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How to save money on your international money transfers?

Home » Tips » How to save money on your international money transfers?
07/08/2024

Going abroad isn't always easy. You have to think of everything: the trip organization, the itinerary of the cities you want to visit, accommodation, and also the budget. It goes without saying that creating a budget plan is a crucial aspect.

When you move to a new city for a medium-term stay, it can be difficult to find your way around. What type of service should you choose to deposit your income? How can you make transactions or receive money? How can you avoid paying hefty bank fees? Do you have to go through a bank, or are there other, more advantageous options?

Visavacancestravail.be has thought of you and offers you different options to send or receive money without it costing you a lot.

How to save on your bank transfers

There are several types of services that allow you to send, receive, and even deposit money into an account without necessarily going through a bank. These are secure international money transfer services that will certainly make your life easier!

Here is a list:

Western Union :

Western Union is probably the best-known company. Operating in over 200 countries worldwide, it boasts no fewer than 500,000 agent locations. Transfers at agent locations can be made by credit card or cash. It is also possible to transfer money online. Fifteen minutes after sending, the recipient can withdraw their funds. Find all agent locations here.

MoneyGram:

A major competitor of Western Union, this company operates in 200 countries and has 347,000 locations. Sending and receiving money is incredibly easy, taking just ten minutes and using the same principle as Western Union. Find all locations here .

Valid for Western Union and MoneyGram:

For sending or receiving at an agency, you simply need to bring your valid identity card and fill out the appropriate form (send or receive).

For a shipment:

You fill out a submission form indicating:

– the beneficiary's first and last name

– the exact amount to send

– the destination country

– the desired currency

The agent will give you a code that you must transfer to your beneficiary.

Furthermore, when you go to a counter, bring extra cash on hand in addition to the amount you wish to send, as you will be charged a small sending fee.

For a reception:

You fill out a receipt form indicating:

– the sender's first and last name

– the exact amount received

– the code transferred by your beneficiary

Important! To avoid any inconvenience, please note that the names and surnames indicated by the sender or recipient on the sending or receiving form must be identical to the names and surnames printed on the identity card. For example, John D. Wikk does not refer to John David Wikk. Therefore, extra care is needed!

Wise:

Wise is one of the most popular services among working holiday visa holders ( Australia , Canada , New Zealand ). This company offers online money transfers worldwide.

Wise works by following market exchange rates, i.e., the real rates! Simple and quick to use, you are guaranteed to make your transfers at the lowest rate and without additional transfer fees.

You simply need to follow these few steps:

• Sign up using your contact information, your Google or Facebook account

• Enter the amount you wish to transfer, the payment method (bank transfer, credit card or via the app), and the recipient (your account to another person/company)

The site gives you the market exchange rate to help you avoid any unpleasant surprises!

• Once the money has been transferred, you are kept informed of the status of your transfer.

Click here to view a complete tutorial on how to use TransferWise! TransferWise takes a very small percentage of the exchange rate at the time of the transaction (whereas a bank will charge additional transfer fees which can be substantial even for sending a modest sum).

More information here .

PayPal:

Paypal is an online service that allows you to send or receive money, but also to make purchases or deposit money into an account.

Simply create an online account and enter your bank details. When you want to make an online payment (transfer to a friend or purchase on a website), log in to your account (online or download the app) and enter the email address you used to create your account and your password to confirm your transaction.

To receive the money, the recipient must have a Paypal account or create one.

Now, you no longer need to go through a bank. There are other fast, efficient, and inexpensive solutions that allow you to conduct your transactions securely. Thanks to money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram, make life easier for yourself and your loved ones in just a few minutes. PayPal offers you the possibility of opening an online account in a few clicks and making a transfer without leaving home!

Author

  • Maelle, former Working Holiday Visa holder in Australia

    After an au pair stay in the Netherlands, a year in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa , and a trip to Southeast Asia, I continued my desire to explore the world by studying in Scotland. My studies were punctuated by university exchanges in Mexico and Italy, as well as numerous trips throughout Europe. Graduating in the midst of the pandemic, I worked for an NGO before spending eight months in Canada and Latin America. Today, I offer my experience to you at Languages ​​& Travel, with particular expertise in Australia, Latin America, Italy, and Scotland.

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