Yes, you can transfer money to an international bank account, but the method and cost depend on where the money is coming from and where it needs to go

If you are waiting for a refund, tax payment, or government benefit and need it sent to a bank account outside the United States, you have options — but not all of them work the same way. A direct transfer to a foreign bank is possible, though it usually costs more and takes longer than a domestic transfer. Some U.S. government agencies and refund processors will do it; others will not. The key is knowing which method your specific refund uses and whether that method supports international accounts.

The short answer: most U.S. tax refunds, stimulus payments, and federal benefits can be sent to a foreign bank account via SWIFT transfer or international ACH, but you will need the correct routing information and the receiving bank must accept incoming transfers from the United States. Insurance refunds and business refunds vary by company. If your refund processor or agency does not offer international transfer, you will need a workaround — usually a U.S. bank account that forwards the money, or a money transfer service.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS, Social Security, and most federal agencies can send refunds and payments to foreign bank accounts if you provide the correct SWIFT code and IBAN or account number.
  • International transfers typically cost $15 to $50 per transaction and take 3 to 10 business days, depending on the receiving country and bank.
  • Your foreign bank must accept incoming wire transfers from the United States; not all banks do, so confirm this before you request the transfer.
  • If your refund processor does not offer international transfer, opening a temporary U.S. bank account or using a money transfer service like Wise or OFX can bridge the gap.
  • You will need your foreign bank's SWIFT code, IBAN (if available), and account number — ask your bank for these details before you start the refund process.

How the IRS and federal agencies handle international transfers

The IRS will deposit a tax refund directly to a foreign bank account if you provide the routing information on your tax return. On Form 1040 or your state return, you enter the foreign bank's SWIFT code, the account number, and the IBAN (International Bank Account Number) if your country uses one. The IRS processes this the same way it processes a domestic direct deposit — the money moves through the Federal Reserve's international payment system.

Social Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and most other federal benefit programs also accept foreign bank details for direct deposit. When you set up or update your payment method, you will be asked whether the account is domestic or international. If you choose international, you will enter the same information: SWIFT code, account number, and IBAN. The agency will confirm the details before processing.

The catch: not every foreign bank accepts incoming transfers from U.S. government agencies. Some banks in certain countries do not participate in the SWIFT network, or they have restrictions on receiving U.S. government payments. Before you submit your refund request with a foreign account, contact your bank and ask whether they accept incoming wire transfers from the United States. If they do not, you will need a different approach.

What information you need from your foreign bank

Before you request an international transfer, gather four pieces of information from your bank. First, the SWIFT code (also called a BIC code) — an 8 or 11-character code that identifies your bank internationally. Second, your account number as it appears on your bank statements. Third, the IBAN (International Bank Account Number) if your country uses one — this is a standardized format that includes a country code and check digits. Fourth, the full name of the bank branch where your account is held, if the bank has multiple branches.

Your bank can provide all of this information in one call or email. Many banks list the SWIFT code and IBAN on their website or in your online banking portal. Do not guess or use an incomplete code — a wrong SWIFT code or IBAN can cause the transfer to be rejected or sent to the wrong account. Write down the information exactly as your bank gives it to you, including spaces and hyphens.

You will also need to confirm that your bank accepts incoming transfers from U.S. government agencies or refund processors. Some banks have restrictions based on the sending country or the type of payment. A quick call to your bank's international department will answer this before you submit anything.

How long international transfers take and what they cost

An international transfer from a U.S. government agency or refund processor typically takes 3 to 10 business days after the money leaves the U.S. system. The exact timeline depends on the receiving country, the receiving bank's processing speed, and whether there are any intermediate banks involved. Weekends and holidays in either country can add time.

The cost varies. If the U.S. agency or refund processor is sending the money, there is usually no charge to you — the sending institution absorbs the SWIFT fee (typically $15 to $50). However, your foreign bank may charge a receiving fee, which can range from $5 to $30 depending on the bank and country. Some banks charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the transfer amount. Ask your bank what they charge for incoming international transfers before the money arrives.

Currency conversion happens at the exchange rate on the day the money arrives in your country, not the day it was sent. You cannot lock in an exchange rate with a government transfer — the rate is whatever your bank's system uses that day. If exchange rate timing matters to you, this is a limitation of the government transfer method.

What to do if your refund processor does not support international transfer

Not every refund processor or private company offers international transfer. Some insurance companies, tax refund services, and business refund systems only send money to U.S. bank accounts. If you are in this situation, you have two main workarounds.

The first is to open a temporary U.S. bank account and have the refund sent there, then transfer the money to your foreign account yourself. Online banks like Wise, Revolut, or even a basic account at a U.S. bank can receive the refund. Once the money arrives, you can transfer it to your foreign account using that bank's international transfer service. This adds a step and may add a small fee, but it works if the refund processor will not cooperate.

The second is to use a money transfer service like Wise (formerly TransferWise), OFX, or Remitly. These services accept transfers from U.S. bank accounts and send money to foreign accounts, often at better exchange rates than traditional banks. If your refund processor can send to a U.S. bank account, you can have it sent to the money transfer service's U.S. account, then direct them to send it to your foreign bank. This usually takes 1 to 3 additional business days but often costs less than a traditional international wire.

Tracking your international transfer and what to do if it does not arrive

Once you have submitted your refund request with a foreign bank account, you can track the status through the same channels you would use for a domestic refund. The IRS has a "Where's My Refund?" tool on its website; Social Security and VA have their own tracking systems. These tools will tell you when the money has been sent, but they do not track it after it leaves the U.S. system.

After the money is sent from the U.S., tracking becomes your foreign bank's responsibility. Ask your bank for a reference number or tracking code when the transfer arrives. If the money does not show up within 10 business days, contact your bank first — they can check whether it arrived and was held for any reason. If your bank has no record of it, contact the U.S. agency or refund processor and ask for the SWIFT confirmation number and the date the transfer was sent.

International transfers can be delayed or rejected if the SWIFT code was wrong, the IBAN did not match the account number, or the receiving bank flagged the transfer for review. If this happens, the money will usually be returned to the sender, who will then contact you. Have a backup U.S. contact address on file so the agency can reach you if there is a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a foreign bank account for a tax refund if I live outside the U.S.?

Yes. The IRS will send a refund to a foreign bank account if you provide the correct SWIFT code and account number on your tax return. You must file a U.S. tax return even if you live abroad, and you can request direct deposit to any bank that accepts incoming U.S. transfers.

What if my bank says they do not accept transfers from the U.S.?

Some banks do not participate in the SWIFT network or have restrictions on U.S. government transfers. If your bank declines, you will need to use a workaround: open a temporary U.S. account, have the refund sent there, and transfer it to your foreign account yourself. A money transfer service like Wise can also receive the money and forward it.

How do I know if my SWIFT code is correct?

Ask your bank directly — do not rely on online SWIFT code databases, which can be outdated or incorrect. Call your bank's international department or check your bank statement, which often lists the SWIFT code. Confirm the code is for the specific branch where your account is held, not just the bank's main office.

Will I lose money to exchange rates on an international transfer?

Yes. The U.S. agency or refund processor will send the exact dollar amount, but your foreign bank will convert it at their exchange rate on the day it arrives. You cannot control this rate. If you want more control over the exchange rate, use a money transfer service like Wise, which often offers better rates than traditional banks.

How long does it take for money to arrive in my foreign account?

Typically 3 to 10 business days after the U.S. agency sends it. The exact time depends on the receiving country, the receiving bank's processing speed, and whether holidays fall during the transfer period. Ask your bank how long they typically take to process incoming international transfers.