Sending Money to Americans Overseas

The State Department strongly encourages you to use commercial services, such as credit card advances, ATMs or Western Union. These services are generally much faster than the State Department transfer system. If you cannot use a commercial service, the State Department will help you transfer money to a U.S. citizen suffering a financial emergency abroad. When you use this service, we establish a trust account in the recipient's name and send the money overseas. We charge a $30 processing fee. Remember this service is only for emergencies.