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iRemit international money transfers review

Easy transfers to the Philippines but limited payment options for Australians based outside of Perth

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Why should you consider iRemit?

  • Fast transfers. Your recipient can withdraw money from all local ATMs within minutes of loading the iRemit Visa Card.
  • Mobile-optimised. Download the iRemit app to easily transfer money on your device.
  • Global presence. iRemit is available in over 39 countries to send money to the Philippines.

What to watch out for

  • Limited payment options. If you’re located in Australia, funds can only be sent using online bank transfers or deposited in-person at a branch.
  • Single branch. iRemit in Australia has one branch located in Perth, which is inconvenient if you need to send money in-person.
  • Limited currencies available. Seven currencies can be converted into Philippine peso - including Australian Dollars, Japanese Yen, British Pounds, Hong Kong Dollars, Canadian Dollars, New Taiwanese Dollars and Singaporean Dollars.
  • No transparency in fees. You won’t see the full breakdown of fees until you confirm your transfer.
  • Limited transfer amount in app and online. You’re limited to sending up to $9,999 unless you’ve set up your transfer at an office or with an agent.

iRemit’s exchange rates and fees

A remittance fee of $8 is charged for each credit card to bank transfer, which is not clear from the payment calculator on iRemit's homepage. For cash pickups, this fee is $9. Your exchange rate will be locked in until 23:59:59 of the day that you confirm your transaction.

The breakdown of fees is shown right before you confirm the transaction. No other fees will be applied.

Calculate how much your transfer with iRemit could cost

Name Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
iRemit International Money Transfers
iRemit International Money Transfers
Within minutes
iRemit offers simple transfers at competitive rates to the Phillipines.
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How long does an iRemit money transfer take?

iRemit money transfer times depend on what service you choose.

  • Loading funds onto the iRemit Visa Card: minutes
  • Online bank transfers: 4 Filipino working days
  • Door-to-door delivery: up to 14 days
  • Cash pickup: 24 hours

Is iRemit safe to use?

iRemit gives users tips on how to stay aware of security and fraud practices. It encourages customers to contact iRemit in the case of suspicious fraudulent activity.

  • iRemit may call customers to verify certain details regarding a transaction.
  • iRemit is regulated by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

What iRemit’s reviews say

iRemit has received a number of negative to average reviews on Trustpilot. General feedback included bad customer service and transaction delays. One reviewer talked about difficulties in sending less than $200 despite no minimum limit. As of 6 March 2023, it is rated 1.6 out of 5 stars.

What payment methods does iRemit accept?

iRemit accepts two payment methods:

  • Transfer from a bank account
  • Over-the-counter payment at a branch

What are the ways you can send money with iRemit?

Customers can make payments with iRemit in four methods.

  • Credit bank transfer. Funds can be transferred as credit into the recipient’s bank account.
  • Cash pickup. The beneficiary can pick up the cash from an iRemit branch 24 hours after the deposit.
  • Home delivery. Funds can be delivered to the recipient’s door.
  • iRemit or Chinatrust Visa Card. Recipients can withdraw the money from their Sterling Bank of Asia account using the iRemit Visa Card. The same can be done using a Chinatrust Visa Card.

What do you need to send money online through iRemit?

You’ll need a few key pieces of identification before you can send money through iRemit:

  • An iRemit account. Creating an account is free.
  • Photo ID. Valid ID is required to transfer with iRemit. Acceptable forms are your passport or driver’s licence.
  • Beneficiary’s name and contact information. You will need to enter your beneficiary’s name, contact and payment details to confirm the transaction.

How to make your first transfer with iRemit

  1. Log into your account and go to “Send Money”.
  2. Enter the amount you want to send.
  3. Select the method of transfer.
  4. Choose the source of transfer.
  5. Enter recipient’s information.
  6. Enter payment information.
  7. Send money.

Reviewer's experience with signing up

The first stage of signing up – inputting personal information – was straightforward. However, verifying my ID took longer than expected. There is no option to upload photo evidence. It can only be submitted by taking a photo with your device at the time of verification which lagged considerably.

Like many other reviewers, my app experienced delays and the website did not have an intuitive design. Apart from this, the rest of the app worked as I expected.

How to track an iRemit transfer

You can track the status of your transfer by contacting iRemit’s customer service team and quoting the reference number. You can also do this online by checking the "My History" tab once you are logged into your account.

Is there an iRemit app?

iRemit app on phone screen

Yes, IREMITX is the company's app and is available on the App Store and Google Play. Through the app, you can:

  • Send money. Choose from different payment options for sending your money.
  • Make payments. Manage payments for Philippine government contributions, insurance premiums, real estate authorisations and more.
  • Shop. Make purchases from selected partners such as food stores and gift retailers.
  • View your history. Get a list of past transactions for your records.

The app has mixed reviews, with the latest posts complaining about slow load times. iRemit's customer service team has acknowledged this, claiming that it is caused by an ongoing system upgrade. There is no indication of when it will be completed at the time of writing.

Ratings accurate as of 6 March 2023
Google Play 4.2 out of 5 – based on 388 customer ratings
Apple App Store2.2 out of 5 – based on 88 customer ratings

How does iRemit compare to other services?

Our table below lets you compare services you can use to send money abroad. Compare fees, exchange rates and discounts from different money transfer services, and when you have made your choice, click Go to site.
1 - 23 of 23
Name Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
TorFX
24 hours
$0
TorFX sends money overseas in 40+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
Xe Large Transfers
24 hours
$0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
Send Payments
24 hours
$0

Send provides fee-free transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
Revolut
Within minutes
$0
Sign up and get a AUD$15 top-up. For new customers only. T&Cs apply.
Send money with great rates and low fees in 30+ currencies.
Xe Money Transfers
Within minutes
$0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
Instarem
Within minutes
From 0%
50% off first transaction fee from any country in APAC (outside India).
Minimum transfer of $250 and max transfer of $500,000
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.43%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
TorFX
24 hours
$0
TorFX sends money overseas in 40+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Rocket Remit
Within minutes
From $0 to $5
Send money instantly to friends and family in over 45 countries using just your mobile number.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $1.99
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
SingX
Within minutes
From 0.5%
SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.
CurrencyFair
Within minutes
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
Send Payments
Send Payments
24 hours
$0
Send provides fee-free transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
MasterRemit
Within minutes
From $0
Get your 1st and 2nd money transfer for free with promo codes FIRSTFREE and MASTERFINDER!.
Send money in minutes at competitive exchange rates to the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
Western Union
Within minutes
From $0
Western Union sends money online to friends and family in 200+ countries around the world.
Qantas Business Money
Within minutes
$0
Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points on your first currency conversion by 31 July 2024. Conversion limits and T&Cs apply.
Set up accounts in 11 different currencies and get rewarded for global business payments by earning Qantas Points.
TorFX Business Transfers
24 hours
$0
TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply.
TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
OFX Business Transfers
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
WorldFirst
24 hours
From $0
Open bank accounts in Australia, the UK, US, Canada, Japan and Europe. Send and receive funds with zero fees for large sums, including same-currency supplier payments.
Send business
24 hours
$0

Send provides fee-free transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
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Bottom line

iRemit offers basic money transfer services to the Philippines. Once registered, you will be able to easily manage your transfers on the go through the app. But if you want greater flexibility and transparency to transfer larger amounts, check out what other services are available that meet your money needs.

Frequently asked questions

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Written by

Writer

Rosie Russell is a money transfers producer at Finder. She is on a mission to make personal finance easier to understand. Rosie has a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Technology Sydney. See full bio

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