How long does a wire transfer take? US guide

Wire transfers are an electronic way to move funds across bank accounts domestically or internationally. While they're known to be a faster alternative to ACH payments, some things can affect the wire transfer time.

So, how long does it take for a wire transfer to go through?

It largely depends on whether you're sending money within the US or to another country. Domestic transfers are fast, but international wires can take a few business days or even up to a week in some cases. Here's what to expect.

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
How long does a wire transfer take? Domestic wire transfer time International wire transfer time What information do you need to make a wire transfer? What can impact wire transfer times How much does a wire transfer cost?

How long does a wire transfer take?

The processing times for wire transfers can vary a lot.

Domestic wire transfers usually take less than 24 hours, while international wire transfers can take 1 to 5 business days. For some destination countries, they can be quite slow, especially if it's a country that has many financial regulations.

Domestic wire transfer time

If you're wiring money domestically, the funds will usually process within 24 hours.

This is due to the Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFAA), which requires financial institutions to process domestic wire transfers in a single business day.

However, the 24-hour domestic wire transfer time applies only to business days. Banks don't process wire transfers on weekends or federal holidays, so take those into account when planning your transfer.

Also, if you submit a wire transfer after your bank's daily cutoff time (which is usually between 2 PM and 5 PM) or on a weekend, it won't begin processing until the next business day.

For example, if you initiate a domestic wire transfer at 6 PM on a Friday, it won't start processing until Monday morning. It'll likely get to your recipient by Tuesday morning or so.

International wire transfer time

On average, a wire transfer to another country can take between 1 and 5 business days to process.

Transfers to major financial hubs like the UK, Canada, or the EU often clear within 1 to 2 business days, but countries with stricter financial regulations can take a long time. Large amounts may also require additional compliance checks that extend processing time.

Most of the time, international transfers are sent through the SWIFT network. SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a messaging system that banks use to communicate and coordinate international transfers.

When you send money internationally, your bank sends payment instructions through SWIFT to the receiving bank. Each bank in the chain, including any intermediary banks, processes the transfer during their business hours, which is one of the reasons why international wires take longer than domestic ones.

Some bank-to-bank corridors will do same-day processing, but this can rarely be guaranteed.

Similar to domestic wires, bank cutoff times also affect timing. If you submit your transfer after the daily deadline, your bank will begin processing it the next business day.

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What information do you need to make a wire transfer?

The information you'll need to send a wire transfer might vary slightly from bank to bank, so make sure to double-check with them before starting your transfer.

That said, you should have at least the following details on hand to get started:

Domestic wire transfers	International wire transfers
Full name Address Bank name Bank address and phone number Bank account number Account type (checking or savings) Bank wire routing number Amount	Full name Address Bank name Bank address and phone number Bank account number or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) Account type (checking or savings) BIC/SWIFT code Amount Currency you're sending to Reason for your transfer

What can impact wire transfer times

Here is a look at a few of the main reasons why a wire transfer can take some extra time:

Errors

Sometimes the information you provide in the wire transfer request may be incorrect. A delay or even a lost transfer can occur if key details such as the recipient’s full name, account number, and SWIFT/BIC code aren't precise.

If you notice a delay, you can ask your bank to trace the wire through its unique IMAD/OMAD identification number. The resulting information will show the progress of the transaction across each important stage. If the wire transfer went to the wrong account, you'll be aware of the details, and it may be possible to get it back.

Timing

Wire transfers can also depend on timing. For example, most banks won't process wire transfers over the weekend.

Different countries also operate in different time zones, which can add further delays since your transfer will likely go through a few different intermediary banks.

Also, check the official holidays of the country you’re wiring money to. Banks are usually closed on these days, and these holidays don't always correspond to US holidays. It may be just a normal business day in the US and a holiday in the country you're sending money to.

Different policies

Every bank has its own processing times for wire transfers. While most follow similar timeframes, some banks may be faster or slower than others. You can ask your bank about their specific processing times to get a better idea of when your transfer will complete.

However, your bank doesn't control the entire process. International wire transfers often pass through intermediary banks before reaching the final destination.

These intermediary banks have their own processing schedules and policies, which can add extra time to your transfer. Even if your bank processes the wire quickly, you might still experience delays if an intermediary bank takes longer to handle the transaction.

Destination

The destination country can also impact your wire's processing times. Certain jurisdictions have stricter regulations in place than others, which can cause delays or even prevent your transfer from ever getting there. For example, some countries have very extensive anti-money laundering checks.

Some countries are also difficult to send money to from the US due to economic sanctions or a lack of established banking relationships. Your bank may not be able to send wire transfers to certain destinations at all, or they might require additional documentation and compliance checks that extend processing times by weeks.

Wire cutoff times

Every bank sets daily cutoff times for processing wire transfers. If you submit your transfer after this deadline, it won't begin processing until the next business day.

Cutoff times vary by bank. For example, Bank of America's wire cutoff time is 5 PM ET, and Capital One's is 3 PM ET for international transfers.¹²

Check with your bank for their cutoff times, as they can be different for domestic versus international transfers, too.

How much does a wire transfer cost?

Wire transfers come with fees, and domestic transfers are usually less expensive than international ones.

International wire transfer fees can be quite high since they often involve intermediate bank fees and currency exchange rate markups on top of your bank's regular processing fee.

For domestic wires, you'll usually pay:

	Outgoing transfers	Incoming transfers
Domestic wire transfers	15 - 30 USD	0 - 15 USD
International wire transfers	15 - 100 USD	15 - 35 USD

For international wire transfers, there may also be a 10 - 25 USD intermediary bank fee if your transfer passes through other banks.

Keep in mind that these are just general estimates. The best way to get a more accurate idea of how much your wire will cost is to ask your bank.

For international transfers, you'll also face currency exchange rate markups. Most banks don't use the mid-market exchange rate you see on Google and instead add a markup of 2% to 5% on top.

This means you'll get less foreign currency for your USD than you may think. Especially on large transfers, these "hidden fees" add up and can cost you hundreds of USD.

What’s the best way to send money internationally?

Banks are certainly one option for sending money internationally, as are services like PayPal. But the problem with banks is they can often be slow, expensive and inconvenient. Luckily, there’s a better alternative out there.

You can send money worldwide with Wise for low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s easy and quick to set up a payment online, and you’re guaranteed secure transfers even when sending large sums.

Wise is a money service business (MSB) regulated by 12 international financial authorities and uses sophisticated security features to keep you and your money safe.

Open a Wise account, and you can send, spend and convert between 40+ currencies whenever you need to. You can even receive money from all over the world using your own local account details.

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Sources

1. Bank of America - Cutoff Times for Deposits, Transfers, and Payments
2. Capital One - Wire transfer support

Sources checked 09/11/2025