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Complete Guide to Sending and Receiving International Money Order Online through India Post [2025]
Post Office Money Order Service has been one of the traditional methods of sending money in India, though it's gradually being replaced by modern digital alternatives, especially for foreign remittances. While India Post still offers international money order services, it's currently limited to just two countries - France and the UAE.
In this guide, we'll explain how international money orders work with India Post and introduce you to Wise as a convenient alternative for sending and receiving money internationally from India.
If you're interested in other international money transfer options through India Post, check out our complete guide to international money transfers with India Post 👉.
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What is a Money Order?
A money order is a pre-paid method of sending money, making it safer than a cheque because the funds are secured upfront. Unlike cheques, money orders can't "bounce" due to insufficient funds. Another advantage is that you don't always need a bank account to use a money order.
International Money Order Service by India Post
India Post provides International Money Order service through the Universal Postal Union's (UPU) International Financial System (IFS) platform. Currently, this service is only available between India and two countries: France and the UAE.
Sending International Money Order abroad from India
Here's a a guide to sending international money order via India Post.1
Supported Destinations
At present, you can only send international money orders from India to:
- France
- UAE
Step-by-Step Guide
You can send an international money order through the India Post website:
- Create and register an account on the India Post website, linked to your Postal Savings Bank account
- Log in and navigate to the Financial Services section, then select International Money Order
- Fill in the required details for your money order and complete the online payment
- Once processed, you'll receive a receipt with a Money Order number and Transaction ID
- To track your International Money Order, use the 'Money Order Number' on the Track Consignment page
Transfer Limits
There are specific limits on how much you can send:
- For France: Between 1 EUR and 1500 EUR
- For the UAE: Between 4 AED and 9000 AED
For amounts exceeding 50,000 INR, payment must be made by cheque, with a maximum limit equivalent to 2500 USD. Additionally, you can only send a maximum of 30 such money orders per year.
Time Taken
Money sent through International Money Order can be disbursed on the same day, depending on the Post Office working hours.
Receiving International Money Order from abroad in India
If someone sends you an international money order through India Post, you'll receive the full amount in Indian Rupees.2
Supported Origins
Currently, India Post only supports receiving international money orders from:
- France
- UAE
Step-by-Step Guide
When someone sends you money from France or the UAE, they'll receive a unique Money Order number (9 digits for UAE and 26 digits for France).
To collect your money:
- Visit any post office that's part of the eMO network (approximately 17,500 post offices across India - you can find them here)
- Provide the Money Order number along with a valid ID document such as Voter ID, Driving License, PAN Card, Ration Card, Aadhaar Card, or Passport
- Submit a copy of your ID document for KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance
- Note that all payments are subject to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines
Transfer Limits
You can receive up to 50,000 INR in cash. For larger amounts, payment will be made by cheque, with a maximum limit of 2500 USD. You're limited to receiving a maximum of 30 such transactions per year.
Time Taken
If the money order was booked before the cut-off time, you might receive your payment on the same day.
Meet Wise: A Modern Alternative to International Money Orders
If you need to send or receive money from countries beyond France and UAE, or if you're looking for a more convenient digital option, consider Wise. Wise offers international money transfers with low, transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates without hidden markups.
- If you live abroad, you can use Wise to send money to India directly to bank accounts or UPI IDs.
- If you're an Indian resident, you can use Wise to send money from India for education, travel, and medical purposes.
- Indian businesses and freelancers can open a Wise Business account to get local account details in multiple currencies (like USD, EUR, GBP) and receive payments from international clients like a local.
Sources:
*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.
Money without borders
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