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Top 15 Money Transfer Providers
Exchange Rates as of 2019-03-22T20:59:59+00:00
Bank Beating Rates
TorFX
Bank-beating FX rates | Safe and secure | Free transfers for FXcompared customers
Bank-beating FX rates | Safe and secure | Free transfers for FXcompared customers
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Fee:
No Fees via FXcompared
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Speed:
1-3 days
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Bank Beating Rates
Currencies Direct
Call us: 0203 018 1318
Bank-beating FX rates | Safe and secure | Free transfers for FXcompared customers
Bank-beating FX rates | Safe and secure | Free transfers for FXcompared customers
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Fee:
No Fees via FXcompared
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Speed:
1-3 days
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OFX (prev. UKForex)
OFX (previously UKForex in the UK), provides secure and speedy international money transfers to over 300,000 people in 55 currencies at better-than-bank rates
OFX (previously UKForex in the UK), provides secure and speedy international money transfers to over 300,000 people in 55 currencies at better-than-bank rates
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Fee:
No OFX fees for FXcompared users.
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Speed:
1-3 days
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Moneycorp
One-off payments | Regular payments | Great rates | Safeguarded customer funds
One-off payments | Regular payments | Great rates | Safeguarded customer funds
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Fee:
No Fees via FXcompared
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Speed:
1-3 days
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WorldFirst
Transparency and security | Great customer feedback rating from Feefo
Transparency and security | Great customer feedback rating from Feefo
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Fee:
No Fees in the UK via FXcompared. $10 for transfers below $10,000 in the US; AUD15, below AUD15,000 in Australia
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Speed:
1-3 days
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Global Reach (formerly FC Exchange)
Great rates | One-off payments | Regular transfers | E-Money Institution | No fees for FXcompared customers
Great rates | One-off payments | Regular transfers | E-Money Institution | No fees for FXcompared customers
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Fee:
No Fees
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Speed:
1-3 days
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Azimo
Azimo is an online only provider with a focus on mobile money transfers. They also work with the top global banks and payment providers to ensure the safe delivery of your money and payout globally.
Azimo is an online only provider with a focus on mobile money transfers. They also work with the top global banks and payment providers to ensure the safe delivery of your money and payout globally.
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Fee:
The First Azimo transfer is fee-free and then after that they can be as low as £1, but the exact amount can vary based on:
- Where you are sending money to and from
- Which method you send with: online bank transfer or debit/credit card
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Speed:
1-5 days
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RationalFX
Established in 2005, RationalFX helps individuals and businesses achieve significant savings on international payments
More Info
Less Info
Established in 2005, RationalFX helps individuals and businesses achieve significant savings on international payments
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Fee:
£4 below £5,000
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Speed:
1-3 days
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Western Union Business Solutions
The Personal Payments team at Western Union Business Solutions look after the overseas currency requirements for private individuals.
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The Personal Payments team at Western Union Business Solutions look after the overseas currency requirements for private individuals.
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Fee:
No Fees via FXcompared
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Speed:
1-3 days
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Currency Solutions
Currency exchange specialists ranking No.1 on Trustpilot for the past two years
More Info
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Currency exchange specialists ranking No.1 on Trustpilot for the past two years
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Fee:
£10 below £5,000
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Speed:
1-3 days
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WorldRemit
WorldRemit is an online service that lets people send money to friends and family living abroad, using a computer, smartphone or tablet.
WorldRemit is an online service that lets people send money to friends and family living abroad, using a computer, smartphone or tablet.
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Fee:
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Speed:
1-5 days
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TransferWise is an online only provider
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Fee:
0.5% to 1.5%
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Speed:
1-5 days
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Smart Currency Exchange
Smart is focused on helping clients to effectively and efficiently send and receive payments internationally
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Smart is focused on helping clients to effectively and efficiently send and receive payments internationally
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Fee:
£10 below £3,000
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Speed:
1-3 days
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MoneyGram
MoneyGram is a leading remittance provider serving countries across the globe.
MoneyGram is a leading remittance provider serving countries across the globe.
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Fee:
Depends on speed and corridor
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Speed:
1-3 days
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Western Union
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States.
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States.
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Fee:
£1 to £4.90
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Speed:
1-3 days
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UK Resources
Summary
There are no exchange controls in the UK for the pound sterling (GBP) and transferring money to the UK and sending money from the UK is very easy. Moreover, EU rules require free movement of capital throughout the bloc.
UK money transfer regulations
There are no restrictions on the remittance of profits, dividends, interest, royalties, or licensing, management, design, and technical and patent fees, whether by businesses or individuals. Nevertheless, the tax authorities may challenge the level of transfers if they suspect tax avoidance or evasion. Furthermore, banks monitor transactions for suspected money-laundering, and the law requires them to have a Money-Laundering Reporting Officer.
They must adequately identify customers when they open accounts and in relation to any transaction exceeding 10,000. If the transaction is by an account holder, that is generally sufficient proof of identity. The reporting rules also apply to estate agents, casinos, insolvency practitioners, tax advisers, accountants, auditors, lawyers, company- and trust-formation agents and anyone conducting a business dealing in goods (including auctioneers).
The UK is home to a large number of overseas money transfer providers and you should find little difficulty in selling UK pounds to buy virtually any foreign currency, other than those with purchase restrictions or in territories linked to other activities such as terrorism.
UK financial regulation
The central bank, the Bank of England, is responsible for monetary policy. Regulatory authority and supervision is provided by both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulatory Authority, the two bodies having replaced the previous regulator, the Financial Services Authority in 2013).
Overseen by the Bank of England, the PRA focuses on the financial health of deposit-taking and loan-making institutions, individually and collectively. The FCA ensures that the financial markets function efficiently and effectively, while ensuring competition and protecting consumers. Money transfer providers in the UK are regulated by the FCA, and must also be registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Opening a UK bank account
Opening a bank account for non-nationals in the UK is relatively easy. You will required to provide proof of your employment/income, evidence of an address in the UK and your passport. The largest high street banks in the UK all offer substantial coverage throughout the country, from which money can be sent overseas or into which overseas money transfers can be received.
Many banks allow holders of sterling accounts to open foreign currency accounts. The most common foreign currency accounts are held in US dollars and euros, but some banks may offer accounts in other major currencies such as Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Singapore or Hong Kong dollars, or Japanese yen and even Chinese renminbi.
UK visas and work permits
Any national of the European Economic Area (EEA) 27 out of the 28-member European Union (with the exception of Croatia), plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway can move freely to the UK to work, invest, or study. For nationals of every other country, the UK operates a five-tier points-based visa system.
Most would-be immigrants will require a Certificate of Sponsorship to obtain a visa, the exception being for 'high-value migrants', entrepreneurs, and investors who fall into Tier 1. Tier 2 covers intra-company transfers of highly skilled workers, for roles that cannot be filled by an EEA national. Tier 4 visas relate to studying, with applicants required to have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from an accredited UK educational institution. Tier 5 visas covers various categories of temporary workers, including those in the religious, creative or sporting fields, as well as the youth mobility scheme which enables about 55,000 young people every year to work in the UK on working holidays. (Tier 3 was originally conceived for low-skilled workers, but no visas have been granted in this category).
In most cases, spouses and dependents are allowed to come to the UK with the main applicant. Spouses are usually allowed to work, although this does not apply to spouses of some student visa holders and Tier 5 visa holders. From 2016, only people earning 35,000 or more annually will be able to apply for permanent resident status.
Taxation
While the process of transferring money internationally is straightforward, the UK has a complex tax system. Expatriates, whether moving from or to the country, will need professional tax advice.
The UK tax year runs from April 6th to April 5th of the following year, whereas many other countries either run a calendar year or from the mid-point of the year. These differences in dates will impact your tax planning. The UK also has double tax treaties with many countries but these do not cover every taxable item.
Pensions
If you move overseas from the UK, you will still be able receive your UK pension abroad but you will not be eligible for annual increases in benefit. Your pension will therefore stay at the rate it was when you left the UK. There are also many opportunities for UK expats to setup different pension schemes overseas such as QROPS which are run outside of the UK. You can then send funds from your overseas pension to where you are residing as an expat.
Currency
The pound sterling (GBP, ) is made up of 100 pence or pennies (p). The Bank of England issues the majority of sterling banknotes, in values of 5, 10, 20, and 50. Banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks, as well as sterling banknotes from the Crown dependencies of Jersey and Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, can by used as a means of payment in the UK, but are sometimes refused due to lack of familiarity. Scottish, Northern Irish and Jersey notes also come in denominations of 1 and 100. Coins come in denominations of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, 1 (special issue 25p and 5 coins also exist and are legal tender, but are extremely rare).
UK to Individual Country Guides
See our links below to our specific money transfer guides that are for moving from the UK as an expat, as a student or retiring as well as trading with each of the countries below:
Money Transfer UK to Australia
Money Transfer UK to New Zealand
Money Transfer UK to South Africa
Money Transfer UK to Switzerland
Our Country Guides
FXcompared.com is an fx money comparison site for international money transfer and to compare rates from currency brokers for sending money abroad. The website and the information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or advice on any financial service or transaction. None of the information presented is intended to form the basis for any investment decision, and no specific recommendations are intended. FXC Group Ltd and FX Compared Ltd does not provide any guarantees of any data from third parties listed on this website. FX compared Ltd expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from (i) any error, omission or inaccuracy in any such information or (ii) any action resulting therefrom.