Receive money from abroad or from the UK

Western Union® offers many convenient ways to receive money transfers from abroad or the UK. You and your sender can choose everything from cash pickup to bank transfers and decide what’s best for you.

Whatever the occasion, Western Union® can help make sure you receive your money.

Be informed. Be aware. Protect yourself from fraud

Be informed. Be aware.

Protect yourself from fraud

We encrypt your transfers

We are committed to keeping your data secure

We’ve sent money around the world for over 150 years

How do I receive money from abroad?

Knowing money is on its way is a good feeling. Whether it’s for a cancelled flight, an emergency repair, or you’re simply the recipient of a very nice birthday gift, Western Union® makes it easy to receive money from abroad or the UK. For those looking for a reliable way to receive money from overseas, you’ll also value the peace of mind that comes when you receive your money transfer using a trusted service like Western Union.

If you’re wondering how to receive money from abroad online or in-person, here are some of the ways we can help.

Receive money from overseas to your bank account

Your loved ones can send money directly to your bank account in the UK. Check if you’ve received the money transfer using the Western Union® app or online at westernunion.com.

Learn about bank transfers
Receive money from abroad in cash at an agent location

Pick up your money in minutes1 at any of thousands of agent locations around the UK. You’ll just need a few transfer details, your tracking number (MTCN) and a valid ID.

Discover your nearest location
Receive money transfers directly to your mobile wallet2

In many countries, you can receive money from abroad directly to your mobile wallet2. UK senders should tell their loved ones to ensure their mobile wallet is activated and to provide their phone number for any delivery updates.

Find out more

Receive money from abroad today

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Receive money your way

Receive money from abroad straight into your bank account or mobile wallet2 or collect as cash from an agent location.

Get a free estimate

We provide free, no-obligation estimates, so you and your loved one can see exactly how much will be sent and received in each currency.

Convenient locations

With thousands of agent locations across the UK, you can pick up your cash close to home.

Track your money transfer

You can easily track your money transfer online or via our app using the tracking number (MTCN).

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Reasons to choose Western Union

Committed to security

Our encryption and fraud prevention efforts help protect any Western Union money transfer you send or receive.

Save receiver details

It is easy for the sender to make repeat transfers by saving your details, ready for the next time you need to receive money from abroad or the UK.

Proud heritage

At Western Union®, we are proud to have helped people send money around the world for over 150 years.

Worldwide reach

Western Union offer digital services in 70+ countries, mobile app in 40+ countries and hundreds of thousands of retail locations.

When you receive money, track your transfer on our app

The sender can transfer money quickly via the app or start a transfer there and then pay in-store.

Both sender and receiver can track the money transfer in real time.

The sender can save receiver details for repeat so they can quickly make repeat money transfers to friends and family.

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Relied on by customers around the world

As a company working in cross-border, cross-currency money movement, Western Union® aims to help grow economies and create a better world by keeping you connected with the people that matter the most to you. Join the customers in more than 200 countries and territories who receive money from overseas with Western Union.

Receive money on special occasions

No matter what you and your loved ones are celebrating, whether it’s a birthday, wedding, Diwali, Christmas, or Eid, receive your money from abroad reliably and on time with a Western Union money transfer.

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Track your transfers for peace of mind

When you receive a money transfer from abroad or the UK with Western Union, both you and the sender can track your money transfer at any point of its journey. Simply enter the transfer details and MTCN online on the Western Union® app.

Frequently asked questions

How do I receive money from an international bank account?

Western Union offers money transfer services in more than 200 countries and territories around the world, and in many of those countries we will be able to facilitate a bank transfer from their bank account directly to your UK bank account.

Whereas receiving money from the UK would only require providing a name, account number and sort code, receiving an international bank transfer is likely to require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), or a SWIFT/BIC code, depending on which sending method and/or countries are involved.

If you need more information on this topic, visit our IBAN page or our SWIFT/BIC code page.

Can I receive money from abroad without a bank account?

Yes, you can receive money from abroad or from the UK without a bank account. From many countries around the world, your loved one will be able to send money for you to collect as a cash pickup at any of thousands of agent locations around the UK.

Simply take your tracking number (MTCN) and valid ID to collect your money. Find a nearby Western Union® agent location today ready for your cash pickup.

What do I need to pick up cash at an agent location?

Please have these details to hand to receive money from abroad:

  • The sender’s full name (first, middle and last name)
  • The country where the money was sent from
  • The approximate amount that was sent
  • The unique number of the money transfer (MTCN)
  • Your government-issued identification document(s) as required

The following identification documents are accepted in the UK:

  • Current signed passport
  • Current full driving licence or provisional licence
  • National identity card (EU only with the exception of UK)
  • EU residency card
  • Emergency/temporary passport, emergency travel documents
  • Ship’s passport
How much money can I receive from abroad?

When it comes to how much money you can receive from abroad to the UK, it will depend on where the money is being sent from, and which payment method is being used.

For example, if your loved one in France is sending you money, they can send up to 5000 EUR for cash pickup in the UK, or up to 50,000 EUR direct to your bank account. Whereas if they are sending from Spain, they can send up to 3,000 EUR for either cash pickup or to a bank account.

The best way to confirm how much you can receive is again for your loved one to go to the Western Union site in their country of residence, where they will be able to check on sending limits from their country to the UK.

How long does it take to receive a money transfer from abroad?

Similarly, when it comes to how long it takes to receive a money transfer from abroad to the UK, it will also depend on where the money is being sent from, and which payment method is being used.

In many cases, money can be sent for cash pickup in minutes1, while if the money is sent directly to your bank account, it could take several business days1. Again, if your loved one goes to the Western Union site in their country of residence, they will be able to see time estimates for different payment methods.

What is the best way to receive money from overseas?

The best way to receive money from overseas is to use a trusted money transfer service and find the sending and receiving methods which suit you and your loved one best.

When you utilise Western Union’s® international money transfer services, we can offer a range of options for both you and your sender. In the UK these methods are a bank transfer or cash pickup at an agent location, while in many other countries you can also have funds sent to, debit card2 or Western Union Digital Banking account.

Better yet, you can both track the transfer using a unique tracking number (MTCN). This can help ensure you know where the funds are at every stage of the transfer process.

What is the easiest way to receive money from abroad?

In a similar fashion to finding the best way to receive money, the easiest way to receive money will be to select the sending and receiving methods which suit you and your loved one best.

It may seem easier to select a method where the money will arrive within minutes1, but if it is difficult for you to get to an agent location in the subsequent days for cash pickup, then it may be easier to receive the money directly to your bank account even if that method takes several business days1.

We would recommend your loved one checks the stated time periods on the Western Union site for the country where they reside, and then you decide on the easiest method between you.

Still have questions about how to receive money from abroad?

 

Contact our Customer Care team or visit our FAQ page for more information.

More FAQs

1 Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transaction conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory issues, identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options. Additional Restrictions may apply. See terms for details.

2 Funds will be paid to receiver’s mWallet account provider for credit to account tied to receiver’s mobile number. Additional third-party charges may apply, including SMS and account over-limit and cash-out fees. Funds availability subject to terms and conditions of service. See Mobile Form for Restrictions.