You can send money to Jordan through online transfer services, bank wires, or cash pickup networks spread across the country. The method you choose depends on how fast your recipient needs the funds, whether they have a bank account, and how much you want to pay in fees and exchange rate markups. Here’s how each option works and what to expect.
Online Transfer Services
Online platforms are the most common way to send money to Jordan from abroad. Services like Wise, Remitly, Western Union, and WorldRemit let you initiate a transfer from your phone or computer, typically delivering funds within minutes to a few business days depending on the delivery method you select.
Wise is known for using the mid-market exchange rate, which is the real rate you’d see on Google or Reuters, with a small upfront fee instead of a hidden markup. This makes it one of the cheaper options for bank-to-bank transfers into Jordanian dinar (JOD) accounts. Remitly and Western Union offer more flexibility in how your recipient actually receives the money, including cash pickup at physical locations throughout Jordan. Each service sets its own fee structure based on the amount you’re sending, how you pay (debit card, credit card, or bank transfer), and the delivery speed you choose.
To use any of these services, you’ll need to create an account and verify your identity. That usually means uploading a government-issued ID and providing your address. First-time verification can take a few hours to a day, but once your account is set up, future transfers go much faster. You’ll also need your recipient’s full name as it appears on their ID, and for bank deposits, their account number and bank name.
Bank Deposits
If your recipient has a bank account in Jordan, you can send money directly into it. Several major Jordanian banks accept incoming international transfers, including Arab Bank, Bank of Jordan, Cairo Amman Bank, Jordan Ahli Bank, and Jordan Kuwait Bank. You can reach these accounts either through an online transfer service or by initiating a wire transfer from your own bank.
A traditional bank wire from a U.S. or European bank typically costs $25 to $50 in outgoing fees, and the receiving bank in Jordan may charge an additional fee on its end. The exchange rate your bank applies will almost always include a markup over the mid-market rate, which quietly adds to your cost. For a $1,000 transfer, that markup alone can cost $20 to $40 on top of the wire fee.
Online services sending to the same bank accounts usually charge lower fees and offer better exchange rates. The tradeoff is that bank wires sometimes arrive faster for very large amounts, and some people feel more comfortable routing money through their own bank. For most transfers under a few thousand dollars, an online service will save you money.
Cash Pickup
Cash pickup is the best option when your recipient doesn’t have a bank account or needs physical currency quickly. Jordan has a wide network of banks and licensed exchange houses where recipients can collect funds in person, often within minutes of you completing the transfer.
Popular cash pickup locations include Al Alami Exchange, Abu Sheikha Exchange, Saudi Exchange, Zamzam Exchange, and Zarqa Exchange, along with major banks like Arab Bank, Bank of Jordan, and Cairo Amman Bank. Jordan Post also serves as a pickup point. These locations are spread across Amman and other cities, so your recipient is unlikely to be far from one.
To pick up cash, your recipient will need a valid ID (national ID card or passport) and the transaction reference number you receive after sending. Some services also require a security question and answer that you set during the transfer. Cash pickup fees tend to be slightly higher than bank deposit fees, but the speed and convenience make it worth it when your recipient needs funds right away.
Mobile Wallets
Jordan operates a national mobile payment system called JoMoPay, overseen by the Central Bank of Jordan. It allows users to send money person-to-person, pay bills, make purchases, and withdraw cash from ATMs across the country. The system works through banks and licensed mobile wallet providers registered with the central bank.
JoMoPay is widely used for domestic transactions, but direct international deposits into Jordanian mobile wallets from abroad are still limited. Most people sending money from outside Jordan will need to use a bank deposit or cash pickup as the first step, and the recipient can then load funds into their mobile wallet locally. Some transfer services are gradually adding mobile wallet delivery in various countries, so it’s worth checking whether your preferred platform supports direct wallet transfers to Jordan at the time you send.
How Much It Costs
The true cost of sending money to Jordan has two parts: the upfront fee and the exchange rate markup. Many services advertise low fees but make their profit by giving you a worse exchange rate than the real mid-market rate. Always compare the total amount your recipient will receive in Jordanian dinar, not just the fee you’re charged.
For a typical transfer of $500 from the United States, online services generally charge between $1 and $10 in fees for bank deposits, and $3 to $15 for cash pickup. The exchange rate markup on top of that varies widely. Services like Wise that use the mid-market rate charge no markup at all, while others may add 1% to 3% on the exchange rate. On $500, a 2% markup means your recipient gets roughly $10 less in dinar value.
Credit card funding usually costs more than a debit card or bank transfer. If speed isn’t critical, paying from your bank account and choosing standard delivery (one to three business days) will almost always be the cheapest combination.
How Long Transfers Take
Cash pickup transfers are the fastest, often available within minutes once you complete payment. Bank deposits through online services typically arrive within one to two business days, though some services offer same-day delivery for an additional fee. Traditional bank wires take one to three business days on average, sometimes longer if the transfer passes through intermediary banks.
Transfers sent on weekends or Jordanian holidays may be delayed until the next business day. Jordan’s weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re sending from a country where the weekend is Saturday and Sunday. A transfer you initiate on a Thursday evening might not process until Sunday in Jordan.
Sending Larger Amounts
Most online transfer services set daily or per-transaction limits that increase as you complete additional identity verification. Initial limits might cap you at $2,500 to $5,000 per transfer. Providing additional documentation, such as proof of income or a utility bill, can raise your limit to $10,000 or more.
For very large sums, a bank wire may be more practical since banks generally accommodate higher amounts without the same tiered verification process. Keep in mind that transfers over $10,000 from the United States trigger a currency transaction report filed by your bank, and Jordan has its own anti-money-laundering reporting requirements. Neither of these creates a problem for legitimate transfers, but they can occasionally add a small delay while the transaction is reviewed.
If you’re sending money regularly, such as supporting family or covering rent, setting up a recurring transfer through an online service can lock in a consistent schedule and sometimes qualify you for lower fees on repeat transactions.