Spotlight: Panda Remit

 When it comes to repatriating large sums of money from India, it puts every NRI in a situation where he has to consider different obligations regarding monetary cross-transfer. Taxation, reliability and transfer timelines are a few things that influence these decisions.Personal finances have to be dealt with delicately and ensured that there is no loss during the due process of remittances. There are various options available in the marketplace today, be it via traditional banking or the modern ways of online transfers.CompareRemit offers a platform that allows you to compare different players in the market and pick the best rates that suit your needs.Repatriation from an NRE AccountAs a component of the liberalization scheme of the Reserve Bank of India, remitting funds from India has become relatively easier. Balances in NRE (Non-Resident External) accounts are freely repatriable. No formalities or requisite permissions are required for remittances abroad be it any amount. Funds in accounts are usually funds deposited from abroad or current income like interest or dividends on investments made through foreign funds.Repatriation from an NRO accountBalances in NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) accounts are subject to certain conditions. The remittance of USD 1 million per financial year from NRO accounts is allowed subject to certain procedural formalities. NRO account balances include income earned locally or certain capital account transactions. Form 15-CA and 15-CB need to be submitted before a remittance can go through.Read more on difference between NRE and NRO account on CompareRemit.The Traditional Option - BanksThe most sought after choice for remittances to the UK are banks. Banks are the most popular means of transferring money to the UK because:There is a high level of trust owing to the various government regulations.Familiarity and the comfort of knowing the neighborhood-friendly banker.There are two ways one could remit funds using banking services:Online - If your bank has given you access to internet banking and allows repatriation through online instructions.In-Person - One could walk into the bank yourself and have the formalities completed there and then and have the satisfaction of seeing it to its destination with a receipt in your hand.However, it is important to note that INR to GBP/GBP to INR exchange rates may not always be competitive. The transfer fees can be high and the charges, not always transparent.Selection of Remittance Service ProviderShould you want to avoid remitting through banks, approaching a marketplace of money changers would be the next best option. A selection of remittance service providers should be made based on the following:- Transfer chargesSpeed of transferExchange ratesCharges on the conversion of currency (INR to GBP)Freeze option on exchange rate while process requirements are completedFlexibility of payment optionsAlternative Options for Remittance from India to UKWise - UK based transfer service supporters - Wise incorporates credit cards/debit cards, SWIFT, international transfers to bank accounts, domestic wire transfers and more. Wise offers competitive exchange rates for pound to rupee or rupee to pound conversions. It assures fast and low-cost online money transfers from India to the UK.ExTravelMoney - One of the easiest services for transferring funds from India to the UK, they also offer the facility of booking orders online.Western Union - In four easy steps available online and your money is sent from India to the UK. They offer competitive rates and faster transfers as well.Thomas Cook - Provides the best foreign exchange rates besides giving the assurance of secure and timely remittances for specific purposes.BookMyForex - With zero commission and zero charges, they claim to send money from India to the UK at guaranteed lowest exchange rates. The time span for the transfers to be effective is 12 to 48 hours.To select the right money transfer service one should keep the cost and time factors in mind. Convenience at a reasonable cost should be the mantra for selecting a suitable remittance service provider.

Growth in digital remittances can be a game-changer in international remittances, mainly in terms of reducing the cost of global money transfer, increasing accessibility, and being more customer-centric. In the case of Nepal, which is one of the highest recipients of remittances in the world, youth are leading the mobile and digital revolution in the country. 50% of the users of eSewa, Nepal's most prominent digital wallet, are between the age of 18 to 30 years. With eSewa, users can make various payments such as pay utility bills, pay internal bills, recharge phones, book airline, and bus tickets, scan and pay to merchants, make a bank transfer (from eSewa to a bank account), and so on. There are also cashback and reward points upon registration. Established in the year 2019, eSewa Money Transfer is affiliated with F1Soft Group. With 15 million users (almost half of the country's population), F1Soft has been the leading fintech company in Nepal since 2004. eSewa is licensed by Nepal Rastra Bank under foreign exchange regulation, so it is a safe and highly regulated mode of money transfer. It offers traditional brick-and-mortar and agent-based remittance services along with the non-traditional digital modes of remittance.Money Transfer Services from the U.S. to Nepal with eSewa eSewa is partnered with various leading money transfer companies such as MoneyGram, WorldRemit, Remitly, Skrill Money Transfer, TerraPay, WireBarley, enabling customers from the U.S. to send money to friends and family in Nepal directly into the recipient's bank account or eSewa wallet.The account deposit service is available in more than 65 banks in Nepal. With more than 4.2 million registered eSewa wallet users, the addition of remittance service to eSewa wallet will provide a boost in remittance inflow to Nepal.Remittances to Nepal constitute a major portion of the country's foreign exchange reserve, surpassing both the official development assistance and the total foreign direct investment. In 2019, Nepali migrant workers sent home $8.64 billion which constituted 25.4% of the country's GDP. Sending Large Amount of Money from the U.S. to NepalThe U.S. to Nepal money transfer corridor is a thriving one, with many money transfer operators competing for business. Here are the top 5 money transfer service providers from the U.S. to Nepal.XoomPayPal-owned Xoom, a leading digital money transfer provider is one of the fastest, secure and convenient ways to send money from the U.S. to Nepal. The Xoom mobile app or website allows users in the U.S. to send money in an instant to friends and family in Nepal using their U.S. bank account, debit card, or credit card. Xoom has partnered with major banks in Nepal - Everest Bank Ltd., Nabil Bank, Himalayan Bank, Nepal SBI Bank, and others offering instant bank deposits. The money can be transferred to a bank account or picked up from an agent location (from over 4000 cash pickup locations) in Nepal. The maximum transfer amount is $9,000 per transfer when using Xoom transfer. The transfer fee varies depending on the method. Bank transfers are usually free of cost. Fees for payments by card are percentage-based.Do keep in mind that a margin is added to the exchange rate when converting U.S. dollars (USD) into Nepalese rupees (NPR).Wise (formerly known as TransferWise)Wise (Ex-TransferWise) is a London-based financial technology company regulated by (Financial Conduct Authority) FCA in the UK. For online money transfers from the U.S. to Nepal, Wise is a secure, fast, and low-cost option. There are no hidden charges, no marked-up exchange rate. Wise gives you the interbank exchange rate for your transfers. You can pay by direct debit, bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Bank debit or ACH is the cheapest followed by bank transfer. While payment via credit cards has more fees. Depending on the transfers, the money can be reached in one day or even within seconds. There are limits to how much you can send to Nepal. For larger transfers, Wise might ask you to provide your ID card. To initiate the transfer process, sign up online or in Wise's app for free.WorldRemitWith WorldRemit, Nepalese immigrants in the U.S. can send money online to recipients in Nepal. The money can be received via cash pickup, bank deposits, mobile money, and even airtime top-up.The cask can be pick-up from thousands of Samsara, NIC Asia, and Citizen Bank locations within minutes. The bank transfer may take 1 business day.You can send up to $5,000 per transfer with bank transfer and up to NPR 300,000 with the cash pick-up option. A maximum amount of NPR 1,000,000 can be sent in a day. The transfer fee will depend on the transfer amount. WorldRemit adds a margin to the exchange rate.Muncha Money TransferMuncha money transfer lets you send money to Nepal from all the 50 states in the U.S. It is a preferred choice for many NRN (Non-resident Nepalese) as an online payment gateway. Muncha Money Money Transfer and ThamelRemit are popular ways of sending money.An individual with a U.S. bank account can transfer money to the recipient's bank account in Nepal. It takes about 48 hours to complete the transfer. It is licensed by Nepal Rastra Bank, so your money is safe and protected. It offers ACH transfer and can send up to $10,000 per transaction from the U.S. to Nepal. The first transaction is free for all customers.ThamelRemitThamelRemit is an online money transfer platform for sending money from the U.S. to Nepal. It is trusted by more than 50,000 Nepalese in the U.S.The platform is supported by Siddhartha Bank Ltd., one of the fast-emerging banks in Nepal, and is powered by MachNet.The transfer is carried out via ACH where money is directly debited in USD from your bank account in the U.S. and transferred to the recipient's bank account in Nepal in NPR. There is no charge or bank processing fee within Kathmandu Valley.Outside Kathmandu Valley, there may be a bank processing fee that is deducted from the recipient's bank account as per the particular bank's rules and regulations.  The exchange rates offered are highly competitive and fees are affordable. You can send up to $10,000 per transaction and get the money deposited into the destination account in 48 hours.TakeawayThanks to the increasing number of users of digital payment platforms like eSewa and others, the cashless transaction is becoming a reality in Nepal.The above list is not an exhaustive list of all the services available to send money from the U.S. to Nepal. It can be difficult to choose one from a plethora of options. Before you make the transfer, compare the money transfer service providers to get the best value for your money while sending money from the U.S. to Nepal.Nepalese living abroad prefer to send remittances directly through mobile banking, internet banking, or digital wallet. It offers ease of use, convenience, lower cost, and a competitive marketplace of the money transfer industry that gives better service and better exchange rates.

India is the world's largest recipient of remittances in the world, followed by China, Mexico, the Philippines, and Egypt. International remittances are financial or in-kind transfers made by migrants directly to families or communities back home.According to World Bank, India received over USD 83 billion in remittances in 2020 and USD 87 billion in 2021, with the United States being the largest source, accounting for over 20% of these funds.India has consistently ranked as the top recipient of remittances due to the sizeable Indian diaspora (32 million NRIs and PIOs living outside of India).Given that Canada has one of the largest Indian communities, Canada to India remittance corridor is also one of the most well-known money transfer corridors. In 2018, 16.89 lakh (1.689 million) Indians were residing in Canada, of which 15.10 lakh were Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and 1.78 lakh were Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), according to the latest report by the Ministry of External Affairs.There are many ways to send money from Canada to India. Although banks are an easy option, keep in mind that they do not offer transparent exchange rates and are often lower than those offered by international money transfer specialists.To get the best CAD to INR exchange rates, you can search on the CompareRemit comparison tool. You also have access to deals and discounts from their transfer partners that will help you get more INR for your Canadian Dollar. Take advantage of these deals and make the most of your hard-earned money.In this blog, you will learn how to send money to India from Canada and the top money transfer services of the Canada-India remittance corridor. Before we get to the list, let us look at the things to consider when sending money overseas. Things To Consider Before Transferring Money From Canada To IndiaExchange RatesYou frequently need to convert one currency into another when sending money internationally. The value of one currency relative to another is known as the exchange rate, which varies daily depending on the state of the market.Money transfer platforms and banks often add a margin to the mid-market rate or the real exchange rate when providing money transfer services. This is why the exchange rates offered by various money transfer companies vary and are often competitive to attract customers. As a result, comparing the exchange rates on online comparison tools like CompareRemit is highly recommended to get the best deal on your transfers. Before moving forward with your transfers, use a search engine to find the actual exchange rate to assess how fair an exchange rate you are offered is.Some transfer companies allow you to lock in a preferred rate for a set amount of time so that the rate fluctuations don't affect your transfers. You can set up alerts for rates when it reaches your preferred value.Since it impacts how much money your recipient will get, the exchange rate is a cost that must be taken into account. Sometimes there is a lack of transparency in transfer fees, as evidenced by the possibility of hidden fees in the form of a marked-up exchange rate.Banks are a convenient option, but they are often expensive and offer poor exchange rates.Will CAD To INR Increase Or Decrease?As of today, CAD to INR exchange rate is 61.14. According to Walletinvestor.com, the CAD to INR is likely to increase in the long term, reaching 75.051 in 5 years. Transfer CostsInternational money transfer costs vary depending on the mode of payment, transfer speed, transfer amount, the money transfer provider, the delivery method, and the destination country. It can range from $0-$30 or more. Banks tend to charge more and may have correspondent bank fees, or other hidden charges you are unaware of that can add up to your expenses.The transfer fees can be a percentage of the amount being sent or a flat fee per transaction. Some may charge no fees but profit from the difference between their offer rates and the mid-market rates.Prepare to pay more if you want faster delivery. Payment with a credit card comes with higher fees than payment with a bank account or debit card. Cash transfers are often the quickest option but have higher fees.      Go for transfer providers with upfront fees and competitive exchange rates. You can check the price estimator available on the money transfer companies' websites to get an idea about the cost.Transfer SpeedInternational transfers usually take 1 or 2 business days. Still, they can take as long as 5 business days depending on various factors such as payment method, the timing of transfer request, security checks, destination country, delivery method, and delivery speed.As mentioned above, faster transfers come with higher costs. Instant cash pickups are more expensive than transfers to a bank account, where the money may take several days to be deposited.Transfers funded by credit cards are quicker than bank account-funded transfers. If you are not in a rush, look for a cheaper option when comparing the offers from various money transfer providers.SafetyProtection of the funds and prevention of fraud is top priorities during money transfers. Banks and money transfer companies are required to abide by laws and regulations set forth by national and international governing organizations, such as Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) (ATF). To ensure the safe and secure transit of payments, every authorized money transfer company has put in place several security measures, including SSL encryption and two-factor authentication. While cheques and demand drafts are safe and time-tested options, however, there are chances of them getting lost or misplaced. Wire transfers are electronic transfers that make use of networks like SWIFT to exchange messages and enable the transfer of funds across international borders. They are secure and practical as long as you check the transfer information and avoid sending money to strangers.Do check the online customer reviews to get an idea of the quality of the services from the customer feedback.Top Money Transfer Services For Sending Money From Canada To IndiaHere is our list of the top money transfer companies for the CAD to INR corridor.WiseYou can send money to your recipient's bank account with Wise by signing up online or on their app for free using your email address or a Google or Facebook account. Wise is an authorized London-based online and mobile payment service provider regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. It has 13 million users and counting worldwide. To send money in CAD to India, Wise charges a small, flat fee of 1.78 CAD+ 0.62% of your transfer amount that's converted, which is shown upfront, and the money is exchanged using the real rate (the ones you see on Google or Reuters). Wise claims to be 8X times cheaper than banks. You can fund your transfer by 4 payment methods:Direct Debit Debit Card Credit CardBank Transfer Wise can send money within one day or almost instant. But the payment method or certain security checks can affect the transfer speed. Bank account-funded transfers are cheaper but slower, while transfers funded by debit cards or credit cards are costly but faster.    You can check the transfer limits for your currency pair on their calculator. Western UnionWestern Union is the largest and the oldest money transfer company in the world, with more than 145 years in service. Its headquarter is located in Denver, Colorado.There are two ways to send money to India from Canada with Western Union.Directly transfer to bank accounts in India by registering online or through their app.In-person transfer at agent locations for Cash pick up in IndiaWestern Union has more than 111,0001 agent locations in India, which offers flexibility for your friends and family to opt for Cash pick-up. You can pay using your bank account, Visa debit card, or your credit card. Use their price estimator tool to get an idea of how much it costs to send money to India. This will show you the transfer fees, exchange rates between the Canadian dollar and the Indian rupee, and the transfer limits that might apply to your money transfer.  RemitlyRemitly is another popular online-based money transfer platform located in Seattle, especially founded to provide affordable and convenient money transfer services to immigrants. Remitly has multiple receive options for recipients in India. You can transfer money directly to over 130 bank accounts, including SBI, HDFC, Citi Bank, Axis Bank, or more than 20 banks using UPI (virtual payments) either by signing up online or through the Remitly app. Your recipient can also pick up their money at 100,000+ cash pick-up locations, including Punjab National Bank, EbixCash, Weizman Forex, Muthoot Fincorp, and more. You can fund your transfer using a bank account, debit card, and credit card.Remitly offers two modes of transfer based on speed:Express mode: Receive money within minutes Economy mode: Receive money within 3-5 business daysThere are no transfer fees for sending CAD 500 or more, and the promotional FX rate applies to the first $999 of the transfer. Check here for Remitly exchange rates and fees. Panda RemitPanda is an FCA-regulated online-based money transfer platform located in Hong Kong that provides fast and convenient remittance services. You pay no fees on your first transfer with Panda Remit and can receive the money within minutes or at the least within 1-3 working days. The transfer speed will vary depending on the payment method and the delivery method. You can initiate your transfer by signing up online or on their app using your phone number or email address. Panda Remit allows you to pay with a debit card, ACH bank transfer, and ATM transfers. The money can be received either in a bank account or a debit card. Check live rates from Panda Remit by using their online calculator. Enter CAD to INR currency pair, enter the transfer amount, and the calculator will show you how much money your recipient will get. You will also get to see the applied exchange rate and the transfer fees charged for your transfer. There are no hidden fees with Panda Remit.Make use of Referral bonuses and discounts to save money on transfer costs. InstaremInstarem is one of the most cost-effective remittance services, especially for small transfers. The delivery is usually instant or same-day transfer. You get the real exchange rate and no hidden charges. To initiate the transfer, sign up for a free account online or on the Instarem app with your email or Google, or Facebook ID. Instarem support multiple payment methods, including debit/credit card, bank transfers, and wire transfers. And multiple pay-out options via card, bank account, and cash. Your recipient doesn't need to have an Instarem account to receive money. Check the live rates and fees on their currency converter before you send the money. Simply enter the send amount and select the send and receive countries (in this case, Canada and India, respectively). You will see the exchange rates and fees for your transfer upfront. Also, earn Instapoints with your transactions to save money in your subsequent transfers. XE Money TransferSending money from Canada to India is quick and easy with XE money transfer. Simply sign up for a free XE account or on the XE app to initiate the transfer to your recipient's bank account in India. XE is a Canada-based online international remittance service provider. It offers free tools to check live currency rates, view historical charges for currency pairs, and set alerts for desirable rates.You can pay for your transfers using direct debit, bank transfers, and card payments. It can take 1-4 working days for your money to arrive in India, though it typically arrives more quickly. Depending on the amount you send to India, XE charges a small fee that you will see before you confirm your transfer. You can send up to $500,000 (or the currency equivalent) to India from Canada online.  ICICI Bank Money2India Money2India is a subsidiary of one of India's largest banks, ICICI Bank. You can transfer funds from Canada to India from your ICICI Bank NRI account, or your account opened in Money2India online to over 100 banks in India. You can also sign up on the Money2India app to make the transfer hassle-free. The best part is that your recipient can receive the money within 24 hours or less. And if you transfer the money to an ICICI bank account in India, the transfer is completed in under 30 minutes.If you are transferring for the first time with Money2India, check for promotional offers on CompareRemit.Remit2IndiaRemit2India is a leading new-age online money transfer service that enables NRIs to send money to India from countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. You have 3 options to send your money:Direct DebitBill Payment Email Money TransferThe money gets delivered usually within 3 working days but can vary depending on the sending and receive options you choose. There is no fee for your first transfer for the transfer amount of CAD 501- CAD 200,000. A flat fee of CAD 2.99 is applied for the transfer amount of CAD 50- CAD 500.With Remit2India, you can transfer funds directly to top national banks in India, at 500,000 branches of 90 banks such as Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, etc.How To Send Money From Canada To India?Once you have compared the money transfer companies and honed down on the company you want to go with, follow the basic steps below to make your transfer:Open an account online with the chosen remittance company,Provide all the personal information and documents required for identification,Set up your transfer using your recipient details and bank information in India,Enter transfer amount,Check the exchange rates and transfer fees, and transfer speed,Check if there are deals and promotions to lower your transfer costs,Select a delivery method,Pay for your transfer by choosing a payment method,Confirm all the information and press “Send”,Leave the rest to the remittance provider,Track your transfer,Check with your recipient whether they have received the money or not.Bottom-lineThere are a lot of options at your disposal when sending money overseas. All of them come with various caveats that may include exchange rates, fees, transfer speed, deals and promotion, security and privacy, and so on. The best way to help you decide which service provider to choose for your CAD to INR money transfer is to compare them side by side. CompareRemit's real-time comparison tool compares numerous banks and many money transfer companies offering CAD to Indian rupee money transfer in terms of fees, speed, exchange rates, and more. This will help you pick the service that works best for you and your transfer needs. You can sign up for free rate alerts to keep you updated with the best rates and promotions for CAD to INR money transfers.Compare CAD to INR exchange rates by using CompareRemit's online tool today!