Ria Money Transfer review

Ria Money Transfer is a global money transfer network, founded in 1987 and based in Buena Park, California, USA. It is regulated by FinCEN, FCA, ASIC, holding client funds under the safeguarding rules those regulators require.

Ria Money Transfer advertises no transfer fee on most routes ($0-$8 depending on corridor and payment method), but the bigger cost is usually the exchange-rate markup of 0.5% - 3% above mid-market, which is built into the rate rather than shown as a line item. Transfers run from a minimum of $1 up to $25,000 per transaction. In our own rate collection, across the 66 corridors we track for Ria Money Transfer, its exchange rate has averaged 1.18% from the mid-market rate.

Ria Money Transfer quotes transfer times of minutes to 2 days, and the service reaches 190+ countries across 50+ currencies. You can fund a transfer by Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card and Cash, with money delivered via Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup and Mobile Wallet. That combination of speed and reach is what shapes where Ria Money Transfer is most competitive.

Where Ria Money Transfer stands out — massive global network (500,000+ cash pickup locations), competitive rates on popular corridors and cash pickup option in remote areas. That makes it a sensible choice for sending to recipients who need cash in hand rather than a bank deposit. The main trade-offs to weigh: rates vary significantly by corridor and exchange rate markup can be high for small amounts.