Yes, you can transfer money from Remitly to a bank account in most cases
Remitly is a money transfer service, not a bank, so your money has to move somewhere else eventually. You can send funds from Remitly to a linked bank account, and the transfer usually lands within one to three business days. The speed and cost depend on which country you're sending to and which bank account you're using.
The process is straightforward: you log into your Remitly account, select the bank account you want to receive the money, and confirm the transfer. Remitly doesn't charge you to move money out to your own bank account—the cost, if any, comes from your bank, and most banks don't charge for incoming transfers.
Key Takeaways
- Remitly transfers to your own bank account are free and typically arrive within one to three business days.
- You must add and verify your bank account in Remitly before you can transfer money to it, which takes a few days the first time.
- International transfers from Remitly to a bank account outside the United States may take longer and depend on the receiving country's banking system.
- If a transfer fails or is delayed, Remitly's customer support can investigate, but you should check your bank account details first.
How to add a bank account to Remitly
Before you can transfer money out, you need to link a bank account. Open the Remitly app or website, go to your account settings, and select "Add a Bank Account" or "Linked Accounts." You'll enter your routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings). Remitly will then send two small test deposits to that account—usually within two to three business days.
Once you see those deposits in your bank account, you go back to Remitly and confirm the amounts. This verification step protects both you and Remitly by proving you actually own the account. After verification, your account is active and ready to receive transfers. The whole process typically takes three to five business days from start to finish.
If you're adding an account at a smaller bank or credit union, verification may take longer. Some banks also flag incoming transfers as suspicious if they're unusual for your account, so if your transfer gets held, contact your bank directly—they can release it once they confirm it's legitimate.
How long a transfer to your bank account takes
Domestic transfers—from Remitly to a U.S. bank account—usually arrive within one to three business days. The exact timing depends on when you initiate the transfer (weekends and holidays add delay) and your bank's processing speed. Most major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc.) process incoming transfers the same day or next business day.
International transfers are slower. If you're sending money from a Remitly account in the U.S. to a bank account in another country, the transfer can take five to ten business days or longer, depending on the receiving country's banking infrastructure. Some countries have slower correspondent banking networks, which adds days to the timeline. Remitly will show you an estimated delivery date when you initiate the transfer.
If a transfer doesn't arrive by the date Remitly promised, check your bank account first to make sure it didn't land under a different name or reference number. Then contact Remitly support with your transfer confirmation number—they can trace it through the banking system.
What happens if you transfer to the wrong bank account
If you accidentally send money to the wrong account number, recovery is difficult and depends on whether the receiving bank cooperates. Remitly cannot simply reverse the transfer once it leaves their system—the money goes into whatever account number you provided. The receiving bank is not required to return it just because you made a mistake.
Your best option is to contact Remitly support immediately with your transfer details. They can file a recall request with the receiving bank, but success is not may provide. Some banks will return the funds if the account holder hasn't touched them, but others won't act without a court order. This process can take weeks or months.
To avoid this: double-check the account number before you confirm any transfer. Copy and paste it from your bank statement rather than typing it from memory. If you're sending to a new account for the first time, send a small test amount first.
Fees and costs for bank transfers
Remitly does not charge you to transfer money from your Remitly account to your own bank account. The transfer itself is free. Your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer, but most major banks do not—incoming transfers are typically free.
If you're transferring to a bank account outside the United States, Remitly may apply an exchange rate markup if currency conversion is involved, but that's separate from the transfer fee. The exchange rate you see in the Remitly app includes Remitly's margin; you're not paying an additional charge on top of it.
Some smaller banks or credit unions may charge a fee for incoming transfers, though this is rare. If you're unsure, contact your bank before you transfer and ask whether they charge for incoming ACH transfers (the standard method Remitly uses).
What to do if a transfer fails or gets stuck
A transfer can fail for several reasons: incorrect account number, account closed, insufficient funds in your Remitly balance, or a mismatch between the account holder's name and the name on your Remitly account. Remitly will usually notify you by email or app notification if a transfer fails, and the money returns to your Remitly balance within a few business days.
If a transfer is stuck—it's been longer than the promised delivery date and the money hasn't arrived—log into your Remitly account and check the transfer status. If it shows "completed" or "delivered," the money is in your bank's system; contact your bank to locate it. If it shows "pending" or "processing," wait another business day or two. If it shows "failed," Remitly will have already returned the funds to your account.
Contact Remitly support if the status doesn't match what you're seeing in your bank account. Have your transfer confirmation number and the date you initiated the transfer ready. Remitly can file a trace request with the receiving bank, which typically takes five to ten business days to resolve.
Transferring money out of Remitly vs. other withdrawal options
Bank transfer is the most common way to move money out of Remitly, but you have other options. You can withdraw cash at certain retailers (MoneyGram locations, for example) if Remitly offers that service in your area. You can also request a check by mail, though this is slower and less common now. Some Remitly accounts allow you to use a Remitly debit card to spend the money directly, though this is not available everywhere.
Bank transfer is usually the fastest and cheapest option for moving larger amounts. Cash withdrawal works if you need money immediately and don't want to wait for a bank transfer. Checks are rarely used anymore because they take one to two weeks to arrive and require a trip to your bank to deposit.
If you're sending money internationally and the receiving country doesn't have reliable banking infrastructure, Remitly may offer cash pickup at partner locations instead of bank transfer. The app will show you which options are available for your specific transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Remitly to someone else's bank account?
No. Remitly only allows you to transfer money to a bank account that is registered under your own name. If you want to send money to someone else, you need to use Remitly's international transfer service to send it to their bank account directly, or send them cash through a cash pickup location.
What if my bank account is closed or inactive?
If your linked bank account is closed, the transfer will fail and the money will return to your Remitly balance. You'll need to add a new active bank account and try again. If your account is inactive (you haven't used it in a long time), some banks may reject the incoming transfer; contact your bank to reactivate it before transferring.
Do I need to have money in my Remitly account before I transfer to my bank?
Yes. You can only transfer money that is already in your Remitly account. If you received money through Remitly's international transfer service or loaded funds yourself, that balance is what you can transfer out. You cannot transfer money you don't have.
Can I set up automatic transfers from Remitly to my bank account?
Remitly does not offer automatic recurring transfers to your bank account. You have to initiate each transfer manually through the app or website. If you want money to move regularly, you'll need to set a reminder and do it yourself each time.
What if Remitly shows the transfer as delivered but my bank doesn't show it?
Check your bank account under a different name or reference number—sometimes transfers appear with "Remitly" or a reference code rather than under your own name. If it's truly not there after two business days, contact your bank's customer service with the transfer date and amount. They can search their incoming transfers and locate it. If your bank confirms it never arrived, contact Remitly to file a trace.