How to Send Money to India: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips By Western Union July 9, 2026

Whether you’re supporting family, helping friends, or sending money to yourself while abroad, finding a convenient and reliable way to transfer money from the UK to India matters.

With the Western Union app, you can send money directly to bank accounts, through UPI, or for cash pickup. Millions of customers worldwide use Western Union for international money transfers, giving senders multiple ways to move money globally.

For eligible first-time online transfers to India, Western Union offers a promotional pound-to-rupee exchange rate that may be better than the market rate for transfers up to GBP 750.

Send Money to India – Step-by-Step

Step 1: Download and Open the Western Union App

The first step is to download the Western Union app from the App Store or Google Play. Once installed, log in to your account or create a new one. New customers will need to complete identity verification, so it’s a good idea to have identification and proof of address available.

Step 2: Select India as Your Destination

After opening the app, tap ‘Send money’ and choose India as the receiving country. Transfers to India are paid out in Indian rupees (INR).

Step 3: Choose How Your Receiver Gets the Money

Western Union offers several payout options for transfers to India:
UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
• Direct bank account transfer
• Cash pickup at a Western Union location

UPI is one of the most widely used payment systems in India and can offer real-time* delivery, making it a popular choice for many senders and receivers.

Step 4: Select Your Payment Method

Available payment methods in the UK include:
• Credit & debit cards
• Instant Bank Transfer
• Bank Transfer with Faster Payments
• Google Pay
• Apple Pay
• Cash Pay-in

Step 5: Review Your Transfer Details

Before confirming, review the amount you want to send, fees, delivery speed and amount the receiver will get.

Step 6: Add or Select Your Receiver

Enter your receiver’s information or select an existing receiver from your saved contacts. The app stores receiver details for future transfers.

Step 7: Pay and Confirm

Complete your payment details and confirm the transaction. You will receive a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) that can be used to track your transfer.

Finding a Western Union Location in India

If your receiver chooses cash pickup, they can use the Location Finder within the Western Union app to find nearby agent locations. Western Union has over 16,000 locations in India.

Set Up an Exchange Rate Alert

Western Union’s FX Alert feature can notify you when a specified exchange rate is reached, helping you decide when to send your transfer.

Why Send Money to India with Western Union?

  • Competitive pound-to-rupee exchange rates
    • Flexible payment and payout options
    • UPI transfers
    • Bank account transfers
    • Cash pickup services
    • Transfer tracking with MTCN
    • Exchange rate alerts
    • Fast delivery options

Get Started Today

Ready to send money from the UK to India?

Download the Western Union app and start your transfer in just a few steps. Whether you’re sending money to family, friends, or yourself, Western Union offers convenient ways to send funds across borders.

For eligible first-time online transfers to India, Western Union may offer a promotional pound-to-rupee exchange rate for transfers up to GBP 750. Promotional rates vary and are available only at the time displayed in the app or online. T&Cs apply.

* Transfer speed and funds availability may be affected by factors such as service choice, amount, destination, currency, regulations, ID requirements, and systems availability of our partners’ banking systems, and may not be available for all transactions. See Terms for details.