What is GCash? Fees, limits, and exchange rates

Alexis Konovodoff

GCash is the Philippines' leading mobile wallet, serving over 94 million users.¹

You can use it to send and receive money, pay bills, shop online, invest, and access credit, all from your phone.

If you're considering using GCash, this guide covers everything you need to know about fees, limits, and how it works.

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.

Learn more 🔎

Table of contents

What is GCash?

GCash is a mobile wallet operated by G-Xchange, Inc., a subsidiary of Mynt. It started as a simple SMS payment service in 2004, but has now evolved into a comprehensive financial platform.

GCash makes financial services accessible to millions of Filipinos, many of whom don't have traditional bank accounts.

Services like investment options (GInvest), insurance (GInsure), and credit (GCredit, GGives, GLoan) help bring financial security to underserved communities. In fact, over 3 million Filipinos have borrowed through GCredit, GGives, and GLoan.¹

There are many things you can do with the GCash app:

  • Send and receive money: Transfer funds to other GCash users or bank accounts via InstaPay
  • Pay bills: Handle utilities, credit cards, and other bills through the app
  • Shop online and in-store: Use QR codes or the GCash VISA/Mastercard for purchases
  • Buy mobile load: Top up prepaid credits for any Philippine network
  • Invest: Access mutual funds and government bonds through GInvest
  • Get credit: Apply for microloans through GCredit, GGives, or GLoan
  • Save money: Earn interest with GSave accounts from partner banks
  • Buy insurance: Purchase health, life, and accident coverage through GInsure
💡 Learn more about mobile money in the Philippines and your app options.

Is GCash only for the Philippines?

No, but you need ties to the Philippines to use it.

Filipinos living overseas can use GCash with a non-Philippine SIM through GCash Overseas.

You're eligible for GCash Overseas if you:²
  • are 18 or older
  • have a Fully Verified GCash account
  • are a Filipino citizen with a valid Philippine government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or UMID)
  • live in a country where GCash Overseas is available
  • have an international mobile number from your country of residence

Foreigners can also use GCash if they have a Philippine SIM and can verify their identity with one of these documents:³

  • Philippine Driver's License
  • Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)
  • Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
  • DFA/Diplomat ID
  • Alien Employment Permit

This means that only Americans who have some sort of legal ties to the Philippines can use GCash.

Can I use GCash in the US?

Yes, but the requirements depend on whether you're Filipino or a foreigner.

Filipinos overseas can use GCash in the US through GCash Overseas. You'll need to be fully verified with a valid Philippine government-issued ID and have a US mobile number.²

Foreigners need a Philippine SIM and one of the accepted documents to get fully verified — these documents prove that you have legal standing in the Philippines.³

That said, there's also an important limitation to be aware of when using GCash Philippines in the US.

You can't directly cash in USD from a US bank through the GCash app itself. Instead, you can use another service like Wise to load your GCash wallet from abroad.

💡 Learn more about sending GCash from the US in our full guide.

Send fast, low cost international transfers with Wise

A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise.

Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app, and send money to 140+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Wise always shows you the amount you’re paying and how much your recipient will get — and you can even compare against other providers on the Wise app or desktop site.

If another service is cheaper for your particular payment, you’ll be shown — so you can’t lose.

Get started with Wise

See how Wise compares with international bank transfers in our full guide

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

How to use GCash in the US

Using GCash from the US depends on whether you're Filipino or a foreigner living in the Philippines.

For Filipinos living in the US

You'll need to create a GCash Overseas account:²

  1. Download the GCash app
  2. Open the app and select United States as your country of residence
  3. Enter your US mobile number
  4. Enter the 6-digit code sent to your phone
  5. Fill in your personal details
  6. Review your information and tap Continue
  7. Create a 4-digit MPIN
  8. Once registration is complete, tap Proceed to Login

After creating your account, you'll need to get fully verified to unlock all features.

For foreigners with a Philippine SIM

If you're a foreigner living in the Philippines with a Philippine SIM card, follow the GCash registration process above and verify using one of the accepted documents³:

  • ACR
  • SRRV
  • Philippine driver's license
  • DFA/Diplomat ID
  • Alien Employment Permit

GCash fees and exchange rates

GCash offers many different services, and each comes with its own fee structure. Here are some key fees to know:

ServiceFee⁴
US international bank cash in1 USD
Outbound international transfers2% of the amount (minimum 130 PHP, maximum 1,200 PHP)
GCash Overseas bank transfer15 PHP per transaction
VISA paymentNone
VISA ATM withdrawal8 PHP to 20 PHP (varies by ATM)

Fees update regularly, so check them before committing to any transaction.

Exchange rates

When you send money to GCash from the US, your USD gets converted to PHP. The exchange rate your provider uses makes a big difference in how much money arrives in your GCash wallet.

Many remittance services advertise low or zero fees but make up for it by marking up the exchange rate. This hidden cost can eat into your transfer significantly.

For example, if you're sending 500 USD, a 3% exchange rate markup could cost you around 15 USD, even if the service claims "no fees."

This is why it's always important to compare the total amount your recipient will receive, not just the transfer fee, when looking at different providers.

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How long does a transfer take with GCash?

Transfer times depend on the type of transaction you're making, since GCash has so many different services.

For example, bank transfers and e-wallet transfers via InstaPay are usually instant.⁵

However, delays can happen due to system issues or maintenance. If your transfer is delayed, you'll get an SMS letting you know the money will either:⁵

  • Return to your GCash wallet within 1-2 business days, or
  • Reach the recipient's bank account within 3-5 business days

Business days don't include weekends or holidays. GCash follows standard banking schedules.

If you're sending money from GCash to GCash using Express Send, the transfer happens in real time.⁶

If you need your funds to get to their destination by a certain date, check the estimated timeline before confirming your transfer. You can typically do this in the GCash app or by reaching out to support.

What is the transfer limit for GCash?

Your wallet and transaction limits depend on your account type.

Once you hit your limit, you can't use certain services until either the 1st of next month (when limits reset) or you upgrade your account.⁷

Here are the GCash limits for all accounts:

Account type⁷Wallet limitMonthly incomingDaily outgoingMonthly Outgoing
Basic10,000 PHP5,000 PHPNone5,000 PHP
GCash Jr.50,000 PHP10,000 PHP10,000 PHP10,000 PHP
Fully Verified100,000 PHP100,000 PHP100,000 PHPNone
GCash Plus500,000 PHP500,000 PHP100,000 PHPNone
GCash Platinum1,000,000 PHP1,000,000 PHP500,000 PHP1,000,000 PHP

You can create up to 5 GCash accounts, which automatically link to one customer profile. When your accounts are linked:⁷

  • The highest limit applies to all accounts
  • Limits are NOT combined

For example, say you have a Basic account with 10,000 PHP limits and upgrade one of your accounts to Fully Verified with 100,000 PHP limits. Both accounts will now have the 100,000 maximum PHP limit. You won't get 110,000 PHP total.

Need to send a large amount? With Wise, you can send up to 1,000,000 USD per wire transfer to 140+ countries — and we automatically apply a discount when you send over 25,000 USD (or equivalent)*.

🚀Send high-amount transfers with Wise

*For more information, please visit https://payout-surge.live/us/large-amounts/%3C/a%3E.%3C/small%3E%3C/p%3E

What is GCash: FAQs


How do I put money on my GCash?

There are a few different ways.

You can transfer funds from a Philippine bank account through InstaPay, cash in at partner outlets like convenience stores and pawnshops (such as 7-Eleven), receive money from other GCash users, or use international remittance services like Wise if you're sending from abroad.

If you're in the US, remittance services are your best option since you can't directly deposit USD from a US bank into GCash.

Do you need a bank account for GCash?

No, you don't need a bank account to use GCash.

That's one of the reasons it's so popular in the Philippines, bringing financial inclusion to people who don't have access to regular banking. However, linking a bank account does give you more options for moving money in and out of your wallet.

What is GSave?

GSave is GCash's savings feature that lets you earn interest on your money. It's powered by partner banks like CIMB, BPI, and Maybank, so your savings are held in an actual bank account but managed through the GCash app.⁸


GCash is convenient for Filipinos and Americans with ties to the Philippines. You can access lots of different features, from mobile wallet services to the GCash Mastercard, in just a few taps.

However, if you want to use it in the US, you'll likely need a service like Wise to send money to your GCash wallet. You can't cash in USD from US banks through the app.

Send money internationally with Wise to 140+ countries and 40+ currencies – all at the fair mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees.

🚀 Get started with Wise

Sources

  1. GCash - About Us
  2. GCash - What is GCash Overseas?
  3. GCash - Accepted IDs for GCash verification
  4. GCash - GCash Services Fees
  5. GCash - My bank transfer from GCash to a local bank or e-wallet was not received. What should I do?
  6. GCash - I sent money from my GCash to another GCash account, but the recipient didn't receive it. What should I do?
  7. GCash - What are my GCash wallet and transaction limits?
  8. GCash - What is GSave?
Sources checked 01/28/2026


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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