In 2024, the cumulative remittance in the Philippines reached over US$38.34 billion, and a large amount of that comes from the US.

As such, if you’re looking to send US dollars to the Philippines, there are numerous factors to consider, such as fees, accessibility, speed, limit, and more.

In this article, we’ve explored everything you need to know about how to send US dollars to the Philippines. We also included tips to help you save more of your hard-earned money.

Let’s dive in!

Top 5 Hurdles When You Send US Dollars to the Philippines

Whether you’re a business owner, a student, or a family person, here are some of the hurdles you may face when trying to send US Dollars to the Philippines. 

1. High Transfer Fees: Traditional banks can charge anywhere from $30 to $75 per international wire transfer. If you make frequent transfers, you’d realise that these fees accumulate to a huge amount annually.
2. Unfavourable Exchange Rates: Many providers offer unfavourable exchange rates, which can cause you to lose more money than expected. 
3. Delays in Processing: Some services can take up to 5 business days to deliver.
4. Rural Accessibility: Not all transfer methods reach rural areas or support local wallets.

Best Ways to Send US Dollars to the Philippines in 2025

1. Money Transfer Providers

Money transfer service providers are platforms built to specialise in fast and user-friendly international money transfers. Here are some of the best among them:

1.1 Wise (Formerly TransferWise)

Wise is a global money transfer service that offers fast, low-cost, and transparent international payments using the real mid-market exchange rate.

Pros:

• Transparent fees.
• Mid-market exchange rate (no hidden markup).
• Fast transfers (often same or next day).
• Multi-currency accounts are available.

Cons:

• Requires bank accounts on both ends.
• Customer support quality may be inconsistent.
• It is not the cheapest for huge transfers.

1.2 Remitly

Remitly was founded in 2011 and has since provided flexible speed options that determine how fast the transfer will be for each user. It is a popular option among families that send remittances overseas.

Pros:

• They have a cash pickup option.
• You can pay into your Remitly account using a bank deposit.
• Remilty also supports mobile wallet users.

Cons:

• Remitly charges higher fees for their express transfers.
• Their exchange rates have margins.

1.3 Xoom (a PayPal Service)

Xoom is a payment platform owned by PayPal. They specialise in fast money transfers across borders. They are great for users who already have a PayPal account and want multiple delivery options, including cash pickups.

Pros:

• Transfers within minutes to hours.
• Xoom has multiple delivery options, including door-to-door delivery and cash pickup.

Cons:

• Their exchange rates can include margins.
• Card payments cost even higher fees.

1.4 Western Union

Western Union is one of the most globally reputable and widely used money transfer providers. It also offers a flexible way to send US Dollars to the Philippines online. You can send from their US agents or online to deliver in cash pickups or bank deposits.

Pros:

• They have extensive coverage across the Philippines.
• They have a worldwide presence.
• Western Union has both physical branches and digital apps.

Cons:

• They can be expensive
• Their fees can vary based on location and the amount.
• Their exchange rates are not great.

1.5 OFX

OFX is an Australian-based international money transfer service provider with a speciality in sending large amounts of money. Their system is also better suited to businesses or customers with a large recurring transactions.

Pros:

• Competitive exchange rates.
• No transfer fees for large amounts.
• Great for businesses or high-value transfers.

Cons:

• Minimum transfer limits are still high.
• Slower for smaller transfers.

2. Digital Wallet Transfers

Digital wallets are one of the most accessible ways to receive money in the Philippines. They’re popular among younger users, freelancers, and small business owners due to their speed and mobile convenience. Here are three of the most widely used digital wallets in the Philippines today:

2.1 GCash

GCash is one of the Philippines’ largest and most-used e-wallet platforms, with over 80 million users as of early 2025. It allows Filipinos to pay bills, shop online, and send or receive money all through a mobile phone. GCash is often linked with banks and international transfer providers for seamless cross-border payments.

Pros:

• Wide availability and merchant acceptance across the Philippines.
• Integrates with services like Remitly and Western Union for easy USD conversion.
• Cash-out options at partnered outlets.

Cons:

• Requires a Philippine SIM card and verified identity to use.
• Exchange fees may apply when receiving USD-converted PHP.

2.2 PayMaya

PayMaya, now rebranded as Maya, works as both a mobile wallet and a digital banking platform. With its integration into international remittance services, PayMaya has become a trusted option for receiving USD payments in PHP form. It is also known for its investment and savings tools within the app.

Pros:

• Easy to link with international transfer services.
• Offers bill payments, online shopping, and investment features.
• Widely accepted by merchants and government services.

Cons:

• Account upgrade required for full features.
• Conversion from USD to PHP may incur service charges.

2.3 Coins.ph

Coins.ph is a mobile wallet and crypto platform widely used for both fiat and cryptocurrency transactions. It enables users to receive international payments and store funds in PHP or convert them into digital currencies like BTC or ETH. It’s especially favoured by freelancers and those in the tech sector.

Pros:

• Cryptocurrency support alongside PHP storage.
• Compatible with global transfer platforms.
• Easy conversion and cash-out features.

Cons:

• Less popular than GCash or Maya for mainstream users.
• May require additional verification for higher limits.

3. Bank Transfers

Sending USD directly from a US bank to a Philippine bank like BDO, BPI, or Metrobank is still an option. However, this may be very costly. This method is best used for high-value transactions where speed is not a priority.

Pros:

• Transactions using bank transfers are safe and traceable.

Cons:

• They can charge as high as $30-$75 in transaction fees.
• They often have unfavourable rates.
• Takes about 2-5 days for processing time.

Now that you know some of the means by which you can send your US Dollars to the Philippines, how else can you go about reducing the transaction charges of your remittances?

Tips on How to Send US Dollars to the Philippines

Here are some tips you can keep in mind to ensure you don’t pay high transaction charges when you next want to send US Dollars to the Philippines.

• Compare providers regularly to track fees and exchange rates.
• Use bank transfers instead of card payments to reduce added surcharges.
• Bundle multiple payments to save on transaction costs.
• Watch currency trends and send when the USD is stronger.
• Consider digital wallets for lower costs and faster delivery.

Best Way to Send US Dollars to the Philippines 

While money transfer providers, digital wallets, and bank transfers are all valid options, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective and flexible solution to send US Dollars to the Philippines, DSGPay is one of the best ways to do it.

Whether you’re a business paying Filipino suppliers, a freelancer transferring USD earnings, or a remote worker supporting family back home, DSGPay simplifies the entire process.

You can receive USD directly into your virtual account, convert it at competitive rates, and withdraw it in PHP to any local bank.

Why DSGPay is Your Best Bet

• Global Named Virtual Accounts: Send USD via SWIFT using a dedicated virtual account that has your name or your business name on it, perfect for paying suppliers and ensuring consistency across all your transactions.
• Local Virtual Accounts: Send USD Like a Local: Send USD through our local virtual accounts that operate over domestic rails. Reliable, affordable, and tailored for global business needs.
• Competitive FX Rates & Transparent Fees: DSGpay offers access to competitive exchange rates with clear, transparent, and affordable pricing, allowing you to get more PHP from every USD you send.
• Fast USD to PHP Settlements: You can convert USD to PHP quickly, often with same-day payouts to local bank accounts in the Philippines.
• Multi-Currency Flexibility: DSGPay doesn’t just support USD and PHP. They also support currencies from at least 30+ different currencies.
• Ideal for Freelancers Managing Multi-Currency Earnings: Get paid from global freelance platforms, then use DSGPay virtual account to convert your USD into PHP or any of 30+ currencies, and withdraw to your local bank with better FX rates and faster access to your money.

Ready to streamline and optimise your USD remittances to the Philippines? Here’s how you can start sending money with DSGPay in just a few steps.

How to Send US Dollars to the Philippines Using DSGPay

There are two ways to send US Dollars to the Philippines using DSGPay. These are the local and SWIFT methods. To go about it, you need to:

1. Open your DSGPay account and go to your USD virtual account you wish to transfer money from and press “Send.”
2. Select “New Beneficiary” on the top part of the screen.
3. Select “Payment Method,” and depending on the method you want to use, you can either click on Local Bank Payment or SWIFT Payment.
   • If you choose the local bank payment, you will have to include your recipient’s country of residence or beneficiary type (i.e., customer/personal or business account).
   • If you choose the SWIFT method, select “Beneficiary Type” and then choose “Personal Account.”
4. You will then include the recipient’s details in the required spaces.
   • For the local bank method, you would need to include the beneficiary institutions, account name, account number, and full address.
   • However, the SWIFT method will need the beneficiary’s bank SWIFT-BIC code, IBAN/Account number, and full address.
5. Then you’ll add the preferred currency, how much you wish to send, the purpose of remittance, and then “Slide to Confirm”.
6. Then you enter your PIN to confirm the transaction.

After these steps, your transaction should be scripted and your funds should be on their way.

Final Thoughts

Sending US Dollars to the Philippines doesn’t have to cost a fortune or take days to arrive. With the right provider, you can send money faster, cheaper, and with more control over your funds. 

From traditional platforms like Wise and Remitly to wallet-based services like GCash, there’s no shortage of options in 2025, and yet, one stands just above the others. 

If you want a seamless, professional, affordable, or business-ready option, DSGPay offers the most practical solution. It’s fast, cost-effective, versatile, and built for international payments. 

Make the right choice today!