Send money to the USA from the UK
Send money to the USA securely with competitive GBP/USD exchange rates, no transfer fees, and expert support from currency specialists.
Send money to the USA securely with competitive GBP/USD exchange rates, no transfer fees, and expert support from currency specialists.
£10bn transferred each year
Authorised by the FCA in the UK and regulated across multiple US states
Expert guidance and 24/7 customer support
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Sending money to America with us is simple. With Currencies Direct, you can create a free account, agree your exchange rate and make your transfer in just a few steps. Once we've received your funds, we'll convert them into dollars and send them securely to your recipient's US bank account.
Register online or open an account over the phone. Our team is here to guide you through the process if you need help.
Choose when to transfer your money and secure your exchange rate online, or speak to your dedicated account manager for expert guidance.
Send us your funds via bank transfer, debit card or wallet balance. We'll convert your money and send it securely to your chosen account.
The cost of sending money to the USA depends on the interbank exchange rate at the time of your transfer, the exchange rate offered by your provider, and any margins or fees added to the transfer.
The exchange rate you get from your provider determines how many dollars you’ll receive for your GBP/USD transfer. Currency specialists tend to offer better rates than high-street banks, and it's often good to shop around.
Some providers may charge a fee for your transfer to the USA, either as a fixed amount or a percentage of the transfer. Your US bank may also charge a fee for receiving an international wire, depending on the bank and type of account.
Currency markets are always moving, so the timing of your transfer can affect how many dollars you get for your pounds. For example, the GBP/USD exchange rate reached highs of $1.37 and lows of $1.22 through 2025. This could mean a $15,000 difference on a £100,000 transfer.
Exchange rates change constantly. Check the latest GBP to USD interbank rate before sending money to the USA and see how market movements could affect your transfer.
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The exchange rates quoted in this section are based on the interbank rate. This gives you an accurate view of market performance, but it’s important to note that we cannot offer customers these rates – no provider can. Some companies advertise the interbank rates only to add on extra fees when you transfer. We buy currency at the rate banks use between themselves, rates not available to everyday businesses or individuals. We add a small increase to that rate, payable by the customer — that’s how we make our money. Customers also receive expert support throughout their transfer. If there are any additional charges, these will be made clear to you.
As a specialist currency provider, we combine competitive exchange rates with expert guidance to help you get more from your transfer. Whether you're sending a one-off payment, transferring a large sum or setting up regular payments, we'll help you find the right solution.
Get competitive GBP/USD exchange rates with no transfer fees, helping more of your money reach its destination.
Your own dedicated currency expert is on hand to answer questions, explain your options and provide market guidance whenever you need it.
Send money to the USA with confidence. Currencies Direct is registered with FinCEN and licensed as a Money Transmitter in multiple US states. Your funds are safeguarded, and your transfer is handled securely from start to finish.
Whether you're making a one-off payment or setting up regular transfers, we offer flexible solutions tailored to your needs, such as forward contracts and automated payments.
Banks tend to offer less competitive rates, charge higher fees and offer limited support or services. You could get a much better deal using Currencies Direct.
The table below highlights some of the key differences between using a specialist currency provider and a typical UK bank for sending money to the USA.
|
|
Currencies Direct |
Typical high-street bank |
|---|---|---|
|
Transfer fee |
£0 |
May apply |
|
Exchange rate |
Competitive specialist rates |
Exchange rate may include a larger margin |
|
Payment route |
USD payments can use domestic payment methods such as ACH or domestic wire, where available |
May use UK-based payment networks, which can trigger inbound charges |
|
Personal support |
Dedicated account manager |
Usually limited |
|
Best for |
International money transfers |
General banking services |
“Normally use a bank to transfer money to my daughter in the US. She received a lot more money from Currencies Direct, compared to the bank exchange rate. Easy to set up and quick time frame for her to receive.” – Anthony Williams
Read the full review on Trustpilot
“Currencies Direct are one of the few companies where you can always speak to someone on the phone. This proved priceless in my case as there were a lot of hurdles to overcome when I wanted to send money to the US... If it hadn't been for my account exec Peter Callas, I wouldn't have been able to do it. He was always available and walked me through every step I had to take to achieve what I wanted. Would highly recommend.” – Antony Howard
Read the full review on Trustpilot
People send money to the USA for all sorts of reasons, from buying property and relocating overseas to supporting family or covering everyday expenses. The reason for your transfer can influence the amount you send, how often you transfer money and the services that best suit your needs.
Buying a property in the USA often involves multiple transfers, large sums and fixed closing dates. Planning in advance and having a currency expert on hand can help simplify the process and keep your payments on track.
If you're relocating to the USA, we can help you transfer pensions, savings and other regular payments. Whether you’re covering everyday living costs or moving your finances overseas, we offer flexible transfer options and ongoing support.
Send money to family or friends in the USA quickly and securely. Whether you’re helping with living expenses, college or university tuition, or a one-off payment, you can make transfers online or through our app 24/7, giving you the flexibility to send money whenever it’s needed.
Buying a property, moving savings or transferring an inheritance to the USA often involves sending a significant amount of money overseas.
Larger transfers may require additional checks, such as providing proof of identity or source of funds information, so preparing in advance can help avoid delays. If you're buying property in the USA, you may also need to meet a fixed closing deadline or arrange funds through an escrow account.
Exchange rate movements can have a bigger impact when transferring larger sums, so planning ahead can give you more flexibility around important payment dates and help you manage currency risk.
Large transfers may require additional checks, so having your identification and source of funds information ready can help keep your transfer on track.
Whether you're completing a property purchase or moving savings overseas, starting the process early gives you more time to consider your options and choose when to transfer.
Tools such as forward contracts, rate alerts and market orders can help you manage exchange rate risk, which can be particularly valuable when sending large amounts of money overseas.
If you're living in the USA or managing ongoing costs there, setting up regular payments can make it easier to stay on top of your finances.
Whether you're transferring a UK pension, paying a US mortgage or covering recurring local costs such as property taxes and utilities, automated transfers can save time and reduce the need to arrange each payment manually.
With regular payment plans, you can schedule transfers to suit your needs and explore options that help you manage future exchange rate movements.
Set up recurring transfers to the USA on a schedule that works for you, helping you manage regular expenses without arranging each payment separately.
Regular transfers can help cover mortgages, pensions, property taxes, HOA fees, utilities and other ongoing dollar payments.
Forward contracts can help customers fix an exchange rate in advance, giving greater certainty when budgeting for regular transfers.
To send money to a bank account in the USA, you'll usually need the recipient's details, the amount you want to transfer and, in some cases, additional information to meet regulatory requirements.
The recipient's full name
Their US bank account number
Their 9-digit ABA routing number (US bank accounts don't use IBANs)
The name of their bank (and BIC/SWIFT code if required)
The amount you want to send
A payment reference (if applicable)
Proof of identity
Evidence of the source of your funds
The reason for your transfer
Good to know: Where available, USD payments to US bank accounts can be sent using domestic payment methods such as ACH or domestic wire. This can help avoid the need for a traditional cross-border SWIFT payment.
Your security is our priority. We have measures in place to keep your funds safe, and we’re here to help you protect yourself from fraud. There are important steps you must take to protect yourself from fraudsters, including checking that your payee is genuine and that their account details are correct.
Ready to send money to the USA? Open a free Currencies Direct account in minutes to access competitive exchange rates, specialist transfer tools and support from a dedicated currency expert.
Once we’ve received and cleared your funds, transfers to the USA are often completed on the same day. Depending on the payment method, recipient bank and time of day, some transfers may arrive on the next working day.
We don’t charge transfer fees. The overall cost of your transfer depends on the exchange rate you secure when converting pounds to US dollars. Your recipient's bank may also charge a fee for receiving an international wire, depending on the bank and type of account.
You'll typically need the recipient’s full name, their US bank account details, including their account number and ABA routing number, and the amount you’d like to send. For larger transfers, we may also ask for proof of identity or the source of your funds as part of our regulatory checks.
No. US bank accounts don't use IBANs. Instead, you'll typically need the recipient's US bank account number and nine-digit ABA routing number. Depending on the payment method, you may also need the bank's BIC/SWIFT code.
Yes. Currencies Direct Inc. is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FinCEN and is licensed as a Money Transmitter in multiple US states. Client funds are safeguarded, and we use bank-level security measures to protect your transfers. Read our security of funds page for more information.
Yes. Whether you’re transferring savings, making a property payment or moving an inheritance, we can help you send large sums securely. You’ll also have access to a dedicated account manager who can guide you through the process.
Yes. You can arrange regular transfers for US mortgages, pensions, property taxes, utilities or other recurring payments, helping you automate your finances and reduce admin.
The exchange rate available to you depends on market conditions at the time of your transfer. You'll always be shown your rate before you confirm your transaction, and you can also speak to one of our currency specialists about your options.
You can send USD to US bank accounts that accept ACH transfers, domestic wires or cross-border transfers, subject to any applicable restrictions. You'll need the correct recipient and bank details to make your transfer.
Where available, USD payments to US bank accounts can be sent using domestic payment methods such as ACH or domestic wire. The payment method used depends on the transfer and recipient's bank account.
Yes. We regularly help customers transfer funds for property deposits, closing payments and other property-related costs. If you're buying a home in the USA, speak to one of our currency specialists to discuss your transfer requirements.
Learn more about buying a property in the USA
Yes. If you need to send money at a future date, a forward contract lets you secure a GBP/USD exchange rate in advance. This can help you manage the impact of exchange rate changes, which can be particularly useful for planned payments such as a property purchase, large transfer or regular payments.
Sending money from the UK to the USA does not automatically mean you owe US tax on the transfer. However, larger transfers may be subject to additional checks or reporting requirements, and banks or financial institutions may request information about the source and purpose of the funds. If you're unsure about your personal tax position, you should seek advice from a qualified tax professional.
