Yes, Remitly can send money directly to a bank account
Remitly transfers money to bank accounts in over 130 countries. When you send through Remitly, you choose whether the recipient gets cash at a pickup location or a direct deposit to their bank account. Direct deposit is usually faster and cheaper than cash pickup, and it works with most banks worldwide.
The recipient does not need a Remitly account. You provide their bank details—account number, routing number or SWIFT code, and the bank's name and address—and Remitly handles the rest. The money lands in their account within one to three business days for most countries, though some routes take longer.
Key Takeaways
- Remitly sends directly to bank accounts in over 130 countries without requiring the recipient to have a Remitly account.
- Bank deposits typically arrive in one to three business days, though timing varies by destination country and the receiving bank.
- You need the recipient's full bank account number, routing or SWIFT code, and the bank's name and address to complete a transfer.
- Bank deposit fees are usually lower than cash pickup fees, and Remitly shows you the exact fee and exchange rate before you confirm.
- If a transfer fails, Remitly refunds the money to your original payment method within five to ten business days.
What information you need to provide for a bank transfer
Before you send, collect these details from the recipient: their full legal name (as it appears on the bank account), the account number, and the routing number (in the US) or SWIFT code (for international banks). You also need the bank's name and the city where the account is held. Remitly asks for this information on the transfer screen and will not let you proceed without it.
The recipient should double-check their account number and routing code before giving them to you. A single digit wrong means the money goes to the wrong account or bounces back. If you are unsure whether a number is correct, ask the recipient to pull up their bank statement or call their bank directly—it takes two minutes and prevents a failed transfer.
How long bank transfers take and when money arrives
Remitly processes your transfer immediately after you pay, but the actual deposit depends on the receiving bank's speed. For transfers within the US, money usually arrives the next business day. For international transfers, one to three business days is typical, though some countries take longer. Remitly shows you an estimated delivery date before you confirm the transfer.
Weekends and holidays slow things down. If you send on a Friday evening, the receiving bank may not process it until Monday. Some countries observe different holidays than the US, so a transfer that normally takes two days might take four if a holiday falls in between. Remitly's estimate accounts for this, so trust the date it shows you.
Fees for sending to a bank account versus cash pickup
Bank deposits cost less than cash pickup at most Remitly corridors. A typical bank transfer might cost $1 to $3, while cash pickup can run $3 to $8 for the same amount. Remitly displays the exact fee before you confirm, so you see what you are paying and what the recipient will receive.
The fee depends on the amount you send, the destination country, and the receiving bank. Larger transfers sometimes have lower percentage fees. Remitly also offers a paid tier called Remitly Plus, which includes lower fees on bank transfers if you send regularly. Check the fee on the transfer screen each time, because rates change and vary by route.
What happens if a bank transfer fails or is rejected
If the receiving bank rejects the transfer—usually because the account number is wrong or the account is closed—Remitly refunds your money to your original payment method. This refund takes five to ten business days. You will see the status change to "returned" or "failed" in your Remitly transaction history, and Remitly sends you an email explaining why.
Contact Remitly's support team if a transfer fails and you do not see a refund after ten business days. They can investigate and push the refund through manually if needed. Before you try again, confirm the recipient's account details with them directly—do not guess or assume the number was correct.
Remitly bank transfers versus other sending methods
Bank deposits are faster and cheaper than cash pickup for most routes, but cash pickup works if the recipient does not have a bank account or prefers not to use one. Remitly also offers pickup at partner locations like MoneyGram or local agents in some countries. You choose the method when you create the transfer, and you can switch between methods on future transfers.
If you send regularly to the same person, bank transfer is usually the best choice because it is consistent, low-cost, and does not require the recipient to leave home. If the recipient is in a remote area without reliable banking, cash pickup may be the only option—check Remitly's list of pickup locations for that country before you send.
How to set up a bank transfer through Remitly
Open the Remitly app or website and enter the amount you want to send and the recipient's country. Remitly shows you the exchange rate and fee. Select "bank deposit" as the delivery method. Enter the recipient's full name, account number, routing or SWIFT code, and bank details. Review everything for accuracy, then choose your payment method—debit card, credit card, or bank account from your side.
Remitly processes the payment immediately and sends a confirmation email with a tracking number. You can check the status anytime in your transaction history. The recipient will see the money in their account within the timeframe Remitly estimated. Some banks notify the recipient by text or email when the deposit arrives; others do not, so the recipient may need to check their balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send to any bank account, or only certain banks?
Remitly works with most banks worldwide, but some smaller or regional banks may not accept incoming international transfers. Check Remitly's list of supported banks for the recipient's country before you send. If the bank is not listed, cash pickup is usually the alternative.
What if the recipient's bank account is in a different name than their legal name?
The account name must match the recipient's legal name as it appears on their ID. If the account is under a different name—a spouse's name, a business name, or a nickname—the transfer will likely fail. Ask the recipient to confirm the exact legal name on the account before you send.
Can I cancel a bank transfer after I send it?
Once Remitly processes the transfer, you cannot cancel it. If you made a mistake, contact Remitly support immediately—they can sometimes stop the transfer if it has not yet left their system, but this is not may provide. After the money reaches the receiving bank, only the recipient can return it.
Do I need to report bank transfers to Remitly for taxes?
Remitly does not report your transfers to tax authorities. You are responsible for reporting any income or financial activity required by your country's tax laws. Keep your Remitly receipts for your records.
What exchange rate does Remitly use for bank transfers?
Remitly shows you the exact exchange rate and the amount the recipient will receive before you confirm the transfer. The rate is locked in once you pay. Remitly's rates are competitive but not always the lowest available—compare with other services if you send large amounts regularly.