5 Best Ways To Send Money To India from the UK (2025 Comparison)

Whether you're sending funds for personal reasons, paying bills, or supporting a family in India from the UK, the wide variety of modern payment methods and money transfer services available today can make the process easier and more efficient. 

However, ensuring that your transaction goes smoothly requires choosing the right provider that suits your unique needs. Having been in the industry and seen countless options, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to make the right choice.

In this article, I’ll explain the top five ways to send money to India from the UK, helping you understand the details of each popular service so you can make an informed decision.

When transferring money from the UK to India, you need to gather certain details to ensure the transaction goes smoothly. Here's what you need:

1. Recipient's Name and Address: The full name and address of the person you're sending money to in India. 
2. Bank Details: You’ll need the recipient's bank account number, the name of their bank, and the bank's branch details if you're using a bank transfer,
3. IFSC Code: The Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is a unique identifier for banks in India. It’s typically used for domestic payment, but this may also be necessary if you are using a service that allows for local transfer systems.
4. UPI ID (Unified Payments Interface): If the recipient is using UPI, you will need their UPI ID. UPI is a real-time payment system used in India that allows quick and easy transfers between banks via smartphones. You can directly send money using just their UPI ID without needing full bank details. Some international money transfer services to India offer this option for convenience.
5. SWIFT/BIC Code: If you're sending money internationally through a bank, the SWIFT/BIC code of the recipient's bank will be required to ensure the transfer reaches the correct bank.
6. Amount and Currency: Specify the amount you want to send and the currency. Most services automatically convert GBP (£) to INR(₹), but some might give you the option to send funds in £ directly to recipient's foreign currency account. 
7. Purpose of Transfer: Some services or banks might ask you to specify the purpose of the transfer (e.g., family support, business payment, etc.).

Xe Money Transfer is a Canada-based foreign exchange service that operates under Euronet, an electronic payment solution headquartered in the United States. The Xe Money Transfer app allows users in the UK to transfer money to multiple countries, including India, for both personal and business needs.

If you send more than an equivalent of USD 50,000 a year, you may access staff’s support for high-value transfers, 24-month fixed exchange rates, market orders, and an automated recurring payments system. The platform also offers dedicated UK-based phone support.

Step 1: Visit https://account.xe.com/signup or download the Xe app. Business accounts must be created on the website.

Step 2: Provide your email and create a password.

Step 3: Fill in basic information

• Personal Account: Country of residence, home address, mobile number, and date of birth.
• Business Account: Personal details and company information.

Step 4: Choose your currency preferences and estimate your annual transfer amount.

Step 5: You may need to upload colour copies of your ID, such as your passport, driver’s license, or national ID. However, Xe does not accept provisional driver’s licenses as ID.

Step 6: You may need to upload colour copies of your proof of address: Utility bill, bank statement, or tax document (dated within 3 months). Xe does not accept credit card statements as proof of address.

Step 7: Wait for approval

Headquartered in Seattle, Remitly is a remittance service designed for personal international money transfers to friends and family. 

With Remitly, you can send money from the UK to India through cash pickup, bank deposit, or UPI, using a network of Remitly partners in India. You can choose from providers like Ria, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda, and more. Remitly also supports small transfers, allowing senders to send as little as £5, and recipients to receive as little as ₹5.

Step 1: Visit 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 with your email address.
Step 3: Select your sending and receiving countries, then set a password.

Step 4: Provide personal details like your name, birthdate, address, a government ID (passport, SSN, ITIN, or consular card), and additional documents like utility bills or bank statements.

Step 5: Once approved, you’ll be notified.

Headquartered in Denver, Western Union is a global financial services company that facilitates money transfers both online and in person through partnerships, including with the Post Office UK, which has 4,000 branches.

With Western Union, you can send money from the UK to India, and your recipient can collect it as a cash pickup from one of many agent locations. Alternatively, you can choose a bank transfer, which also supports UPI in India, allowing instant transfers using only the recipient’s UPI ID.

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

Step 2: Enter your full name, contact details, address, phone number, country of birth, date of birth, nationality, and occupation. 

Step 3: Upload a valid ID. UK users can use a signed passport, full EU driving license, UK provisional license, non-UK EU national ID, EU residency card, emergency travel document, or ship’s passport.

Step 4: Specify a valid email address to receive updates on your registration and transaction receipts. Upon successful registration, a confirmation email will be sent.

MoneyGram is a financial services company based in the US, offering international peer-to-peer money transfers services. Transfers can be made through its online platform, mobile app, or by visiting one of its agent locations. Recipients have multiple options for receiving funds, such as cash pickup, bank account deposits, or direct transfers to mobile wallets. 

Popular countries on the MoneyGram platform include India, Jamaica, and Romania. Users in the UK can send money to India both online and in person through MoneyGram.

Step 1: Visit https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/gb/en/ or download the MoneyGram® Money Transfers App. Look for the "Register" button.

Step 2: Enter your email address, full name, and UK phone number 

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to finalise the registration process. You may need to verify your identity by submitting additional details. Have a valid government-issued photo ID ready for verification.

Step 4: Once you’ve completed the steps, wait for your account to be approved.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in London, UK, WorldRemit is a digital remittance service that enables users to send money across 130+ countries in 70+ currencies. Popular destinations for WorldRemit transfers include India, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Zambia.

For UK users, WorldRemit provides bank transfers and mobile airtime top-ups for sending money to India, allowing recipients to receive funds directly on their mobile devices. WorldRemit operates through its mobile app.

Step 1: Visit https://www.worldremit.com/en/download-our-app and scan the QR code to download the app. Registration cannot be done via the website.

Step 2: Enter your full name, email address, mobile phone number, gender, birth date, and home address.

Step 3: Choose a strong password. Then, confirm your mobile phone number via OTP verification.

Step 4: Upload a valid photo ID and a selfie for identity verification.

Step 5: Wait for Approval. 90% of accounts are verified within 4 minutes. If additional verification is needed, WorldRemit will contact you.

When sending money to India, it's essential to know your options and understand the process thoroughly to avoid costly mistakes. Here are some of the most common pitfalls to watch out for:

Selecting the appropriate payment method is crucial to ensure your funds reach their destination quickly and cost-effectively.

For starters, money transfer services typically have lower fees compared to traditional banks. These services focus solely on money transfers, which means they have fewer overhead costs and can offer more competitive fees.

In India, explore if the provider offers UPI (Unified Payments Interface) option, which is often the convenient choice to send money in the region. UPI allows for instant, real-time fund transfers between bank accounts via smartphones. All you need is a phone number or UPI ID. Using UPI, when available, can significantly streamline your money transfers to India.

While some providers advertise competitive fees or even zero transfer fees, it's essential to scrutinise the exchange rate offered. The exchange rate significantly impacts the amount your recipient will receive. Providers with low or no fees may compensate by offering less favourable exchange rates, ultimately costing you more. 

To mitigate this, always compare exchange rates and total transfer costs across different providers at the time of your transaction. Some services offer "rate locks," allowing you to secure an exchange rate in advance, providing predictability and peace of mind.​

Both the UK and India have several public holidays throughout the year, and financial institutions may operate with reduced hours or be closed entirely during these periods, which could lead to delays in your transfer.

While the two countries share some holidays, India has its unique holidays that differ from the UK. For instance, Independence Day falls on 15 August every year, and Diwali, one of the biggest festivals in India, is celebrated between October and November, though the exact date varies each year due to the Hindu lunar calendar. 

When planning your transfer, keep these dates in mind. If your transfer is initiated just before or during these holidays, it will not be processed until the next business day. Always check for specific holiday schedules with your transfer provider to avoid any unexpected delays.

The right money transfer method depends on your goals—whether it's regular remittances or large-value payments. Take a moment to compare fees, exchange rates, and delivery options before you hit send—it can make a real difference in what your recipient receives.