Your complete guide to online transfers with Western Union in Canada

Western Union is a popular choice for those looking to send money to loved ones abroad due to its global reach. It offers money transfers both in person and via their app and the internet, making this a useful service for many Canadians. If you’re planning on sending a Western Union payment, it is important to understand how it works, and how to make the most of your money.

In this guide, we’ll cover how Western Union online money transfer works, as well as introducing you to Wise as an international alternative.

How Western Union online money transfers work in Canada

With Western Union’s online money transfer service, you can send money from Canada to over 200 countries and territories¹ across the world, both online and through the app. You can either send money to a bank account abroad, or have your loved one pick it up as cash².

Sending money with Western Union online is a fairly simple process:

1. Register with Western Union: You’ll need to create a profile before you send money for the first time, which can be done online or through the app
2. Enter the details of your transfer: Confirm how much money you want to send, and where you want it to go
3. Enter the details of the recipient: You can either send your money directly to you recipient’s bank account, or have them pick it up at a Western Union location near them
4. Finally, pay and send: You’ll then receive a tracking number (MTCN), which you can share with your recipient, allowing both of you to track your transfer

Western Union transfer delivery methods

Western Union allows you to send money using several methods, and have your recipient collect it in a variety of ways. As a sender, you can pay directly from your bank account, using a credit or debit card, or with cash. If you want to pay with cash you can start the transfer using their app, but you’ll need to go into a physical location to pay.

One of the benefits of Western Union is the variety of delivery methods available to your recipient. You can send the money³:

• To a bank account
• To a Western Union agent location, for cash pickup
• To a mobile wallet

You’ll need to specify how you want your recipient to collect their money when setting up the transfer - talk to the person you’re sending money to, to make sure that you’re sending it in a way that makes the most sense for them. If you want a cash pickup, you’ll also need to ensure that there is a Western Union agent location nearby.

How recipients collect their money

Once you’ve sent your money, recipients can collect it as cash from a Western Union agent. All they’ll need is the transfer reference number and an ID to be able to collect the funds, which can be done at any agent location⁴.

If the money is being sent to a bank account or mobile wallet, it should arrive without the recipient needing to take any action.

Key features of Western Union online transfers (Canada

Fees and exchange rates

When transferring money online with Western Union, the fees you pay depend on a variety of factors⁷. These include:

• The destination
• How you are paying
• How the recipient is receiving the money
• The transfer amount

These also affect how quickly your money will arrive in its destination, with debit and credit cards being faster than bank transfers. It is more expensive if your recipient wishes to pick up their money in-store, rather than having it delivered to their bank account⁸.

Western Union makes a profit from the exchange rate that they charge, called an exchange rate markup. This is a type of hidden fee, which may mean that you pay more than you would expect. Even a small percentage increase in the exchange rate will add up fairly quickly - particularly when you are regularly sending transfers, or are transferring large amounts.

When considering Western Union and other providers, make sure to check out the exchange rate being offered as well as the fees - this helps ensure that you pick the one which works best in your circumstances. Some providers, including Wise, use the mid-market rate, which tends to be more favourable than retail rates charged by others. As Wise only charges a transparent, upfront fee, you’ll always know how much money your recipient will receive, to avoid any surprises.

Both Wise and Western Union have online price calculators, which you can use to see fees, transfer times and the exchange rates used to send money from Canada abroad. You can use these to find the service which works best for you, and will lead to the most money reaching your loved ones.

Transfer limits and verification

With Western Union, you can send up to 999 CAD⁹ per day online, though this may increase up to 5000 CAD depending on your payment method¹⁰. If you want to send more than this, you’ll need to set up multiple transfers, possibly over several days. Alternatively, consider another provider like Wise, which offers higher limits - up to 1.5 million CAD depending on the transfer method you choose.

You’ll also need to provide some ID to verify your identity when sending money. This consists of at least one ID document, such as a driver’s license or provincial ID, and at least one proof of address document, such as a current utility bill or an insurance document. This helps keep your money safe, but make sure to have these documents to hand to prevent any delays to your transfer.

Pros and cons of using Western Union online

Sending money using Western Union has both benefits and drawbacks, and it’s important to consider them in relation to your personal circumstances, to make sure you’re choosing the provider that works best for you.

Western Union vs Wise for online transfers

A look at Wise for international money transfers

Wise isn’t a bank, but it’s a great alternative to cover your money management needs - including direct deposits, local currency transfers, and more, for minimal transfer fees.

Wise never charges a markup on your transfer - meaning you’ll only ever pay the mid-market exchange rate when sending your money abroad. The app ensures transparency by informing you of what you pay before you transfer money. There are no costs associated with opening an account. The only time you pay is when you convert money or send money abroad.

Whether you’re a business or a personal account user, Wise offers multiple transfer options to cover everything you need. Wise can even help you get started with your account, letting you send, spend, and receive your money across the world.

Conclusion

Western Union offers a convenient international transfer service which is likely to be particularly useful if you’re looking to send cash abroad. However, it’s worth being aware of the fees and markups which may apply. In addition to the advertised upfront fees charged by Western Union, they also use an exchange rate markup, which could mean you’re paying more than you would expect.

Making sure that you understand all the fees that could apply allows you to get the most money into the hands of your loved one. As Wise offers the mid-market rate and small upfront fees, it might allow you to get a better deal than Western Union if you’re looking for an online transfer abroad.

If you’re not sure, many providers, including both Wise and Western Union, offer an international exchange calculator, making the comparison easy. Simply input how much you want to send, how you want to send it, and where you want it to end up, and see which provider will lead to the most money reaching your destination.

Sources verified on 07 October 2025