5 Best Ways to Send Money to Hong Kong from the UK (2025 Comparison)

Sending money from the UK to Hong Kong in 2025 comes with its own set of challenges. The British pound and Hong Kong dollar don’t always offer the most favourable exchange rates, and you might have noticed how transfer fees can pile up.

The good news is that whether you're sending money to support your family back home, covering business expenses, or for other purposes, there are services designed to meet various needs, with options for low fees, fast transfer speeds, high limits, or additional features.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the popular services for sending money to Hong Kong based on features such as speed, cost, and ease of use. Let’s help you get the most value for every pound you send.

Here’s a list of the details typically needed when transferring funds to Hong Kong:

• Recipient's Details: You will need the recipient's full name and address.
• Hong Kong Bank and Branch Codes: These codes identify the specific bank and branch where the recipient’s account is held.
• SWIFT/BIC Code: The SWIFT/BIC code is an international standard for identifying banks worldwide, ensuring your funds reach the correct institution.
• Amount & Currency: The amount you're transferring and the currency involved. Many multi-currency accounts in Hong Kong typically hold HKD, USD, and CNY, so if that's the case, you can transfer those currencies to the recipient. 
• Payment Method: Select your preferred payment method, such as a bank transfer or debit/credit card.
• Reason for Transfer: Some banks may request the reason for the transfer, particularly for larger sums.
• Identity Verification: Additional documentation may be required for significant transfers.

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a UK-based fintech company that offers international money transfers, multi-currency accounts, and cards in select regions. It allows users to send, receive, and hold funds in various currencies, including British pounds and Hong Kong dollars. 

With Wise, you can transfer money from the UK to Hong Kong using bank transfers and cards.

Step 1: Head to https://wise.com/register or download the Wise app from either the App Store or Google Play.

Step 2: Click the "Register" button and provide your email address. You can also sign up using your Google, Facebook, or Apple accounts.

Step 3: Enter your information:

• Personal Information: Full name, address, and date of birth.
• Business Information: Business name, registration details, both registered and operational addresses, as well as personal information for all business stakeholders

Step 4: Complete the verification steps:

• For Personal Accounts: Submit a photo ID (passport, national ID, or driver’s license), proof of address, and a selfie holding your ID.
• For Business Accounts: Provide the required documents to verify ownership and control of the business. Wise will inform you about the specific documents needed.

Step 5: After successful verification, your account will be activated and ready for use.

Remitly is an online remittance service headquartered in Seattle, specialising in personal international money transfers to friends and family.

With Remitly, you can send money from the UK via cash pickup or direct bank deposit through its trusted network in Hong Kong, such as HSBC, Bank of China, Hang Seng Bank, Standard Chartered, The Bank of East Asia, ICBC, and more. Remitly supports even small transfers, allowing senders to transfer as little as £5 or recipients to receive as little as HKD 5.

Step 1: Go to Remitly's website https://www.remitly.com/gb/en/landing/register or download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Step 2: Sign up and create an account using your email address.

Step 3: Enter the country you're sending from and to, then choose a password.

Step 4: You may be asked to verify your identity or answer questions about your sending activity to comply with international regulations. The additional information you may need to provide includes your name, date of birth, and address; a government-issued ID (passport, Social Security Number, ITIN, or consular card); supporting documents like utility bills; and details about your reason for sending, source of income, occupation, or bank statements.

Step 5: You should get notified once your account is approved.

Western Union is a global financial services company headquartered in Denver. Known for its extensive network of agent locations worldwide, it offers a convenient way to send and receive money through banks, cards, and cash pickup.

If you're sending money from the UK to Hong Kong, your recipient can collect it from one of many agent locations in Hong Kong. In the UK, Western Union also partners with the Post Office, allowing you to start a transfer from any of its participating 4,000 branches.

Step 1: Go to https://www.westernunion.com or download the Western Union app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Click "Register".

Step 2: Enter the necessary details, such as full name, contact information, address, phone number, country of birth, date of birth, nationality, and occupation. Make sure your name matches the ID you provide.

Step 3: Submit a valid form of identification. For users in the UK, acceptable IDs include a signed passport, a full EU driving license, a UK provisional driving license, a non-UK EU national ID card, an EU residency card, a passport, emergency travel documents, or a ship’s passport.

Step 4: Enter a valid email address. This will be used to inform you of your application status and send you a receipt for every transaction you make.

Step 5: After completing registration, you will receive a confirmation email.

Xe Money Transfer is an online foreign exchange company based in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, and operates as part of Euronet, a global provider of electronic payment services headquartered in the US. With Xe Money Transfer's app, you can transfer funds from the UK to Hong Kong for personal or business purposes.

Xe Money transfer is tailored for large transfers. If you transfer more than the equivalent of USD 50,000 annually, Xe offers premium services. These include assistance with setting up high-volume transfers, the ability to lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months, market orders that execute transfers when a target rate is met, and automated recurring payments. Dedicated UK-based phone support is available to assist with these services.

Step 1: Go to https://account.xe.com/signup or download the Xe app. Please note, that business accounts must be created on the website, as they are not supported in the app.

Step 2: Provide your email address and create a password for your account.

Step 3: Fill in Your Information

• Personal Account: Enter your country of residence, home address, mobile phone number, and date of birth.
• Business Account: Provide your personal information and basic company details.
  

Step 4: Specify your currency preferences and how much you expect to send annually.

Step 5: Depending on the amount and purpose of the transfer, you may be prompted to upload colour copies of the following documents:

• IDs: Passport, photo driver’s license, or national identity card.
• Proof of address: Utility bill, bank statement, or tax-related document (dated within the last three months).
  

Step 6: Review the terms and conditions, then wait for the account to be approved. Once approved, you can start using Xe to send money.

Paysend is a UK-based international money transfer service. It focuses on using bank cards to send and receive money, enabling instant payments across major networks like Mastercard®, Visa, and China UnionPay. The platform also offers local payment systems depending on the destination country. 

You can use Paysend to send money directly to a bank account or Visa/Mastercard® cards in Hong Kong in HKD. 

Step 1: Download the Paysend application directly from the App Store or Google Play. Alternatively, you can sign up through the website at https://paysend.com.

Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions, which involve filling in the information, enabling SMS notifications for the authentication process, and uploading photos for verification, which is required to send larger amounts.

Step 3: Once your account is set up, you’re ready to make transactions using either your card or bank account.

Sending money to Hong Kong should be straightforward once you find the right solution, but there are still a few common mistakes that can lead to delays or extra fees. I detail them in this section.

Hong Kong is 8 hours ahead of the United Kingdom, which means that if you initiate a transfer from the UK, there’s a chance the Hong Kong bank may already be closed or not yet open. 

Transfers between countries in significantly different time zones may be processed outside regular business hours, which could lead to delays, especially if manual intervention or bank approval is required. To avoid this, plan your transfer timing to coincide with Hong Kong’s business hours for quicker processing.

When transferring money from the UK to Hong Kong, ensure you have the correct SWIFT code, bank code, and account number. Unlike the UK and EU, which use the IBAN system, Hong Kong follows its own banking code format. Instead of asking for an IBAN, request the bank and branch code.

Mistakes with SWIFT codes or account numbers can lead to delays, additional fees, or even lost transfers. Always double-check these details before initiating your transaction.

Hong Kong observes several holidays that the UK does not. These include

This means that transfers will not be processed on these holidays. Be sure to check the local holiday calendar to avoid timing your transfer during a period when banks may be closed. You can find the official public holiday schedule for Hong Kong on the Hong Kong government website.

Are you looking for a Hong Kong business account to better manage your Hong Kong company funds?

Statrys is a payment service provider platform designed specifically for businesses registered in Hong Kong, Singapore, or the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Regardless of where you're based, if your business is registered in any of these three regions, you can conveniently use Statrys to hold funds in 11 major currencies, manage payment like a local in 12 currencies, and send payment in 18 currencies including £ and HKD.

Check out Statrys features below:

There are multiple reliable services to send money from the UK to Hong Kong, each catering to different needs. Wise, Remitly, Western Union, Xe Money Transfer, and Paysend each offer their unique advantages. Consider factors like fees, speed, and transfer methods to choose the right provider for you. Always double-check banking details and bank holidays to avoid delays.