Reliable Money Transfer Options: Exploring The Feasibility Of Using Western Union In Afghanistan

Western Union is a money transfer service that is available in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. It is possible to send money to Afghanistan through Western Union, and the company has resumed money transfer services to the country as of September 2021, following the Taliban's takeover. Western Union is one of the cheapest providers for money transfers to Afghanistan, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting at $0. The average cost of online money transfers to Afghanistan with Western Union is 7.6% of the amount sent. Western Union offers several options for sending money to Afghanistan, including online transfers, in-person transfers at agent locations, and through the Western Union mobile app.

Western Union's services in Afghanistan

Western Union has resumed its services in Afghanistan, joining MoneyGram in allowing humanitarian activity to continue in the country after the Taliban's takeover. The company's president in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Jean Claude Farah, stated that the reopening of banks and the push by the US government to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people were the reasons behind Western Union's decision to resume its services.

Western Union offers several convenient ways to send and receive money in Afghanistan. Here are the details:

Sending Money to Afghanistan

• Online: You can send money to Afghanistan online by logging in or registering for free on the Western Union website or mobile app. After logging in, select Afghanistan as the destination, enter the amount you want to send, choose "Cash pickup" as the receiver method, and select your payment method. You will then need to provide the receiver's details, including their full name and address as it appears on their ID. Finally, pay for the transfer, and you will receive a confirmation email with a unique tracking number (MTCN) that you can share with the receiver for tracking.
• In-person at a Western Union Agent Location: To send money in person, search for a nearby Western Union agent location. You will need to provide a valid government-issued ID or phone number, along with the receiver's full name and address. You will also need to provide proof of your source of funds, such as a bank statement, tax return, or payslip. Pay for the transfer with cash or a credit/debit card, and you will receive a receipt with the tracking number (MTCN) to share with the receiver.

Receiving Money in Afghanistan

• Cash Pickup: With hundreds of agent locations in Afghanistan, your loved ones can receive cash quickly and easily. They can visit any Western Union agent location and provide their name and address, along with a valid government-issued ID, to receive the money.
• Bank Account: You can also receive money directly in your bank account in Afghanistan. The money will be deposited within 3 bank business days, and in some cases, it could be deposited the next day.
• Mobile Wallet: If you live in a country where Western Union offers mobile money transfer service, you can receive money directly in your mobile wallet. Make sure you have an activated mobile wallet with one of their partner mobile providers in your country.

Western Union is committed to security and fraud prevention, encrypting all money transfers and taking rigorous measures to protect your personal information. Additionally, they have a large global footprint, with agent locations in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Sending money from Afghanistan to the UK

Yes, it is possible to send money from Afghanistan to the UK through Western Union. Western Union resumed its money transfer services to Afghanistan in September 2021, in line with the US push to allow humanitarian activity to continue after the Taliban's takeover.

To send money from Afghanistan to the UK through Western Union, you can follow these steps:

• Search for a Western Union agent location near you.
• Complete the "Send Money" form, including your receiver's bank and account information.
• Provide the agent with the completed form, along with the applicable funds (including the transaction fee) in cash.
• Save the receipt and tracking number (MTCN). Your receiver will need the tracking number for pickup, and you will need it to track your transfer.

It is important to note that Western Union services in Afghanistan are limited to payouts, and outbound services remain suspended. Additionally, payouts will be made in the local currency, Afghani (AFN), even if the payee requests it in a foreign currency.

There are alternative money transfer services available, such as Mangal Money Transfer, which you can use to send money from Afghanistan to the UK. However, Western Union is among the cheapest options, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from £0.

Sending money from Afghanistan to the US

Western Union does facilitate money transfers from Afghanistan to other countries. However, it is important to note that outbound services, or money sent from Afghanistan to other countries, are currently suspended as of September 2021. Only payouts of funds sent to Afghanistan are available in select locations. This resumption of services came after a brief suspension of Western Union and MoneyGram services in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover of the country.

If you are looking to send money from Afghanistan to the US, you may want to consider other money transfer providers. Online providers typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than local banks. Bank transfers are usually the cheapest way to send money, with Western Union and MoneyGram having some of the lowest bank transfer fees. However, it is important to compare the overall cost of your transfer, including transfer fees and exchange rates.

When choosing a money transfer provider, consider factors such as exchange rates, transfer fees, transfer type, transfer speed, and transfer limits. Additionally, ensure that the provider is registered and compliant with the relevant regulations in both Afghanistan and the US.

Western Union's agent locations in Afghanistan

Western Union has a presence in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, including Afghanistan. The company has hundreds of thousands of agent locations globally, and there are thousands of agent locations in Afghanistan alone.

Western Union offers a convenient and flexible option for sending money to Afghanistan. The company provides a reliable money transfer service, allowing you to transfer funds to loved ones at a time and place that suits you.

You can transfer money to Afghanistan online through your debit or credit card or with your bank account via Trustly. You can also use the Western Union app to send money on the go and check exchange rates.

If you prefer, you can visit one of the many Western Union agent locations in Afghanistan to transfer money in person. To find an agent location near you, you can search online or use the Western Union website or app.

When sending money in person, you will need to complete the "Send Money" form and provide it to the Western Union agent, along with the applicable funds, including the transaction fee. The agent will then process the transaction and provide you with a receipt and tracking number (MTCN).

Western Union is committed to keeping your data secure and offers encrypted transfers to protect against fraud.

Western Union's online services in Afghanistan

Western Union has resumed its services in Afghanistan, joining the push to allow humanitarian activity to continue in the country. The company offers a range of online services to send and receive money in Afghanistan.

Sending Money to Afghanistan

It is simple to send money to Afghanistan with Western Union. You can register for free to transfer funds at a time and place that is convenient for you. You can use the Western Union app to send money on the go or start the transfer on the app and finish it at one of the thousands of agent locations.

To send money to Afghanistan, you will need the receiver's full name and address for a cash pickup. You can send up to £8000 GBP per money transfer to Afghanistan online for cash pickup.

Receiving Money in Afghanistan

Western Union offers several ways to receive money in Afghanistan. You can pick up cash at a nearby agent location, receive money in your bank account, or, depending on location, in your mobile wallet.

To receive money, you will need the reference number, a government-issued ID, the sender's name and address, and the transfer amount.

Frequently asked questions