Honduras is ranked among the top remittance-receiving countries in the world. In fact, more than 20% of the country’s GDP is a direct result of people sending money to their loved ones back home. With close to 1 million Hondurans living in the United States nowadays, it’s important to understand the different options so you can continue to help family and friends from afar. Keep reading to learn more about how to navigate the ins and outs of sending money from the U.S. to Honduras.
What Documents Do I Need to Send Money to Honduras?
Although there are slight differences that depend on the financial institution or transfer agency used, a few basic documents are typically required when sending money to Honduras. These documents are used to verify both your identity and that of the recipient. They include:
A U.S. government-issued ID or passport. If you send through a traditional remittance agency or a mobile finance app, your immigration status is irrelevant.
You must be at least 18 years old.
The full name, address, ID number, and phone number of the person receiving the money. If sending money through a traditional wire transfer agency, you will also need to provide the remittance number.
If the remittance is sent through the bank, you’ll need to provide the full name of the person receiving the funds and their ID number. You’ll also need to provide your bank account number or SWIFT code if necessary, and any additional bank details that your bank might require.
Options for Sending Money to Honduras
There are many ways to send money to Honduras. Finding the one that’s right for you and your loved ones will depend on several factors. Some of the the most common options are:
Financial Institutions
When it comes to sending remittances, financial institutions are the first choice for many people. If you live in the United States, bank transfers are likely the quickest and easiest solution. All you need is the recipient’s bank information to get started.
One thing to keep in mind is that the recipient in Honduras must have a bank account that’s authorized to receive international wire transfers. Among the leading financial institutions you can count on for sending money from the U.S. to Honduras are:
In the U.S.:
Wells Fargo, through wire transfers or the ExpressSend service, which enables you to send money from your checking and savings account to family and friends
In Honduras (in addition the previous banks, which also operate within the country):
Keep in mind: International wire transfers can be completed through U.S. banks only if both the sender and the recipient hold accounts at the same bank. If not, then the recipient must operate with one of the Honduran banks listed above.
Traditional remittance companies
Financial institutions are a great option for sending money to Honduras, but what happens when the recipient doesn’t have a bank account? Traditional wire transfer companies have long been a popular alternative among Hondurans in the United States wishing to send money to unbanked loved ones back home.
Some of the the main traditional remittance companies available are:
Keep in mind: Many of these companies offer the recipient the possibility of retrieving the money in cash regardless of which payment method the sender chooses to use.
Mobile finance apps and other options
As with pretty much everything these days, mobile apps have significantly upgraded the remittance process for Hondurans. They’re easy to use, efficient, and require minimal documentation to get started.
As soon as you and your loved one open accounts, you’ll be ready to send money in no time. Commissions and fees are also significantly lower than those of banks and traditional remittance services.
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be able to send money through transfers or add money to your account with your credit card. Some of the primary mobile finance apps available for sending money from the United States are:
How Much Does it Cost to Send Money to Honduras?
Remittance companies typically impose service fees and commissions. These costs vary according to the alternative you choose, the amount of money you want to send, and delivery speed. These charges usually fall into the following categories:
Transaction fees
International wire transfers usually have the highest fee per transaction. Ranging between $10 and $50, the exact number will depend on the total amount of money being sent. Traditional remittance companies’ fees are lower and range from $2 to $10 per transaction. As for mobile apps, fees are usually lower than $5 and in some cases, even free.
Currency conversion fee
This might be one of the biggest factors to take into account when it comes to deciding which service to use for sending money to Honduras. Exchange rate margins are the percentage difference between the exchange rate at which banks and currency exchange services trade and the exchange rate offered to consumers. In Honduras, the exchange rate is determined by the Central Bank and companies usually charge between 1% and 2% of the total amount sent.
What’s the Quickest Way to Send Money from the United States to Honduras?
Many Hondurans send money periodically to family members back home. But what are the best options for urgent cases in which time is of the essence? International wire transfers to Honduras are usually completed between 24 and 48 hours, but can take up to five business days with certain banks. Traditional remittance services like Western Union or Xoom take less than 48 hours. Mobile apps are currently the quickest option on the market, as they offer immediate transfers.
How Much Money Can Be Sent to Honduras?
The total amount you can send to Honduras will depend on the transfer service you choose. In the case of banks like Wells Fargo, the monthly limit is $10,000. Traditional remittance services like Western Union have a limit of $1,500 per transaction or $7,500 over 30 continuous days.
There’s currently no legislation in Honduras that limits the amount of remittances that can be received. This amount will depend on each company’s terms of service.
Send Money to Honduras Quickly and Easily!
In January and February of this year, the Honduran community in the United States accounted for over 80% of the worldwide remittances received by the Central American country. It’s no wonder that solidarity has become a defining trait of Honduran expats who are committed to helping their family and friends from afar.
We hope this article has given you the tools you need for choosing the best option when it comes to sending money to your loved ones. You can also check out our Rewards program, which allows you to make extra money and increase the amount you can send back home. Remember, when it comes to making smart financial choices, SABEResPODER!
