How much does Western Union charge to send money?

Western Union fees depend on the send method, destination, and amount. Online bank-to-bank transfers in some corridors can cost as little as $0. Debit card sends typically cost $0–$15. Credit card sends add a 3–4% surcharge. Western Union also applies an exchange rate margin of 1–3% above the mid-market rate on international transfers. Always check the WU fee estimator before sending.

How long does a Western Union transfer take?

Cash pickup transfers are often available within minutes of sending. Bank deposit transfers typically take 1–5 business days depending on the destination country. Mobile wallet transfers to supported apps can be near-instant. Speed depends on the destination and the send method you choose.

How do I track a Western Union transfer?

Track a Western Union transfer using the MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) — a 10-digit number provided when you send. Enter the MTCN at westernunion.com/track or in the Western Union app to see the real-time status of your transfer.

How much can I send with Western Union online?

Online transfers are typically capped at $5,000 per transfer and $50,000 per 30-day rolling period for verified accounts. In-store send limits are set by the agent but can be higher in some locations. Limits may vary based on destination country and your Western Union account verification level.

Does Western Union offer cash pickup?

Yes. Cash pickup is one of Western Union's biggest advantages over digital-only services like Wise. Senders pay online or in-store; recipients collect cash at any of 500,000+ Western Union agent locations in 200+ countries without needing a bank account.

Western Union 2026 Guide: Fees, Limits, Tracking and How to Send Money

Western Union is the world’s largest money transfer network, operating in 200+ countries through 500,000+ agent locations and a full-featured app and website. Its defining advantage over digital services like Wise or PayPal is cash pickup — recipients can collect money in cash without a bank account, often within minutes of the sender paying.

This hub covers everything you need to know about using Western Union in 2026: fees by send method, transfer limits, how to track a transfer, how it compares to Wise and MoneyGram, and when WU is the right choice.

Western Union at a Glance (2026)

Feature	Detail
Countries served	200+
Agent locations	500,000+ worldwide
Online send limit	$5,000 per transfer; $50,000/30 days
Bank-to-bank fee	$0 (some corridors) to ~$15
Exchange rate margin	1–3% above mid-market (varies by corridor)
Cash pickup speed	Often within minutes
Bank deposit speed	1–5 business days
App availability	iOS and Android
Regulated by	FinCEN; licensed in all 50 US states
MTCN tracking	Yes — 10-digit number provided on every transfer

How Western Union Works

Western Union offers three ways to send money:

Online / App — Send from westernunion.com or the WU app using your bank account, debit card, or credit card
In-store — Visit a WU agent location (Walmart, Kroger, CVS, many others) and pay with cash or card
Phone — Call Western Union directly (less common)

Recipients can receive as:

Cash pickup — collect at any WU agent location; recipient brings photo ID and the MTCN
Bank deposit — funds sent directly to recipient’s bank account
Mobile wallet — sent to supported mobile wallet apps in participating countries

Fees by Send Method

Send method	Receive method	Typical fee
Bank account (ACH)	Bank deposit	$0 (some corridors) to ~$5
Debit card	Bank deposit	$0 to ~$15
Debit card	Cash pickup	~$5 to ~$25 (varies by amount and country)
Credit card	Any	Debit fee + ~3–4% cash advance surcharge
Cash in-store	Cash pickup	~$5 to ~$20+ (varies)

Plus exchange rate margin: Western Union applies a margin of 1–3% above the mid-market exchange rate on most international transfers. This is separate from the displayed fee. Always use the WU fee estimator at westernunion.com to see the total cost (fee + rate) before sending.

Worked example: Sending $500 to Mexico (MXN cash pickup)

WU fee: ~$6
Exchange rate margin: ~2% above mid-market (embedded in the rate offered)
Total cost above a mid-market transfer: approximately $16 ($6 fee + $10 in rate margin)
Recipient collects: approximately MXN 8,700 (varies by rate on the day)

Cash Pickup: Western Union’s Signature Advantage

Cash pickup is what sets Western Union apart from digital-only services. Key features:

500,000+ locations in 200+ countries — one of the largest agent networks in the world
No bank account needed for the recipient
Available within minutes for many corridors
Recipient needs: Photo ID (government-issued) + the MTCN number

In the US, WU agents are located at Walmart (4,700+ stores), Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General, and thousands of other retailers and independent agents.

Western Union vs Digital Services

	Western Union	Wise	PayPal
Cash pickup	Yes (500K+ locations)	No	No
No bank account needed	Yes	No	No
Exchange rate	1–3% above mid-market	Mid-market	3–4% above mid-market
Transfer fee	$0–$25+	0.43%–2%	5% (some corridors)
Transfer speed	Minutes (cash) / 1–5 days (bank)	1–2 days (bank)	Instant (PayPal balance)
Online send limit	$5,000/transfer	$50K–$150K/transfer	$60,000 (verified)

Western Union costs more than Wise for bank-to-bank transfers when you factor in the exchange rate margin. But for cash pickup — especially in countries with limited banking access — Western Union has no digital equivalent.

Western Union Articles

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy