Remitting money from the United States to Canada is a common need in cross-border financial transactions. Whether it is to support family members, pay business payments, or make investments, choosing the right remittance method is crucial. Currently, the mainstream remittance methods include bank transfers, remittance companies, online payment platforms, and cash withdrawal services. Each method has different characteristics in terms of handling fees, arrival time of funds, and exchange rates. In addition, BiyaPay also provides a more efficient international remittance method, supporting fast arrival of funds and helping users complete fund transfers easily.

Different remittance methods are suitable for different scenarios. Therefore, when choosing, factors such as security, arrival speed of funds, and handling fees need to be comprehensively considered.
Bank telegraphic transfer is a traditional and secure international transfer method, suitable for large remittances. Funds can be directly transferred from a bank account in the United States to a bank account in Canada, ensuring the transparency and security of the transaction. However, bank telegraphic transfer usually charges a certain handling fee and may involve intermediate bank fees.
For large transfers, bank telegraphic transfer is still the preferred method for many enterprises and individuals, mainly because the funds are directly deposited into the payee’s bank account without the need for additional withdrawal procedures. Nevertheless, users still need to note that the arrival time of funds may take several working days, depending on the bank’s processing procedures.
Remittance companies such as Western Union and MoneyGram provide more convenient cross-border transfer services, especially suitable for payees who need to withdraw cash. Users can complete the transfer online, and the payee can directly withdraw cash at offline outlets in Canada.
The main advantage of such services is the fast arrival speed of funds. In many cases, the funds can arrive on the same day, or even be completed within a few minutes. However, compared with bank telegraphic transfer, the handling fees of such services are usually higher, especially for small remittances, which may account for a relatively large proportion. Therefore, before using such services, it is recommended to carefully compare the fees and exchange rates to ensure the best cost.
In recent years, online payment platforms have become the preferred choice for more and more users, such as PayPal, Wise (formerly TransferWise), Remitly, and WorldRemit. These platforms offer more competitive exchange rates and lower handling fees, suitable for users with small to medium-sized remittances.
Compared with traditional banks and remittance companies, the main advantages of online payment platforms are simple operation, transparent exchange rates, and usually no hidden fees. In addition, some platforms offer instant arrival services, making remittances more efficient. However, using such platforms usually requires both parties to have an account, and some platforms may set limits on transactions of uncertified users.
Using a credit card is also a feasible remittance method, but some key factors need to be noted before using it. First of all, not all credit cards support international remittances, so relevant policies should be confirmed with the issuing bank before conducting a transaction.
Secondly, remittance using a credit card usually involves higher handling fees and exchange rate costs, and some banks may even charge cash advance fees. This means that remittance using a credit card may be more expensive than other methods, especially in large transactions, and the accumulation of fees may not be cost-effective.
Nevertheless, a credit card is still a feasible option in case of an emergency, especially when users have no other payment methods available. However, for daily or long-term remittances, it is recommended to consider other more cost-effective methods, such as bank transfers or online payment platforms.
When making cross-border remittances, in addition to considering the arrival time of funds, it is equally important to understand the possible fees involved. Usually, the remittance fee mainly includes the following aspects:
In order to save costs, users should compare the charging structures of different remittance methods in advance and choose the most cost-effective service.
The arrival time of funds is one of the important considerations when choosing a remittance method, and the processing speeds of different transfer methods vary.
For situations where the funds need to arrive quickly, remittance companies may be the best choice, while for remittances that are not urgent, bank telegraphic transfer or online payment platforms may have more cost advantages.
Each remittance method has its applicable scenarios, and users should choose according to their own needs. For small remittances, online payment platforms may be the most cost-effective choice; for large remittances, bank telegraphic transfer provides a more secure and transparent transaction method; and for urgent fund needs, the instant arrival services of Western Union or MoneyGram may be more appropriate.
If users want to have a more efficient and unlimited remittance experience, BiyaPay is also a choice worth considering. BiyaPay adopts the local remittance method, supports transfers in most regions around the world, ensures that the funds can arrive quickly and safely, and provides a lower cost and faster arrival speed compared with traditional methods.
*This article is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from BiyaPay or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the contents of this publication.



