Vanguard international wire transfer: Fees, limits and rates

Many people use an international wire transfer to send money overseas. It's a convenient option to transfer money to family abroad or pay for services.

This guide breaks down the specifics of using Vanguard for international wire transfers so you can better understand its fees, limits, and rates.

We’ll also introduce Wise, a cheap, fast, and easy option to send money to 160+ countries.

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Table of contents

Can I make an international wire transfer with Vanguard? Vanguard international wire transfer fee Vanguard exchange rates Make fast, secure and low cost international transfers with Wise How do you make a Vanguard international wire transfer? What information do I need to make an international wire transfer? How long does an international wire transfer with Vanguard take? What are Vanguard’s transfer limits? Vanguard contact information

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Can I make an international wire transfer with Vanguard?

Yes, you can make an international wire transfer with Vanguard.

It's important to understand that Vanguard is an investment company, not a traditional bank. This means that it typically acts as an intermediary bank for domestic and international wire transfers.

You can initiate the transfer through Vanguard, but the actual process might involve another financial institution. That financial institution is the one that actually handles the transferring of your funds.

Vanguard international wire transfer fee

Vanguard charges a fee for international wire transfers.

Vanguard Brokerage charges a 10 USD wire fee for each holding you're redeeming. This fee is waived for clients who have at least 1 million USD in qualifying Vanguard assets. Vanguard Brokerage doesn't charge a fee for Electronic Bank Transfers, but your bank might.¹

You may also have to cover currency conversions and handling fees of intermediary banks that participate in the transaction.

Vanguard exchange rates

When making an international wire transfer, you must convert your funds into the recipient's currency. This involves an exchange rate.

Financial institutions like Vanguard typically don't offer the mid-market exchange rate. Instead, they apply their own exchange rate. This rate is generally worse than the mid-market rate. This means that you might receive less foreign currency than you expect.

For example, if the mid-market rate for USD to EUR is 1.10, Vanguard wire transfer might offer an exchange rate of 1.08. This difference might seem small, but it can add up, especially if you're sending a larger transfer.

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*The speed of transaction claim depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions

How do you make a Vanguard international wire transfer?

You will need to use the International Wire Option Form to make a Vanguard wire transfer. This form will ask you for the necessary details to initiate the transfer. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill out the International Wire Option form with the required information about the sender and recipient

Step 2. Send the completed form to Vanguard for processing

Step 3. Vanguard will initiate the transfer with intermediary banks

While Vanguard doesn't explicitly share wire transfer instructions on their website, the International Wire Option Form should have all the information you need.

What information do I need to make an international wire transfer?

To initiate a Vanguard wire transfer, you'll need to provide a few details about both the sender and the recipient. Make sure to accurately fill out all of the required information on the International Wire Option Form to avoid delays.

Information	Details
Recipient's name	The full legal name of the person or business you’re sending the funds to
Recipient’s bank name and address	The name and physical address of the recipient's bank
Recipient’s bank account number	For the account where you want to deposit the funds
SWIFT code	Unique identifier for the recipient’s bank. You may also need the Vanguard SWIFT code
Sender’s bank information	Your bank’s name, address, account number, and Vanguard routing number
Amount	How much money you need to transfer
Currency	The currency of the transfer

You may also want to add a note with any specific instructions or a relevant reference number.

Learn more about international wire transfer regulations and tracking your wire transfer in our full guides.

How long does an international wire transfer with Vanguard take?

The time it takes to complete an international wire transfer with Vanguard can vary. Generally speaking, you can expect your money to arrive in a few business days. The exact timing depends on the destination country and the intermediary banks involved in the transaction.

Don't forget to account for holidays and time zone differences when estimating how long it's going to take for you to transfer your funds internationally.

What are Vanguard’s transfer limits?

Vanguard may impose certain limits on the amount you can transfer internationally.

There is no publicly disclosed Vanguard wire transfer limit, so make sure to check with Vanguard directly to understand the limits that might apply to your particular situation.

Vanguard contact information

If you have more questions or need assistance with your international wire transfer, get in touch with Vanguard.

The best way to do that depends on whether you're a personal investor, a retirement plan participant, an institutional investor, a nonprofit organization, a financial advisor, or a global (non-US) investor. Each option has a dedicated support line.

You can learn more on Vanguard's Contact Us page.

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Sources:

1. Vanguard - Vanguard Brokerage Services commission and fee schedules

Sources checked on 07.30.2024