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Wise
Rate 157.7354 · Fee free
You send
$1,000
Recipient gets
J$157,735
J$6,100 more than the most expensive provider · 0.29% markup vs mid-market
Affiliate link · No extra cost to you
Quick answer: The cheapest way to send money to Jamaica in May 2026 is Wise, which delivers 157,735.35 JMD on a 1,000 USD transfer with a fee of zero and an exchange rate of 157.7354. According to SendMoneyCompare's comparison of 10 providers updated every 6 hours, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive provider on this corridor is 6,122 JMD.
Last reviewed: by Awais Imran, Reviews Editor
Based on 55 days of data (2026-03-18 to 2026-05-20)
Sending $1,000 from to Jamaica. Sorted by best value — most money received.
Source: SendMoneyCompare · Data updated every 6 hours from live provider APIs
WiseBest value
157.7354
Free
J$157,735.35
157.1975
Free
J$157,197.49
156.9602
$1.99
J$156,647.85
155.0144
$1.49
J$154,783.44
154.1443
$1.90
J$153,851.47
154.1443
$2.99
J$153,683.46
153.4483
Free
J$153,448.29
153.5748
$2.00
J$153,267.70
153.3692
$1.99
J$153,063.99
151.6132
Free
J$151,613.24
Potential savings: Choosing the best provider over the most expensive saves your recipient J$6,122.11 on a $1,000 transfer.
Jamaica received approximately $3.5 billion in remittances in 2023, representing over 20% of GDP. The Jamaican diaspora is concentrated in the US (particularly New York and Florida), the UK, and Canada. Western Union and MoneyGram have dominant cash pickup networks on the island, while the growing banking sector supports direct bank deposits to NCB, Scotiabank Jamaica, and JMMB.
Exchange rate
157.7354
Fee
Free
Recipient gets
J$157,735.35
Speed
Instant to 2 days
Different providers excel at different things. Here's who's best for each use case on the to Jamaica route.
Cheapest transfer
Wise
Delivers the most JMD for your money
Fastest transfer
Wise
Delivers in Instant to 2 days
Cash pickup
BOSS Money
Widest cash pickup network
Bank transfer
Wise
Best rate for bank deposit to Jamaica
Sending money to Jamaica is straightforward with the right provider. Here's how it works in 3 simple steps.
Choose how much USD you want to send, compare providers above, and pick the one offering the best JMD amount for your transfer to Jamaica.
Enter your recipient's details in Jamaica — you'll need their bank account number. Most providers verify details instantly.
Pay using bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Track your money in real-time until it arrives — bank deposit typically takes 1–2 business days.
Make sure you have these details from your recipient before starting your transfer.
Full name
Recipient's full legal name as it appears on their bank account
Bank account number
Jamaican bank account number (typically 10–14 digits)
Example: 1234567890
Bank name & branch
Name and branch of the recipient's bank (e.g. NCB, Scotiabank Jamaica)
Transit/branch number
OptionalBranch transit number for the specific bank location
Note: Jamaica does not use the IBAN system. Bank transfers require the recipient's account number, bank name, and branch. The Jamaican banking system uses transit numbers to identify specific branches.
See how much your recipient would get for common transfer amounts.
Wise
157.74 · Instant to 2 days
TapTap Send
157.20 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Paysend
156.96 · 2 days
BOSS Money
155.01 · Instant
MoneyGram
154.14 · 0-1 days
Ria Money Transfer
153.57 · Instant
Wise
157.74 · Instant to 2 days
TapTap Send
157.20 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Paysend
156.96 · 2 days
BOSS Money
155.01 · Instant
MoneyGram
154.14 · 0-1 days
Remitly
154.14 · 0.5-3 days
Wise
157.74 · Instant to 2 days
TapTap Send
157.20 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Paysend
156.96 · 2 days
XE
156.39 · 1-4 business days
BOSS Money
155.01 · Instant
MoneyGram
154.14 · 0-1 days
Transfer fees to Jamaica vary by provider and how you pay. Specialist services charge J$0–10 per transfer, while banks charge $25–50 plus a 2–5% exchange rate markup. The exchange rate markup is usually the bigger cost — always compare the total JMD your recipient receives.
The true cost of a money transfer has two components:
Transfer fee
The upfront charge — typically $0–$10 with specialist providers.
Exchange rate markup
The hidden cost — the difference between the provider's rate and the mid-market rate (158.1941).
Choose how you want to pay for your transfer. Each payment method has different costs and speeds.
Cash pickup dominates remittances to Jamaica, with agent locations in every parish. The Jamaican diaspora (mainly in the US, UK, and Canada) sends significant remittances home. Mobile wallets like Lynk are emerging but cash remains preferred.
Speed: 1–3 business days
Usually the cheapest option — lowest fees and no card processing charges
Speed: Minutes to hours
Fast and convenient — small card processing fee applies
Speed: Minutes to hours
Fastest option but highest fees — card issuer may charge cash advance fee
Speed: Minutes to hours
Convenient mobile payment — linked card fees apply
Speed: Minutes to hours
Convenient mobile payment — linked card fees apply
Speed: Varies
Pay cash at an agent location — available at select providers
Your recipient in Jamaica can receive money through these delivery methods. The best option depends on their location and preferences.
Direct transfer to Jamaican bank accounts at major banks island-wide.
Collect cash from agent locations across Jamaica — the most popular remittance method on the island.
Transfer to mobile wallets like Lynk for instant access to funds.
Important rules and requirements to know before sending money to Jamaica.
Regulatory body
Bank of Jamaica (BOJ)
Inbound transfer limits
No cap on incoming remittances — Jamaica depends heavily on diaspora remittances
Documentation you may need
Most transfers to Jamaica arrive within 1–2 business days with specialist providers. Mobile wallet and cash pickup options are often available within minutes. Bank deposits typically take 1–3 business days.
These are the most commonly used banks for receiving international transfers in Jamaica.
National Commercial Bank (NCB)
JABORJMK
Scotiabank Jamaica
NABORJMKXXX
CIBC FirstCaribbean
FCIBBJMK
JN Bank
JABORJM2XXX
Sagicor Bank Jamaica
SABORJMK
Daily best exchange rates from top providers over the last 55 days. Rates shown are for sending $100.
| Date | Xoom (PayPal) | Wise | __mid Market__ | Ria Money Transfer | MoneyGram |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trend | |||||
| May 20 | 146.2855 | 157.7330✓ | 157.2000 | 153.5800 | 154.1591 |
| May 19 | 145.9572 | 157.3540✓ | 157.2000 | 153.8200 | 154.1610 |
| May 18 | 145.8890 | 157.6720✓ | 157.2000 | 153.8700 | 154.1606 |
| May 17 | 145.8890 | 157.6720✓ | 157.2000 | 153.8700 | 154.1606 |
| May 16 | 145.8890 | 157.6720✓ | 157.2000 | 153.8700 | 154.1606 |
| May 15 | 145.4201 | 157.8010✓ | 153.8200 | 153.8200 | 153.6324 |
| May 14 | 145.8406 | 157.5590✓ | 153.8200 | 153.8200 | 153.6324 |
| May 13 | 145.8906 | 157.2850✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 12 | 146.1196 | 157.7660✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 11 | 145.5213 | 156.8550✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 10 | 145.5213 | 156.8550✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 9 | 145.5213 | 156.8550✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 8 | 145.4109 | 157.3160✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 7 | 145.4136 | 157.2930✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 6 | 145.3974 | 156.9140✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 5 | 145.3586 | 156.9230✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 4 | 145.3028 | 157.1000✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 3 | 145.3028 | 157.1000✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 2 | 145.3028 | 157.1000✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| May 1 | 144.9668 | 157.1050✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 30 | 144.5323 | 156.4850✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 29 | 144.9275 | 156.5600✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 28 | 145.3278 | 156.9950✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 27 | 145.6284 | 157.1110✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 26 | 145.6284 | 157.1110✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 25 | 145.6284 | 157.1110✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 24 | 145.5884 | 157.3100✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 23 | 145.7580 | 157.3480✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 22 | 145.6265 | 157.2060✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 21 | 145.6392 | 157.7980✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 20 | 146.1233 | 156.9500✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 19 | 146.1233 | 156.9500✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 18 | 146.1233 | 156.9500✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 17 | 145.8592 | 157.3700✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 16 | 145.6543 | 157.3500✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 15 | 145.5466 | 157.1110✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 14 | 145.6374 | 157.9890✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 13 | 145.6073 | 157.5130✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 12 | 145.6073 | 157.5130✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 11 | 145.6073 | 157.5130✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 10 | 146.1873 | 157.4940✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 9 | 146.1089 | 157.4940✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 8 | 145.4191 | 156.9870✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 7 | 145.7576 | 156.9640✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 6 | 145.6118 | 156.7730✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 5 | 145.6220 | 156.7840✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 4 | 145.6220 | 156.7840✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 3 | 145.7705 | 157.0790✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 2 | 145.4987 | 156.9850✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Apr 1 | 145.4111 | 157.0060✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Mar 31 | 145.9066 | 157.4480✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Mar 30 | 145.9326 | 157.0080✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Mar 29 | 145.7493 | 156.9890✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Mar 28 | 145.7493 | 156.9840✓ | 153.3000 | 153.3000 | — |
| Mar 18 | 144.8241 | 155.6600✓ | 155.6600✓ | — | — |
Wise and Remitly offer competitive JMD rates for bank deposit delivery. Western Union and MoneyGram are most popular for cash pickup. Ria is competitive for smaller amounts. JMD has moderate exchange rate volatility — compare total JMD received at the time of your transfer rather than relying on past rates.
Western Union and MoneyGram both have extensive Jamaican agent networks. Send via the provider's app or website, select 'cash pickup' as delivery method, and give your recipient the MTCN (transfer number). They visit an agent (NCB branch, Western Union outlet) with valid ID. Pickup is typically available within minutes of the sender completing payment.
You need the recipient's account number, full name, and the bank's routing/SWIFT code. Key SWIFT codes: NCB (NCRBJMKX), Scotiabank Jamaica (NOSCJMKX), JMMB Bank (JBMBJMKX). Jamaica does not use IBAN. Always confirm the exact account details with your recipient as NCB and Scotiabank have both savings and chequing account formats.
Western Union and MoneyGram cash pickup is available within minutes. Bank deposits via Wise or Remitly typically arrive within 1–2 business days. Express options from Remitly can deliver within hours for a small premium.
No. Personal remittances received in Jamaica are exempt from income tax. The BOJ and government have no withholding tax on inbound transfers. Large transfers may trigger AML reporting by the receiving bank for amounts over USD 10,000, but this does not prevent receipt or trigger any tax liability.
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