Send Money to India from UK (2026 Guide)
The UK has one of the largest Indian diaspora communities in the world — with over 1.8 million Indians sending billions of pounds home every year. Choosing the right provider can save you ₹3,000–₹5,000 per £1,000 transfer. This guide compares the best options for sending money from the UK to India in 2026.
UK to India transfers — key facts
Wise
Cheapest provider
3–5 hours
Fastest delivery
Faster Payments
Best funding
FCA (UK)
Regulated by
Best providers to send money from UK to India
Wise uses the mid-market rate with a transparent flat fee (~£4 on £1,000). Consistently delivers the most INR per pound. Supports all major Indian banks including SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis and PNB. Fund via Faster Payments for free. FCA authorized.
Remitly Express delivers to Indian banks in 3–5 hours. First transfer often free. Slightly lower exchange rate than Wise but best-in-class speed for urgent transfers. FCA authorized and available across the UK.
XE offers near mid-market rates with no fixed fee. Better for amounts over £2,000 where the rate margin matters more than a flat fee. 1–3 business days delivery to Indian banks.
Western Union has thousands of agent locations across India. Cash available in minutes. Higher exchange rate margin than Wise but ideal for recipients without a bank account or in rural areas.
How much INR will my recipient get? (UK to India)
Here's how much INR your recipient gets on a £1,000 transfer from the UK:
| Provider | Fee | Rate margin | INR received |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ~£4 | 0% | ~₹1,07,500 |
| XE | £0 | 0.8% | ~₹1,06,600 |
| Remitly | £0 | 1.5% | ~₹1,05,900 |
| Western Union | £0 | 3% | ~₹1,04,300 |
| Your UK bank | £25+ | 4%+ | ~₹1,01,500 |
* Approximate figures. Use RateMigo for live exact amounts.
How to send money from UK to India — step by step
- 1
Compare live rates on RateMigo
Check today's GBP to INR rates across all major providers. Rates refresh every 30 minutes.
- 2
Choose your provider
Wise for best rate, Remitly for speed (3–5 hours), Western Union for cash pickup.
- 3
Create an account
Sign up takes 5–10 minutes. You'll need a UK government-issued ID for verification.
- 4
Enter recipient details
Add your recipient's Indian bank account number and IFSC code. All major banks supported.
- 5
Fund via Faster Payments
Link your UK bank account and fund via Faster Payments — free from most UK banks. Avoid credit card to save 1.5–2%.
- 6
Recipient receives INR
Funds arrive in 3–5 hours (Remitly Express) or 1–2 business days (Wise bank deposit).
Tips to save money on UK to India transfers
- ►Fund via Faster Payments: Faster Payments is free from most UK banks. Avoid debit card (1.5%) and credit card (3%) payments.
- ►Never use your UK bank: UK banks apply 3–5% margins plus £25+ fees. On £1,000 that's £55–£75 more than Wise charges.
- ►Compare before every transfer: GBP/INR rates change daily. The cheapest provider this week may not be cheapest next week.
- ►Use first-transfer promotions: Remitly frequently offers zero-fee first transfers. Use it as a new user for your first send.
- ►Send larger amounts less often: Fixed fees hurt small transfers more. Combining monthly transfers saves money overall.
Frequently asked questions — Send money from UK to India
What is the best way to send money to India from the UK?+−
Wise is the best overall option for GBP to INR transfers from the UK — it uses the mid-market rate with a transparent flat fee of around £4–6 on a £1,000 transfer. For urgent transfers, Remitly Express delivers to Indian banks in 3–5 hours. Always compare live rates on RateMigo before sending.
What is the cheapest way to send money from UK to India?+−
Wise is typically the cheapest option for GBP to INR bank deposits. Fund via Faster Payments (free from most UK banks) to avoid card surcharges. On a £1,000 transfer Wise typically delivers ₹3,000–₹5,000 more INR than providers with zero fees but high rate margins.
How long does it take to send money from UK to India?+−
With Remitly Express, funds arrive in Indian banks within 3–5 hours. With Wise, bank deposits typically take 1–2 business days. Western Union cash pickup is available in minutes at agent locations across India.
Can I send money to India from UK instantly?+−
Remitly Express is the fastest option — delivering to SBI, HDFC, ICICI and Axis in 3–5 hours. Western Union cash pickup is available in minutes for recipients who prefer cash.
What is the GBP to INR exchange rate today?+−
The GBP to INR exchange rate changes daily. Use RateMigo's live GBP to INR comparison to see today's exact rate from Wise, Remitly, Western Union and XE — updated every 30 minutes.
Is it safe to send money to India from UK online?+−
Yes — all providers on RateMigo are licensed and regulated in the UK. Wise is authorized by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). Remitly is also FCA authorized. Always use official apps or websites.
What is the best app to send money from UK to India?+−
Wise and Remitly are the top two apps for UK to India transfers. Wise for best GBP to INR exchange rate. Remitly for urgent transfers with Express delivery in 3–5 hours. Both are FCA authorized and available on iOS and Android.
Compare live GBP to INR rates now
See exactly how much INR your recipient gets from every provider today.
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