Sending Money From Canada to the US
There are multiple ways to send money from Canada to the United States. Some ways are cheap, and others are quite expensive. There are multiple online international money transfer services, or you could use PayPal, a bank, or wire transfers to make an online payment using their different payment options. Any of these ways allows you to send money to the States. Many of these sites don’t even require a government-issued ID.
Transferring Money to the USA Using PayPal
Sending money via PayPal is actually quite simple. As long as both you and the person you’re sending money to have a PayPal account, that is.
- First, you log in to your PayPal account.
- Once you have done that, you click the “send and request” button.
- Then, you enter the recipient’s email address, PayPal username, or cell phone number.
- You can then select the “sending to a friend” option and enter the amount you would like to send in USD.
- To finalize, you select “Send Money Now,” and your transfer will be sent.
The awesome thing about PayPal is that you can either send money from your PayPal wallet or use a credit card. However, if you use your PayPal wallet, you have to pay PayPal’s exchange rates, whereas with a credit card, you have the option to use PayPal’s exchange rates or the foreign exchange rates from your credit card company.
How to Send Money to the US Through Your Bank
Since most people have become accustomed to banking either online or through mobile banks, banks are making it easier to be more self-sufficient online. One way they are doing this is by making it easier to send money to countries like the US. Many financial institutions offer Global or International wire transfer specialist services. Also referred to as international money transfer services.
RBC
The Royal Bank of Canada has a process for sending money to the US that is actually quite simple to use and is commonly known as RBC International. Once you have logged into your online banking or RBC mobile app, you just go into “pay bills and transfer funds,” select “Add International Recipient,” and add the person to whom you wish to send money.
This way of sending money is also quite simple and efficient. RBC charges a flat rate of $13.50 Canadian per transfer and allows up to $2,500 per day. Not only do they allow you to send money to the US, but also to 120 other countries.
However, you do have to check whether they have your currency available,, since they only offer 40 currencies, which may not include your destination country. That said, because they’re a large bank, they also offer fraud prevention efforts throughout the login and sending process, just like the other Big 5 banks.
Scotiabank
Scotiabank also offers international bank transfers; however, they are slightly different from those offered by RBC. You can add the recipient’s information right in the mobile banking app by selecting “make a transfer” and then selecting “send money internationally.”
Once you have done this, you can select the contact you wish to send the money to or add a new one by entering their name, address, and bank account details. With this process, it can take up to 5 business days for the funds to be deposited directly into the person’s account. However, the fee for this transaction is $1.99, and the only requirement for the amount sent is that it has to be at least $100 Canadian.
It is important to always double-check the contact information that you enter before sending the transfer. Once the money has been sent, the transfer can’t be changed or cancelled.
CIBC
CIBC offers global online money transfers. You can send money to over 120 different countries, including the US. The money can come from either your CIBC bank account, CIBC credit card, or CIBC line of credit. You can transfer up to $30,000 or as little as $100 per day.
CIBC offers competitive CAD and USD exchange rates as well as other currencies, and there is no fee for the transfer. Another bonus is that the funds will be deposited into the recipient’s account in as little as 1 business day.
Honestly, this feature is super simple to use. All you do is log in to your account and select “Global Money Transfer” in the menu. Then, you just enter the information of the person you’re sending money to, including their banking information. Once they have been added, enter the amount you wish to send, the account you’re sending from, and hit submit.
CIBC also lets you earn rewards when you use your credit card to send money globally. They even offer a $50 referral credit if you refer someone who uses their global transfer option and sends a transfer.
TD Canada Trust
Just like CIBC, TD Canada Trust offers global transfers. There are a few easy steps to send money this way.
- The first thing required is to have a TD account.
- Next, you need to register for global transfer using either Easy Web or the mobile app.
- You need the recipient’s US bank account number (or the bank number for whichever country), branch ID, Tax ID, and Currency. This includes both small and major US banks.
- Once you have selected the country and amount, you will receive an estimate of the transfer cost.
When you’re sending money through TD’s global transfer, you can either use your chequing account, savings account, or line of credit. When it comes to transferring limits, they vary depending on the account you use and whether it is a daily, weekly, or monthly limit. You can check these limits on your mobile banking or online account. You can also choose to use TD cross-border banking.
BMO
The Bank of Montreal offers global transfers to 50 different countries, including the US. The process itself is just as straightforward as the rest of the banks we discussed. Once you log in, you select “Global Transfer” and then add the recipient’s information. Enter the amount you wish to send, then complete the transfer.
For the recipient’s information, you’ll need their first and last name, bank code, and bank account number. Unless you have one of the plans listed below, there is a $5 USD charge per transfer.
- Premium Plan
- Platinum Plan
- Performance Plan under the NewStart Program
- Bank at Work
With BMO, you can either send money from your chequing or your savings account, and the minimum transfer amount is $100 CAD. The maximum amount is based on your bank account limit.
It is important to remember that once the transaction is completed, you cannot cancel it. If the transfer is rejected for some reason, the money will be returned to your account.
How to Transfer Money to the US with Western Union
Another option for sending money to the US is Western Union. You can go to a Western Union branch in person during agent location hours, send the money online, or use their Western Union app.
Western Union was one of the first ways Canadians could send money to other countries. They were established in 1851 and operate under Western Union Holdings Inc.
Sending money online is relatively easy. Once you have logged in or opened your free account, you enter the destination of the money you’re sending so they can deposit it in the recipient’s account. It doesn’t have to be deposited into their account, though. The payout method could also be their mobile Western Union wallet or an agent location.
You can either send money from your bank account (via direct debit) or your credit card. Once you have confirmed the transfer, you’ll be able to track it. This process is almost identical to the app.
The Western Union fee for sending money depends on the amount you’re transferring. Here are a few current rates.
| Amount | Fee |
| $1,500 | $35.00 |
| $250 | $7.50 |
| $100 | $6.00 |
There is also a conversion rate, but that depends on the current dollar value and is constantly changing.
One of the great features of Western Union’s website is that you can enter the amount you’re sending and the destination country. This will allow the system to provide you with an accurate estimate of the conversion rate and the transfer fee. Sometimes, depending on when you transfer, there’s no transfer fee, making this the cheapest way to send funds to the US.
Money Transfer Apps That Send Money to the US From Canada
Lastly, the final way to transfer money to the US is through a money transfer company app. There are multiple apps to choose from, each at a different rate. However, many of these money transfer apps, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, aren’t available in Canada and don’t support Canadian Dollars. That said, you can use Google Pay if it’s connected to Wise.
Wise
The first transfer app we will go over is Wise, formerly known as TransferWise. This is one of the top-rated transfer apps and offers some of the lowest fees for money transfers. That said, like any service, Wise has its positives and negatives.
| Pros | Cons |
| Consistently cheaper than other services | No cash pick-up is available |
| No exchange rate margins, fees are low and transparent | Some locations take anywhere from 2-3 business days |
| Easily navigated mobile app | Not always cheap outside of North America and Europe |
| A lot of pay-in choices |
While it can be unnerving to send money through an online service like Wise, it is legitimate and registered with the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). It is also registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit (AUSTRAC) in the US as a money remitter. It is also authorized by FinCEN (the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). Lastly, they are registered as money transmitters in each state where they operate.
One final fact to note is that Wise delivers payments very fast. The money you send arrives within one business day, sometimes instantly.
Skrill
Next up, we have Skrill. Skrill is also a great option for money transfers. It ranks a close second to Wise for multiple reasons.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fees and exchange rates are competitive | Can only be sent to a bank account or a mobile wallet |
| Secure and fast transfers | Non-transparent exchange rate margin |
| Great customer reviews | Currencies available vary by the country you’re sending the money from |
| Supports many currencies and countries | |
| Transfers available with debit or credit |
Just like Wise, Skrill is very simple to use, and its mobile wallet is accessible in 40 countries. It is also a great option if you’re looking into using an online transfer app.
WorldRemit
WorldRemit is also a trusted and secure money-sending option. Overall, they have great reviews and are a popular choice for sending money to the US. It could improve in a few areas, but overall, it is still a great choice.
| Pros | Cons |
| Global network with cash pickup locations | It can be more expensive to use |
| Multiple ways to send and receive money | There are hidden fees, and the exchange rates aren’t transparent |
| Simple and great reviews | |
| Great customer support |
WorldRemit is also a legitimate, certified company, just like the rest. They operate and are regulated in the US, Canada, and Australia. They are considered to be one of the most secure remittance services available and are based in London, the United Kingdom.
Paysend
Paysend is a relatively easy service for sending money to the United States and offers multiple payment methods, including debit and credit cards. There are some flaws, but overall, it is a really good option.
| Pros | Cons |
| Low fees and exchange rates | 77% of their fees are hidden in margins |
| Specializing in international card payments | Bank transfers are not supported |
| 110 countries are available to receive funds | Can only send it from your country of residence. |
Paysend is also a legitimate company that takes sending your money very seriously. They store their clients’ money separately from their own funds to ensure it’s safe.
MoneyGram
MoneyGram is the second-largest transfer company in the world. They are super easy to use and support over 50 currencies across 200+ countries. They have a long service history and offer a lot of pay-in options, such as:
- Cash
- Credit Card
- Bank Transfer
On the other hand, their displayed exchange rates are often different from those required for payment. Most of their fees are hidden, and the maximum transfer limits are quite low. They often charge much higher prices than other companies, which can deter some people.
Instarem
Instarem is another highly recommended service. They offer lower rates, are easy to use, and process transfers quickly. They have great customer reviews and ratings and are becoming increasingly popular. However, their customer service is hard to reach, and their registration process is slow.
Specifically, transferring from Canada to the US is one of the most highly rated services. They launched in 2015 and have grown rapidly since then. They are licensed in multiple countries and have won a few awards.
OFX
OFX is also one of the world’s largest foreign exchange companies. It started in 1998 and now deals with 197 countries and 55 currencies. They are based out of Sydney, Australia, but also have offices in Canada, the US, and a few other countries.
They are available by phone 24/7, which is a plus; they are known for their customer service and have extensive experience. Not only that, but because they have been around for so long, they can be relatively cheap while still delivering the money quite quickly.
For smaller amounts, though, OFX can be slightly more expensive than some of the smaller companies. They also only offer their services in English.
Interchange Financial
Interchange Financial’s platform is built on the fact that it offers Canada’s best currency exchange rates. With this platform, you can convert funds to cash or directly to your bank account, and they claim to offer even better rates than the banks. Along with these currency exchange services, you can also send money to different countries, including:
- Europe
- US
- UK
- Australia
- Japan
- Switzerland
- Hong Kong
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Israel
- Sweden
The great thing about Interchange Financial is that they don’t just offer this service for corporate clients; they also offer it to individuals. They’re also FINTRAC-regulated and charge no transfer fees. They currently have over $500,000 clients, and have saved their customers over $100 million. million. Currencies Direct will transfer your funds. more expensive than some of the smaller companies. They also only offer their services in English.
Other Apps Used to Send Money in 2026
While the apps we have mentioned are all great choices, there are also others you can choose from, including:
- Revolut
- Remitbee
- KnightsbridgeFX
Other options like Zelle and Venmo are only good for US-to-US transfers.
What Details Are Needed to Send a Wire Transfer?
When it comes to sending a wire transfer, there is a lot of information you need to provide for both yourself and the recipient.
| Your Information | Recipients Information | Recipients Banking Information |
| Your full name | Their full name | Bank account number, branch number, and transit number if in Canada |
| Your home address | Their home address | ABA routing number in the US |
| Your banking information | Their banking information | SWIFT Code or BIC Code internationally |
| Government-issued ID | IBAN format for international transfers |
Are There Hidden Fees Within the Exchange Rate?
When you’re transferring money internationally, it’s common for traditional banks to hide fees inside the exchange rate. This markup is often referred to as the spread. Here’s how most exchange rates are broken down.
First, you have the mid-rate market. This is the base exchange rate that is traded on global currency markets. When you’re dealing with a bank, you rarely get this rate, though. They usually give you a slightly worse rate, known as the exchange rate markup or customer rate, and hide a profit margin that is pocketed. This hidden margin calculation can range anywhere from 1%-5%.
That said, these aren’t the only fees you need to watch out for. Another common fee that occurs is intermediary bank fees. Often, ,these are charged for international transfers that must go through multiple banks. These are also known as corresponding bank fees.
Recalling or Refunding a Transfer
Whether you can refund or recall a transfer depends on the method you use to make the transfer. With interac e-transfer, you can cancel your transfer as long as it hasn’t been accepted. If the recipient has autodeposit, then you’re unable to make a cancellation. With wire transfers, you have maybe 30 minutes where the institution can initiate the wire recall process, so you have to act fast.
Will the Receipt of the US Funds Pay US Taxes?
When funds are received into a USD Chequing account, you don’t always know how to pay taxes on the funds. Even though there is such a thing as IRS gift reporting, the person who is receiving money in the US doesn’t pay the taxes. According to US person tax obligations, those who send the money have to pay the taxes.
If you send the money to yourself, you also don’t have to pay taxes on it. Taxes only need to be paid if the funds were sent for a service.
What To Do if a Money Transfer is Declined
If this happens, there are a few transfer declined reasons, including:
- The banking details are incorrect
- Not having the funds
- Daily sending limits
- Monthly spending caps
If it is declined for any reason, you will get a refund for a failed transfer. You can use a transfer reference number to track this refund.
How Do You Pay US Tuition and Medical Bills?
In some cases, you may be required to pay US tuition or medical bills. In these cases, there are a few different ways that you can pay. Let’s take a look at how.
Paying Tuition
If you’re paying tuition in the US, there are multiple methods that you can use to pay. These include:
- Tuition payment portals
- Specialized cross-border services like Flywire or Convera
- International wire transfers
- Payment plans
Paying Medical Bills
When paying US medical bills, you also have a few different options. These include online and phone billing, insurance, financial assistance and payment plans, and alternative financing like credit cards. If you do use credit cards, you can easily start paying a US credit card from your bank account.
The Best Ways to Send Money to Businesses and Freelancers
The best way to make these sorts of payments depends on whether these payments are domestic or international.
- Payoneer is best for paying freelancers from digital work marketplaces in regions with limited traditional banking access
- Wise app is a good choice for business invoice payments due to the mid-market change rates. They also have exchange rate lock with you wise account.
- Airwallex is best for businesses that need automated batch payments.
The great thing about using these platforms is that they can also be used for tracking a transfer as well as making payments. You also don’t need a credit card in order to make the payments. You can use a debit card or make transfers from your bank account online. Keep in mind, though, that depending on when you send the funds, there are weekend processing delays and statutory holiday delays.
How Do You Use Norbert’s Gambit for Large USD Conversions?
The biggest thing to consider when sending money to the US is currency conversion fees. Instead of going through large transfer negotiations, another thing that you can do is use Norbert’s Gambit, which is compatible with any transfer method.
With Norbert’s Gambit, you avoid currency conversion fees by exchanging it for a transaction cost. To convert to USD, you’re going to purchase an EFT that is dual currency. You’re going to purchase it in CAD and then sell it in USD. You then have to exchange your funds without any currency conversion fees.
How to Spot Money Transfer Scams
It’s very common to see fraud when it comes to money transfers. This is why many banks require transfer fraud protection and proof of source of funds before they okay a transaction. Oftentimes, there are also verification documents required, as well.
When it comes to scams, the most common are romance scams. In fact, it’s important to keep an eye out for some romance scam warning signs, including:
- Professing love quickly
- Making excuses to avoid meeting
- Asking for money or crypto
Final Thoughts
When looking to send money to the US, there are plenty of different options to choose from. Some offer rate alerts, some require two-factor authentication, others have mobile wallet payouts, and many allow you to split expenses or send money directly to your destination.
No matter which one you choose, there are convenient options for sending to a debit card while still protecting yourself, even if you’re sending money to the other side of the world. Any option you choose, though, you’re going to have to provide your details, and you’re going to need the recipient’s details.
