WorldRemit Review

By Gavan Smythe

Overall Score

The iCompareFX review of WorldRemit has highlighted its strengths and where it can improve. Each section is scored by iCompareFX to help you decide if the WorldRemit money transfer service is suitable for you.

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About the Author

Gavan Smythe

Gavan started iCompareFX in 2014 after discovering the easiest way to wire money internationally was through a specialist provider and …

Foreign bank transfers
Cash pick-up
Foreign bill payments (ie electricity, credit cards and television services)
Pre-paid mobile credit top-ups

WorldRemit Wallet
WorldRemit mobile money
Auto-recurring transfers

Payment options

Card (debit, credit and prepaid)
Bank Account Transfer
Poli
Interac
iDEAL
Klarna (Sofort)
Apple Pay
Trustly
ACH

Payout options

Bank account deposit
Cash pick up
Mobile credit top up
Bill payments

Transfer options

Online website
Android and Apple app

Regular transfers

Available

Send money from

AUD, EUR, BHD, BRL, BGN, XAF, CAD, HRK, CZK, DKK, GHS, GIP, HKD, HUF, ISK, JPY, JOD, KWD, NZD, NOK, OMR, PHP, PLN, QAR, RON, RWF, SAR, SGD, SOS, ZAR, KRW, SEK, CHF, TWD, UGX, AED, GBP, USD

Send money to

ALL, ARS, BDT, BBD, XOF, BOV, BWP, BRL, USD, BIF, KHR, XAF, CVE, KYD, CLF, CNY, COP, CDF, CFA, CRC, XCD, DOP, EGP, ETB, FJD, GMD, GHS, GTQ, XOF, GNF, HTG, INR, IDR, JMD, JOD, KES, LAK, LRD, MGA, MWK, MYR, MXN, MAD, MZN, NPR, EUR, ANG, XOF, NGN, PKR, PYG, PEN, RWF, SLL, ZAR, LKR, SRD, TZS, THB, TND, TRY, UGX, UYU, VND, ZMW, ZWL

Local phone numbers and customer service contact form:
https://www.worldremit.com/en/contact-us

Personal Features

WorldRemit is specifically tailored for the individual and has a good range of personal account services. With WorldRemit it is possible to send money to international bank accounts and cash pick-up agents plus pay foreign bills and pre-paid mobile credit top-ups.

What WorldRemit offers

Foreign bank transfers
Cash pick-up
Foreign bill payments
Pre-paid mobile credit top-ups
WorldRemit Wallet
WorldRemit mobile money
Auto-recurring transfers

Foreign bank transfers - Simply send money online to a foreign recipient’s bank account.

Cash pick up - Send money to family or friends. The cash can be picked up locally in the destination country. This is widely available but not across all destinations.

Bill payments - This includes electricity, credit cards and television services. This is not available for all destination countries.

WorldRemit Wallet - WorldRemit also has a unique feature called WorldRemit Wallet. This allows you to receive money through their vast global network into a multi-currency wallet. Their unique feature is that the WorldRemit Wallet can also be used as Mobile Money.

Mobile money - Where available, your mobile money wallet can be used to shop in store and online, pay school fees and withdraw cash at authorised agents.

Recurring transfers - Automated repeated or regular transfers are also supported.

What WorldRemit doesn’t do

FX optimized travel card - Unfortunately, WorldRemit Wallet does not include a travel debit card.

Personal account manager - WorldRemit does not offer a personal account manager which could be concerning for larger sums of international money transfers.

WorldRemit Score

iCompareFX scores WorldRemit well in the Personal use category. They are one of the best money transfer companies that offers more than just international bank transfers.

Business Benefits

WorldRemit only offers international money transfer solutions for individuals. Businesses are not supported. You cannot create an account as a business entity.

Fees & Exchange Rates

Like most money transfer companies, some of the transfer fee is hidden within the exchange rate on offer.

WorldRemit Exchange Rate Fee

Foreign bank transfers - WorldRemit’s exchange rate margin (added to the real time exchange rate), is between 0.5% and 2% for bank transfers. Generally higher margins are associated with exotic destination countries. Exchange rate margins are non-negotiable.

Cash pick up / bill payments / mobile airtime top up - It is important to note these will cost more than international bank to bank transfers as there are third parties involved. Exchange rate margins for cash pick ups and bill payments can be up to 4% of the transfer amount.

Are WorldRemit fees negotiable?

No WorldRemit fees are non-negotiable.

Are there additional WorldRemit fees?

Yes. There are additional fees for money transfers to countries. This is between $1 and $5 dollars.

Is there a WorldRemit promo code?

Yes, there is a WorldRemit promo code available for iCompareFX visitors. New customers signing up via iCompareFX can receive 3 transfers fees for free using the code 3FREE. This free transfer offer is only available in the USA, UK, Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, New Zealand, and Norway. Check out the WorldRemit promo code article for more information.

Ease of Use

What WorldRemit does well

Registration

WorldRemit’s registration process is straightforward through their website or the WorldRemit mobile app. The registration wizard is simple:

Enter email address
Choose a password
Enter in WorldRemit promo code: 3FREE (see note above on eligible registration countries)
Verify email address from your inbox

ID verification

If ID verification is requested, you can follow their instructions on what pieces of ID they need for compliance purposes. Then simply upload the requested documentation as photos from your phone.

Transfer speed

Money transfer speed can be instant or up to 2 days. This depends on the country you are sending money to, and if it is a bank transfer or sending cash. How you make the payment to WorldRemit can also affect the transfer speed. Slower payments can mean the transfer takes longer for the recipient to receive the money.

Payment options

Card (debit, credit and prepaid)
Bank Account Transfer
Poli
Interac
iDEAL
Klarna (Sofort)
Apple Pay
Trustly
ACH

Uploading your funds to WordRemit is also a simple process. With in-country solutions such as Australia’s POLi or via debit card, you can instantly transfer your funds to WorldRemit. This speeds up the entire process of sending money overseas.

Important note: Choosing a faster payment method such as a debit card could incur additional fees.

Where WorldRemit could improve

Mobile app - WorldRemit’s mobile app is available on Android and Apple however there are mixed reviews on the app stores with their performance and functionality.

WorldRemit score

WorldRemit has scored well within the Ease of Use category despite some disappointing reviews in the app stores. iCompareFX will monitor this closely.

Support & Countries

What WorldRemit does well

WorldRemit has an impressive list of supported countries. They have one of the largest networks of all the international money transfer companies. WorldRemit supports over 50 countries to send money from and over 150 you can transfer money to.

Mobile Money - 23 countries
Cash pick up - 80 countries
Bank transfer - 150 countries
Bill payment - Selected countries

WorldRemit’s customer support is contactable via phone and email. Their virtual assistant within your account is limited but the WorldRemit FAQs are extensive, albeit difficult to navigate.

Local settlement accounts are available in dozens of countries across the world. This is helpful in reducing potential surprise fees if you need to send your local currency funds to an overseas bank in the same currency (telegraphic transfer).

Where WorldRemit could improve

There are reports of poor customer service with long waiting times. Outside of your transaction query, customer service tends to steer you back to their Help & Support website and FAQs.

WorldRemit score

WorldRemit has a large network of supported countries and currencies. This can be seen across its product and feature support. Its customer service has let down WorldRemit in this scoring category.

Trust & Transparency

What WorldRemit does well

WorldRemit is fully regulated by multiple regulatory agencies including the FCA.
WorldRemit’s company structure has low risk. It has other revenue streams such as whitelabelling its services to 3rd parties.
iCompareFX customers make thousands of transactions a year through WorldRemit.

Where WorldRemit could improve

WorldRemit TrustPilot rating

WorldRemit has a TrustPilot score of Excellent with 4.5/5. What is concerning is the increasing number of poor TrustPilot reviews mainly related to issues which then requires talking with a customer service representative. WorldRemit is not actively responding to these complaints. iCompareFX will monitor these sources of customer feedback.

WorldRemit Score

WorldRemit scores relatively well in this category. They have lost points with the increasingly poor WorldRemit TrustPilot reviews. This score may have to be revised at a later date.

How to sign up to WorldRemit

Step 1

Provide details from your passport or driver's license to verify your identity.

You might need to upload your ID securely to complete the process.

Step 2

Start transfer process

Inform WorldRemit of the desired transfer amount and select the destination country.

Choose a transfer method.

Depending on the destination country, these might include bank account transfers, cash transfers, topping up mobile airtime and mobile wallets, and door-to-door delivery.

Get a rate quote.

Step 3

Confirm and pay

Confirm your transfer by accepting the quote.

Depending on the transfer method, provide the recipient's bank account details, mobile number, or address; or select a cash pick-up location.

Make your payment using any of the region-specific methods, which include debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards, bank account transfers, ACH, Poli, Interac, iDEAL, Klarna (Sofort), Apple Pay, and Trustly.

Step 4

WorldRemit payment

WorldRemit begins the transfer process soon after receiving your payment.

The money reaches the recipient's bank account, a cash pick-up center, a mobile wallet, or as a mobile airtime top-up within a given time period.

Use the WorldRemit website or app to track your transfer.

How does WorldRemit work?

WorldRemit is a currency exchange and international money transfer service. With a WorldRemit account you are offered much better exchange rates than the big banks. WorldRemit can send money to foreign recipients, like family and friends, for cash pick up and/or mobile credit top up. In some countries, such as India, you can even pay utility bills from overseas.

Does WorldRemit work in Nigeria?

WorldRemit customers cannot send money from Nigeria. WorldRemit does support sending cash for pick up, bank transfers, mobile credit top-ups and Page Mobile Money to Nigeria.

How do I contact WorldRemit?

WorldRemit’s Customer Service can be contacted by phone and through a website contact form. Phone support is available in 24 countries. The contact form is located on the Contact Us page on the WorldRemit website. WorldRemit advises to use the contact form first as their phone lines usually have long wait times.

How do I receive money from WorldRemit?

You can receive money from WorldRemit in the form of a foreign bank transfer, from cash-pick up locations or mobile credit top-ups. WorldRemit also allows bill payments in some countries such as India.

How long does it take to receive money from WorldRemit?

You can receive money from WorldRemit within one to two days. This is from the time WorldRemit receives the funds transfer payment.

How to cancel a WorldRemit transaction?

You can cancel the WorldRemit transaction within your account on the WorldRemit website or WorldRemit mobile app. If the transaction is already paid, it may not be possible to get your money back. Therefore, cancel the transaction as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Refunds can take up to 7 days to be refunded to you.

Is WorldRemit legit??

Yes. WorldRemit is legit. It is fully regulated from the FCA. WordRemit customers make millions of international money transfers yearly.

Can I use a credit card on WorldRemit?

Yes. You can use a credit card as a form of payment for WorldRemit money transfers. You can pay WorldRemit by local bank transfer, credit and debit card, ApplePay and country specific payment options. Using a credit card may increase the fees on the money transfer.

Summary

WorldRemit has a large global presence and extensive services for the individual. WorldRemit has no services available for business customers. WorldRemit not only supports international money transfers but also cash pick up, bill payments and mobile credit top-ups. Customers can receive international transfers into their WorldRemit wallet and use it to pay for services through its Mobile Money feature. Costs for transfers vary depending on the payment type, destination country and how the money is received. There are some WorldRemit reviews that are concerning but their overall score is relatively good.