Sending Money To Belarus: A Guide

If you want to send money to Belarus, there are several options available to you. These include bank transfers, cash pickup, mobile wallets, and home delivery. While bank transfers are typically the cheapest method, they can also be slow and often come with additional fees. MoneyGram is a popular option for sending money to Belarus, offering competitive exchange rates and low fees, with the ability to receive money in minutes. Paysend is another option, allowing you to transfer money directly to Visa or Mastercard cards in Belarus for a small fee. However, it's important to note that Western Union stopped its money transfer service to Belarus in March 2022.

Using a money transfer specialist

Money transfer specialists such as MoneyGram offer competitive exchange rates and low fees, with MoneyGram's fees starting at $0. They can also deliver money to your recipient in minutes.

Other money transfer specialists include Paysend, which charges a fee of €1.50 to send money to Belarus. They transfer money to over 170 countries and are trusted by over 9 million customers.

When choosing a money transfer provider, it's important to consider the cost, how you want the recipient to receive the funds, and the turnaround time. Some providers may offer a flat fee, while others may charge a percentage of the transfer amount. Instant cash pickups are usually more expensive than bank transfers, so it's worth comparing different providers to find the best option for your needs.

Bank transfers

If you're looking for the cheapest way to send money, bank transfers are typically the best option. MoneyGram, for example, offers competitive exchange rates and transfer fees starting at $0. Paysend is another platform that allows you to transfer money directly to Visa or Mastercard cards in Belarus for a fee of €1.50. However, it's important to note that Wise, Paysend, and other similar apps do not allow transfers from the US to Belarus.

When choosing a bank transfer, it's important to consider the cost, how the recipient will receive the funds, and the turnaround time. Here are some key features to review:

• Exchange rates: Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate, which is the best rate available. However, not all money transfer providers offer this rate, so be sure to compare the BYN you're offered to the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
• Transfer fees: Be aware of whether you're being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount. For larger amounts, a provider offering a flat or low fee might be a better option.
• Transfer type: Consider whether your recipient has a Belarusian bank account or if cash or mobile phone top-up is a better option. Each transfer type has different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be pricier than bank transfers.
• Transfer speed: If you need your money transferred quickly, you can pay for express delivery, but this will cost more. Online money transfer services offer the best value and speed for transfers to Belarus.
• Transfer limits: Find out the minimum and maximum transfer amounts for each service. Some providers will have higher or no sending limits, which is useful if you need to send a large amount.

It's also worth noting that Western Union stopped its money transfer service to Belarus on March 24, 2022.

Cash pickup

If you need to send money to someone in Belarus urgently, cash pickup services are a good option. Cash pickup allows your recipient to access the money instantly by visiting an agent location in Belarus. Here are some options for transferring money to Belarus via cash pickup:

MoneyGram

MoneyGram is a well-known money transfer service that offers competitive exchange rates and low fees, starting at $0. They can deliver money to your recipient in Belarus within minutes. MoneyGram is a good choice if you need a fast and affordable way to send money.

Western Union

Western Union offers cash transfer services and is known for its fast delivery. However, it's important to note that Western Union stopped its money transfer service to Belarus on March 24, 2022. Any transfers sent before this date and not paid out will be returned to the sender.

Remitly

Remitly is another option for cash pickup transfers to Belarus. They offer competitive fees and fast transfer speeds, with an average transfer time of the same day. According to Monito, Remitly was the cheapest provider for transfers to Belarus in 90.1% of searches over a three-month period.

Ria Money Transfer

Ria Money Transfer is a good choice if speed is a priority. They consistently offer fast delivery times for cash pickup transfers to Belarus and charge relatively low fees. Ria Money Transfer is a reliable option for getting your money to your recipient quickly and securely.

Paysend

Paysend is an online money transfer service that allows you to send money directly to Visa or Mastercard cards in Belarus for a fee of just €1.50. The money is usually transferred on the same day, making it a convenient and fast option. Paysend is trusted by millions of customers worldwide.

When choosing a money transfer service, it's important to compare fees, exchange rates, transfer speeds, and the recipient's convenience. Additionally, make sure to check the regulatory requirements and tax implications in both your country and Belarus to ensure compliance.

Mobile wallet

To use a mobile wallet service, you will typically need to download a mobile app and create an account. You will then link your bank account, credit or debit card to the app. After that, you can enter the recipient's details, such as their name, phone number, and email address, and initiate the transfer. The recipient can then receive the money into their mobile wallet or transfer it to their bank account.

Some popular mobile wallet services include PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo, Cash App, Google Pay, Square Cash, and Zelle. These services offer varying features, transfer speeds, and fees, so it is important to compare them and choose the one that best suits your needs.

It is important to note that some countries may have restrictions on sending money to Belarus due to sanctions. Therefore, it is crucial to research and comply with any applicable sanctions and regulations when using mobile wallet services to send money to Belarus.

Home delivery

If the recipient of your money transfer in Belarus may struggle to get to a cash pickup location, you can opt for a home delivery or door-to-door cash delivery service.

One option for this is the company Paysend, which offers money transfers directly to Visa or Mastercard cards in Belarus for a fee of €1.50. The money is usually transferred on the same day, and the currency exchange rate, transfer fee, and receivable amount are all displayed before you make the transfer. Paysend is certified by Visa, Mastercard, China UnionPay, the FCA, and PCI DSS.

Another option is to use a specialist money transfer service such as MoneyGram, which offers competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $0.

It's important to note that some providers may not accept certain types of currency or cards. For example, fin.do does not accept American currency for a Belarus location, and Paysend only transfers to Visa or Mastercard. Additionally, some providers may charge a fee for their services, such as the 4% fee charged by fin.do.

Frequently asked questions