How long do international bank transfers from the UK take?
How long do international transfers take? Find out in our helpful guide, covering average transfer times for SWIFT and SEPA.
If you’re a UBL UK customer or are thinking of becoming one, you might want to know about its international money transfer service.
UBL UK is an FCA-regulated bank based in London, which launched back in 2001.¹ It’s known for offering personal current and savings accounts, as well as banking services for businesses.
But it also has a money transfer service known as UBL UK NetRemit, designed to make it easier for people to send money from the UK to Pakistan.
In this helpful guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about UBL UK international money transfer services. This includes fees, exchange rates, transfer times, sending limits and how to set up your first transfer.
We’ll also show you a great alternative, the money services provider Wise - which lets you send money to Pakistan and worldwide, to 160+ countries for low, transparent fees and fair mid-market exchange rates.
There are two ways you can access the UBL UK NetRemit service. You can do it via online banking, or download and use the dedicated mobile app.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a customer with the bank to get the app and send a transfer. However, you will be limited to just one payment method, which is either a debit or credit card.
If you want to pay by bank transfer, you’ll need to open a UBL UK current account first and link it to the app.²
To make a transfer on the UBL UK NetRemit website, simply follow these steps:³
If you’re a fan of mobile banking, you might find it more convenient to use the UBL UK app to set up your transfer. The app also offers UBL international remittance tracking, so you can check in with where your payment is up to and when it is expected to arrive.
To send an international money transfer via the UBL app, follow these steps:³
For both sending methods, you should receive some form of confirmation from UBL UK NetRemit.
📚 Read more: Best Money Transfer Apps For UK |
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In order to send a transfer with UBL UK, you’ll first need to register for its UBL UK NetRemit service.
To do this, you’ll need to provide proof of ID, such as a valid passport, driving licence or photo ID. You’ll also need proof of address, such as a bank statement or utility bill dated from sometime in the last three months.²
Once you’re signed up, you’ll need to have your recipient’s details ready in order to set up a transfer. Here’s what is usually required for bank transfers, although it could be worth checking with UBL UK to see if there’s anything else they need:
UBL international wire transfers are pretty quick. They usually take up to 48 hours to arrive, although in some cases could take longer (or arrive sooner).⁴
And remember that you can always use the UBL international money transfer tracking service to see the current status of your payment.
UBL’s money transfer service is a specialist one, designed only for transfers between the UK and Pakistan. This means you can’t use it to send money to any other country.
If you’re looking to send money to other countries, check out an alternative such as Wise which lets you send money worldwide, to 150+ countries.
UBL UK does have some limits on how much you can send at once. When you’re using the app, you can send a maximum of £20,000 at once in a single day.
But if you’re sending £10,000 or more within a single transaction or multiple transactions (within a three month period), the bank says it’ll require proof of the source of funds. This is likely related to compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
Need help setting up a transfer, or have a question about the UBL UK NetRemit service? You can speak to customer service staff by calling 0121 753 6000. This line is available between 9.15am and 5.15pm, Monday to Friday.¹
Now we come to the crucial piece of information - how much it actually costs to make a UBL UK international money transfer.
There are two key things which affect the cost of an overseas transfer. The first is the upfront transfer fee, and the second is the exchange rate used to convert the currency. In this case, it’ll need to be converted from GBP (Pound Sterling) to PKR (Pakistani Rupee).
In terms of the transfer fee, UBL UK charges a fixed fee according to how much money you send. Here’s a look at the fees:³
Transfer amount | Transfer fee |
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£0.01 to £124.90 | £3 |
£125+ | None |
📚 Read more: Money transfer fees: What banks charge and low-cost ways of sending money internationally |
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UBL UK applies its own exchange rate when converting your money from pounds to Pakistani rupees. The good news though is that this rate seems to be pretty competitive, and also close to the mid-market rate that alternative providers such as Wise use.
This is likely to be a variable rate though (meaning it’s subject to change), so make sure you check back regularly on the UBL UK website or in the app.
UBL UK is a great option if you’re looking to send money to Pakistan, but it is limited to just one country.
So if you need to send money elsewhere, you might want to check out an alternative such as Wise. With Wise, you can send money worldwide, to 160+ countries including to Pakistan. You’ll only pay low fees for all transfers, and you’ll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no markups or hidden costs.
All transfers are secure and trackable, and you can even send on the move using the handy Wise mobile app.
Open a Wise account online and you can start managing your money in 40+ currencies. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.
And there you have it - your handy guide to UBL UK international money transfers in the UK. We’ve covered everything you need to know, including fees, exchange rates and how to make your first transfer.
UBL UK is an attractive option if you’re looking to send money just between the UK and Pakistan. It offers low to no fees depending how much you’re sending, and a competitive exchange rate. Plus, there’s the convenience of sending and tracking your transfer on the move via a mobile app.
But of course, it is limited to just one country. If you need a worldwide transfer service, it’s worth considering alternatives such as Wise.
Sources used for this article:
Sources checked on 06-Feb-2024.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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