Frequently Asked Questions

Send money to a bank account

How do I send money to India with UPI?

About UPI

Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is a payment method that allows you to instantly transfer money to a bank account in India.

Understanding UPI ID

UPI ID is a virtual payment address (VPA) that uniquely identifies one person. A UPI ID format is like an email ID: with the sign “@” in the middle. For example, your receiver’s UPI ID could be “receiver’s_name@bank_name” or “phone_number@bank_name.”

When sending with a UPI ID, you only need to have your receiver’s UPI ID. You do not need to ask receivers for their account number, account type, bank name, or IFSC code.

To receive the payment, the receiver needs to have their UPI ID linked to the bank enabled for international UPI remittance. Please see below the list of banks that support international UPI.

Current list of banks that support international UPI transfer

Below are the banks currently supported. More banks will be made available soon.

•Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank Limited•Janata Sahakari Bank Limited•Airtel Payments Bank Limited•Jana Small Finance Bank Limited
•Andhra Bank•Karnataka Bank Limited•The Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Limited•Kalupur Commercial Cooperative Bank
•Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank•Kalyan Janata Sahakari Bank•Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank•Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited
•Apna Sahakari Bank Limited•Kerala Gramin Bank•Bassein Catholic Cooperative Bank Limited•The Karanataka State Cooperative Apex Bank Limited
•Bank Of Baroda•Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank•Bandhan Bank Limited•Laxmi Vilas Bank
•Dena Bank•Bank Of Maharashtra•Bank Of India•Maharashtra Gramin Bank
•Central Bank Of India•Mahanagar Cooperative Bank•City Union Bank Limited•The Mehsana Urban Cooperative Bank
•Canara Bank•Oriental Bank of Commerce•Corporation Bank•G P Parsik Bank
•The Cosmos Co Operative Bank Limited•Pragathi Krishna Gramin Bank•Catholic Syrian Bank Limited•Punjab And Sind Bank
•Development Bank of Singapore•Punjab National Bank•DCB Bank Limited
•Deustche Bank•Ratnakar Bank Limited•Deutsche Bank (Bij Alle Sepa-Transacties)•Rajkot Nagrik Sahakari Bank Limited
•Dhanalakshmi Bank•State Bank of India•Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited•Standard Chartered Bank
•Federal Bank•South Indian Bank•Fino Payments Bank•The Surath Peoples Cooperative Bank Limited
•Fincare Small Finance Bank Ltd•Saraswat Cooperative Bank Limited•The Gujarat State Cooperative Bank Limited•Suryoday Small Finance Bank Limited
•Hasti Coop Bank Ltd•The Shamrao Vithal Cooperative Bank•HSBC Bank•Syndicate Bank
•IDBI Bank•The Thane Bharat Sahakari Bank Limited•ICICI Bank Limited•TJSB Sahakari Bank Limited
•IDFC Bank Limited•Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited•Indian Bank•The Tamil Nadu State Apex Cooperative Bank
•Indusind Bank•Union Bank Of India•Indian Overseas Bank•UCO Bank
•India Post Payment Bank•Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited•Jammu And Kashmir Bank Limited•Axis Bank
•Jio Payments Bank Limited•The Varachha Cooperative Bank Limited•Janakalyan Sahakari Bank Limited•Vijaya Bank
•Karur Vysya Bank•The Vishweshwar Sahakari Bank Limited•Vasai Vikas Sahakari Bank Limited•Yes Bank

 

Send limits using UPI

Currently, you can send up to 200,000 INR per transfer.

Steps to send money using a UPI through Western Union

Western Union is the first money transfer service company to use a UPI transfer internationally.

1. Log in to your Western Union profile.

2. Choose India as your receiving country (you will need to know your receiver’s mailing address).

3. Choose to send using a bank pay out and use any payment method.

4. Choose UPI ID under the bank information section. You’ll be able to browse all the banks enabled for international UPI transfer.

5. Choose to send your transfer, and you’re all set. Generally, your transfer should be completed in minutes.

What is a bank transfer?

When you create a profile on WU.com or the app and start a money transfer online, you can pay for it with your internet banking account and transfer money directly to your receiver’s bank account. This method of payment is referred to as a bank transfer.

How do I send money to a bank account?

Start a money transfer on WU.com or the app, and choose Bank transfer as the payment method. Enter and review your money transfer details. Then log in to your internet banking account and register Western Union Hong Kong’s bank account as a beneficiary. Then make the payment to Western Union Hong Kong and remember to mention the payment reference number. Once the payment is received by Western Union, the money will be sent to your receiver’s bank account2.

Once I select Bank transfer as my payment method, how much time do I have to make the payment and complete the transfer?

Soon after you start a money transfer on WU.com or the app and select Bank transfer as the payment method, you’ll receive an email indicating the last day for making the payment for your transfer. Once the payment is received by Western Union, the money will be sent to your receiver’s bank account2.

What’s a bank code?

If you’re sending money to a bank account, you’ll need to provide your receiver’s bank name, bank account number, and bank code3. The bank code can be 3 to 23 digits long, depending on the country and the type of code.

A bank code is a series of numbers used to identify banks around the world. The bank code can be 3-23 digits, depending on the country and the type of code.

A bank code may be known as:

  • BSB
  • SWIFT code
  • BIC (Bank Identification Code)
  • CHIPS (Clearing House Inter-Bank Payment System) — US and Canada only
  • NCC (National Clearing Code)
  • BSC (Bank Sort Code)
  • IFSC (Indian Financial System Code)

For some countries, you also may need an international bank account number (IBAN) in addition to the bank code.

You should obtain the bank code and IBAN, if applicable, from your receiver.

What’s an IBAN code?

An IBAN is used in some countries to identify a customer’s bank account. The IBAN is an alphabetical country code followed by 2 digits and then as many as 35 characters for the bank account.

You should obtain the IBAN from your receiver.

What is a BIC code?

A BIC is a worldwide code for bank identification. The BIC is the same as the SWIFT code and is usually 8 or 11 digits long.

What currencies are available for payouts?

Payouts will only be made in the local currency. Senders should ensure their bank account is a local currency account to avoid potential service delays. Otherwise, additional charges from the receiver’s bank may apply.

How long will it take for my money to get to the receiver’s bank account?

Money may be paid into the receiver’s bank account in minutes2, or on the same day, or up to 5 working days—only after WU has received the payment—and depending on when and where the money was sent from as well as the location of the receiver’s bank.

How much money can I send online with a Bank transfer?

With a Western Union profile, you can send up to 7,500 HKD online daily. If you need to send more, please visit an agent location.

Why is it mandatory to transfer money only from my personal account and not from someone else?Why is it mandatory to transfer money only from my personal account and not from someone else?

Our money transfer service is set up to be used for personal remittance only and the source of funds must be ascertained. As such, we can only accept payments from your personal bank account. Please always ensure that the Profile Name of your wu.com account and your name in the Bank account matches. Also, this helps in the event of a request for a refund of the payment. Please read the Terms and Conditions for more details.

Why is it mandatory to mention the reference number every time I make a transfer using Bank transfer?

The Reference Number or EB Number is to match your funds against the order created and helps us in making the transfer to the receiver smoother and faster.

What to do if I forget to input the Reference Number?

If you do not mention the Reference Number while making the bank transfer, Western Union will not be able to match your funds against the order created. The overall process of sending money to the receiver’s bank account or for a cash pickup will get delayed. Your transfer might also get cancelled, in which case, you will need to contact Customer Care and share the proof of payment for a refund.

I’m new to Bank transfer using WU.com. How can I do it? And it seems cumbersome as I have to add Western Union Hong Kong account to my payee’s list.

It takes just a few clicks to register for the first time. From the next time onwards, your details are saved and you can start a money transfer directly.

I have registered for FPS in Hong Kong. Can I make a transfer using FPS?

Yes, Western Union’s account with Bank of America is registered with FPS and can accept transfers.

There are other services offering Bank transfer. Why should I use Western Union?

We’ve been in the money transfer business for over 145 years and are present in 200+ countries and territories. We’re a reliable brand catering to the ever-evolving needs of our customers around the world.

Can my Western Union profile name be different from the name on my bank account? If the name is different or if I use a business account, will my transfer be rejected?

Your WU profile name must match the name on your bank account, otherwise your transfer will be rejected. Western Union does not accept bank transfers from business accounts.

What happens if I send more or less money to WU’s bank account than the original amount that I entered while starting my transfer online?

Western Union will reject the transfer if the amount sent to WU’s bank account does not match the amount you entered while creating your order on WU.com or the app. A manual refund will be created and you may collect the refund from an agent location in Hong Kong. For high-value refunds please visit one of these locations.