What Xoom Is and How to Send Money With It
Xoom is a money transfer service owned by PayPal that lets you send money to people in other countries. You can send funds from a bank account, debit card, or credit card in the United States to recipients in over 130 countries and territories. The money arrives as a bank deposit, cash pickup, or mobile wallet transfer, depending on where the recipient lives and what options are available there.
Xoom handles the currency conversion for you and shows you the exchange rate and all fees before you confirm the transfer. The service is designed to be straightforward: you enter the recipient's details, choose how much to send, pick the delivery method, and complete payment. Most transfers arrive within minutes to a few business days, though the exact timing depends on the destination country and delivery method you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Xoom is owned by PayPal and lets you send money from the US to over 130 countries using a bank account, debit card, or credit card.
- You see the exchange rate and all fees before you send, so there are no hidden costs added later.
- Recipients can receive money as a bank deposit, cash pickup at a local agent, or mobile wallet transfer depending on their country.
- Transfer times range from minutes to a few business days, with faster options usually costing more in fees.
- You need the recipient's name, address, and either their bank details or the country where they will pick up cash.
How to Send Money Through Xoom
Start by going to Xoom.com or opening the Xoom app on your phone. You will need to create an account with your email address and password, or sign in if you already have one. Xoom will ask for your name, address, and phone number to set up your account.
Once you are logged in, select the country where you want to send money. Enter the recipient's full name and address. Then choose how they will receive the money: direct bank deposit, cash pickup at a local agent, or mobile wallet (if available in that country). If you choose bank deposit, you will need the recipient's bank account number and bank routing information. If you choose cash pickup, Xoom will show you nearby pickup locations in that country.
Enter the amount you want to send in US dollars. Xoom will show you the exchange rate, the amount the recipient will get in their local currency, and the total fee. Review these details carefully, then choose how you want to pay: bank account, debit card, or credit card. Complete the payment, and Xoom will send a confirmation to your email with a reference number and tracking information.
Delivery Methods and How Long Transfers Take
Xoom offers three main ways for recipients to get their money, and the speed varies by method and destination country. Direct bank deposit is usually the fastest option in countries with developed banking systems — money often arrives within minutes to one business day. This method requires the recipient to have a bank account and to provide their account number and bank details.
Cash pickup is available in many countries and lets the recipient collect money at a local agent location, often within minutes to a few hours of you sending it. Xoom shows you which pickup locations are near the recipient before you send. The recipient will need a valid ID to pick up the cash. This method is useful if the recipient does not have a bank account or prefers cash.
Mobile wallet transfer is available in select countries and deposits money directly into the recipient's mobile money account. This is fast and useful in countries where mobile banking is common. Availability depends on the destination country and which mobile wallet services Xoom partners with there.
Fees and Exchange Rates
Xoom charges a fee for each transfer, and the amount depends on how much you send, which country you are sending to, and which delivery method you choose. Bank deposits typically have lower fees than cash pickups. The fee is shown on the screen before you confirm the transfer, so you know exactly what you will pay.
Xoom also applies an exchange rate when converting US dollars to the recipient's currency. This rate is set by Xoom and may differ from the mid-market rate you see elsewhere. The exchange rate and the fee together make up the total cost of your transfer. You can compare Xoom's rate and fees to other services before you send if you want to shop around.
There are no hidden fees added after the transfer is sent. The amount shown to the recipient before you confirm is the amount they will receive, minus any fees their bank might charge on their end (which varies by country and bank).
What Information You Need Before Sending
Before you start a transfer, gather the recipient's details. You will always need their full name and home address. If the recipient is receiving money by bank deposit, you will need their bank account number, bank name, and the bank's routing code or SWIFT code (depending on the country). If they are picking up cash, you do not need bank details — just their name and address, and you will select a pickup location near them.
You will also need your own payment information: either your bank account and routing number, or a debit or credit card number. Xoom accepts most major debit and credit cards. If you are paying from a bank account, the transfer usually costs less in fees than paying with a card.
Tracking Your Transfer and What Happens Next
After you send money, Xoom gives you a reference number and sends a confirmation email. You can use this reference number to track the transfer on Xoom.com or in the app. The status will show whether the money is pending, in progress, or delivered.
If you sent money by bank deposit, the recipient's bank will receive the funds and deposit them into the account. If you sent money by cash pickup, the recipient will see the pickup location and instructions in a text message or email (depending on what you provided). They will need to go to that location with a valid ID to collect the cash. If you sent money by mobile wallet, it will appear in the recipient's mobile money account automatically.
If something goes wrong — for example, if the recipient's bank rejects the deposit or if the transfer does not arrive on time — Xoom has a support team you can contact through the website or app. Keep your reference number handy when you reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I send with Xoom?
Xoom sets limits on how much you can send per transfer and per day, and these limits vary by country and payment method. You can see your specific limits when you log into your account. Limits are typically higher for bank account payments than for card payments. If you need to send more than the limit, you can send multiple transfers.
Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?
If the transfer has not been delivered yet, you may be able to cancel it and get a refund. The sooner you contact Xoom, the better your chances. Once the money has been delivered to the recipient's bank or picked up in cash, you cannot cancel it. Contact Xoom support with your reference number to request a cancellation.
What if the recipient's bank rejects the deposit?
If the bank rejects the transfer, Xoom will refund the money to your original payment method. This can take several business days. The most common reasons for rejection are incorrect bank account details or a mismatch between the recipient's name and their bank account. Double-check the recipient's bank information before you send to avoid this.
Is Xoom safe to use?
Xoom is owned by PayPal and uses encryption and security measures to protect your personal and payment information. Your account is password-protected, and Xoom does not share your details with the recipient. Like any online financial service, use a strong password and do not share your login information with anyone.
Can I send money to someone without a bank account?
Yes. If the recipient does not have a bank account, choose the cash pickup option. They will be able to collect the money at a local Xoom agent location using just their ID. This is available in many countries where banking access is limited.