Can Square Cash be used internationally?

Square Cash — now known as Cash App — is a simple way to send and receive money for personal and business payments. You can send Square cash using the Square Cash App, using just a recipient’s phone number, email or $Cashtag — a unique Cash App username.

If you love Square Cash and the Cash App, you might be wondering about Square Cash international payments. While Square money transfer services do work between the US and UK, the ways you can use the Cash App overseas are extremely limited. Here’s all you need to know.

What is Square Cash?

The Square Cash App¹ lets users send payments to other Square Cash account holders, spend with a linked debit card, receive payments from others, receive payments via direct deposits, and even invest in stocks and Bitcoin.

You can manage your account and make transactions through the Cash App on the go using your smartphone — easy.

How to transfer money from Square?

When you create a Cash App account with Square Cash you’ll have the opportunity to link a bank account or card, and can use this to send payments. Alternatively you can fund payments with your Square Cash balance if you hold funds on your account.

Can you use Square Cash to send money abroad?

To use Square Cash, you have to be a resident of the US, and also physically present in the US.

That means you can’t use it when you’re traveling or if you’re an expat and live abroad. Square Cash App is also available to UK residents.

The only international payments available with Square Cash App are between Cash App account holders based in the US and UK³.

If you want to send money to someone elsewhere in the world you’ll need an alternative.

Keep reading for more on good alternatives to Square Cash for sending money abroad.

Does Square Cash App accept international payments?

If you’re using the Square Cash App you’ll have to link your account to a US based bank account or a US issued credit or debit card to fund payments. You can not use a foreign issued bank or card with your Cash App account³.

Can you use your Square Cash card internationally?

Cash App customer support states that the Square Cash card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, for on and offline payments and withdrawals⁴.

However, online commentators have noted issues in using their card internationally, so you’ll probably want to have alternative methods of payment available if you’re traveling.

Square Cash international payments alternatives

If you’re looking for a way to make overseas payments, Square Cash App probably isn’t it. You do have a couple of alternatives though:

• An alternative money transfer service (often faster and cheaper)
• Your bank (often slower, but at least familiar)

Let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of each.

Use an international transfer provider

Online specialists in international transfers can often present far better value than a regular bank.

PayPal is one popular option for sending peer to peer payments — but the fees are fairly high when it comes to anything international.

You can expect to pay a currency conversion spread of 3%-4%⁶ on top of the wholesale exchange rate, and international fees of an extra 5%.

You might also consider a service like Western Union, which has a handy app and online service.

Western Union has a good range of payout options including cash collection at their agent network around the world — but the costs and exchange rates available aren’t the best on the market.

Low cost international payments with Wise

If you need to make an international payment and don’t want to break the bank, try Wise instead. Wise payments use new technology to avoid high international transfer fees.

Because Wise has its own payment network you can make cross border payments which arrive faster, cost less and get the real exchange rate with no markups or margins, every time.

That means fair, cheap money transfers, with no costly surprises to worry about.

You may be able to save up to 6x by using Wise rather than your bank when you send your money abroad. Check it out today.

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Send money with your bank

If you prefer to use your regular bank to make your international transfer, you can usually do so through your bank’s online and mobile service, or by calling into your local branch.

It’s worth knowing that banks usually charge more for wire transfers made in branches than for online transfers. Online transfers may come with lower transfer fees, but you’ll also need to look at the exchange rates offered as these typically include a markup on the mid-market rate — an extra fee.

When sending money internationally via a regular bank, it’s not only your own bank which could levy fees and charges.

Most likely your transfer will be processed using the SWIFT network, and that means that intermediary banks, and the recipient’s own bank could add their own charges, too. Finally, SWIFT transfers are also often pretty slow, taking 3 - 5 working days to arrive.

What to consider when choosing an international transfer provider

You can’t use Square Cash for your most international transfers — but what do you need to consider when choosing an alternative?

• Be wary of extra costs wrapped up in the exchange rate. International money transfers are never free — but many services hide their fees in the rate they apply.

• Look out for third party fees. Including SWIFT charges, recipient bank costs, or cash advance fees if you pay with a credit card.

• Check delivery times. Bank transfers might take 3 - 5 working days, but online specialist transfers can often be instant or nearly instant.

• Find a convenient, secure service. Any reputable international transfer service will be regulated in much the same way as your bank, making it safe. Online providers often have a more intuitive, customer friendly process which can be more convenient than your bank.

The Cash App is fast, easy to use and comes with low overall costs and many free services. However, it’s not possible to use Cash App to send most international payments.

If you want a service that’s every bit as cost effective and convenient as Cash App, check out Wise. With low cost international transfers and the smart Wise multi-currency account to let you manage your money across currencies on the move, it could be just what you need.