What is the maximum limit for money transfers from the US to India?

Alexis Konovodoff

If you want to transfer money to family and friends in India, you’ll need to understand exactly how much you can send at once.

We’ll take a look at the maximum limit for money transfers from the USA to India, including transfer limits, fees, and new legislation for international payments.

We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.

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Table of contents

What is the maximum amount you can send from the US to India?

So, how much can you transfer to India from the USA? There isn’t necessarily an upper limit, but your bank or money transfer provider may impose their own restrictions.

You’ll also need to consider financial regulations in both the US and India. If you send more than 10,000 USD, you’ll need to report your payment to the IRS.

This ensures you comply with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) security regulations.¹

In India, it’s less about the size of your transfer and more about its purpose. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requires you to disclose the reason for your remittance when you come to make your payment.

Acceptable transfer purposes include financial support for family, medical bills, and foreign investments, for example.²

What types of remittances are not allowed?

There are a few things to think about before sending money to India. You can’t send money for online gaming purchases or illegal activities.²

Make sure to check with your bank before sending money abroad. Some banks and money transfer providers may have additional limitations.

Tax implications of sending money to India

The new “One Big Beautiful Bill” is set to increase taxes for those who want to send money to India from the US. You’ll now pay a 1% remittance tax to send money to India using a physical payment method like cash, money orders, or checks.³

However, it’s important to note that when you send money with Wise, your transfers will not be subject to the new tax as it doesn’t apply to the payment methods we offer.

Your transfer may also have tax implications for your recipient in India. Money transfers to family aren’t taxable, whereas payments over 50,000 Indian rupees (INR) to non-relatives may need to be declared.²

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How to send a large amount of money to India

There are a few popular ways to transfer money to India. Let’s take a look at your options for international payments overseas.

Bank wire transfers

A wire transfer is an electronic transfer between two banks. It’s a secure way to send a large amount of money to India, but you may need to initiate your payment in person.

Here’s how to transfer a large amount of money from the US to India by international wire:

Step 1. Log into your online banking account or visit your local branch — speak to your bank for their policy or guidelines

Step 2. Give your bank the required information, including your recipient’s bank details and how much you want to send abroad

Step 3. Pay any fees for your transaction; most banks charge incoming and outgoing fees for foreign wire transfers

Step 4. Complete your wire transfer — you may be able to use your online banking account to track your payment

The amount of money you can send by wire will depend on your bank. Let’s take a look at the maximum transfer limit for wire transfers from the USA to India.

BankWire transfer limit
Chase®Depends on factors like the amount of money in your account⁴
Bank of America®You can send up to 1000 USD per online wire transfer⁵
US Bank®Log in to US Bank online or mobile banking to view your transfer limits⁶
Citigroup®Depends on your account type — standard Citigroup customers can send up to 50,000 USD⁷
Wells Fargo®You’ll need to log in to your online banking account to view your limits; you can request a higher transfer amount in person⁸
Need to send a large amount? With Wise, you can send up to 1,000,000 USD per wire transfer to 140+ countries — and we automatically apply a discount when you send over 25,000 USD (or equivalent).

🚀Send high-amount transfers with Wise

*For more information, please visit https://growth-layer.live/us/large-amounts/%3C/a%3E.%3C/small%3E%3C/p%3E

Online money transfer services

You can also use an online money transfer service to send a large amount of money to India. These services offer a range of useful features like multi-currency accounts and real-time spending notifications.

Let’s take a look at how much you can send to India from the US via some digital money transfer services.

ProviderTransfer limit
WiseYou can send up to 1,000,000 USD per wire transaction
Western Union®You can send up to 50,000 USD to India via Western Union⁹
PayPal®Verified PayPal users can send up to 60,000 USD per transaction¹⁰
Ria Money Transfer®You can send up to 495 USD per transfer using a cash-funded transfer, or 14,999.99 USD every 30 days for other payment methods¹¹
Remitly®You can send up to 30,000 USD from the US to India¹²
Revolut®Transfer limits may vary

Your Revolut plan will determine how much foreign currency you can exchange for free — standard customers can send up to 1000 USD per month before fees¹³

Send high amount, low cost international transfers with Wise

A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise.

With Wise, you can send up to 1,000,000 USD per wire transaction to 140+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Over 50% of Wise payments arrive instantly* — and all Wise transfers are deposited directly into your recipient's bank account for convenience.

No ongoing fees, no hidden charges and no hassle — just fast, transparent international transfers that can beat the banks.

🚀Get started with high amount transfers

See how Wise compares with international bank transfers in our full guide

*Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.

How long does it take to send large transfers to India?

The amount of time it takes to send money to India will depend on your banking provider or money transfer platform.

For example, Bank of America international wire transfers initiated by 5:00 pm (ET) will reach your recipient within 1 to 5 business days.¹⁴

A few factors can affect the speed of your global transfer, such as your transfer method, your bank’s currency availability, and when you send your payment.

Your transfer may also take longer if you need to provide any additional documentation for your payment. Some banks may require you to send large wire transfers in person.

Sending large amounts to India: Fees and rates

There are a few fees and rates for international money transfers to India from the US. Let’s take a closer look.

Transfer fees

Most banks and money transfer providers charge an up-front fee for money transfers to India from the USA.

Wells Fargo wire transfers to India cost 25 USD to 40 USD, depending on whether you send your payment online or in person.⁸

Even money transfer services that claim to offer free international transfers may charge more than you might expect.

For example, your first Remitly USD to INR transfer may be free, but you’ll pay up to 3.99 USD for any future transfers.¹⁵

Intermediary bank fees

You’ll also need to think about intermediary or correspondent bank fees. If you send a wire transfer, your provider may rely on additional banks to facilitate your payment. Each of these institutions can add a fee to your transaction.

Your recipient’s bank may also charge for incoming wire transfers from external accounts. Look into these fees before initiating your payment.

Exchange rate fees

You’ll likely pay exchange rate fees for your transfer to India. Most banks and money transfer providers set their own rates for currency conversion.

Your bank’s exchange rate is likely to include a markup on the standard exchange rate, which can add to the cost of your transaction.

For example, PayPal charges a 3% to 4% markup for currency conversion. The provider may also add foreign transaction costs for international transfers.¹⁶

Look out for the mid-market exchange rate. This is the only fair rate out there, with no hidden fees or profit margins.

Wise can help you get a better deal on currency conversion. You can convert over 40 currencies at the standard mid-market exchange rate, and we'll show you the fees upfront so you know exactly how much you're paying.

🚀 Get started with Wise

Is it safe to send large amounts of money to India?

It’s typically safe to send a large transfer to India from the US, but you’ll need to choose a secure payment method and follow your bank’s verification procedures.

Here are some tips for transferring large sums:

  • Always carefully check your recipient’s bank information
  • Set a strong password for your online bank accounts
  • Never send money to someone you don’t know
  • Open a multi-currency account to save on exchange rate fees

Choose a banking provider that uses security features like 2-factor authentication to avoid fraud and safeguard your funds.


The maximum transfer limit for money transfers from the US to India will depend on your bank, so make sure to research your limits, fees, and tax implications in advance.

Compare platforms to find the right financial provider for you. You’ll need to look out for low exchange rate fees and the best flexible global spending options.

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To access fast, low-cost international transfers to India, check out Wise.

With Wise, you can send secure and trackable large amount transfers to 140+ countries worldwide with transparent fees and the fair mid-market exchange rate.

Have a look at the main benefits for using Wise to send large transfers:

  • Dedicated support for large transfers
  • Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork
  • Upfront, transparent fees
  • Fully trackable transfers
  • Fast transfer times
  • Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications

🚀 Get started with Wise

Sources

  1. Finance Band - What happens if you wire more than 10,000 USD
  2. ICICI Bank - Sending money to India from abroad
  3. Congress.gov - One Big Beautiful Bill Act
  4. Chase - Pay and transfer FAQs
  5. Bank of America - Online banking service agreement
  6. US Bank - How do I check my external wire transfer limits?
  7. Citibank - Online wire transfer services
  8. Wells Fargo - Wells Fargo digital wires
  9. Western Union - Send money to India
  10. PayPal - What’s the maximum amount I can send with my PayPal account?
  11. Ria - What are the transfer limits?
  12. Remitly - Sending limits
  13. Revolut - Compare pricing plans
  14. Bank of America - Wire transfers
  15. Remitly - USD to INR
  16. PayPal - Consumer fees
Sources checked 09/11/2025


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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