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Ria Money Transfers

Discover if Ria is the best money transfer provider for you.

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, updated on August 18th, 2023       

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Just like its cousin Xe, Ria is a subsidiary of the giant Euronet Worldwide company, which supplies ATMs, EFTPOS machines, credit and debit card services and international money transfers across the globe.

Find out more about Ria to help you choose the best company for your international money transfer needs. Compare exchange rates and fees from a range of providers with Savvy so you can start your transfer today.

*All product information is correct as of August, 2022.

Ria money transfer review

About Ria

Ria was founded in the USA in 1987 and has since grown to become the third-largest money transfer service in the world, becoming a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide Inc. It operates in over 165 countries using 95 currencies and has more than 500,000 agents worldwide. It’s best-known in the United States for its collaboration with Walmart, offering money transfer services through all Walmart and 7-Eleven stores. It has also partnered with PayPal’s Xoom to offer digital wallet payment services.

Products and services offered by Ria

International money transfers from bank to bank

Ria offers an international money transfer service straight from your bank account to your recipient’s, arranged either online through the Ria website or mobile app.

Cash pickups and deliveries

Ria can arrange cash pickups and deliveries in certain countries such as the USA, India, Vietnam and the Philippines. These can be arranged through the mobile app, which generates a QR code containing details of the transfer you’ve arranged. You can then visit a Ria agent and pay for the transfer or delivery in person with cash. You can send the QR code to your recipient, who can then show it to the agent at the receiving end to be given the cash. A global network of couriers works with Ria to deliver cash in specific countries.

Fees charged

Ria offers the first transfer you make free of charge. After this first transfer, a flat fee is charged to make your transfer (often $2.89) but this is dependent on the region of the world you want to send money to and the payment method you use. Higher fees apply to cash pickups, more exotic locations and less popular currencies. A mark-up is also placed on the exchange rate offered. Visit Ria’s website, or download the Ria mobile app, to check the fees charged and the exchange rate you’ll be offered for the region of the world you’re looking to send to.

Speed of transfer

Transfers that are funded either with cash or a credit or debit card can arrive at their destination within 15 minutes of being funded. Transfers that are paid for using a bank transfer may take three to five working days to arrive, as the international SWIFT banking system is used to process the payment.

Transfer limits

Ria has a daily transfer limit of $5,000 through its website and mobile app; however, larger transfers can be arranged through an agent in person. In certain countries, there may also be daily limits that are applied by foreign governments or local statutes.

How do I send a money transfer through Ria?

The first step is to create an account either through Ria’s website or by downloading Ria’s mobile app.

Phone app process:

  • open the app and create your free account. Confirm your country location.
  • enter your phone number and the six-digit security code you’ll be sent via SMS
  • set up a password and/or two-step verification (depending on your phone)
  • provide the required details including your name, email address, date of birth and other details or documents requested to verify your ID
  • once your account details have been entered and confirmed, start your transfer by entering the country you wish to send money to, the amount and your preferred payment method
  • follow all the prompts and enter the details of who you wish to send money to, and which method you want to use to send your transfer
  • when you’ve provided all the required transfer details, check them to make sure all details are correct before sending your funds off
  • you'll receive a transaction number as confirmation your transfer is on its way. You can use the app to see where your transfer is in the delivery process

Website process:

  • register via the Ria website
  • enter your email address and create a password
  • select security questions and answers, and enter all the requested information
  • you'll receive a verification code on your phone, which you’ll need to enter to verify your phone number
  • once you’ve verified your phone number and email address, your account will be created and you can start your international money transfer as above

The pros and cons of using Ria for your international transfer

PROS

Multiple payment methods

Ria offers multiple payment options to fund your transfer, including using a bank transfer, PayID, cash, debit and credit cards, and digital wallets including Paypal’s Xoom.

Fast transfers

If you need to send money across the world very quickly, Ria can get your money to its destination almost instantly (or within 15 minutes, in the right circumstances depending on location).

Welcome bonus for new customers

When you sign up to Ria for the first time, you’ll get a welcome bonus in the form of a fee discount or a free transfer. The size of the discount will vary depending on your location and required transfer destination.

CONS

Daily transfer limits

A daily limit of $5,000 applies to transfers with Ria, so if you wish to make a larger transfer, you may have to visit a Ria agent in person or look elsewhere.

No transparent pricing

There’s no precise way to know exactly how much your international transfer will cost you until you submit your transfer details and request a quote. This makes it more difficult to compare deals.

No currency tools

Ria doesn’t have an emphasis on business transfers or finding the cheapest rate, so many of the currency tools that competitors provide (such as a currency converter, or access to live exchange rate details) aren’t offered.

Compare international money transfers

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Special Offer: 5 fee free transfers (saving you up to $75 in fees) + preferential rates for international money transfers

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Enjoy $40 bonus on your first money transfers of $250 & above! Use code*: SAVVY20X2 (Minimum transfer of AUD 250 Valid till 31st August 2023)

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Xe is a 2021 Canstar Award Winner and offers the best exchange rates, low to no fees so customers save the most money

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Send money to over 200 countries and territories across the world online

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Send money cheaper and easier with Wise with no hidden fees.

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site-logos $200 0-2 days $0 35
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Excellent exchange rates with no transfer fees. Trusted by over 325,000 customers. Awarded Canstar’s 5 star rating 2018-2021.

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site-logos Currencyfair
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site-logos $5 Within minutes From $0 20+
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Send money overseas at better exchange rates, with no hidden fees.

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site-logos Remitly
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $0 0-2 days From $0 21
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Remitly offers fast, safe and secure money transfers with excellent rates to over 100 countries

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site-logos Revolut
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site-logos $0 Within minutes From $0 27+
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Fast and easy, with super competitive rates across all major currencies. Join 25+ million customers saving on global transfers.

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Disclaimer: Savvy is not advising or recommending any particular product to you. We provide general information on products for the purposes of comparison, but your personal situation or goals are not considered here. Although we try to make our comparisons as thorough as possible, we do not have information on all products on the market on our site.

If you decide to initiate a money transfer with one of the providers listed above via our website, you will not be dealing with Savvy; any applications or enquiries will be conducted directly with the provider offering that product.

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