When trying to send money to Mexico, you might find that you can no longer use certain services. That's because some platforms only work for domestic — that is, U.S.-based — money remittances.

But there is good news. If you need to send money to Mexico, you have several safe and secure options, including online and physical means. Some of the more common methods include:

•International wire transfer: If you have a bank account, you could set up an international wire transfer from your bank to your recipient’s. This method of sending money abroad often takes a few days to complete. However, it tends to be less expensive than if you were to send money via a debit or credit card.

•Credit card transfer: Another common method of sending money abroad is a credit card transfer. This option is typically faster than bank transfers, but it might be more expensive. Depending on where you bank, you might also be able to do a debit card transfer.

•Money order: If time is not an issue, you could send an international money order to your recipient in Mexico. This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on where you’re sending it from. Once your recipient receives the money order, they can take it to a local post office and exchange it for their local currency — in this case, pesos. You may want to track the money order to ensure it arrives on time and at its proper destination.

Alternatively, you can use a digital money transfer service like Ria for your Mexico remittance. With Ria, you can send money directly to your recipient’s bank account or mobile wallet via the website or the app. You can also schedule a cash pickup at one of over 55,000 locations throughout Mexico.

To get started with a Mexico money transfer, you’ll need to create or log into your existing Ria account. Select “Mexico” and fill out the “You send” or “Recipient gets” field, depending on how you want your recipient to receive the money. Choose the exact amount you want to transfer — accounting for any transfer fees — and how you want to deliver the money.

Once that’s done, select an existing recipient or add a new one to your account. Then, simply pay the transfer fees via your bank, cash, debit or credit card. Make sure everything looks correct, and then complete the transfer. Your money transfer to Mexico should take between several minutes and five business days to complete — depending on the transfer and payment method you choose.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to five business days to send money to an overseas location — including Mexico. However, how long it takes depends on several factors, such as:

1.Transaction type

2.Payment method

3.Where you’re sending money from

4.Whether Ria requires additional information for security purposes

5.When you initiate the transfer

Some currencies or transfer methods are only available during local business hours. If you set up a Mexico remittance outside of typical business hours, on a holiday, or on the weekend, you could experience delays.

If you’re looking for the fastest way to send money to Mexico, you may want to use a debit or credit card for your transaction. These methods may incur additional fees, so be aware of that. However, they also typically finalize the same day they’re completed — sometimes within minutes -meaning your recipient could have the money almost immediately.

And if time isn’t a concern, consider setting up a bank transfer instead. This option usually takes three to five business days and comes with fewer fees.

The cost of sending money to Mexico depends on several key factors, such as:

1.The payment method you use

2.The payout method (that is, the way your intended recipient gets the money)

3.Transfer amount

4.Currency exchange rates

Bank remittances are usually the cheapest option, while credit and debit card transfers can come with additional fees. This is especially true with credit card payments, as some credit card companies will charge extra. Keep in mind, though, that international money transfers usually come with certain charges — regardless of how you go about it.

As an international remittance service, Ria strives to keep our rates and fees as low as possible on money transfers to Mexico and other countries. We do that by working with financial institutions worldwide to get you the lowest possible fees and best exchange rates. At times, we also have promo codes to cut down on some of the more unavoidable fees.

The overall transfer amount includes all fees. If you want to see the cost of sending money to Mexico, here are your options:

5.Before you complete the transfer (but after you’ve logged into your account): You can see what it costs to send money to Mexico via the app or website. Simply log into your account and go to “Send” or “Send Money.” Then, select your destination country, how much you want to send, your payout currency, and your payment and delivery methods.

6.Before you initiate a transfer (without logging in): You can go to Ria’s website for an estimate of what it will cost.

Both options can help prevent you from being surprised by any fees or charges associated with sending money overseas.

We offer several ways to track your money transfer to Mexico, but the easiest option is to use our Track a Transfer tool, which provides real-time updates of your transfer — no matter where you are.

Here’s how to use this free online feature:

1.After logging into your Ria account: Once logged in, choose “Track” (from the app) or “Track a transfer” (from the website). Then, input the transfer’s unique personal identification number (PIN) to see its status.

2.Without logging into your Ria account: If you don’t have a Ria account, you can still use the Track a Transfer feature. You’ll still need the unique PIN, however. This enables both the sender and recipient to see the transfer status at any point.

Two things are worth noting.

3.If you reside in Australia, you must also provide your birth date and recipient’s country (Mexico) to track the transfer.

4.As the sender, you’ll also receive emailed updates regarding the transfer’s status and any major changes.

There are several ways to send money to Mexico safely and efficiently. Which method is the best for you is a personal decision — it all comes down to how fast you need the Mexico money transfer to arrive, how you want your friends and family to receive it, and how you want to pay.

Bank transfers: You can use your bank to transfer money to a bank in Mexico through an international wire transfer. With this method, there’s no cash involved — you simply instruct your bank to send money to your recipient’s bank account. 

To complete a wire transfer through your bank, you usually must provide your recipient’s name, address, contact information, and banking information. This includes their international bank account number (IBAN) and their bank’s SWIFT/BIC code.

There are several drawbacks to using a bank transfer to send money to Mexico. For one, both you and your recipient need to have bank accounts at institutions that allow international transfers. 

For another, they’re typically expensive. Some banks charge as much as $50 for the convenience of an international wire transfer to the sender. And a few charge a fee to the recipient as well. In addition, your bank may limit the amount of money you can send through this method.

Money transfer agents: Traditional money transfer agents allow customers to send money abroad using cash. These agents usually have offices you can visit to fund the transfer with cash. Your recipient can then visit the transfer agent’s office closest to them and receive the money as cash. 

Of course, one of the main drawbacks of using this method for sending money is that your recipient must live near a transfer agent’s office. Another is the fact that these agents sometimes have complicated pricing structures, and fees and exchange rates can vary widely.

Money orders: Sending an international money order is similar to sending a check through the mail. You can buy a pre-paid money order certificate from your local post office or bank and then send it directly to your recipient via international mail. They can then redeem the certificate for cash.

There are several big disadvantages to this money-sending method, mainly that it’s expensive and slow. 

Online money transfer services: Online money transfer services such as Ria make it easy to send money to Mexico and more than 165 other countries around the globe. Ria charges no sneaky hidden fees, so your Mexico remittance will go further. 

Ria also offers great exchange rates and allows you to send money through our convenient mobile app or any of the 500,000-plus participating locations. Ria offers a quick alternative to other money-sending methods. Many transfers arrive within minutes. Send money with Ria now. 

Signing up for an account with Ria is easy. The exact steps you’ll take vary depending on your location and whether you want to use the app or website.

Create a Ria account via the app in the US or Canada:

1.Download the Ria app and tap the “Register” button.

2.Confirm your current country. 

3.Enter your email address and choose a password.

4.Agree to Ria’s Terms and Conditions.

5.Enter your full name, date of birth and phone number, then tap “Continue.”

6.Choose to subscribe to receive promotions, discounts, and other special offers or tap “Not now” to opt out.

7.Enter your mailing address and tap “Continue.”

8.Select and answer three security questions to protect your account.

Create a Ria account via the app everywhere else:

9.Download the Ria app and tap the “Register” button.

10. Confirm your current country.

11. Enter your phone number and verify it by entering the 6-digit code we send you.

12. Choose a password.

13. Agree to Ria’s terms and conditions.

14. Enter your full name, email address, and date of birth (we may also ask for your country of birth, nationality, occupation, and ID information).

15. Tap the “Continue” button.

16. Choose to subscribe to receive promotions, discounts, and other special offers or tap “Not now” to opt out.

17. Enter your mailing address and tap the “Continue” button.

Create an account via the website:

18. Visit riamoneytransfer.com.

19. Click “Register” in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

20. Choose your country of residence.

21. Click “Get started.”

22. Enter your phone number and the security code we send to your phone.

23. Choose a password. 

24. Enter your first and last name, date of birth, and email address.

25. Select whether you’d like to receive marketing messages from Ria.

26. Enter your address.

When completing a Mexico money transfer, you must provide certain information about yourself and your recipient. Although the exact type of information depends on the money transfer method, here’s what you’ll typically need from your recipient when using Ria:

•Their full legal name (matching their government-issued ID)

•Their phone number and mailing address in Mexico

•Their banking information (for bank transfers only)

As the sender, you must also indicate the amount you’re transferring. This should include any transfer fees and the current exchange rate from your currency to theirs. You’ll also need to provide the following:

•Payment method: The accepted payment methods depend on your location and whether you use the website or app. They include bank, debit card, credit card, and cash payments.

•Payout method: Possible payout methods include cash pickup, mobile wallet, bank deposit, and home delivery. Depending on the chosen method, you may need to provide additional information about your recipient. For instance, a bank transfer will require your recipient’s banking information — like their bank’s name, account number, and routing number.

If you’re sending money to a recipient’s bank account in Mexico, you might also need to know a couple of other things like their SWIFT/BIC code, international bank account number (IBAN), or Clave Bancaria Esandarizada code (CLABE). You can typically find these codes on the bank’s website or via recent bank statements.

If you’re in the USA or Canada, you can set up a Mexico money transfer from the Ria app or website. Start by signing into your existing account or create a new one if you don’t have one. If you haven’t verified your phone number or set up your online profile yet, you can do that now.

Since this is your first money transfer to Mexico, you’ll need to add a new recipient to your account — that is, the person who will receive money in Mexico. Adding a recipient is easy. Just provide basic information about them, such as their name, current location, and phone number. If you want to transfer money to their bank, input their bank account details as well.

Once you’ve added a recipient to your account, you can decide how much money to send them — either in your currency or theirs. At this point, you can also select the payout method. Remember, each payout method comes with its own advantages and fees.

With that done, simply choose your payment method for the Mexico remittance. You can add a new payment method to your account on the website or the app.

Once you’ve completed that first transfer, the process becomes even easier as your recipient’s basic information is saved to your account. Ria doesn’t store your recipient’s bank account information, however, so you will need to input that again.

Some money transfers go through within minutes of setting them up. However, you might have to wait a few hours or days before your transfer is complete.

That’s where tracking your transfer comes into play. You can use the Track a Transfer feature for status updates on your Mexico remittance. You’ll just need the PIN, which you can find in your account or the confirmation email you received after scheduling the transfer. Your recipient can also use this tool.

A standard money transfer to Mexico doesn’t take very long to complete, though it depends on the payment and payout methods. If you’ve chosen a debit or credit card transfer, your recipient should receive money in Mexico within minutes. A bank transfer, on the other hand, can take several business days to complete.

Certain factors may delay your transfer. For example, if you set up the transfer outside local business hours or on a holiday or weekend, it might take a little longer. In some cases, Ria will also request additional information from you for security purposes, which could cause additional delays.

Senders and recipients can use Ria’s Track a Transfer feature for real-time transfer updates. All you need is the transfer’s PIN and order number.

Senders can also use the Ria app to track the transaction — just tap the “Track” option. In addition, senders will be notified by email when their recipient has picked up or received the money — or if there’s another major status change.

If you need to receive money in Mexico, you’re in luck — there are several convenient, secure options available to you.

One of the most common ways is through a direct deposit into your bank account. This can be done via an electronic wire transfer. Bank transfers tend to be cheaper than other international remittance methods, but they can take longer to process.

With Ria, you can ask your sender to transfer money to one of the thousands of locations in or around Mexico. Just be sure to choose a location that’s convenient for you. You can find the nearest storefront location using either the website or the app. Don't forget to bring your money transfer’s unique PIN and government-issued photo ID with you when you pick up your money.

Another option is to go through a money transfer agent. This method does come with a fee unique to the agent you choose. How long it takes to receive money also depends on the company.

Alternatively, you can use an online international remittance service like Ria. With Ria, you can send and receive money to over 165 countries, including Mexico.

If you’d prefer to stick with digital means, you can also receive money in your digital or mobile wallet. You can even use Ria if you have Spin by OXXO. This mobile wallet is fully compatible with Ria, making it easier than ever to transfer money online.

Plus, with a digital wallet, you can not only send or receive money, but you can also pay bills or conduct other transactions. This can be a good option if you do not have a bank account in Mexico. Some mobile wallets come with certain withdrawal, deposit, and payment limits, so keep that in mind.

Last but not least, you can also receive money via a cash transfer and pickup.

When you do a money transfer to Mexico, you’re going to have to pay for certain fees, such as transfer and currency conversion fees. Payment methods come with their own fees as well, so be aware of those when setting up your transfer.

If you’re sending money via Ria, your payment options depend on whether you’re using the app or the website. They’re also based on where you’re sending money from. If you’re sending money from the website, you can pay in one of the following ways:

1.Debit or credit card: If you live in Australia, Spain, Canada, or the UK

2.Debit card, credit card, cash, or bank transfer: If you live in the USA

With that in mind, here are the available payment methods from the app:

•Australia: Credit or debit card, PayID

•Canada: Credit or debit card

•Malaysia: Cash, Financial Process Exchange (FPX), or debit card

•Singapore: Cash only

•Chile: Sencillito or cash

•United Kingdom or Europe: Credit or debit card (other options may be available depending on your country of residence)

•USA: Credit or debit card, cash, bank transfer

If you’re doing a Mexico money transfer from the USA via the website, you can pay using a credit or debit card, cash, or bank transfer. From other countries, you can pay via credit or debit card.

Remember, your payment method of choice can impact how long it takes for the transfer to go through and the transfer's cost.

Unfortunately, you can't use Zelle to send money to Mexico.

That's because Zelle currently works only with bank accounts based in the U.S. There's no way to make a money transfer to an international account. Both the recipient and the sender must have U.S.-based checking or savings accounts — as well as U.S. phone numbers.

Instead, consider using an online money transfer service like Ria. Ria is quick, safe, and convenient. We offer great exchange rates, low fees (with no hidden charges), and a variety of payment and pickup options — all from our website or mobile app.

Ria serves customers in more than 165 countries — meaning sending money to or receiving money in Mexico is a breeze. You don't even need to have a bank account to use Ria — unlike with Zelle. Send money now with Ria. 

Currently, you can't use Venmo to send money to Mexico. That's because only U.S. residents can use the app to send or receive money transfers.

Venmo may not work with international accounts. But Ria serves more than 165 countries around the globe — including Mexico. Ria makes sending money internationally simple, quick, and secure. Your recipient in Mexico could get the money transfer in as little as 15 minutes if you use Ria. Plus, there are no additional fees.  You are fully aware of all costs and the amount of Canadian dollars your recipient will get before you even complete the transfer.

Send money now with Ria.

Visit any Ria location, use our website, or log into our mobile app to send money directly to your recipient’s bank account in Mexico. All you need is:

1.The recipient’s full legal name (as it appears on their bank account)

2.The name of the recipient’s bank 

3.The recipient’s bank account number or IBAN (international bank account number)

Ria will take care of the rest!

Hands down, sending money via electronic transfer is the safest way to send money to Mexico.

In the old days, it was common for people to send remittances by mailing cash. Not only does this method take a long time (they call it “snail mail” for a good reason), but it’s also just not safe. The mailed money could get stolen or lost at any point during its long journey.

Instead, using an online money transfer service like Ria ensures that your money gets exactly where you intend it to go. 

In addition, Ria’s team of world-class security experts works around the clock to monitor your money transfers and keep a watchful eye out for unusual behavior. Ria’s software allows the team to spot any suspicious activity long before any harm can be done to your account.

Plus, Ria never stores your payment details on its servers. So, your credit or debit card or bank account information will never be compromised in Ria’s system.

Your safety is Ria’s number one priority when sending money to Mexico.

When sending money to a friend in Mexico you have multiple options. Whichever option will work best for you will depend on your individual situation. Below are the main options for sending money to Mexico. 

1. Set up an online bank transfer or direct debit.

2.Send them an international money order.

3.Use a money transfer agent.

4.Go through an international remittance service.

To make things as easy — and secure — as possible, Ria offers everything you need to send and receive money in Mexico. By using Ria, you can rest assured that you’re getting the lowest rates and fees possible. Plus, since we offer multiple ways of sending and receiving money abroad, you’re sure to find an option that works for both you and your recipient.

Check out the Ria mobile app for more information or get started by setting up your first Mexico remittance now.