updated, and you can track each step in your account.

Is Paysend blocked in Russia? ›

On 10th of March 2022 Paysend officially stated that it is suspending all the transfers in Russia because of the war: … due to the current circ*mstances, we have taken the decision to suspend all transfers to Russia with immediate effect.

How do you pay for things in Russia? ›

Credit/debit cards issued in Russia are widely used in major Russian cities, including most hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, supermarkets and other shops. ATMs are easy to find, predominantly in bank outlets.

How do I send money to Tinkoff? ›

Enter the recipient's card number, the amount being sent, and click "Transfer". Transfers by contract number or QR code. This method allows you to send money to another Tinkoff customer only. In the Tinkoff mobile app or your profile: click or tap "Payments" → "Transfers" → "By contract number".

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