How to Send Money from India to USA

If you’re thinking about how to send money from India to USA, this is the article you were looking for.

Sending money to any country outside is called Outward Remittance and the process involves many rules and regulations. Especially, if it is a huge amount and the transfer is through banks or other government based financial institutions. In this article, we will look at different ways to send money to someone in USA through banks or whatever means is available.

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Here’s a sample scenario.

As you see, Transferwyse will give you the same exchange rate as seen on Google.com for that day.

• Faster money transfer (usually less than 24 hours)
• Better exchange rates compared to banks.
• No markups/bank fees/hidden charges.
• Real exchange rates (like seen on Google.com)

1. Demand Draft in Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency Demand Drafts are bank-issued pre-paid negotiable instruments denominated in a certain foreign currency.

They are a more cost-effective method of international money transfer. The bank or service provider that you selected will charge you simply the demand draft fee. They can be replaced if they are lost or stolen. They may, however, delay the recipient’s receipt of the funds. They are an excellent option if you are looking to save money and are not in a hurry.

Contact your bank for more details.

2. PayPal

PayPal is the popular method of money transfer and shopping in various currencies. It is very simple to transfer money from India to USA using PayPal. Create a PayPal account in India and link your bank account with it. The account number will be your email id. After logging in to your account,you can transfer the money to another PayPal account in USA by using the ‘Send Money’ option.

The exchange rate depends on the day of transfer. Recently RBI has made some strict regulations for using PayPal in India. Check with the PayPal customer care before making the transaction.

Steps to send money from India to USA through PayPal

1. Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Click “Send Money.”
3. Enter the email address or mobile phone number of the person you are sending the money to.
4. Enter the amount of money you wish to send, and choose the currency from the list.
5. Select “Goods”, “Services”, or “eBay Items”, depending on your purchase.
6. Click Continue.

Related: How to transfer money from USA to India.

3. RemitOut

RemitOut is India’s 1st online outward remittance service and currently it can be used only for paying the educational expenses for the students studying in Universities.To send money, register yourself with the website with the details like bank details in India, University or Institute in USA for which the expenses has to be paid.The transfer fee is $5 and the money reaches the recipient in 2 working days.

The money can be received as a demand draft or a credit in bank account and the transaction can be tracked online.

4. SWIFT Transfer

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication ) is the fastest way of offline transfer through banks in India. To make this transfer you need to visit your bank and fill up the transfer form with details like name of the beneficiary,account number,address of the bank and swift code.After you submit this form, the money is debited from your account and transferred to the beneficiary with in 72 hours.

This facility is offered by many banks like ICICI,SBI,Axis etc.This method is also called Wired transfer.

Also read: Best way to send money to India from USA.

5. Money Gram

Money Gram is also a method for International money transfer and is similar to Western Union.It offers two types of services named Same day service and Economy service. In same day service, the money is sent to the money gram agent in your location and you can collect it on the same day. In economy service, money is sent to your bank account and it will be received in 3 days.

The transfer fee varies depending on the service and the amount and it can be found out using the Cost estimator page.

6. Post offices

The Indian Postal Department has collaboration with the money transfer agencies like Western Union,Money Gram etc for sending money abroad.It has some limitations like the maximum amount per transaction is $2500 and you can make only 12 transactions per year.You can visit your nearest post office and get details about the procedure.

7. Foreign Currency Demand Draft

Sending money through demand draft is the oldest and slowest method and it can be used if you don’t have other options. You can visit the bank where you have account and make a demand draft for the amount you want to transfer.

The draft will be made in dollar and the equivalent rupee amount will de deducted from your account. The bank will charge Rs.200 to 600 for making the draft. The draft will be sent by post and it may reach the recipient in 7 to 10 working days. You have to pay the postal charges also and there is no option for tracking the package.

8. E-Transfer

If the account is in the same bank in India as well as US, you can use this method of transfer. It is also called Electronic transfer.

It is similar to the way you transfer funds across local bank accounts in India and the money is received within the same day or maximum of 2 days.

9. ExTravel Money

To conduct an online money transfer, visit their website and enter the amount of USD you wish to transfer, as well as the reason for the transfer, to compare the various rates offered by banks and RBI-authorized dealers. Once you’ve chosen a particular rate, reserve it. Provide the required documentation for verification. After verification, the funds will be sent to the designated bank via NEFT/RTGS. Credit will be issued to the beneficiary within two business days.

10. BookMyForex

To make an online money transfer from India to the United States, visit their website and provide your bank details, the beneficiary’s bank details, ID papers, and any other verification required. The funds are transferred within two days. There are no fees associated with international transactions.

If you’re looking to transfer money to India via online banking, do check out these tips.

11. Via Banks

The other option is to use your banks to send money to your loved ones in the USA. Most banks have outward remittance options including ICICI bank, AXIS bank etc. You have to always mention the purpose of your remittance. For example, student loan, emigration, maintenance of relatives etc.

How much money can be transferred from India to USA?

The annual limit for money transfers from India to the United States is US $125,000. You can transfer an infinite amount of money from your own NRE account and a maximum of USD1,25,000 per year from NRO accounts. Above this limit, you must obtain approval from the RBI.

Is money transferred from India to US taxable?

No, money sent from India to the United States is not taxable. However, if it exceeds US $100,000 in any current year, you must file Form 3520 with the IRS. This is a purely informative form with no tax implications. However, if the money is given as a gift, gift taxes may apply in the United States.

Can I transfer money from India to USA through Google pay?

No. Google Pay now enables customers in the United States of America to send money to friends and family in India and Singapore. Not the other way around.

How can I transfer money from India to USA through SBI?

The Forex Outward Remittance plan is available via internet banking at www.onlinesbi.com.

A separate tab (link / URL) is available under the “Payments & Transfer” menu in the Internet banking platform (Fund Transfer Section).
To initiate an online foreign outward remittance request, click the “International Beneficiary” option.
Payments/Transfers > International Funds Transfers >Application

Please note that prior to submitting the Remittance Application Form, the International Beneficiary must be added.

For first-time users / logins to International Fund Transfer (Foreign Outward Remittance) and to add beneficiary(ies), the remitter must navigate to the “International beneficiary” area of their profile.

So, there you have it. More than ten ways for those searching for how to send money from India to USA.