Chase does not operate a separate "international bank," but it does offer international banking services through its main branches and subsidiaries

Chase (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) is a U.S. bank with international reach. It does not have a distinct entity called "Chase International Bank." Instead, Chase provides cross-border banking, wire transfers, foreign currency accounts, and international payment services through its regular U.S. branches and through subsidiaries and partner banks in other countries.

If you are outside the U.S. or a non-U.S. resident trying to understand how to receive money from Chase—such as a tax refund, insurance payout, or business payment—you need to know which Chase service handles that payment and whether your location can receive it.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase offers international services through its U.S. branches and overseas subsidiaries, but does not operate a separate "Chase International Bank."
  • Non-U.S. residents can receive wire transfers and ACH payments from Chase, but the receiving bank must be able to accept U.S. dollar transfers.
  • Chase requires a U.S. address or a valid U.S. tax ID to open most accounts, which blocks many non-residents from direct Chase accounts.
  • If you are waiting for a refund or payment from a U.S. entity that uses Chase, you will receive it via wire transfer or check, depending on the payer's method.

How Chase handles payments to people outside the U.S.

Chase processes outgoing international wire transfers and ACH payments to banks in other countries. The payment reaches your bank account abroad, not a Chase account, because Chase does not maintain deposit accounts for most non-U.S. residents.

When a U.S. company, government agency, or insurance firm sends you money and uses Chase as its bank, Chase acts as the intermediary. The funds move from the U.S. payer's Chase account through the international payment system (SWIFT for wires, or ACH for some cross-border transfers) to your bank in your home country.

The speed and cost depend on the payment method. Wire transfers typically arrive in one to three business days but may carry fees charged by your receiving bank. ACH transfers are slower (five to ten business days) but often cheaper.

What you need to receive money from Chase

To receive a payment routed through Chase, you do not need a Chase account. You need a bank account in your own country that can receive U.S. dollar transfers. Your bank must have a SWIFT code (for wire transfers) or be part of the ACH network (for some automated transfers).

You will need to provide the U.S. payer with your bank's name, your account number, and the bank's SWIFT code or routing information. For tax refunds or government payments, you may also need to provide your address and tax identification number in your home country.

Some banks outside the U.S. charge fees to receive incoming wires or foreign currency transfers. Check with your bank before the payment is sent so you know what to expect.

Chase branches and subsidiaries outside the U.S.

Chase operates branches and subsidiaries in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and parts of Europe and Asia. These are separate legal entities regulated by their local governments, not extensions of the U.S. Chase bank.

If you have a Chase account through a Chase branch in your country, that account is governed by local banking rules, not U.S. banking rules. Payments into that account follow local banking timelines and fees.

Chase's international presence does not mean you can open a U.S. Chase account from abroad. Most U.S. Chase accounts require a U.S. address and a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Receiving tax refunds through Chase

If you filed a U.S. tax return and requested a refund, the IRS may send it via direct deposit to a U.S. bank account. If the account is held at Chase, the IRS transfers the refund through the ACH system, and it arrives within one to three weeks of approval.

Non-U.S. residents cannot receive IRS refunds via direct deposit to a foreign bank account. The IRS only deposits refunds to U.S. bank accounts. If you are a non-resident with a U.S. tax obligation, you must either open a U.S. bank account (which requires a U.S. address) or request a refund check mailed to a U.S. address.

Some non-residents use a U.S. address service or a trusted contact in the U.S. to receive the check, then have it forwarded. This adds time and cost but is a common workaround.

Receiving insurance or business payments through Chase

Insurance companies and businesses often use Chase to process payouts. If you are owed money from a U.S. insurance claim or a business transaction, the payer may offer wire transfer or check as payment methods.

Wire transfer is faster and reaches your foreign bank account directly. The payer instructs Chase to send the funds to your bank's SWIFT address. You provide your bank details, and the transfer typically completes in one to three business days.

A check mailed to your address abroad takes longer—usually two to four weeks for delivery, plus time for your bank to clear it. Some foreign banks charge higher fees to process U.S. checks or may not accept them at all.

What to do if a payment through Chase is delayed or missing

If you provided your bank details correctly and the payment was sent more than three business days ago (for a wire) or ten business days ago (for ACH), contact the U.S. payer first. They can confirm the payment was actually sent and provide you with a reference number or confirmation.

With that reference number, contact your own bank and ask them to trace the incoming transfer. Your bank can check whether the funds arrived in their system but were held, rejected, or sent to the wrong account.

If the U.S. payer says the payment was sent but your bank has no record, ask the payer to contact Chase directly. Chase can search its outgoing transfer records and confirm whether the payment left the U.S. system. If it did, the problem is on your bank's end; if it did not, Chase may need to resend it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase account if I live outside the U.S.?

Most Chase accounts require a U.S. address and a U.S. tax ID (Social Security number or ITIN). If you have a U.S. address—such as a relative's home or a mail service—you may be able to open an account online. If you live permanently abroad, you will likely need to visit a Chase branch in person or use a Chase subsidiary in your country if one exists.

How long does it take for a wire transfer from Chase to reach my bank abroad?

Wire transfers typically arrive in one to three business days, depending on your receiving bank's processing speed and time zone differences. Weekends and holidays can add delay. Your bank may hold the funds for an additional one to two business days before crediting your account.

Will I pay fees to receive money through Chase?

Chase may charge the sending party a wire fee (typically $15 to $50). Your receiving bank may also charge an incoming wire fee or a foreign exchange fee if the transfer is in U.S. dollars and your account is in another currency. Ask your bank about their fees before the payment is sent.

What if my bank does not have a SWIFT code?

Most banks outside the U.S. have a SWIFT code. If yours does not, ask your bank for an alternative routing method or the name of a correspondent bank that can receive the transfer on your behalf. Some smaller banks use intermediary banks to receive international transfers.

Can Chase send a refund or payment directly to my foreign address?

Chase can send a check to a foreign address if the U.S. payer requests it, but delivery is slow and your bank may charge extra to process a foreign check. Wire transfer to your bank account is faster and usually cheaper overall.