Ria Money Transfer Review
Ria Money Transfer is one of the largest international money transfer services in the world, with a network spanning 190+ countries and 500,000+ agent locations. Recipients can pick up cash at a local agent, receive funds directly into their bank account, or collect through a mobile wallet.
In this review, we cover Ria's fees, exchange rates, transfer limits, delivery speeds, and security features so you can decide if it's the right service for your needs.
How We Rate Ria Money Transfer
At Financer, all money transfer apps go through a thorough research and review process. Here's how we rate Ria Money Transfer:
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
Transfer fees | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Transfer time | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Transfer methods | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Transparency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Overall | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Here's what we'll cover in this review:
Want to skip the details? Jump to our final verdict here.
Ria Money Transfer Overview
Ria is a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide and one of the largest money transfer services globally, operating in 190+ countries with over 500,000 agent locations. The company has been in operation since 1987, making it one of the most established remittance providers.
Here's a quick summary of Ria Money Transfer:
| Overview | Features |
|---|---|
Transfer time: | 15 minutes to 4 business days |
Countries supported: | 190+ |
Ways to send: | Online, in-person, and mobile app |
Ways to receive: | Cash pickup, bank deposit, mobile wallet |
Funding methods: | Bank account, credit card, debit card, cash (at 7-Eleven) |
Transfer fees: | $0.99 - $9 per transfer |
Max. transfer amount: | $2,999.99/day, $14,999.99 every 30 days (U.S.) |
Security: | Multi-factor authentication, identity verification, FinCEN-registered MSB |
Requirements: | Government-issued photo ID, recipient name and phone number, must be 18+ |
Ria also partners with major retail locations and banks so customers can access transfer services conveniently. The Ria Money Transfer app (rated 4.9/5 on the App Store) lets you send money on the go with real-time tracking and push notifications.
With Ria's phone-to-phone transfers, you enter the recipient's phone number or email address and transfer funds using your debit card.
For those who prefer in-person service, Ria has agent locations in 190+ countries where you can walk in and send cash directly.
Ria Money Transfer Fees
Ria has a variety of promotions that can make it more affordable to send money abroad. You can check the website for current promotions, which often include free money transfers and discounts.
One of the most common questions about Ria Money Transfer charges is how much each transfer actually costs. Here is a summary of Ria Money Transfer's rates:
- Your exchange rate is locked in at the time your transaction is processed, not when you place the order.
- The exchange rate for sending money abroad could be different from the exchange rate for receiving money, depending on where you are sending it from and where you are receiving it from.
- You can lock in an exchange rate before you send money abroad or before you receive money internationally, or at any time during the transaction process (for example, if there are fluctuations between the time that your order is placed and fulfilled).
It's free to receive money if it's left for cash pickup at a physical location. If you're sending money to a friend or family member, they can pick up the money at a location near them. It's free to receive money if it's left for cash pickup at a physical location.
Ria's transfer fees range from $0.99 to $9 depending on the destination country, payment method, and delivery option. Paying with a bank account tends to be the cheapest method.
However, fees vary depending on where you are and where your recipient is.
The total cost includes both the upfront fee and the exchange rate markup. Check Ria's online calculator before sending to see the full cost for your specific transfer.
Exchange Rates
Ria adds a margin to the mid-market exchange rate, typically between 0.25% and 3.5% depending on the currency pair and destination. Unlike some competitors, Ria offers the same exchange rate regardless of how much you send.
The markup is one area where Ria falls behind newer online-only services. Your exchange rate locks in when the transaction processes, not when you place the order.
To see the true cost of a transfer, compare Ria's displayed rate against the current mid-market rate. This gives you a clear picture of the total markup.
Processing Times
- Bank account. Using a bank account to pay for your transfer is usually the least expensive option, but it may take up to 4 business days for the money to arrive.
- Credit or debit card. Using a credit or debit card to pay for your transfer may require a fee, but the money usually arrives within 15 minutes.
- Cash. Quickly send money to friends and family, conveniently from participating 7-Eleven locations. Here’s how it works:
When you choose cash as your payment method, you’ll receive a PayNearMe barcode. Take this barcode and your cash to a 7-Eleven PayNearMe location to complete your money transfer.
Please keep in mind that if your transfer is not completed within 24 hours from the time it was created, it will be canceled.
How to Send Money with Ria Money Transfer
Before sending money, you'll need to create an account and provide personal identification. If you're wondering how does Ria Money Transfer work, the process is straightforward. You need:
- a valid bank account
- your recipient's information
- your ID (you must be 18 years old or older)
As long as you have verified your identity by adding a photo of yourself holding up two pieces of ID and uploading them into your profile on Ria’s website, sending money between accounts is easy.
Just choose “send money abroad” from within your account overview page, then select which currency you want to use for your transaction.
From there all that remains is entering how much money you want to send along with any additional details about where it should be paid out (bank details will be needed if using an international bank).
How the Recipient Receives Money
Ria enables your recipient to pick up their money in one of three ways:
- Bank deposit
- Cash pickup at an agent location
- Home delivery (not available in all locations)
When picking up a cash transfer, your recipient will need to bring their government-issued photo ID and the transfer’s unique PIN (personal identification number).
How to Pay for a Money Transfer
You can pay for your transfer using a bank account, credit card, debit card, or cash at a participating 7-Eleven location.
Ria also accepts payment through mobile wallets and prepaid debit cards for select destinations. Each payment method comes with different fees and processing times, so it's worth comparing before you send.
Your recipient's available payout options depend on the destination country. Common options include:
- Cash pickup at one of 500,000+ agent locations worldwide
- Bank deposit directly into a local bank account
- Mobile wallet for supported countries and providers
Some countries have more options than others. For example, India supports bank deposit and mobile wallet but not cash pickup in all areas. Check Ria's website for country-specific availability.
Our Ria Money Transfer Review
Ria earns solid marks for its global reach and delivery options. With 500,000+ agent locations in 190+ countries, it covers more ground than most competitors when it comes to cash pickup availability.
The mobile app experience is strong (4.9/5 on iOS), and the ability to send as little as $1 with no minimum makes it accessible for small remittances.
Conclusion
Ria has been operating since 1987 and has built a strong reputation as a reliable remittance provider. So is Ria Money Transfer legit? Absolutely. As a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide (NASDAQ: EEFT) and a FinCEN-registered Money Services Business, Ria meets strict regulatory standards.
Fees are competitive for many corridors, starting at $0.99 per transfer. The exchange rate markup of 0.25-3.5% is average for the industry but higher than online-only providers.
The main drawbacks are the $2,999.99 daily sending limit for online transfers and inconsistent customer service quality. If you regularly send larger amounts, you may find other services more accommodating.
For frequent, smaller transfers where the recipient needs cash pickup, Ria is a solid choice.
Ria Money Transfer - FAQs
Can I pay with cash after starting my Ria money transfer online?
Yes. You can visit a participating 7-Eleven location and use the PayNearMe barcode provided after placing your order online. Bring the barcode and cash to complete the transfer. Cash-funded transfers are limited to $495 per transaction.
How much money can I send with Ria?
From the U.S., you can send up to $2,999.99 per day and $14,999.99 every 30 days for non-cash payment methods. Cash-funded transfers are capped at $495 per transaction. Residents of Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico have a lower daily limit of $999.99.
Is Ria Money Transfer safe and legit?
Yes. Ria Money Transfer has been in operation since 1987 and is a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide (NASDAQ: EEFT). It is registered with FinCEN as a Money Services Business and uses multi-factor authentication and identity verification to protect transfers.
Can I send cash with Ria?
Yes, Ria has a cash pickup option. Your recipient can collect their money at one of over 500,000 Ria agent locations in 190+ countries worldwide.
How do I track a Ria money transfer?
Visit the tracking page on Ria's website or use the Ria mobile app. Enter your order number, PIN, or reference number along with the sender's date of birth and the recipient's country to check the status of your transfer.
Which is better, Ria or Western Union?
Both services have extensive global networks. Ria generally offers lower fees (starting at $0.99 vs. Western Union's higher minimums) and competitive exchange rates. Western Union has a larger agent network and higher transfer limits. For smaller, frequent transfers with cash pickup, Ria often costs less.