What Fidelity International Wire Transfer Does

Fidelity lets you send money outside the United States directly from your brokerage or bank account through their wire transfer service. The money moves to a recipient's bank account in another country, and Fidelity handles the currency conversion and routing through the international banking system. You initiate the transfer online or by phone, provide the recipient's banking details, and Fidelity processes it — usually within one to three business days, though timing depends on the destination country and its banking infrastructure.

This is different from a domestic wire transfer because it crosses borders, involves currency exchange, and requires additional information like the recipient's International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or SWIFT code. Fidelity charges a fee for international wires, and the amount varies depending on whether the receiving bank is in a major financial center or a smaller market.

Key Takeaways

  • Fidelity international wire transfers move money from your account to a recipient's bank account in another country, with currency conversion handled by Fidelity.
  • You need the recipient's full name, bank name, SWIFT code or IBAN, and account number — incomplete information will delay or reject the transfer.
  • Fidelity charges an outgoing wire fee (the amount depends on the destination country) plus any currency conversion markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate.
  • International wires typically take one to three business days, but some countries have slower banking systems and may take longer.
  • Once Fidelity sends the wire, you cannot cancel it — verify all recipient details before you confirm the transfer.

Information You Need Before You Start

Gather the recipient's banking information before you log into Fidelity. You will need their full legal name (exactly as it appears on their bank account), the name of their bank, and at least one of these identifiers: a SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies the bank internationally) or an IBAN (a standardized account number used in Europe and many other regions). Some countries use both; some use only one.

You will also need the recipient's account number in the format their bank uses — this may be different from what they give you casually. If you are unsure, ask the recipient to provide their bank details in writing or have them log into their own bank account and copy the information from there. Incorrect account numbers are the most common reason international wires end up in the wrong place or bounce back.

Have your Fidelity account login information ready, and know which Fidelity account the money will come from — if you have multiple accounts, you must specify which one funds the wire.

How to Send an International Wire Through Fidelity Online

Log into your Fidelity account and navigate to the "Transfers" or "Move Money" section — the exact label depends on which Fidelity platform you use (Fidelity.com for brokerage accounts, NetBenefits for workplace retirement accounts, or Fidelity Go for managed accounts). Look for an option labeled "Send Money Internationally" or "International Wire Transfer."

Select the account you want to send from, then enter the recipient's information: full name, bank name, SWIFT code or IBAN, and account number. Double-check every character — banks will not correct typos on their end. Enter the amount you want to send in US dollars; Fidelity will show you the exchange rate and the amount the recipient will receive in their local currency, along with the wire fee.

Review the total cost (the amount leaving your account), confirm the details one more time, and submit. Fidelity will send you a confirmation number and an estimated delivery date. Save this confirmation number — you will need it if you have questions about the transfer later.

Sending an International Wire by Phone

If you prefer not to use the online system, call Fidelity's wire transfer line. The phone number is on your account statements and on Fidelity.com. Have your account number, the recipient's full banking details, and the amount you want to send ready before you call.

The representative will verify your identity, confirm which account the money comes from, and walk you through the recipient's information. They will read back the details to you before processing — this is your chance to catch any errors. Once you confirm, the wire is submitted and cannot be changed. Ask for a confirmation number and the expected delivery date before you hang up.

Fees and Exchange Rates

Fidelity charges an outgoing international wire fee that varies by destination. Wires to major financial centers (the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most of Western Europe) typically cost less than wires to smaller markets or developing countries. The fee is deducted from your account when the wire is sent.

On top of the wire fee, Fidelity applies a currency conversion markup. This means the exchange rate you receive is not the mid-market rate (the rate banks use with each other) but a slightly less favorable rate. Fidelity does not publish the exact markup percentage, so you will see the final rate only when you enter the amount and review the transfer details before confirming.

Some banks on the receiving end may also charge a fee to receive the wire — this is separate from Fidelity's fee and comes out of the amount the recipient receives. Ask the recipient's bank whether they charge an incoming wire fee and how much it is, so the recipient knows what to expect.

How Long International Wires Take

Fidelity typically processes outgoing international wires within one business day. After that, the wire enters the international banking system, which routes it through one or more correspondent banks before it reaches the recipient's bank. This routing can add one to two more business days, depending on the destination country and whether the receiving bank is in a major financial hub.

Some countries have slower banking infrastructure or require additional compliance checks, which can extend the timeline to five to seven business days. If you are sending to a country you are unfamiliar with, ask Fidelity for an estimate when you initiate the transfer. Once the wire leaves Fidelity's system, you cannot track it in real time — Fidelity can provide you with a reference number to give to the recipient's bank if the money does not arrive within the expected timeframe.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong

If the recipient does not receive the money within the timeframe Fidelity gave you, contact Fidelity with your confirmation number. Fidelity can check the status with the receiving bank, but this process takes time — international banking does not move as fast as domestic systems.

If the wire was sent to the wrong account because of an error in the recipient's banking details, recovery is difficult. The money may be returned to Fidelity, but it can take weeks. This is why verifying the recipient's information before you send is so important — once the wire leaves, you have very limited options.

If you entered the wrong amount or changed your mind after confirming, you cannot cancel the wire. Fidelity's policy does not allow cancellations on international wires that have already been submitted. This is standard across the banking industry because international wires are designed to be final and irreversible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send an international wire from a Fidelity retirement account?

It depends on the type of account. Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs have restrictions on moving money outside the United States, and Fidelity may not allow international wires from these accounts. Workplace retirement accounts (401k, 403b) have similar restrictions. Contact Fidelity directly to confirm whether your specific account type permits international wires.

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

A SWIFT code identifies the bank itself — it is eight or eleven characters and tells the international banking system which bank to send the money to. An IBAN is the account number in a standardized format used mainly in Europe and some other regions. Most countries use one or the other; some use both. Ask the recipient which one their bank requires.

Do I need to report international wire transfers to the IRS?

Fidelity reports large wire transfers (over $10,000) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as part of standard banking compliance. This is not the same as reporting to the IRS for tax purposes. If you have questions about tax reporting for money sent internationally, consult a tax professional or the IRS directly.

Can I send an international wire to a person's name instead of a bank account?

No. International wires must go to a specific bank account. The recipient's name on the wire must match the name on the bank account exactly, or the receiving bank may reject or hold the transfer. You cannot send money to someone's personal name without a bank account number.

What if the recipient's bank rejects the wire?

If the receiving bank rejects the wire because of incorrect account information or compliance issues, the money is returned to your Fidelity account. This process can take two to four weeks. Fidelity will notify you when the funds are back in your account. You can then correct the recipient's information and send the wire again.