How to Transfer Money to USA From India: 5 Cheapest Methods Revealed

Thinking of how to transfer money to USA from India?

With so many options available, you might get confused with what money transfer service to choose. But remember, not every option is as good as it sounds. There are certain hidden charges warped beneath those sugar-coated words that you may not figure out at first, that will quietly eat a hefty amount from your hard-earned cash.

A 2021 report revealed that India sent $75.86 million in remittances to the United States, emphasizing a more than ever need for quick, efficient, and affordable money transfer options.

Whether you’re a parent sending tuition fees to your child in the USA or an entrepreneur expanding your business globally — you can’t wait for days for your money to reach its destination.

That’s why our experts at DSGPay have curated the 5 cheapest ways to transfer money to USA from India, which will save you time, effort and mental frustration.

Key Points to Consider When Transferring Money From USA to India

Sending money internationally won’t be stressful if you know what things to look for while searching for transfer methods. Below are some key factors that directly affect how much your recipient gets, how quickly they get it and how much you’ll pay in the end. Let’s take a look.

1. Reliability

• Don’t just jump into what appears to be the best but rather do your own research first. It’s your money so you have to stay cautious.
• Go through customer reviews as they can provide actual insights about the company. Check ratings on Trustpilot or Google to choose a trusted platform with a proven track record.

2. Exchange Rates

• The exchange rate determines how much USD your recipient gets in the end.
• A small drop or increase in the exchange rate can create a prominent change in the final amount that your receipt gets.
• Example:
  • Let’s say you want to send 1,00,000 INR to the USA. If the exchange rate is 1 INR – 0.013 USD, the recipient would receive 1,300 USD after converting the Indian Rupees. However if the exchange rate changes to 1 INR = 0.0125 USD, the recipient would only get 1,250 USD for the same amount of money.
  • That’s a difference of 50 USD, which can be big, especially if you are transferring a larger sum.

3. Transfer Fees

• Aside from the exchange rate, some service providers also charged their own fees. A fixed percentage or a flat fee is deducted from each transaction.
• Some services have low fees but offer a worse exchange rate, while others might have higher fees but give you a better exchange rate.
• Always check the fee structure in advance.

4. Speed

• Define your priorities. Does your recipient need the money right now or they could wait for a few days? If you’re sending money quickly (like for emergency tuition fees), you’ll need to check how fast the service delivers.
• Some services like DSGPay offer instant transfers, while others, like bank transfers or Western Union, may take anywhere from a few hours to 3-5 days.

5. Convenience

• Opt for a service where you have the option of sending money from your home, saving you the time and effort of visiting a physical location.
• Online services like DSGPay allow you to manage and track everything digitally making the process quicker and efficient.

6. Customer Support

• When transferring money, you may face issues like credit card decline, technical problems with websites, or discrepancies in exchange rates compared to what was initially quoted.
• Sometimes, you might have second thoughts and may want to cancel the transaction. This is where customer support plays its part. Search for a service that handles your queries promptly and provides 24/7 customer support via chat, phone and email.

7. Transfer Limits

• If you are a business sending large sums, be aware of transfer limits. Different providers have different caps on how much you can send.

8. Security

• When sending money from India to the USA, security is of prime importance.
• Choose a transfer service that’s regulated by financial authorities like the FCA. These services follow strict rules to protect your funds, ensuring your money reaches its destination safely and giving you peace of mind.

How to Transfer Money to USA From India: 5 Best Methods

1. DSGPay

We are an Asian-based money transfer service, offering both local and global payment solutions. You can open multi-currency accounts and use SWIFT transfers for international payments. Our goal is to provide fast, secure, and affordable options for businesses and individuals.

Why Choose DSGPay

• Supports 30+ currencies
• Provides real-time payments for faster transaction
• Offers low fees with a competitive exchange rate
• Ensure fast and secure transactions
• Real-time API, widget integration and mobile app
• International mass payment option for businesses
• Global salary transfer
• Instant supplier payment

Simplify your US financial operations with DSGPay—send, receive, and manage funds seamlessly. DSGPay is your trusted partner for cost-effective US-based transactions.

2. Wise

When it comes to money transfers, wise (formerly known as Transferwise) is the most popular option. They offer real exchange rates with no market-ups, so you get exactly what you expect without any hidden costs. It also has a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate through options.

Though it does provide fast money transfers and competitive exchange rates, however, few users have reported certain drawbacks like sudden account deactivation without clear explanation, funds blocked for prolonged periods and extremely poor customer support in case an issue pops up. Still, a majority of users have shared positive experiences with this platform making it a great choice for many individuals and SMEs.

How to Transfer Money to USA From India Using Wise:

• Register for free
• Choose an amount to send
• Add the recipient’s bank details
• Verify your identity
• Pay for your transfer

Why Choose Wise

• Low, transparent fees with no hidden charges
• Mid-market rate for transfers.
• Multi-currency accounts for holding multiple currencies
• Quick Transfers
• Automatic recurring payments for subscriptions and bills.
• Borderless payments across 70+ countries. 

3. Western Union

When thinking about money transfers, you can’t skip one of the cross-border remittance giants in the industry — Western Union. They have a huge network covering over 200 countries, including the USA. Being the oldest payment transfer service, it is also considered highly reliable.

Compared to other alternatives like DSGPay and Wise, the transfers are a bit slow. Western Union give you the option to pay through bank transfer, credit or debit card. Just make sure your Western Union profile name matches your bank account name.

In addition, there are limits set for money transfers. For educational purposes, you can send up to $10,000, and for other purposes like medical treatment, the limit is lower to $5000.

How to Transfer Money to USA From India Using Western Union:

• Register for a free profile or log into your existing account.
• Select the USA as the destination country
• Enter the amount you wish to send
• Choose your payment method (bank transfer, credit card, or debit card)
• Provide the receiver’s name, bank account number, and bank details (such as ABA routing number or SWIFT/BIC code)
• Review and confirm the details before making the payment
• Track your transfer using the provided tracking number (MTCN)

Why Choose Western Union

• Send money to over 200 countries.
• Trusted with 160+ years of money transfer experience.
• Pay via bank, credit, or debit card.
• Uses encryption and fraud prevention measures.
• Real-time transfer tracking with a unique MTCN.
• Account sign-up is free.

4. BookMyForex

Another cheapest way to transfer money to USA from India is through BookMyForex. They are known for providing competitive exchange rates and minimal transaction fees.

Their app is user-friendly and their customer support is prompt as compared to others on the list. Best of all, they don’t have any foreign transaction fees and the recipient receives the funds within 48 business hours. BookMyForex also offers options like demand draft or wire transfer, making the service even more appealing. Overall it is valued for transparency, reliability and convenience.

How to Transfer Money to USA From India Using BookMyForex:

• Visit their website and sign up or log in
• Input the transfer amount and currency
• Provide personal details and recipient’s information
• Choose the transfer purpose and upload the necessary documents
• Complete the transaction via online banking

Why Choose BookMyForex

• Competitive exchange rates are better than alternatives
• Easy to use
• Excellent customer service
• Transparent policies that build trust and confidence

5. ExTravelMoney

Another easy way to send money to the USA from India is through ExTravelMoney — a leading marketplace for online remittance and exchange. The platform lets you compare rates from trusted banks and exchange houses, ensuring you select only the best.

The best part is that you can lock exchange rates for up to 3 days. Once you have selected your rates, you can securely transfer funds via NEFT/RTGS, and your recipient will receive the money within 2 business days. The remitter needs to provide the beneficiary’s bank details (name, swift code and account number), KYC details, and a signed A2 form.

How to Transfer Money to USA From India Using ExTravelMoney:

• Enter details like amount, purpose, and recipient country (USA) on ExTravelMoney
• Compare live exchange rates from RBI-approved banks and exchange houses
• Book the transaction and complete the KYC verification
• Transfer funds to the selected bank or exchange house
• Your transfer will be initiated

Why Choose ExTravelMoney

• Zero commission on transaction
• Secure NEFT/RTGS transfers
• Book exchange rate for up to 3 days
• Expert guidance throughout the money transfer process
• Transparent pricing with no hidden charges

Other Ways You Can Send Money to the USA From India

1. Bank And Wire Transfer

Wire transfer and bank transfer are both ways to send money electronically. A bank transfer involves sending money from your Indian bank account directly to the recipient’s US bank account. Though it may seem convenient, in reality, this method can be really slow and a bit expensive. 

Wire transfers, often done through systems like SWIFT, are faster and mainly used for international transfers. Both methods require details like account numbers and bank names to complete the details.

Some of the major banks that offer wire transfer services include ICIC Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, IDFC First Bank and Punjab National Bank (PNB)

2. Foreign Currency Demand Draft

Most people consider the Foreign Currency Demand Draft (FCDD) as one of the safest ways to transfer money to their recipient. It’s like a paper check that your recipient can easily cash or deposit into their bank account. In addition, you can cancel and request a new one in case it gets stolen or damaged.

However, it takes a few days to process, gives you poor exchange rates, and can have high fees. 

Final Thought

Now you know how to transfer money to USA from India depending on how fast your recipient requires the money. If it’s not urgent you can opt for slower options like bank transfers or Western Union. However, for instant transfers, services like DSGPay or Wise can get the job quickly. 

Just don’t forget to compare exchange rates, transaction fees, and delivery speeds, to find the best option for your particular transfer.

FAQs

Q: What is the best way to send money to the US from India?

DSGPay, Wise, and Western Union are top choices, depending on whether you prioritise speed, cost or reliability.

Q: What is the cheapest way to send money from India to the US?

DSGPay, BookMyForex and ExTravelMoney offer competitive rates and low fees.

Q: How to transfer money to USA from India without tax and charges?

You can’t avoid all charges, but using DSGPay, Wise, or BookMyForex minimizes fees.

Q: How to transfer money to USA from India legally?

Use licensed services like DSGPay, Wise, or Western Union and follow RBI guidelines.

Q: How much money can I transfer from India to the USA?

Personal transfers can be up to $250,000 per year; business transfers may have different limits.