Send money to Egypt

Wise and Remitly consistently offer competitive EGP rates, especially since the 2024 exchange rate unification made provider rates more comparable. Funding via bank transfer minimizes fees. For senders in the Gulf, dedicated corridors through services like LuLu Exchange and Al Ansari Exchange are also very competitive.

Bank deposits to NBE, Banque Misr, or CIB typically settle within 1–2 business days. Vodafone Cash wallet transfers arrive in minutes. Cash pickup through Western Union agents is usually ready within an hour. InstaPay-connected transfers can arrive same-day at participating banks.

Yes. WorldRemit and some other providers support delivery to Vodafone Cash wallets in Egypt. The recipient needs a Vodafone Egypt number linked to a Vodafone Cash account. While growing, mobile wallet delivery is still less common than bank deposit for Egypt-bound remittances.

The CBE allowed the Egyptian pound to float more freely in early 2024, resulting in a significant devaluation from around 31 EGP/USD to approximately 48-50 EGP/USD. This move closed the gap between official and black market rates, meaning the rate you see from licensed providers now closely reflects the true market rate.

You need the recipient's full name (matching their bank records), bank name, branch, and account number. Egypt has adopted IBAN — Egyptian IBANs are 29 characters starting with 'EG'. Using the IBAN ensures faster routing. Major banks include NBE, Banque Misr, CIB, QNB Alahli, and Arab African International Bank.

Egypt does not tax incoming personal remittances. The government actively encourages formal remittance channels as a critical source of foreign currency reserves. In fact, the CBE has periodically offered incentive rates to attract remittances through official banking channels rather than informal hawala networks.

Yes. Western Union and MoneyGram have thousands of agent locations across Egypt, including inside post offices, banks, and dedicated exchange offices. Cash pickup is available in all 27 governorates, from Cairo and Alexandria to Upper Egypt and Sinai. Recipients need a national ID card and the transfer reference.

Egypt imposes no cap on incoming personal remittances. However, deposits above $10,000 equivalent may require the recipient's bank to file a report with Egyptian financial authorities. Your sending provider will have its own limits based on your verification tier, typically $5,000–$15,000 per transaction.

InstaPay is Egypt's real-time payment network launched by the CBE, connecting over 30 banks for instant domestic EGP transfers. Some international providers route their Egypt-bound bank deposits through InstaPay, enabling same-day delivery rather than the traditional 1–2 day settlement. Check if your provider uses InstaPay rails for faster delivery.

LuLu Exchange, Al Ansari Exchange, UAE Exchange (now Unimoni), and Al Rajhi Bank are popular for Gulf-to-Egypt transfers. These regional specialists often match or beat global providers on the AED/EGP or SAR/EGP rate. Western Union and MoneyGram also serve the Gulf corridor with wide cash pickup coverage in Egypt.