What "international bank" means and why it matters for your refund
An international bank is one that operates in multiple countries and can receive money transfers across borders. For refund purposes, this matters because some refunds—tax refunds, insurance payouts, business settlements—may be sent by wire transfer or ACH to a bank account you hold outside the United States. A bank that only operates in one country may not be able to receive those transfers, or may charge steep fees to do so.
The term "international bank" does not have a single official definition. What matters is whether your specific bank can receive incoming wire transfers from U.S. sources and whether it has the routing infrastructure to do so. A large bank with branches in multiple countries is more likely to handle this than a small local bank, but size alone does not may provide it.
If you are waiting for a refund to arrive at a bank account outside the U.S., you need to know whether that bank can receive the transfer method the refund sender is using. Different refund sources use different methods—some wire through SWIFT, some use ACH, some use intermediary banks—and not every bank accepts all of them.
Key Takeaways
- International banks are those with the infrastructure to receive wire transfers and other cross-border payments from U.S. sources, but size and branch count do not may provide this capability.
- Before a refund is sent to your foreign bank account, contact that bank directly to confirm it can receive the specific transfer method the refund sender will use.
- Large multinational banks like HSBC, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and ING are more likely to have U.S. routing infrastructure than smaller regional banks.
- You will need your bank's SWIFT code, IBAN, and sometimes an intermediary bank's details to receive a wire transfer from the United States.
- Wire transfer fees charged by foreign banks can range widely; ask your bank for the exact cost before the transfer is sent.
Large multinational banks that commonly receive U.S. transfers
Banks with a significant U.S. presence or U.S. correspondent relationships are more likely to receive wire transfers from American refund sources. HSBC, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, ING, BNP Paribas, and Santander all operate in the U.S. and maintain relationships with U.S. financial institutions that allow them to receive incoming wires. These banks have SWIFT codes and can provide you with the routing information a U.S. sender needs.
However, having a U.S. presence does not mean every branch or account type can receive U.S. transfers. A checking account at a Barclays branch in London may have different capabilities than a savings account at the same bank. Before you provide your account details to a refund sender, call your bank's international services department and ask them directly whether your specific account can receive a wire transfer from the United States.
Regional and smaller banks vary widely. Some have correspondent relationships with U.S. banks and can receive transfers; others do not. A bank that operates only in one country or region is less likely to have this infrastructure, but it is not impossible—you must ask.
What information you need to give the refund sender
When a refund is being sent by wire to your foreign bank account, the sender will ask for several pieces of information. You will need your SWIFT code (also called a BIC code), which identifies your bank internationally. You will also need your IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which identifies your specific account. Some senders also ask for your bank's name, address, and country.
In some cases, the sender may need the name and details of an intermediary bank—a U.S. bank that your foreign bank uses to receive transfers. Not all foreign banks have direct relationships with U.S. banks, so the transfer may route through an intermediary. Your bank can tell you whether one is needed and provide those details.
Do not provide this information until you have confirmed with your bank that it can receive the transfer. If you give incorrect or incomplete information, the transfer may be delayed or rejected, and you will have to contact the sender to resubmit it.
Banks that may have difficulty receiving U.S. transfers
Small local banks, credit unions, and banks in countries with limited U.S. financial relationships may not be able to receive wire transfers from the United States. Banks in countries under U.S. sanctions or with strict capital controls may also face barriers. If your bank is very small or operates only in your home country, it may not have a SWIFT code or U.S. correspondent relationships.
Some banks in developing countries, even if they are large domestically, may not have the infrastructure to receive U.S. wires. This is not a reflection of the bank's quality or stability—it is simply a matter of whether they have built those international connections. A bank that cannot receive a wire transfer may still be able to receive money through other methods, such as a money transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, though those typically carry higher fees.
How to confirm your bank can receive the refund
Contact your bank's international services or wire transfer department. Tell them you are expecting a wire transfer from the United States and ask whether your account can receive it. Provide them with the name of the organization sending the money if you have it—some banks have restrictions on transfers from certain types of senders.
Ask your bank for the following information in writing: your SWIFT code, your IBAN, the name and address of any intermediary bank, and the exact fee they will charge to receive the transfer. Write down the name and employee ID of the person you spoke with, in case you need to follow up later.
If your bank says it cannot receive U.S. wire transfers, ask whether they offer alternative methods. Some banks can receive transfers through money transfer services, though this usually costs more and takes longer. If your bank cannot receive the refund at all, you may need to open an account at a different bank before the refund is sent.
Fees and timing for international wire transfers
Wire transfer fees charged by foreign banks vary widely. Some banks charge a flat fee (ranging from $10 to $50 or more), while others charge a percentage of the transfer amount. Some charge both an incoming wire fee and a fee to convert the currency if the transfer arrives in U.S. dollars and your account is in another currency. Ask your bank for the total cost before the transfer is sent.
Wire transfers typically arrive within one to three business days, though this depends on time zones and whether the sending bank and receiving bank both process the transfer on the same day. If the transfer is sent on a Friday afternoon in the U.S., it may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday in your country. Weekends and holidays in either country can add delays.
Some refund sources, such as state tax agencies, may take several weeks to process and send the wire even after your refund is approved. The wire itself is usually fast; the delay is in the sender's processing, not in the transfer itself.
What to do if the transfer is delayed or rejected
If you were told the refund would arrive by a certain date and it has not, contact the organization that sent it. Ask them to confirm that the wire was actually sent, the date it was sent, and the amount. Ask them to provide you with the wire reference number or tracking number.
If the wire was sent, contact your bank and provide them with the wire reference number. Ask them to search their incoming transfers for that reference. If the wire arrived but has not been credited to your account, ask your bank why it is being held and when it will be released.
If the wire was rejected, the sending organization should have received a rejection notice from your bank. Ask the sender to share that notice with you so you can see what went wrong. Common reasons include an incorrect IBAN, a SWIFT code that does not match your account, or a bank that cannot receive transfers from that particular sender. Once you know the reason, you can provide corrected information and ask the sender to resubmit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive a U.S. tax refund at a bank account outside the United States?
Yes, but the IRS requires you to provide a U.S. bank account for direct deposit. If you do not have one, you can have the refund mailed as a check to your foreign address, though this takes longer and the check may be difficult to deposit at a foreign bank. Some people open a temporary U.S. bank account online, receive the refund there, and then wire it to their foreign account.
What if my bank does not have a SWIFT code?
A bank without a SWIFT code cannot receive international wire transfers. Contact your bank to confirm whether they have one. If they do not, you will need to use a different bank or a money transfer service to receive the refund.
Will my bank charge me to receive the wire transfer?
Most banks charge a fee to receive an incoming international wire transfer. The amount varies by bank and by the size of the transfer. Ask your bank for the exact fee before the transfer is sent so there are no surprises.
How long does it take for a wire transfer to arrive at a foreign bank?
Wire transfers typically arrive within one to three business days, but this depends on time zones and whether both banks process transfers on the same day. If the transfer is sent on a Friday, it may not arrive until the following Tuesday or Wednesday.
What should I do if the wire transfer is rejected?
Ask the sending organization for the rejection notice from your bank. The notice will explain why the transfer failed—usually an incorrect IBAN, wrong SWIFT code, or a bank that cannot receive transfers from that sender. Correct the information and ask the sender to resubmit.