Frequently Asked Questions

Send money online

How do I get a refund for my money transfer?

You can request a refund by contacting our Customer Care. You will need to provide your money transfer details for verification, including the tracking number (MTCN).

Upon raising a refund request, you’ll be assigned a ticket number to track the status of your refund. You’ll also get the status on your registered email address.

How do I track my transfer?

You may track the status of your money transfer using the Track transfer service online. All you need is the tracking number (MTCN) that’s provided on your payment receipt. You can also check the details of your transfer on the History page in the mobile app, or in the Recent Activity section on westernunion.com.

How much does it cost to send money online from New Zealand using Western Union?

Usually, money transfer fee depends on the amount and the receiver’s country. But Western Union offers a 0 NZD transfer fee1 on the first online transfer. 

You can check the fees and exchange rate using the Western Union money transfer price estimator

1Western Union makes money from currency exchange.

Can I cancel my online money transfer?

An online money transfer can be cancelled only if it has not been collected by the receiver in the destination country or if the funds have not been credited to your receiver’s bank account or mobile wallet, or if the payment was not completed due to technical issues.

If you wish to cancel your money transfer, please contact us.

What is POLi and how does it work?

POLi is an online payment method which enables you to pay for your transfer via internet banking.

POLi will establish a secure connection to your online bank, where you pay with your regular online banking information. It’s free and registration with POLi isn’t necessary. Please have your online banking details at hand. Your payment will be confirmed immediately.

Learn More about POLi

Supported banks

How long will it take to refund my transfer?

Once we receive your refund request, your money transfer details will be verified, and your request will be processed. If your refund request is approved, the money will be credited back to the funding source you used to pay for the transfer. For card transfers, depending on the issuing bank, it may take 7-14 days for the money to appear on the card. For POLi transfers, it will usually take up to 5-7 business days for the funds to be refunded back to your bank account.

In case the account, which you used to fund the transfer is inactive, invalid or closed please contact our Customer Care.

How do I send money online from New Zealand?

You can send money online 24/7 through westernunion.com or the Western Union® app after you create your online profile and complete your ID verification. Then choose your destination country and the amount you’d like to send.

You can send money directly to your receiver’s bank account1, to an agent location for cash pickup, or to a mobile wallet if the service is available in your receiver’s country.

Learn more about how to register and how to send money online.

How long does it take to send money online?

Once you’ve completed the transfer online and received your receipt with a tracking number (MTCN), your receiver will be able to collect the money within minutes3 from any Western Union agent location around the world.

How many Alipay wallet transfers can I make in a month?

You can make up to 5 transfers to the same receiver on Alipay wallet within a 30-day period starting from the date of the first transfer. If it’s urgent, you can always choose a different payout method such as bank account or cash.

How much money can I send through an online transfer?

After your Western Union profile is verified, you can send up to 80,000 NZD per transaction via POLi Instant bank transfer to your receiver’s Bank account. 

For other online transfer such credit card, debit card, Google Pay and cash pick up options you can send up to 9,000 NZD with Western Union. Also, you can send up to 4,000 NZD to your receiver’s mobile wallet. 

Transfer limit may vary depending on the destination country.

How do I know if my online transfer has been approved?

Your online receipt will show whether your transfer was approved. If we need more information to approve your transfer, we’ll have you call us. When the transfer is complete, you’ll get an email with your tracking number (MTCN).

What are Verified by Visa® and MasterCard SecureCode®?

Verified by Visa® and MasterCard SecureCode® were developed to help prevent unauthorised use of cards online. These services use personal passwords or identity information to help protect cards against unauthorized use. They’re available for most cards from participating financial institutions.

Once your card is activated, your card number will be recognised whenever it’s used at participating online merchants. When you process a money transfer online with Western Union, you may be prompted for your Verified by Visa® or MasterCard SecureCode® password to complete the transfer.

You can still use your card on our site if you haven’t activated Verified by Visa® or MasterCard SecureCode®.

Which countries and territories can I send money online to?

You can send money online to more than 200 countries and territories with Western Union New Zealand. Check our agent locator tool to see all the locations available to you for a money transfer. Your receiver can pick up the cash at any Western Union agent location around the world.

If you want to send money directly to a bank account find the list of countries here.

What do I need to send a money transfer online?

When you first register with Western Union, you’ll need to create an online profile and verify your identity.

To send a money transfer, you’ll need your receiver’s full name (as it appears on their valid ID) and address. You’ll also need a Visa® or MasterCard® credit or debit card2 issued by a New Zealand bank, or access to internet banking with POLi. You must be over 18.

Why did my exchange rate change from the last time I sent a money transfer?

Exchange rates change frequently and may have changed from your last money transfer or an estimate generated on an earlier day. You may check the current fees and exchange rate online using our price estimator.

Can I get a receipt for my online money transfer?

A receipt will be sent to your registered email address once your transfer is complete. You can also check the details of all your transfers on the History page in the mobile app, or in the History section on westernunion.com.

Why was my card debited even though I wasn’t able to complete my online money transfer?

Depending on the reason why the transfer couldn’t be completed, your card issuer may have already placed a pre-authorisation for the payment on your card. The funds are being held by your card issuer, not by Western Union. The card issuer will automatically release these funds, but it may take a couple of days. Please contact your card issuer for details.

How can my receiver register to receive a money transfer to a bank account in Jamaica?

Before you can pick up the money, you’ll receive a SMS, an email or a phone call from the agent so you can choose to register at a physical location or via online registration.

Here’s what you’ll need to provide for registration:

  • Your full name as it appears on your government-issued ID.
  • Name on the bank account.
  • Bank name.
  • Bank code.
  • Branch name.
  • Branch code.
  • Bank account number.
  • The currency on your bank account needs to be in JMD.
  • TRN number (TaxID).
  • Government-issued ID, ID type, and expiration.
  • Country of birth.
  • Date of birth.
  • Phone number (home and mobile).
  • Home address (street, city/town, or parish).
  • Occupation
  • Place of work (if homemaker or unemployed, this is not required).
  • Your email address.

Please note that GraceKennedy will complete the verification required to make sure the receiver owns the given bank account. The verification process may take up to 2 business days and may be cancelled within 8 days if your registration is not complete.

How do I pay for an online money transfer?

You can pay for your online money transfer in New Zealand using any of the following options:

  • Visa® or MasterCard ® credit or debit card issued by a New Zealand bank
  • Internet Banking via POLi1
  • Google Pay or Apple Pay

1The following banks are supported by POLi in New Zealand:

  • ANZ
  • ASB
  • BNZ
  • Kiwibank
  • SBS bank
  • The Co-operative Bank
  • TSB Bank
  • Westpac

What is an MTCN?

The tracking number (MTCN) is a unique code assigned to your transfer. When you send money online, you will get the MTCN on your money transfer receipt. Your receiver will need this tracking number when they pick up their money, and it can also be used to track your transfer. Please do not share this number with anyone other than your intended receiver.