Sending money overseas

An international money transfer can send money directly into a bank account almost anywhere in the world. You can choose either a telegraphic transfer or an international direct credit.

Telegraphic transfers

This is the fastest way to get money to an overseas account, but unlike with international direct credits, the bank at the other end of the transfer may deduct fees, so the full amount you send may not be credited to the recipient’s account.

How it works

Speed

Money should arrive in the account you’re sending it to within two to three business days, although the final delivery time is up to the receiving bank.

Fees for recipient

The other banks involved in processing the transfer may deduct fees, so the full amount you send may not be credited to the recipient’s account. See all fees.

Reference

You can include reference details with the payment so it can be easily identified in the recipient’s bank statement (this can’t be done with international direct credits).

International direct credits

Unlike with telegraphic transfers, no fees will be charged at the receiving end of the transaction, so the full amount you send will arrive in the recipient’s account.

How it works

Speed

It will take three to five business days to arrive in the account, depending on the country you’re sending money to.

Fees for recipient

There are no fees for the recipient, so what you send is what they get. See all fees.

Where to?

Only available to accounts in the United Kingdom in British pounds, Australia in Australian dollars and Canada in Canadian dollars. Direct credits can only be made to bank accounts, not credit cards.

Reference

Unlike with telegraphic transfers, you can’t include reference information like invoice numbers or messages that will appear on the recipient’s statement.

How to send

You can make both telegraphic transfers or international direct credits through internet banking or by going into your nearest Kiwibank. You can also download an International Money Transfer Request (PDF 76.9 KB) and email it to supportTT@kiwibank.co.nz. See the fees for making a telegraphic transfer or an international direct credit.

Information you need to make an international transfer

When you send money overseas you need specific details about the person or organisation you’re sending money to.

Australia (Direct credits and telegraphic transfers)
  • Bank and branch number (often referred to in Australia as BSB number)
  • Account number
  • Recipient’s account name
  • Recipient’s physical address, including postcode and state
UK (Direct credits and telegraphic transfers)
  • Bank and branch number (often referred to in the UK as sort code)
  • Account number or IBAN
  • Recipient’s account name
  • Recipient’s physical address
Europe (Telegraphic transfers only)
  • The IBAN number
  • SWIFT code (preferable)
  • Recipient’s account name
  • Recipient’s physical address
US (Telegraphic transfers only)
  • Bank and branch number (often referred to in the US as ABA or FedWire).
  • SWIFT code and Bank and branch name
  • Account number
  • Recipient’s account name
  • Recipient’s physical address
Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore (Telegraphic transfers only)
  • Bank and branch name
  • SWIFT code
  • Account number
  • Recipient’s account name
  • Recipient’s physical address
Canada (Direct credits and telegraphic transfers)
  • Bank and branch name
  • Bank and branch number (often referred to in Canada as institution and transit number or Electronic Fund Transactions (EFT) routing number): Note a full EFT is 9 numbers long and includes a 0 at the start
  • Account number
  • Recipient’s account name
  • Recipient’s physical address
India (Telegraphic transfers only)
  • Bank and branch name
  • SWIFT code
  • Account number
  • Recipient’s account name
  • Recipient’s physical address
  • IFSC code* (for transfers over 100,000 INR)
  • Bank address including PIN code*
  • If recipient is not an Indian resident you’ll need to refer to them as a NRE. For internet banking put this information in payee’s details.
Other countries

Other countries we recommend that you ask the recipient to confirm the details their bank needs.

The most common requirements are:

  • Bank and branch name
  • SWIFT code
  • Account number
  • Recipient’s account name
  • Recipient’s physical address

Some countries may have additional requirements.

This information is subject to change. Kiwibank accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions.