Western Union: What is it, and how does it work? (2024)

If you want the sender to pay money directly into your bank account rather than having to collect the cash in person, you'll have to provide with them your bank details, including your international bank code and account number. They won't be able to pay with cash if you want to receive your money this way.

To collect cash from a Western Union branch, you'll need to bring with you a government-issued form of ID that can confirm your name matches the name given by the sender, as well as the MTCN tracking number that was given to the sender when they made the payment (you'll need to ask the sender to give you this).

Accepted forms of ID can include (but are not limited to):

• Photographic ID, such as your passport or driving licence
• Your EU national identity card or UK residency card
• A formal letter dated within the last 3 months, such as a bank statement, utility bill, tenancy agreement, or tax document

When you arrive, you’ll be asked to give the sender’s full name, the country where the money was sent from, and the approximate amount that was sent.

You should note, some Western Union agents in certain countries might ask you to register before you can collect your cash. This may be the case if the amount you're receiving exceeds a certain limit, or you have sent or received multiple payments within a certain time frame.

In certain locations, registering with Western Union when collecting money is standard practice for all transactions, regardless of the amount being received. Countries that might require this one-off registration include:

• China
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Jamaica

If you're not the recipient but the sender, and the person you're sending money to is in any of the above countries, it could be worth reminding them they'll need to register to receive their cash.

How much does Western Union cost?

When making a transfer through Western Union, there are a few different things you have to consider if you want to know how much it will cost. The first is how much you want the other person to receive, taking exchange rates into account. The second is any upfront fees or costs charged by Western Union to process the transfer. Then, you may have to pay additional fees if you're paying by bank card or third-party finance app. Note that a lower transfer fee does not necessarily mean a better exchange rate, and vice versa.

WU rates of exchange are independent and updated daily. These can be provided before the transaction is completed and may differ to H&T and other individual bureau rates. Different countries and territories will also have their own rules and costs, but you can enquire in-store or check rates online before you go to get an estimate of how much you'll have to pay. You may find that transfer fees are slightly lower once you go in.

We've used the WU rates calculator above to give six examples of how much it could cost to send money from the UK to the following countries: India, Pakistan, the USA, China, Nigeria, and the Philippines. These examples should be used as a rough guide only, as they were calculated using the current exchange rate for each currency, which changes on a regular basis. All fees and rates were accurate and up to date as of October 2021.

From the UK to India

To send cash for collection in India, it could cost roughly the following amounts, depending on how you pay:

When sending cash to be collected in India, there is a cash limit of 50,000 INR for Indian residents and nationals. For payments exceeding this amount, the recipient will receive a cheque. This does not apply to tourists or foreign nationals.

To transfer money into their bank account instead, it could cost around:

There is a limit to how much money you can send online to India from the UK, which is £50,000.

From the UK to Pakistan

To send cash for collection in Pakistan from the UK, it could roughly cost:

To transfer money into their bank account instead, it could cost:

There is a limit to how much money you can send online to Pakistan from the UK, which is £4,000.

From the UK to the USA

To send cash for collection in the USA from the UK, it could roughly cost:

To transfer money into their bank account instead, it could cost:

There is a limit to how much money you can send online to the USA from the UK, which is £50,000.

From the UK to China

To send cash for collection in China from the UK, it could roughly cost:

Many Western Union agents in China are located in banks, and they require the receiver to have an account with that bank to collect cash. If your receiver does not have an account with that bank, they can open one onsite.

To transfer money into their bank account instead, it could cost:

There is a limit to how much money you can send online to China from the UK, which is £5,000.

From the UK to Nigeria

To send cash for collection in Nigeria from the UK, it could roughly cost:

To transfer money into their bank account instead, it could cost:

There is a limit to how much money you can send online to Nigeria from the UK, which is £10,000.

From the UK to the Philippines

To send cash for collection in the Philippines from the UK, it could roughly cost:

To transfer money into their bank account instead, it could cost:

There is a limit to how much money you can send online to the Philippines from the UK, which is £15,000.

FAQs

If you're sending money or waiting for money to come to you through Western Union money transfer, you'll understandably be eager to know whether there are limits to how much you can send and receive, or how long it will take to arrive. Below, we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about Western Union to help you understand the process.

The answers to many of these questions depend on the service you choose, the method of payment, and the countries it's moving to and from.

Which countries can I send money to with Western Union?

Western Union services are available in over 550,000 agent locations across 200 countries and territories, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China, the Philippines, the USA, and Canada. So, you can practically send and receive money all around the globe. Not all of Western Union's services are available in every country, but you will at least be able to send and receive cash in most locations.

When sending money internationally, always remember to check the exchange rate first — the amount you send may be more or less than the amount your recipient will receive, once converted.

Do I need a bank account to send or receive money?

You don't need a bank account to send or receive cash internationally with Western Union. In most cases, you just need to bring some ID and the MTCN tracking number. You'll also be asked to provide:

• the sender’s full name
• the country where the money was sent from
• the approximate amount that was sent

The sender can use their bank card or bank transfer to send cash, but they cannot pay cash into a bank account.

How much can I send with Western Union?

The amount of money you can send with Western Union depends which country you're in, but there isn't usually a cap if you're paying in cash in person. This means you can practically pay as much as you like if you visit a Western Union agent location, such as .

To send money online from the UK, the cap is £799.99 GBP without any additional ID verification. If you want to send more you'll need to digitally confirm your identity. To send up to £50,000, you should consider making a bank transfer with Western Union. Other countries may have different limits for what you can send and receive, so it's always best to check before you make arrangements.

How long does Western Union take?

Cash transfers can be the quickest way to get money from one place to another — in many cases, it will only take a matter of minutes! So, it's worth discussing your options first and deciding how soon you need the money to arrive. Then, check whether your local Western Union agent location has quick options available, or ask the agent which would be the quickest method for your circ*mstances.

How long does Western Union hold your money?

If you or your recipient can't get to a Western Union agent location straight away to pick up cash, don’t worry. Western Union will hold your money in that location for a time, usually around 45 days.

That means you typically have at least a month to arrange the collection after the money has been sent. After that, the money will be returned to the sender.

What happens if Western Union money is not picked up?

Recipients usually have 45 days to collect their cash from a Western Union agent location.

Once that time is up and the money still hasn't been collected, the money will be returned to the sender — though not straight away. The amount can remain in the system for 90 days, unless the sender requests it be returned sooner.

If you made a payment through Western Union that wasn't collected and you'd like your money to be returned, you can contact their customer services.

Where is my nearest Western Union?

You access Western Union services through a Western Union agent location, such as your local H&T branch. To find your nearest H&T, you can use our store locator tool. All of our stores offer the full and complete range of Western Union services, and we have over 250 locations nationwide.

Alternatively, you can search Western Union agent locations on the Western Union website to see all the options you have in your area.

This guide should answer any questions you may have about Western Union, including, "what is Western Union", and "how does it work". Your options for sending and receiving money internationally, plus how much it will cost you, are dependent on so many things, including where you are in the world and the methods you use to move your money.

However, if you pop into your local H&T branch, we'll be happy to talk you through your options and find the best solution for you and your recipient. We can also provide you with a variety of additional services, including pawnbroking, cheque cashing and buying gold. So why not pay us a visit?

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Pawnbroking Loans are secured on your items, if the loan is not repaid it will be sold to pay the debt.

Please note that Cheque Cashing, buyback, FX, retail purchases and sales are not regulated by the FCA.

¹Sources: https://s21.q4cdn.com/100551446/files/doc_financials/2020/ar/2020-Annual-Report-2021-Proxy-Statement.pdf and https://www.westernunion.com/blog/2020-annual-report-ceo-letter/