emergency cash transfers to India?

suiko

This is one for my Mum

She wants to know how she should go about making an emergency cash trasnfer to India, in the unlikely event it should be necessary. Does one send it to a bank, or to an address in India (ie a hotel)? How long does it take?

Thanks

capt_mahajan

A normal wire transfer to a bank account in a biggish city is done within the same day

Of course, if zillions are involved, it may be done in seconds

LilBoy BigTown

Western Union are pretty quick, usually about 30 minutes. There is however a cap on the amount you can transfer and it's also expensive.

There are ways to send money for free, but they take 3 -4 working days.

suiko

Thanks. But obviously I wouldn't have a bank account in an Indian bank.

karuna

I've used Western Union and sent about 300 pounds which at the time was about Rs24,000. Picked up same day. You can do it online, but in the UK at least they need you to verify it by phone anyway, so actually less hassle in person I'd have thought.

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suiko

Thanks. Do they have shops only in the big towns?

karuna

In India, or in the UK?
Lots of corner shops and general stores in areas with high Bangladeshi/Indian/Pakistani populations in the UK have WU. You can hit about 6 within a square mile of my house! Travel agencies too.

India- I'm guessing here- big cities and tourist spots. Available in banks.

There's a list of outlets on their website.

suiko

Thanks will have a look for India. As regards UK, my Mum would have to do over the phone, as there is probably no Asian living within 50 miles of her :-)

edwardseco

The private transfer services are excellent. They are advertized in the emigre newspapers..

RPG

How about if she deposits money into your UK bank account, and then you can use your ATM card to withdraw money in India.

I realize that might not work well in all circumstances, but I don't know what the specific circumstances are.

Be careful about private transfer services. The services are sometimes operated off the books; it may work well for you but you may be assisting tax evasion, organized crime and (potentially) terrorism (see hawala).

suiko

Thanks. Transfer into my bank account is not likely to be useful, as the only occasion I could imagine for this transfer being needed is if I lose my own bank card.

So go with Western Union? Don't think there will be many emigré papers where I'm going

Haylo

I've never done this, but I do know that a money transfer company in the UK went bust a year or two back, taking a lot of people's money with them, so I'd definitely stick to a known name like Western Union.

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preeti.haldia

u can try either western union or money gram, even thomas cook do it. there is though some charges which they deduct when you will go to collect your money, and do not forget to carry some photo identification proof as well.

rtandon

Hi Suiko,

As indicated, your location is in UK. State bank of India (SBI) is a government owned (nationalised) bank and has its offices all over the world. There are several branches in UK as well. Good thing about State bank is that it has a largest network and in almost all cities and towns of India, you will have their branch. Of course most urban branches are connected via centralized banking system. You can just call your nearest SBI branch - perhaps you can avail their services of money transfer or travellers cheque. I cant say about SBI's branches in small towns but in major cities, you should be able to avail money transfer facilities. They also are a member of international money transfer network called - SWIFT. For more information, you can refer to their web site http://www.statebankofindia.com. Best would be to talk to your nearest branch.

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chad

Suiko, I don't know how soon you are leaving for India, or if you are already there, but if you are still home... what I have done is phone my bank and have them send me a spare ATM bank card. It took them only about 7 days to get it to me. Just let them know you are going to India and you want a backup card in case your other card gets misplaced, eaten by an ATM machine, the magnetic strip goes bad, or whatever other reason it could be. Make sure they don't cancel the one you already have. So then keep one card in your wallet and the other in your suitcase or whatever.