How to open a Remitly account: Step-by-step guide

Evidence tier: A1 Evidence type: Auto-discovered official publication Source: Wise Blog Official publication date: 2026-07-16 Captured: 2026-07-18T16:33:15.735Z

Remitly® is a popular money transfer provider for digital transfers worldwide. You can send money to friends and family, but you’ll likely pay a fee for most international transactions.

We take a look at how to open a Remitly account, including everything you need to know about Remitly’s features, fees, and how Remitly works for global transfers.

Looking for a low-cost transfer alternative? Open a Wise account to send, spend, and receive your money around the world at the standard mid-market exchange rate. Let’s dive in!

Learn more about Wise

What is Remitly and how does it work?

So, what is Remitly? Remitly is a digital transfer service designed for international money transfers. You can use your online Remitly account to send money to friends and family in over 175 countries.¹

Remitly’s international payment methods depend on your country and currency. For example, you can send money from the US to Mexico by cash pickup, bank or debit card deposit, and mobile wallet transfer.²

In comparison, you can send money to India by bank deposit, cash pickup, and United Payments Interface (UPI).³ Remitly works with local banks to facilitate easy global transfers.

You can also access multiple transfer speeds: Express and Economy. Express transfers are fast but come at a higher price than Remitly Economy transfers, which may take a little longer to reach your recipient.⁴

Is Remitly safe to use?

Remitly is generally considered safe. The provider uses 256-bit encryption to protect your transactions, with advanced encryption practices like AES256 and 2048-bit RSA.

Remitly uses real-time fraud monitoring and a full verification process to protect your account. This includes 2-factor authentication and identity checks.

Remitly is also a licensed platform. This means the provider must adhere to specific financial laws and regulations.

The app is a registered Money Service Business (MSB) in the US, and it follows the regulatory requirements of every country in which it operates.⁵

Although Remitly protects your account, it’s up to you to stay vigilant. Keep your login credentials private and set up strong passwords for your accounts.

How to set up your Remitly account online: step-by-step

Here’s a step-by-step guide to opening your Remitly account:

<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Step</strong></td><td><strong>Action</strong></td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Download the Remitly app or navigate to the Remitly website to start the signup process</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Enter your email address and any other details as prompted. You’ll need to create a strong password for your account</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Set up your first transfer via your online account. You’ll need to choose how much you want to send and your payment delivery method</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Enter your recipient’s personal and bank details. You’ll also need to choose your payment method from the options available</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Confirm the details of your transfer and select “Send” to complete your payment. You can track your transfer via the app⁶</td></tr></tbody></table>

Navigating Remitly account verification

You may need to verify your identity in certain cases, such as when sending your first Remitly transfer or when requesting an increase in your sending limit.

You’ll need to provide Remitly with some key documents to prove your identity, such as a passport, permanent resident card, or driver’s license.

You may also need to provide a document to prove your address, such as a bank statement, pay stub, or utility bill.⁷

Remitly will guide you through the account verification process. If you receive a notification that you need to provide Remitly with additional account information, simply follow these steps:

<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Step</strong></td><td><strong>Action</strong></td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Select the link provided and open Remitly’s Resolution Center</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Select “Complete Now”</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>See a list of verification requirements – select each one in turn and follow the on-screen instructions</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Remitly will send you a notification to confirm you’ve submitted everything the provider needs</td></tr></tbody></table>

These account verification requirements may include taking a photo of your government-issued ID, uploading a selfie, or providing additional key details about your transfer.⁸

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](https://wise.com/register?redirectUrl=%2Fonboarding%3Fintent%3DUNIFIED_ONBOARDING#/email)

Wise vs Remitly: Which is better for international transfers?

If you’re sending money to friends and family abroad, you’ll need to choose an international money transfer platform that values low-cost transfers, transparent exchange rates, and flexible features. Let’s take a closer look at Remitly vs Wise.

Exchange rates and transfer fees

Most international money transfer platforms charge hefty fees for currency conversion, so it’s important to look out for any hidden charges.

Remitly offers a one-time promotional exchange rate for international payments, but this only applies to first-time customers.

You also won’t pay a transfer fee for your first payment on the platform, but again, this offer only applies to first-time customers.

Your currency conversion rate and transfer fees for future transfers will depend on your currency, transfer method, and how much you want to send abroad.²

In comparison, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate for all transfers. That’s the ‘fair’ rate for currency conversion, with no markups or hidden fees.

All customers pay the same transparent exchange rate and transfer fees – whether it’s your first transfer or your 100th. You can even use Wise’s currency conversion calculator to work out exactly how much your transfer will cost.

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](https://wise.com/register?redirectUrl=%2Fonboarding%3Fintent%3DUNIFIED_ONBOARDING#/email)

Remitly vs Wise account capabilities

Remitly is a useful app for international money transfers, but it isn’t a flexible option for global spending. You can’t hold money in local currency, so you’ll need to convert your US dollars before sending funds overseas.

Wise is a multi-currency account, which means you can send, spend, and receive your money – all in just one place. You can hold over 40 currencies at once and switch between them with just the click of a button.

Remitly is only designed for transfers to people you know,⁹ whereas Wise can be used to transfer money to friends, pay in shops, or even run an international business!

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](https://wise.com/register?redirectUrl=%2Fonboarding%3Fintent%3DUNIFIED_ONBOARDING#/email](https://wise.com/imaginary-v2/a973dc099d869c8da1e25760d7d83c7b.jpg)](https://wise.com/register?redirectUrl=%2Fonboarding%3Fintent%3DUNIFIED_ONBOARDING#/email))

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It’s easy to open a Remitly account, but there are a few things to consider before sending money to friends and family abroad.

You’ll need to follow Remitly’s account verification process. You’ll also need to look into Remitly’s pay structure for international transfers, which can be affordable for first-time customers but expensive for returning users.

To explore your flexible, low-cost, and transparent international spending options, check out Wise.

Get a Wise Account in minutes 💰

Sources

1. Remitly - Home

2. Remitly - USD to MXN exchange rates

3. Remitly - Send money to India

4. Remitly - Remitly vs Xoom

5. Remitly - How Remitly keeps your money safe

6. Remitly - Send international money transfers

7. Remitly - Which documents can I use in the United States?

8. Remitly - How does the verification process work?

9. Remitly - What can I transfer money for?

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*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.