Send Money from the USA to the Philippines: Providers Compared by Pesos Received

The US is the biggest source of remittances to the Philippines, and it has the most competition. That's good news for you: more apps fighting for your dollars means better rates, kung marunong kang mag-compare. This page shows today's dollar to peso reference rate, the providers that serve this route, and the US rules that protect you when you send.

USD to PHP today

The rate above is the mid-market reference. Every remittance provider pays a bit less than this, then may charge a fee on top. If an app's rate is very close to this number and the fee is small, that's a good deal. If the rate is far below it, you're paying a hidden margin even if the app says "no fees".

Provider estimates

Providers that send from the USA to the Philippines

A few notes on how they differ:

• Remitly offers Express (usually paid by debit or credit card, often minutes) and Economy (paid from your bank account, slower, often a better rate). It pays out to all major banks, GCash, Maya, cash pickup at partners like Cebuana Lhuillier and M Lhuillier, and home delivery in some areas. On 21 Oct 2026 its US Philippines page advertised a welcome rate and no fee on the first transfer for new customers. See our Remitly review.
• Wise converts at the mid-market rate and shows its fee as a separate line. It pays to Philippine bank accounts and to wallets including GCash and Maya, with a limit of 50,000 PHP per wallet transfer according to its help centre. See our Wise review.
• Xoom is a PayPal service. It pays to GCash and other wallets, bank accounts, cash pickup and door to door delivery. You can fund it with PayPal, a bank account or a card.
• Western Union has the largest cash pickup network and also deposits to banks and GCash. On 21 Oct 2026 it advertised a 0 USD transfer fee on a new customer's first online transfer, excluding credit card payments.
• WorldRemit, MoneyGram, Ria, Panda Remit and Sendwave are all on GCash's official partner list for the US. They're worth a quote, especially for GCash payouts.

Best option by payout method

Bank deposit

For BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Landbank, PNB, Security Bank and most others, low-margin services are usually strong. Wise and Remitly Economy are good first checks. Bank deposits can arrive in minutes for major banks or take one to two business days, depending on the provider and the bank's cut-off.

GCash

If your family uses GCash, read our USA to GCash page. Short version: Remitly, Western Union, Xoom, WorldRemit, MoneyGram, Ria, Panda Remit and Sendwave are on GCash's official US partner list, and Wise also pays to GCash. The recipient's GCash account should be fully verified.

Cash pickup

Western Union, MoneyGram, Remitly, Ria and Xoom all pay cash through Philippine partners. Your recipient brings a valid government ID and the tracking or reference number. Pickup is convenient sa probinsya but usually costs more than a bank deposit.

"Remittance near me": sending in person

If you prefer to pay in person, many Filipino grocery stores and shopping centers in the US host remittance counters or agents for Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria and Philippine banks' remittance arms. Use the provider's own store locator to find one. Two things to know before you hand over cash:

1. The 1% remittance tax. Since 1 January 2026, a 1% federal excise tax applies when you pay a remittance provider with cash, a money order, a cashier's check or a similar physical instrument. Transfers funded from a bank account or a US-issued debit or credit card are exempt (IRS guidance on the remittance transfer tax).
2. Counter rates are often weaker. Walk-in prices can differ from the same provider's app price. Ask for the exact pesos received before you pay.

How to send money from the USA to the Philippines, step by step

1. Pick the payout method your family wants: bank, GCash or Maya, or cash pickup.
2. Compare two or three providers with the same amount and payout method. Note the pesos received.
3. Create an account with the one you choose. You'll verify your identity with a US driver's license, state ID or passport, and sometimes your SSN or ITIN for larger amounts.
4. Add your recipient. Use their full name exactly as it appears on their ID or GCash account. For banks, you need the bank name and account number.
5. Choose how to pay. Bank account (ACH) is usually cheapest, debit card is fast, credit card is often the most expensive (read our credit card guide).
6. Review the disclosure showing the fee, exchange rate and amount received, then confirm.
7. Share the tracking or reference number with your recipient and keep your receipt.

Limits and ID requirements

US providers set sending limits based on how much they've verified about you, plus federal anti-money laundering rules. Typical patterns:

• New accounts start with lower limits. Uploading ID and answering a few questions raises them.
• Larger transfers may need proof of source of funds, such as a payslip or bank statement.
• On the receiving side, GCash applies its own wallet and monthly limits, and Wise caps wallet transfers at 50,000 PHP each. For big amounts, a bank deposit is usually smoother.

We don't publish provider limits as fixed numbers because they change and depend on your verification level. The app shows your current limit before you send.

Sending a large amount (tuition, a house, a hospital bill)

Big transfers behave differently from monthly padala:

• Rate margins matter more than fees. On 5,000 USD, a margin of half a peso per dollar is 2,500 PHP. A fixed fee of a few dollars barely registers.
• Use bank deposit, not GCash. Wallet caps (Wise: 50,000 PHP per wallet transfer) and GCash's own limits make wallets a poor fit for large sums.
• Expect extra checks. Providers may ask for proof of where the money came from and why you're sending it. Have a payslip, bank statement or the invoice ready.
• Send a test amount first to a new account, then the rest once it arrives.
• Ask about large-transfer pricing. Remitly and Wise both describe options for sending larger amounts, and the quote can improve as the amount goes up.

Your rights as a US sender

US federal law (the CFPB's Remittance Transfer Rule under Regulation E) gives you protections for most consumer remittances:

• A disclosure before you pay, showing the exchange rate, fees and taxes, and the amount your recipient will receive.
• A receipt with the same details plus the date the money will be available.
• 30 minutes to cancel for a full refund in most cases, as long as the money hasn't been picked up or deposited.
• 180 days to report an error, such as the wrong amount arriving or the money not arriving at all. The provider must investigate.

If a provider won't resolve a problem, you can file a complaint with the CFPB or your state's financial regulator.

Licensing: check before you trust an app

Money transmitters in the US register with FinCEN as money services businesses and hold state money transmitter licences. For example, Remitly, Inc. publishes its FinCEN MSB registration (31000310494703) and its state licences on its website, and Wise US Inc. says it is registered with FinCEN and licensed as a money transmitter in the states it lists. You can search any company on FinCEN's MSB registrant search or on NMLS Consumer Access.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to send money from the USA to the Philippines?

The provider that delivers the most pesos for your amount after fees and the exchange rate margin. For bank deposits, Wise and Remitly Economy are often strong; for GCash or cash pickup, compare Remitly, Xoom, Western Union and WorldRemit. Check first transfer promos too, since several providers improve the rate or waive the fee for new customers.

How long does it take to send money from the US to the Philippines?

Card-funded transfers to GCash or major banks often arrive in minutes. Bank-funded (ACH) transfers usually take one to three business days because the provider waits for your bank payment to clear. Each provider shows an estimate before you pay.

Is there a tax on sending money from the US to the Philippines?

Since 1 January 2026, a 1% federal tax applies only when you pay the remittance provider in cash, by money order, cashier's check or a similar physical instrument. If you pay from a US bank account or with a US-issued debit or credit card, the IRS says the tax doesn't apply.

Can I send money to the Philippines with Zelle or Venmo?

Zelle and Venmo are for US domestic payments and don't send to Philippine bank accounts or GCash. Use a remittance provider instead. PayPal's international remittance service is Xoom.

What does my recipient need to receive the money?

For bank deposits and GCash, nothing extra: the money lands in their account. For cash pickup, a valid government ID (such as a UMID, passport, driver's license or PhilSys ID) and the reference number. The name must match their ID.

Is it safe to send money through apps?

Yes, if the provider is licensed in the US and you send only to people you know. Never send money to someone you met online, to claim a prize, or to pay "fees" to release a loan or package. These are common scams targeting Filipinos in the US.