Living in the U.S. while other family members live in Mexico can be difficult. Cross-border money transfers are often a crucial way to support your family when you can’t be there in person. The money you send allows your family to buy the things they need—from groceries to clothing, adding to their mobile phone minutes and more.
When you send money to loved ones in Mexico through Western Union, both of you (sender and receiver) have options. Check out these options below.
Options for Sending Money
Bank Transfer
Transferring money to Mexico is easy. The Western Union app and website make it easy to make a direct transfer. Registration is free – register on the app or online. Bank transfers only require your full name, bank account details, and your address and mobile number. Real-time transfers that arrive in minutes are available at Banamex, Bancomer, Santander, Azteca, Bancoppel, HSBC, and Scotiabank. Other bank funds will generally arrive within 1-2 days, depending on the individual bank’s processes.
Cash at an Agent Location
Does your family member need money now? Western Union allows you to send cash through an agent location that your family member can pick up at an agent location local to them. With over 200 countries and territories around the world and more than 38,000 locations in Mexico, there’s likely an agent location nearby. There are also Western Union branches in Mexico City, Cancun, Cozumel, and Los Cabos.
Credit or Debit Card
Use the WU® app to use a credit or debit card to transfer money. The app is available 24/7, meaning you can send money at any time and from wherever you are. You can start sending money instantly or start a transfer and then pay at an agent location.
Reward yourself by earning points. Every $1 in transfer fees paid on a single qualifying transaction earns 1 My WU point. Redeem your points for transfer-fee discounts and other rewards. Sign-up today for free!
Online Bank Transfer
Prepaid mobile phone reload
An alternative way to send support to family in Mexico is to buy prepaid minutes for your family members through Western Union. AT&T, Telcel, and Movistar allow these reloads to their phone plans. All that is needed is the mobile provider name, the phone number, and the amount to reload. Minutes are often available shortly after the transaction is complete – about as easy as checking your email!
Picking Up Money
Retail Pickup
Picking up a money transfer in Mexico is easy with Western Union’s 38,000 locations there, including in supermarkets such as Banco Azteca, Bancoppel, Caja Popular Mexicana Calimax, Casa Ley, Elektra, Famsa, Farmacias Guadalajara, Fundación Dondé, Oxxo, Telecom, Waldos, Walmart and more.
All that is needed to pick up a money transfer is:
- The MTCN, tracking number for the transfer
- The sender’s name and their own full name
- The expected amount
- Government-issued ID
- Sender’s country and state/city/province may be required
Once you have the above items, picking up cash is as easy as four steps: 1) Locating a local agent; 2) Tracking your transfer – no need to make more than one trip; 3) Showing your ID and to the agent clerk; 4) Signing the receipt and collecting the money!
IMPORTANT: Only the receiver whose name appears on the transfer can pick up the money, so make sure to enter the name of the right person.
Rely on WU
Western Union has been transferring money for over 150 years. With our mobile app, you can log in easily with touch ID, requiring only your one-touch fingerprint. All transfers are encrypted to protect your information and enable a reliable money transfer.
