An international wire transfer lets you send money across borders in a secure bank-to-bank way. People use it to support family abroad, pay international suppliers, or receive income from overseas. While the process sounds simple, the timing often feels uncertain, especially if you’re sending money regularly.

In many cases, an international wire transfer arrives within one to five business days. This usually depends on when you send the payment and whether it’s before your bank’s daily cut-off time. Even so, delays are common. Time zones, weekends, bank holidays, and extra security checks can all slow the process. Some transfers also pass through intermediary banks, which adds more steps along the way.

Speed isn’t the only concern, as costs matter too. Small fees can repeat every month and add up without you noticing it. Exchange rates can also affect how much money the recipient actually receives. That’s why understanding how international wire transfers work is just as important as knowing how long they take.

Afriex is a trusted and secure money transfer app designed for people who need to send money abroad with confidence. It’s a popular option if you want to send money to Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria from the USA. Afriex makes international transfers easy to set up, simple to track, and clear in terms of costs. This makes it the best way to send money to Africa or manage regular cross-border payments without hidden fees or unexpected delays.

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What Is an International Wire Transfer?

It’s a way to move money electronically from one bank account to another overseas. People also call it an international bank transfer. In simple terms, it’s a bank-to-bank payment that helps you transfer money internationally without cash or cheques.

It works as an electronic funds transfer. First, you ask your bank to send the money. Then your bank sends a secure payment instruction to the recipient’s bank. Most banks use the SWIFT transfer network to share these instructions. SWIFT is mainly a messaging system, not a bank that holds your money.

Because money crosses borders, the route can involve more than two banks. Some foreign wire transfers pass through intermediary, or “correspondent”, banks along the way. This is common when banks don’t have a direct relationship. Also, currency conversion can happen during the process, which can affect the final amount. That’s why international payments can feel more complex than a local transfer. And it’s also why timing and fees vary from one transfer to another.

You might also hear the older term “telegraphic transfer”, which refers to the same idea. It’s simply a wire payment sent through secure banking networks.

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How International Wire Transfers Work 

When you transfer money internationally, your bank handles most of the heavy lifting. You start the transfer in online banking, a mobile app, or at a branch. Then you enter the recipient’s details so the money goes to the right place.

Next, your bank sends payment instructions through a secure network. In many cases, that’s a SWIFT transfer, which uses a SWIFT or BIC code to identify the recipient’s bank. If the banks don’t have a direct connection, the transfer may pass through intermediary banks. This is common with foreign wire transfers, and it can add both time and cost.

Finally, the funds reach the recipient’s bank and get credited to their account. If the transfer involves different currencies, the bank also completes the exchange. That’s why international payments can come with a wire transfer fee, depending on the route and provider.

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International Wire Transfer Fees

The cost of these transfers often include more than one fee. First, your bank may charge a sending fee for starting the transfer. This fee can vary based on the bank, the destination, and the transfer amount.

Next, the recipient’s bank may apply a receiving fee once the money arrives. In addition, some international bank transfers pass through intermediary banks. Each intermediary can deduct its own charge along the way, which reduces the final amount received.

Currency exchange is another important factor. If you send money internationally in a different currency, the bank converts it before delivery. Many banks add a markup to the exchange rate, which acts as a hidden cost. This is why international wire transfer fees can feel unpredictable, even when the upfront charge looks small.

Because fees and exchange rates change, it’s best to review the full cost before confirming the transfer. Checking both the fees and the exchange rate helps you understand the true price of a foreign wire transfer and avoid surprises later.

Afriex focuses on clear pricing and low costs from the start. When you send money internationally with us, fees are kept minimal and shown upfront. Exchange rates are competitive, which helps reduce losses during currency conversion. This transparent setup makes it easier to understand the real cost of a wire transfer before you confirm it. You know what you’re paying and why. That way, more of your money reaches its destination, without unpleasant surprises along the way.

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How Long Do Wire Transfers Take on Average?

If you’ve ever googled “how long does it take to wire funds” you’ve probably seen mixed answers. That’s because a wire has more than one “clock”. First, your bank has to process the request. Then the money moves through banking networks. And finally, the recipient’s bank has to post it.

In practice, most people see one to five business days for an international wire transfer. If you submit the transfer on a business day before the bank’s cut-off time, your bank may process it the same day. Still, same-day processing does not mean same-day arrival. The recipient can still wait while banks verify details and route the payment.

In a best-case scenario, an international bank transfer can land within 24 hours. This is more common between major banks with direct connections. In a more typical scenario, expect one to three business days, especially when you transfer money across time zones. In slower cases, it can take a week or longer. This usually happens when details need correcting, extra checks kick in, or currency exchange adds steps.

Some banks also offer faster delivery for an extra fee. That can help, but it depends on the route and currency. So if you’re asking “how long does it take to wire money internationally,” the safest answer is this: most transfers fall in the 1–5 day range, but a few can be much faster, or much slower.

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International Wire Transfer With Afriex: How Long Does It Take?

When timing matters, waiting several days for a traditional international wire transfer can be frustrating. Afriex is built for people who need faster access to their money, whether they’re supporting family or running a business across borders.

In many cases, transfers with Afriex are completed in minutes rather than days. By using modern payment infrastructure instead of slow banking chains, Afriex reduces the delays caused by intermediary banks. This makes it a strong option if you need to send money from the US to Africa quickly and reliably.

For freelancers, remote workers, and global businesses, Afriex also offers global accounts. These let you hold, send, and receive money in currencies like USD, GBP, and EUR. Instead of juggling multiple bank accounts, you manage everything in one place and convert funds when it suits you.

Overall, if speed is your main concern, Afriex shortens the waiting time that usually comes with an international wire. It turns a process that often takes days into one that feels far more immediate and predictable.

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Why an International Wire Transfer Can Be Delayed

Delays are common with international wires, especially when banks run extra checks or rely on intermediaries, which explains why transfers can feel slow and expensive.

Security and Compliance Checks

Banks must screen international payments for fraud and financial crime risk. This includes identity checks and monitoring for unusual activity. In the US, banks also run sanctions screening before they release funds. If anything looks off, the transfer can pause for manual review. That can add hours, or sometimes days, to an international bank transfer.

Incorrect Recipient Details

A small typo can cause a big delay. If the account number, IBAN, or SWIFT/BIC code is wrong, the transfer may reject or reroute. Name mismatches can also trigger a hold. Then the bank may ask for clarification before completing the transfer.

Cut-Off Times, Weekends, and Holidays

Banks don’t process wires 24/7. If you submit after the daily cut-off time, your bank may process it the next business day. Weekends and public holidays in either country can stretch the timeline too. This often explains why how long it takes to wire money feels inconsistent.

Intermediary Banks and Routing

When banks don’t have a direct relationship, the payment may pass through intermediary banks. Each step adds processing time. This can happen even when you use a SWIFT transfer, because SWIFT moves the message, not the money. More hops often means more waiting.

Currency Exchange and Local Banking Systems

If you transfer money internationally in a different currency, conversion can add time. Some currencies take longer to source or settle. Also, local banking infrastructure varies by country. That can affect how quickly the recipient bank can post the funds.

All of this is why how long wire transfers take depends on more than the day you click “send.” It depends on what happens after that click.

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How to Send an International Wire Transfer 

To send an international wire transfer, start by choosing your provider. You can use your bank, or a money transfer service. 

Next, gather the information needed for international wire transfer requests. Your bank needs the recipient’s full name and bank details. For foreign wire transfers, you’ll usually need the account number or IBAN, plus a SWIFT/BIC code. If you’re transferring money internationally between banks, even a small typo can delay everything.

Before you hit confirm, review the full cost. Look for the international wire transfer fee, plus any fees on the receiving side. Also check the exchange rate if currency conversion applies. Some fees show upfront, while others get deducted in transit.

Finally, submit the transfer and save the confirmation details. Your bank may label the route as a SWIFT transfer, because it carries the payment instructions. If you’re sending money from the US, be aware that regulations limit what banks can ask for. Large transfers can trigger extra checks or reporting. When in doubt, ask your provider what they need before you send.

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Information Needed for an International Wire Transfer 

First, you’ll need the recipient’s full legal name, and sometimes their address too. The name should match what the recipient’s bank has on file. Next, you’ll need the recipient’s bank details, including the bank name and country. For most international routes, you also need the bank’s BIC/SWIFT code, since the payment often moves as a SWIFT transfer. Then you’ll need the recipient’s account identifier, such as an account number or an IBAN, depending on the country.

After that, you set the amount and the currency the recipient should receive. This is important when you transfer money internationally, because currency conversion can change the final payout. Many banks will also ask for a payment purpose or short description. We know this can feel annoying, but it helps with compliance checks.

And finally, confirm who pays the fees. Some banks let you choose whether you cover all fees, split them, or pass them to the recipient. This choice can affect the final amount received, especially if intermediary banks take a cut. 

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Final thoughts

An international wire transfer can work well when you need a secure bank-to-bank payment. Still, it rarely feels instant. Most transfers land within one to five business days. However, cut-off times, weekends, and bank checks can stretch that timeline. Fees can also stack up. This includes sending fees, receiving fees, intermediary fees, and exchange rate markups. That’s why it helps to know how wires route, how to track them, and what details banks require.

At Afriex, we built the most secure money transfer app for people who want faster and clearer transfers. If you need to send money to Africa, Afriex helps you move money without the usual wire-style surprises. You can see costs upfront, track the transfer in the app, and know what to expect before you confirm. So instead of hoping the transfer arrives “sometime soon”, you get a smoother and more predictable way to send money abroad.

Download the Afriex app on iOS or android and send money internationally with speed and clarity.

FAQ

How Long Does Overseas Money Transfer Take?

Most overseas transfers take 1–5 business days. However, the exact timing depends on the provider and route. Bank wires often take longer than app-based transfers. Also, weekends and bank holidays can add extra days.

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Why Is My International Wire Transfer Taking So Long? 

International wires can slow down because banks run security and compliance checks. In addition, a small mistake in the recipient details can trigger manual review. Intermediary banks can also add steps and delays. Finally, cut-off times, time zones, and currency conversion can stretch the timeline.

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