What Chase offers for international wire transfers

Chase Bank handles international wire transfers through its Chase International Wire Transfer service, available to customers with checking or savings accounts. You can send money to bank accounts in more than 200 countries and territories. Chase does not process the transfer itself — it routes your money through the SWIFT network (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), a system that connects banks worldwide.

The process differs from a domestic wire. You will need the recipient's bank details in their home country, including their International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or equivalent, the bank's SWIFT code, and sometimes an intermediary bank code if the receiving bank is not directly connected to SWIFT. Chase charges a fee for this service, which varies depending on whether you send the money online, by phone, or in person at a branch.

Delivery time typically ranges from three to five business days, though it can take longer depending on the receiving country's banking system and any intermediary banks involved. The recipient's bank may also charge a fee on their end, which they usually deduct from the amount received.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase sends international wires through the SWIFT network to over 200 countries, but you must provide the recipient's bank details including IBAN or equivalent and the bank's SWIFT code.
  • Chase charges an outgoing wire fee that varies by method (online, phone, or branch), and the receiving bank may charge an additional fee that reduces what the recipient gets.
  • International wires typically take three to five business days, but timing depends on the receiving country and whether intermediary banks are involved.
  • You can initiate a wire online through Chase's website or mobile app, by phone, or in person at a branch, and each method has different fee amounts.

How to set up an international wire through Chase online

Log into your Chase account on the website or mobile app and navigate to the "Send Money" or "Transfers" section. Select "International Wire Transfer" or "Wire Funds Internationally" — the exact wording depends on which Chase platform you use. You will be asked to enter the recipient's name, the amount in US dollars, and the country where the money is going.

Chase will then prompt you for the recipient's bank details. Have this information ready before you start: the recipient's full name as it appears on their bank account, their bank account number, the bank's SWIFT code, and the bank's name and address. If the receiving country uses an IBAN (most European and many other countries do), you may enter that instead of the account number. Some countries require an additional intermediary bank code — Chase's form will indicate this if needed.

Review the fee amount Chase displays before you confirm. The fee is deducted from your Chase account when ready, though the actual transfer to the recipient's bank takes several business days. You will receive a confirmation number and a tracking reference (often called a SWIFT reference or transaction ID) that you can use to check the status of your wire.

Wire transfer fees and exchange rates at Chase

Chase charges different fees depending on how you send the wire. Online wires typically cost less than wires sent by phone or in person. As of the most recent publicly available information, Chase's online international wire fee is lower than its phone or branch fee, but the exact amounts change periodically — contact Chase directly or check your account for current rates.

In addition to Chase's fee, the receiving bank in the destination country may charge a fee to receive the wire. This fee is usually deducted from the amount the recipient receives, so the person on the other end gets less than you sent. Some banks charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage. You cannot control this fee, but you can ask the recipient's bank in advance what they typically charge.

Chase converts your US dollars to the recipient's local currency using its own exchange rate, which includes a markup above the mid-market rate. This markup is how Chase makes money on currency conversion. The exchange rate you see when you initiate the wire is the rate that will be locked in for that transaction. If the wire is delayed and not yet delivered, the rate does not change — you are protected from rate fluctuations once you confirm.

Information you need before sending an international wire

Gather all recipient bank details before you start the wire. Ask the recipient to provide their bank's SWIFT code, their account number or IBAN, their full name as registered with the bank, and the bank's full name and address. Do not guess or abbreviate — banks reject wires with incorrect details, and your money may be returned to Chase, which can take weeks.

Some countries require additional information. For example, some banks need a "sort code" (UK), "routing number" (Canada), or "branch code" (Australia). The recipient's bank statement usually shows this information. If the recipient is unsure, they should contact their own bank directly — they can confirm exactly what information is needed for an incoming wire from the United States.

You will also need to know the purpose of the transfer for Chase's records. Common purposes include "family support," "payment for goods," or "loan repayment." This is a compliance requirement; Chase is required to collect this information for international transfers.

What happens if the wire goes to the wrong account

If you provide incorrect bank details and the wire is sent to the wrong account, recovery is difficult and slow. The receiving bank is not required to return the money, and tracing a misdirected wire can take months. Chase can file a trace request with the receiving bank, but success depends on whether that bank cooperates and whether the account holder agrees to return the funds.

Before you confirm any international wire, triple-check the recipient's bank details. Have the recipient read them back to you, or ask them to send you a screenshot of their bank statement showing the account number and SWIFT code. A few minutes of verification can save weeks of trouble.

If a wire does go to the wrong place, contact Chase when ready. The sooner you report it, the better the chance of recovery. Chase will file a trace, but you may not recover the full amount, and the process can take 30 to 90 days or longer.

Timing, limits, and restrictions on Chase international wires

Chase processes international wire requests during business hours, typically Monday through Friday. If you submit a wire after hours or on a weekend, it will be processed the next business day. The wire itself then travels through the SWIFT network, which typically takes one to three additional business days, though some countries' banking systems add extra time. Total delivery is usually three to five business days from the time you submit the wire.

Chase does not publicly state a maximum wire amount for international transfers, but large wires may trigger additional review or require you to call and verify the transaction. If you are sending a very large amount, contact Chase in advance to confirm there are no holds or delays.

Some countries have restrictions on incoming wire transfers, currency controls, or reporting requirements. For example, some nations limit how much foreign currency can enter in a single transaction. The recipient's bank will reject the wire if it violates local law. If this happens, Chase will attempt to return the money to your account, which can take weeks.

Alternatives to Chase international wires

International wire transfers are not the only way to send money abroad. Chase QuickPay with Zelle works for sending money to people in the United States only, so it does not help for international transfers. Chase International Money Transfer (sometimes called Chase International Remittance) is available in some regions and may offer different rates or fees than the standard wire service.

Outside of Chase, other options include international money transfer services like Wise, OFX, or MoneyGram, which sometimes offer better exchange rates or lower fees than banks for smaller amounts. These services are not banks and do not require you to have a Chase account. However, they operate differently — you send money to them, and they deliver it to the recipient's bank or as cash pickup, depending on the service.

If you send money regularly to the same person or country, compare the total cost (Chase's fee plus exchange rate markup) against a dedicated transfer service. For one-time transfers or large amounts, a bank wire is often straightforward and reliable, even if the cost is higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Chase international wire actually take?

Chase processes the wire during business hours (usually one business day), then it travels through SWIFT (one to three business days), then the receiving bank processes it (one to two business days). Total time is typically three to five business days, but can be longer if the receiving country's banking system is slow or if an intermediary bank is involved.

What is the difference between a SWIFT code and an IBAN?

A SWIFT code identifies the bank itself (usually eight or eleven characters). An IBAN is the full international account number, which includes the country code, bank code, and account number in one long string. Most countries use one or the other; some require both. The recipient's bank statement shows which one they use.

Can I cancel an international wire after I send it?

If you cancel before Chase submits it to SWIFT, you may be able to stop it, though Chase may still charge a cancellation fee. Once the wire enters the SWIFT network, it cannot be cancelled — you can only file a trace request and hope the receiving bank returns it. Contact Chase when ready if you need to cancel.

Will the recipient see my name on the wire?

Yes. Your name appears on the wire as the sender, and the recipient's bank includes it in the transaction details. This is required by banking regulations and helps the recipient know where the money came from.

What if the recipient's bank charges a fee I did not expect?

The receiving bank's fee is their decision, not Chase's. You cannot control it, but you can ask the recipient to find out their bank's incoming wire fee in advance. Some banks charge a flat amount (like $10 to $25); others charge a percentage. The recipient should contact their bank directly to learn what they charge.