Western Union online transfers are capped at $5,000 per transfer and $50,000 per rolling 30-day period for verified accounts. In-store limits may differ by agent location. Here are all the key limits for 2026.
Western Union Send Limits at a Glance
| Send channel | Per-transfer limit | 30-day limit |
|---|---|---|
| Online / App (verified) | $5,000 | $50,000 |
| Online / App (unverified) | $999 | $2,999 |
| In-store (agent) | Varies by agent | Varies by agent |
| Phone | Typically same as online | Varies |
Limits vary by destination country. Some corridors have lower caps. Always check the WU app for your specific corridor.
Verification Levels and Limits
| Verification status | Per-transfer limit | 30-day limit |
|---|---|---|
| No account (in-store walk-in) | Set by agent | Set by agent |
| Account, no ID verified | $999 | $2,999 |
| Account, ID verified | $5,000 | $50,000 |
How to verify: Log in to westernunion.com or the app → Account settings → Verify Identity → upload government-issued ID + address confirmation. Verification typically completes within 1–2 business days.
Limits by Destination (Selected Corridors)
Some destination countries have lower per-transfer caps than the standard $5,000:
| Destination | Typical online limit |
|---|---|
| Mexico (MXN) | Up to $5,000 |
| Philippines (PHP) | Up to $5,000 |
| India (INR) | Up to $5,000 |
| Europe (EUR) | Up to $5,000 |
| China (CNY) | Lower limits may apply |
| Cuba, Iran, North Korea | Prohibited |
Western Union is prohibited from sending to countries under US government sanctions. See the OFAC sanctions list for a full list of prohibited destinations.
What Counts Against Your 30-Day Limit?
All transfers made online or in the app — regardless of destination or method — count against your $50,000 rolling 30-day limit. The 30-day period is rolling, not calendar-month based. Each individual transfer resets its portion of the limit 30 days after it was sent.
Example:
- Day 1: Send $5,000 to Mexico — rolling limit remaining: $45,000
- Day 15: Send $5,000 to Philippines — rolling limit remaining: $40,000
- Day 32: The Day 1 transfer drops off the rolling window — limit resets to $45,000
How Western Union Limits Compare
| Service | Per-transfer limit | Rolling limit |
|---|---|---|
| Western Union (online, verified) | $5,000 | $50,000/30 days |
| Wise (personal, ACH) | $50,000–$150,000 | ~$1,000,000/year |
| PayPal (verified) | $60,000 | No stated cap |
| Zelle (bank-set) | $500–$5,000/day | Bank-set monthly cap |
| Bank wire | No standard cap | No standard cap |
Western Union’s $5,000 per-transfer limit is lower than Wise or PayPal for large one-time transfers. For sending $10,000+ in a single transaction, Wise or a bank wire are better options.
When You Need to Send More Than $5,000
Options for larger amounts:
- Multiple WU transfers — send $5,000 today and $5,000 tomorrow (subject to $50,000/30-day cap)
- In-store WU agent — agent limits may be higher; call ahead to confirm
- Wise — allows $50,000–$150,000 per transfer for verified personal accounts; see Wise limits
- Bank wire — no cap; typical cost $25–$45 flat plus exchange rate margin
AML Documentation Requests
For large or frequent transfers, Western Union may request additional documentation under anti-money-laundering (AML) rules, including:
- Source of funds (e.g., paycheck, savings, property sale)
- Purpose of transfer
- Additional ID documents
This is a standard regulatory requirement for all licensed money transmitters, not specific to Western Union. Providing documentation promptly avoids transfer delays.
Related articles:
- Western Union Fees 2026
- How to Send Money with Western Union
- Western Union vs Wise — limits comparison
- Wise Transfer Limits 2026
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