Understand How to Exchange US Dollars to Indian Rupees via Remitly and Get the Best Remittance Service

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Your remittance to India is an important part of support. In the 2025 fiscal year, India received a record total of USD 135.46 billion in remittances. This guide will help you use Remitly to complete remittances efficiently and master cost-saving techniques. Our goal is to maximize the value of every dollar you send.

Prepare your recipient details and payment method—let’s get started!

Key Points

• You can use Remitly to send money to India with a simple and secure process.
• After creating an account, you need to verify your identity to increase transfer limits.
• Choosing the “Economy” service provides a better exchange rate, though arrival takes longer.
• New users can enjoy special promotions, such as promotional rates and waived first-transfer fees.
• Remitly offers a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee and allows real-time transfer tracking.

Step-by-Step Remitly Transfer Guide

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Sending money to India via Remitly is straightforward and direct. Simply follow these five steps to safely and efficiently deliver funds to your recipient.

Step 1: Create and Verify Your Account

First, create a free account on the Remitly website or mobile app. This process is quick and typically requires basic information only.

• Full name
• Residential address
• Date of birth
• Last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)

New accounts come with an initial transfer limit. For security and to increase your limit, you must complete identity verification.

Documents required for account verification Remitly may request the following documents to verify identity, especially for larger transfers:

• Primary ID: A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a passport, driver’s license, or state ID.
• Proof of address: In some cases, you may need to provide a utility bill or bank statement to verify your address.
• Proof of funds source: For larger transfers, the platform may require additional documents like proof of income.

After completing verification, your transfer limit will be increased, allowing more flexible remittances.

Step 2: Set Up Transfer Details

After logging in, you can start setting up your transfer.

1. Enter amount: Input the USD amount you wish to send in the designated field. The system will automatically display the INR amount the recipient will receive and the current exchange rate.
2. Choose transfer frequency: Select “one-time transfer” or set up “recurring transfers” based on your needs. If you need to send fixed monthly support to family, the recurring feature automates the process, saving repetitive effort.

Step 3: Choose Delivery Method

Next, select how the recipient in India will receive the funds. Remitly offers multiple flexible options for different needs.

• Bank Deposit: The most common method. Funds are deposited directly into the recipient’s Indian bank account.
• Cash Pickup: Ideal if the recipient prefers or needs cash. They can collect it at any of over 100,000 partner locations in India by presenting valid ID and the transaction reference number.
• Mobile Money: Funds can be sent directly to the recipient’s linked mobile wallet for convenience.

Step 4: Enter Recipient Information

Accurate recipient details are key to successful transfers. Carefully verify and fill in the following:

• Recipient’s full name: Must exactly match the name on their bank account.
• Bank account number: The recipient’s Indian bank account number.
• IFSC code: The Indian Financial System Code that identifies the specific bank branch.
• Phone number: For receiving SMS updates on transfer status.
• Purpose of transfer: Select a purpose from the dropdown, such as “family support.”

How to find the IFSC code? The IFSC is an 11-character alphanumeric code. You or your recipient can usually find it:

• Printed in the top-left corner of the bank checkbook.
• Listed on the first page of the bank passbook.
• Via the recipient’s online banking or mobile banking app.

Step 5: Choose Payment and Complete Transfer

The final step is selecting your payment method in the US. Options include:

• Bank account
• Debit or credit card
• Mobile wallet (such as Apple Pay and Google Pay)

Different payment methods affect processing speed. Choose based on urgency.

Before clicking “Send Transfer,” carefully review all details—amount, exchange rate, fees, and recipient information. Once confirmed, complete your transfer.

Tips for Getting the Best Exchange Rate and Fees

Completing the transfer is just the first step; the real skill is maximizing every dollar’s value. Master these tips to save more and ensure the recipient receives more INR.

Understand Exchange Rates and Fee Structure

The total cost of your transfer to India consists of two parts: transfer fees and exchange rate margin.

First, the transfer fee. This is usually fixed and depends on the transfer amount.

Note: When sending over $1,000, although no explicit transfer fee is charged, the cost is embedded in the exchange rate.

Next is the exchange rate margin. The rate you see online (e.g., “Google rate”) is the mid-market rate. Remittance providers typically add a markup (or profit margin) to this rate, creating the retail rate offered to you. This markup is usually between 0.4% and 1.4%.

This means the rate you get is slightly below the mid-market rate.

This small difference becomes significant with large transfers. Thus, comparing the final INR received is more important than just looking at transfer fees.

Leverage New User Promotions

As a new user, you can access Remitly’s most attractive offers—the best chance to save.

• Promotional rate: Your first transfer gets a one-time special rate very close to the mid-market rate.
• Fee waiver: Many new user offers include waiving the first transfer fee.
• Promotion cap: This promotional rate typically applies to up to $10,000 of your first transfer. Amounts above this use the standard rate.

Promotion validity New user offers are not permanent. These promotions have clear start and end dates, such as from September 15, 2025, to November 15, 2025. Use them soon after registering to avoid missing out.

Choose the Right Transfer Speed

Your urgency directly impacts cost. The platform offers two main service options for trade-off decisions.

• Economy: The most cost-effective choice if time isn’t urgent. Funds take 3–5 business days but come with a better rate.
• Express: Ideal for urgent family needs—funds arrive in minutes. However, you accept a lower rate for this speed.

To help decide, see the comparison below:

Simply put, trade time for money. Plan ahead and choose Economy to maximize INR received.

Use Referral Programs and Promotions

Even after your first transfer, you can keep saving.

First, use the referral program. Share your unique referral link with friends.

• When a friend signs up via your link and completes their first transfer (e.g., $100 or more), both of you typically receive a reward, such as a ＄15 or $20 discount on transfers.

Second, watch for seasonal promotions. During high-demand periods like Diwali or Christmas, platforms often launch special offers, such as:

• Limited-time fee waivers
• More attractive rates
• Cashback rewards

Regularly check your email or log into the app to catch these time-sensitive deals and further reduce costs.

Transfer Security and Tracking

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When sending money, security is the top priority. Understanding the platform’s safety measures, refund guarantees, and tracking features ensures peace of mind with every transfer.

Remitly’s Security Measures

Your personal and financial information is strictly protected. Remitly is a regulated remittance provider—for example, in California, it is licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). The platform also uses multi-layered technology for transaction security.

• Advanced encryption: Sensitive data (like bank or payment details) is converted into secure code, preventing unauthorized access during transactions.
• Industry-standard protocols: The platform uses recognized encryption and fraud prevention measures to build user trust.
• Ongoing security partnerships: Collaborations with cybersecurity firms keep data protection cutting-edge.

100% Satisfaction Money-Back Guarantee

The platform promises reliable service with a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee.

If your transfer doesn’t arrive within the promised time, the platform will refund your transfer fee. This is a reassuring commitment.

Additionally, if you need to cancel, as long as funds haven’t been collected or deposited, you’re entitled to a full refund (including paid fees). Contact customer support promptly with your transaction reference number to request cancellation.

Real-Time Transfer Tracking

After sending, you don’t have to wait anxiously. Stay updated on fund movement anytime.

Log into your account or open the mobile app, go to the “Track Transfer” section, and view real-time progress. Whether waiting for bank deposit completion or cash pickup availability, it’s clear at a glance. You and your recipient will also receive status updates via email or SMS, making the process transparent and worry-free.

You now know the key steps to send money to India: create an account, enter details, choose a service, and complete payment. To maximize savings, use new user promotions and select Economy service. The app has high ratings of 4.6 on Google Play and 4.8 on the Apple App Store.

Download the app or visit the website now to experience your first secure, cost-effective transfer!

FAQ

We’ve compiled some common questions to help you complete transfers smoothly.

Are there transfer amount limits?

Yes, your account has transfer limits divided into three tiers based on verification provided.

• Initial limit: Usually up to $2,999 within 24 hours.
• Increased limit: Submit additional documents to apply for a higher limit.

How do I cancel a transfer?

You can cancel an incomplete transfer. Log into your account, find the transaction in “Transfer History,” and select cancel. If funds haven’t been collected or deposited, you’ll receive a full refund.

What if I enter wrong recipient information?

Contact Remitly support immediately. If the transfer hasn’t processed, they can help correct it. Incorrect bank details usually cause a failed transaction and refund, but this delays fund arrival.

Through this comprehensive Remitly-to-India guide, we’ve grasped its Economy/Express flexibility and promo rates for newcomers, effectively countering traditional remittance hassles like IFSC verification delays, 0.4%-1.4% rate markups, and 3-5 day waits—tailored for U.S.-based Indian expats’ family aid or recurring payments. However, for USD-to-INR swaps broadening to global multi-currency exchanges, digital asset merges, or elevated volumes, a fuller, low-fee platform enhances the flow, evading Remitly’s $2,999 initial cap and 3% card extras. BiyaPay, the innovative cross-border finance specialist, delivers real-time exchange rate queries and conversions for over 30 fiat currencies and 200+ cryptocurrencies, nailing optimal mid-market rates like the current USD/INR around 88.82, devoid of hidden costs.

Simply register in a few steps to harness remittance fees as low as 0.5%, spanning most countries worldwide with same-day arrivals. This outshines Remitly’s cash pickup reliance and seasonal promo uncertainties, empowered by bank-grade encryption, multi-factor authentication, and live tracking for secure delivery to Indian banks or e-wallets. Whether battling seasonal rate swings or large family sends, BiyaPay’s worldwide lens amplifies your INR yield and eases multi-tool juggling.

Seize the promo edge now! Visit the real-time exchange rate query to monitor live USD/INR trends and initiate your free account. Opt for BiyaPay and launch an efficient, dependable USD-to-rupee remittance adventure where every send packs more power.