Send Money to the USA from India — Fast, Secure & Affordable with Orient Exchange

Whether it's for your child's education, supporting family, or settling medical bills abroad, sending money to the USA from India should be fast, legal, and cost-effective. At Orient Exchange, we make international money transfers stress-free, transparent, and 100% RBI-compliant.

Why Do People Transfer Money to the USA from India?

With over 4 million Indians living in the US, remittances from India have surged over the years. Here are the most common reasons why people transfer funds to the USA from India:

• Education Fees & Living Expenses
• Medical Treatment for Family Members
• Family Maintenance & Support (Under AD1 Category)
• Travel & Accommodation
• Visa Payments & SEVIS Fee

Checkout: Detailed 21+ Purposes proposed by RBI for Outward Remittance

How to Send Money to the USA from India: Step by Step Guide?

1. Confirm purpose, limits & paperwork

   Decide the reason for the transfer (gift, family maintenance, education, etc.). India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and RBI rules define allowable purposes and yearly limits (check LRS limits before sending).

   Note: For your transfer, please make sure you choose the appropriate RBI purpose code and have the necessary paperwork on hand (passport, PAN, KYC, beneficiary bank information, and invoice or letter, if applicable). According to RBI regulations, all outward remittances must include the purpose code and reporting.

2. Decide how much the beneficiary should receive (or how much you’ll pay)

   Choose whether you want to send a fixed USD amount (e.g. $1,000 to the recipient) or send a fixed INR amount (cost ceiling for you). This choice changes which quotes you compare.

3. Check the mid-market (true) exchange rate and each provider’s offered rate

   Look up the live mid-market rate (some times called Google Rate) — this is the baseline. Then check each provider’s offered USD to INR rate (providers often add a margin).

4. Compare all fees (not just the exchange rate)

   Fee types to compare: flat transfer fee, percentage fee, receiving fees, intermediary/SWIFT fees, and any bank correspondence charges. Banks often charge fixed commissions and add GST to fees. Always confirm whether provider fees are taken in INR or the sending currency.

5. Shortlist platforms using these evaluation criteria
   • Total cost (exchange markup + all fees) — most important.
   • Speed (instant / same day / 2–5 business days).
   • Delivery method (bank deposit, cash pickup).
   • Limits (per transfer / yearly).
   • Regulation & security (bank/AD license or regulated fintech).
   • Support & refund policy.

   Examples of commonly used providers: regulated banks, RBI licensed money-changers like Orient Exchange, and global remitters (Wise, Remitly, etc.).

6. How to calculate the total INR cost — formula + worked example

   Formula (when you choose recipient USD amount):

   Total INR cost = (Recipient USD × Provider exchange rate INR/USD) + Transfer fee (converted to INR if charged in USD) + Any bank/intermediary fees + Applicable GST / taxes (ask provider)

   Worked example (digit-by-digit): you want the recipient to receive $1,000.
   Let’s take Exchange Rate as on 16/09/2025, i.e, 1USD=88.08

   Provider A

   • Provider A exchange rate = ₹88.46 / USD.
   • Conversion: 1,000 × 88.46 = 88,460.00 INR.
   • Transfer fee = $5, charged in USD. Convert fee to INR: 5 × 88.46 = 442 INR.
   • Total A = 88,460.00 + 442.00 = 88,902.00 INR.

   Provider B

   • Provider B exchange rate = ₹88.21 / USD.
   • Conversion: 1,000 × 88.21 = 88,210.00 INR.
   • Transfer fee = 5,000 INR (flat)
   • Total B = 88,210.00 + 2,000.00 = 90,210.00 INR.

   Result: Provider A is cheaper by 90,210.00 − 88,902.00 = 1308 INR in this example. (Always compute exactly like above using the live rates/fees you see.)

   Note: providers may add GST, TCS or other levies; confirm whether these are extra and include them in the calculation. Banks explicitly state GST on outward remittance charges.

7. Final checks before initiating transfer
   • Verify beneficiary details (name, account no., SWIFT/ABA/ACH as required).
   • Confirm cut-off times, holidays, and expected credit time.
   • Ask your chosen provider for a full breakdown (rate, fee, taxes, total INR debited). Keep screenshots/receipt.
8. After transfer: verify & reconcile

   Confirm beneficiary received the exact USD amount. If not, check for intermediary charges and request the provider’s SWIFT trace. Keep transaction IDs for dispute resolution.

Modes of Money Transfer to the USA from India

1. Online Wire Transfer (SWIFT)

   The most reliable and widely accepted method for international transfers.

   • Direct bank-to-bank transfer
   • 24–48 hour processing
   • Best for education, medical, family, or privite leisure purposes
   • Enabled via RBI-authorized channels like Orient Exchange Remittance Service
2. Foreign Currency Demand Draft (FCDD)

   A trusted offline method used by individuals migrating abroad permanently.

   • Draft issued in USD
   • Sent to the US via courier
   • Takes 5–7 working days

   Pros: Cost-effective for one-time bulk payments

3. Payment Gateways (Convera, Flywire, PayMyTuition)

   Most US universities now integrate with these platforms. We help you compare, decide, and remit seamlessly.Orient Exchange supports all these platforms, helping you choose the best option, handle documentation, and complete your payment smoothly and securely.

4. Bank Wire Transfer

   One can send money to USA from India using traditional bank transfer method but this comes with many cons such as High Margin, High transfer fees and may require branch visit.

Documents Required for Sending Money to the USA

For the Sender:

• PAN Card (Mandatory)
• Passport / Aadhar / Driver's License (any valid ID proof)
• A2 Form (Declaration under RBI’s LRS scheme)
• Purpose-specific proof (invoice, admission letter, etc.)

For the Beneficiary:

• Full Name & Address
• Bank Account Details
• SWIFT Code / BIC Number
• Passport Copy (if needed)

Why Choose Orient Exchange for USA Money Transfers?

Choosing the wrong partner could cost you hidden fees, poor rates, and regulatory hassles. Here's how Orient Exchange ensures your peace of mind:

Cost & Limits

• Transfer Fee: ₹500 only
• Annual Limit: USD 250,000 per person under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)
• TCS Applicable:
  • Self funded or from family sources:
    • Up to ₹10 lakhs/ year - Nil (0%)
    • Above ₹10 lakhs/year - 20%
  • Through Education Loan (under Sec. 80E)
    • Irrespective of the amount - Nil (0%)

Is It Safe to Transfer Money Online to USA from India?

Absolutely. With Orient Exchange:

• Your data is encrypted
• Transfers are fully RBI-compliant
• You get real-time tracking and instant confirmation
• We’ve been trusted by over 2 Lakh+ customers