Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone who needs to send or receive money quickly. This often includes people who are supporting friends or relatives living in a foreign country, travelers, and business people who need to make fast international remittances.

Western Union agent locations are independent businesses that provide money transfer service to their customers on behalf of Western Union.

Western Union agent locations offer the ability to send money using cash worldwide.

The sender initiates the transaction by completing a Send Money form and paying the agent cash to cover the transfer amount plus applicable fees. The agent immediately processes the transaction.

To pick up the money, the receiver completes a Receive Money form at any Western Union agent location and provides proper identification. The agent then pays the transfer amount to the receiver.

Sending money with the Western Union money transfer service from an agent location does not require credit cards, debit cards, bank accounts, or memberships. You will need to show valid identification.

You can usually send any amount you wish. However, for certain amounts and transfers, you may be subject to certain security compliance requirements and may have to provide additional information or documentation.

Generally, we pay your money transfer in cash but in some cases, pay out may be made in the form of a money transfer cheque, a combination of cash and cheque, and in some locations, directly to your bank account. Learn more about depositing directly to a bank account. Other restrictions may apply.

Any time after the money transfer has been sent, you can check your transfer status online. All you need is your name and the tracking number (MTCN) printed on your receipt to verify if the money transfer has been paid.

You can check your transfer status online. All you need is the sender’s name and the tracking number (MTCN) printed on the sender’s receipt to determine if the money is available for pick up.

You may pick up your money transfer at any agent location. You will need to complete a Receive Money form with the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Amount expected
• Sender’s name
• City and country being sent from

Acceptable documentary evidence of identity is also required.

Some restrictions may apply.

Primary identification verifying the full name (birth certificate, etc.) and one form of non-primary identification verifying the current or permanent address (e.g. utility bill, a letter from a hostel manager confirming temporary residence).

Each Western Union agent location determines its own hours of operation, and most maintain extended hours, or even stay open around the clock.

Find a nearby agent location.

Find a nearby agent location online or look for Western Union in your local telephone directory.

1. Go to WU.com, at the top of the page, choose Send money.
2. Enter the required information. Before selecting Continue, choose I have a promo code.
3. Enter the promo code and click Apply.

1. On the home screen, select Send money.
2. Enter the required information. Before selecting Continue, select Transfer discount: (enter code).
3. Enter the promo code and select Apply.

Please log in to WU.com. Unfortunately, at this time, you can’t cancel a transfer using the app.

• Your transfer history
• Your location
• Your receiver’s location
• The service you choose
• Your payment method
• Agent location limits
• Country receive limits

Sending on WU.com or mobile app

Sending in-person

Sending by phone (Telephone Money Transfer)

You may only change 2 letters of the first or last name, not both. To do this, call Customer Care at 0 808 234 9168. 

• Exact name as it appears on their government-issued ID
• Receiver’s street address, city/province/state, and country

WU.com or mobile app:

• Credit** or debit card
• Bank account info

Start in app, pay cash in person:

• Receiver’s full name as it appears on their government-issued ID
• Receiver’s city/province/state and country

Mobile Money Transfers (send to a receiver’s mobile wallet):

Direct to Bank:

• Within the US: Bank name, account name, account number and routing number
• Outside the US: International bank account number (IBAN) and international bank identifier code (BIC), or the receiving country equivalent

Bill payment:

• Company name (also known as code city and state)
• Account number
• Reference number, if applicable (provided by the company or biller)

Telephone Money Transfer:

Sending money to an inmate:

• Correctional facility name (also known as code city and state)
• Inmate’s number
• Inmate’s complete name
• Reference number if applicable (provided by the correctional facility)
   

• Tracking number (MTCN)
• Sender’s complete name
• Sender’s country state/city/province may be required
• Expected amount

• Your complete name as it appears on your government-issued ID
• Your email address
• Your mobile number
• Your billing address

If you choose cash pickup at a WU location, your receiver will need at least the tracking number (MTCN) and an acceptable form of ID. 

If that option is available for selected country and currency, you can use the bank transfer option. 

1. Click Send Money, enter the send amount, currency, and destination.
2. You can choose how would you like to pay: cash at retail agent location, credit** or debit card, or bank account.
3. Select how your receiver would like to get the money. You can choose: cash pick up, Mobile Money Transfers, Direct to Bank, (services vary, depending on the receive country).
4. Review the transfer summary and submit.

• Your receiver’s name as it appears on their government-issued ID
• Your receiver’s city/province/state and country
• Your government-issued ID*

• Your credit** or debit card info
• Your receiver’s name as it appears on their government-issued ID
• Your receiver’s city, state, and country
• Your government-issued ID*