Frequently Asked Questions

You can only make minor typographical corrections to the receiver’s name on a regular money transfer as long as the money hasn’t yet been picked up. This can’t be done on a money order, bill payment, or prepaid money transfer.

Any time after sending, you can check your transfer status online. All you need is your name and the tracking number (MTCN) printed on your receipt.

You can check your transfer status online. All you need is the sender’s name and the tracking number (MTCN) printed on the sender’s receipt.

You can pick up your money at any agent location. You’ll need to complete a “To Receive Money” form and include the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Amount expected
• Sender’s name
• Sender Name
• Sender’s city and countr

Acceptable ID documents also are required.

Some restrictions may apply.

Customers need a primary ID verifying your full name, country of birth, and birthdate.

Acceptable primary IDs:

1. Current passport

2. Current driving licence

3. National identity card

Customers also may also need two forms of secondary ID verifying address.

Acceptable secondary IDs:

1. The Garda Age Card

2. Work/employer ID card

3. Armed Forces/Garda/PSNI ID card

4. Student ID card with sealed photo

5. Original birth certificate

6. Certificate of registration (GNIB card)

7. Temporary residence card

8. Entitlement letter from the Department of Social Protection

9. Identity confirmation letter issued by the Department of Social Protection

10. Social welfare card issued by the Department of Social Protection

11. Department of Social Protection travel pass/benefit books.

You can usually send any amount. Because of government regulations in Ireland, additional documents or information will be required when you send or receive more than 15,000 EUR during a one-year period. These regulations were put in place to help protect money transfer users in Ireland.

When you send money internationally, your receiver will generally be paid in local currency. The exact amount will be calculated based on the exchange rate applicable at the time of shipment. However, for transfers to certain countries, the exact amount will be calculated based on the exchange rate applicable at the time of receipt.

Here are a few ways you can send money online using Western Union:

• Money in minutes:

If your money is needed within minutes, you can send online using your credit or debit card. Receivers can pick up cash at Western Union locations worldwide, depending on the hours of operation at that location.

If your receiver lives in a country where we offer mobile money transfer, you can send money to their mobile phone in minutes. Make sure your receiver has activated a mobile wallet with one of our partner mobile operators in their country.

• Money available in 1 or 2 days:

If you send money to a bank account, your money is generally available within 1 or 2 days, depending on your receiver’s country. Learn more about sending money to a bank account.

You can send up to 1.000 EUR per transaction or within a 3-day period before we need to verify your identity. After your identity is verified, you can send up to 5.000 EUR per transaction.

Find a nearby agent location online or look for Western Union in your local telephone directory.

If your receiver lives in a country where we offer this service, you can send money to their mobile phone. Make sure your receiver has activated a mobile wallet with one of our partner mobile phone operators in their country.

Check available destination countries and mobile providers.

This service is available for certain countries. Usually, money is deposited into the receiver’s bank account within 1 or 2 working days. Money may be deposited on the same day or in up to 3 working days, depending on when and where it’s sent.

After you send money, ask your receiver to contact their bank or check their bank statement to verify the deposit.

Learn more about sending to a bank account.

Refunds typically take up to 10 business days from the date they are completed.

You can send money with Western Union: 

·       Online using our website or the Western Union mobile app.

·       In person at a Western Union agent location.

Online using our website or the Western Union mobile app

To send your first money transfer¹ with Western Union, create a profile on our mobile app or website.

1. Log into your Western Union profile or register if you are a new user.
2. Select Send money.
3. Select the receiver’s country and enter the amount and currency.
4. Select how your receiver would like to get the money:

• • Cash pickup
  • Bank account deposit
  • Mobile wallet  

5.  Choose your payment method²: 

• • Credit³ or debit card
  • Bank account
  • Cash at a Western Union location
  • Mobile wallet

6.  Review the transfer summary

7.  Select Submit.

Tips:

·       Service availability may be different for each receiver’s country⁴.

·       You can add or delete the details of your receivers in your profile.

·       You have the option to resend the same amount to your receivers. 

At an agent location or in-store

If you want to send money in person, visit a Western Union agent location and pay via cash or a debit card⁵. 

If you want to send cash, you can still start your money transfer online with our pay in-store service to save time and then pay in cash at one of our agent locations. 

To pay in-store:

1. Log into your Western Union account on westernunion.com or the Western Union app.
2. Select Pay in-store.
3. Go to a nearby agent location and provide your phone number and pay to complete the money transfer.

You can check the status of your money transfer using our Track a transfer service.

Superscripts:

¹ You must be at least 18 years old to send or receive money with Western Union. 

²The payment and receiving methods are different for each country.

³Card-issuer cash advance fee and related interest charges may apply. Use a debit card to avoid these fees and charges.

⁴We might ask you to verify your identity depending on the service, send amount and the receiver country.

⁵ This service is available only at some agent locations.

You can cancel a money transfer only if it has not been picked up by your receiver. If you sent money to a bank account, you can cancel it if the transfer has not been completed by your receiver’s bank.
To request a refund, please call Customer Care, or if you sent the money in person, return to the agent location.

* The amount of money refunded (amount sent and/or transfer fees) depends on the service chosen and reason for cancelation. If you have questions regarding the amount to be refunded, contact Customer Care. Please also see our Terms and Conditions for more information.