Colombia received over $11 billion in remittances in 2024, much of it from family members in the United States. With a strong banking system and Bancolombia's wide reach, sending pesos home is one of the more flexible corridors in Latin America. For a primer on how the broader system works, see what is a remittance.
This 2026 guide breaks down the cheapest, fastest, and safest ways to send money from the US to Colombia, including bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile wallet options.
What You Need to Send Money to Colombia
Most apps require:
- A US bank account, debit card, or credit card to fund the transfer
- A government-issued ID, usually a passport or driver's license
- The receiver's full legal name
- The receiver's Colombian ID number, called the cédula
- The destination type: bank deposit, cash pickup, or mobile wallet like Nequi or Daviplata
Bank deposits to Bancolombia, Davivienda, and BBVA Colombia usually arrive within minutes. Cash pickup is available at thousands of agent locations across the country.
New arrivals without an SSN can still send money. Most major apps accept ITINs or passport-based verification. The Current Build Card is a popular funding source for international students and recent immigrants because the underlying account opens without an SSN. For more no-SSN-friendly options, see the best credit cards for new immigrants.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee, 0% APR. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on dining and groceries. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on dining & groceries (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum, no APR
Top Apps to Send Money to Colombia
Wise
Wise applies the mid-market rate plus a small fee, around $4 to $7 for a $500 transfer. Money typically arrives in minutes to 1 business day. Wise supports bank deposit to all major Colombian banks.
Remitly
Remitly offers Express delivery (minutes, debit card funded) and Economy delivery (3 to 5 business days, bank funded). Both options support deposits to Bancolombia, Davivienda, and Banco de Bogotá, plus cash pickup at SuperGiros, Banco Agrario, and Western Union agents.
Xoom
Xoom, owned by PayPal, supports bank deposit and cash pickup at hundreds of locations in Colombia. Strong on speed for amounts under $1,000.
Western Union and MoneyGram
Both offer fast cash pickup through their large agent networks, including SuperGiros, Banco Agrario, and Efecty. App fees have come down to around $2 to $5 for most transfers.
Nequi and Daviplata Direct
Nequi and Daviplata are Colombia's most popular mobile wallets. Apps like Remitly and Xoom now support direct deposits to these wallets, which arrive in seconds and let the receiver use the funds immediately.
Fee Comparison for a $500 Transfer
A snapshot of typical costs sending $500 from the US to Colombia.
- Wise: $4 to $7 fee, mid-market rate, lands in minutes
- Remitly Express: $3.99 fee, slight markup, lands in minutes
- Remitly Economy: $0 fee, slightly weaker rate, 3 to 5 business days
- Xoom: $4.99 fee, small markup, 1 business day
- Western Union app: $2.99 fee, 1% to 2% markup
- MoneyGram online: $1.99 to $4.99 fee, 1% markup
- US bank wire: $25 to $50 fee, 2% to 4% markup
Wise and Remitly Economy usually win on total cost. Western Union and MoneyGram catch up when promo codes apply or for cash pickup in remote towns. To stretch the savings further, see our roundup of the cheapest way to send money internationally.
Bank Deposit vs Cash Pickup vs Mobile Wallet
Each delivery method has trade-offs.
- Bank deposit: Best for receivers with Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA, or Banco de Bogotá accounts. Lands in minutes to 1 business day.
- Cash pickup: Best for receivers in small towns without bank accounts. SuperGiros, Banco Agrario, and Efecty cover most of the country.
- Mobile wallet: Best for younger receivers who already use Nequi or Daviplata. Lands in seconds and is great for paying merchants directly.
Mobile wallets are growing fast. If your family member has Nequi or Daviplata, that is often the cheapest and fastest option.
Tips to Save More on Every Transfer
- Send larger amounts less often. Most apps have a fixed fee, so $2,000 once beats $500 four times.
- Fund with a bank account when speed is not urgent. Debit card funding adds 1% to 2%.
- Compare three apps before sending. Promo codes can wipe out the fee on first transfers.
- Track the family budget. Monarch Money helps you see monthly totals and spot patterns.
- Build US credit on the side. Better credit unlocks lower fees on US loans, cards, and even car financing.
The Self Visa® Credit Card, OpenSky, and Kikoff Secured Credit Card all report monthly to all three bureaus and are easy to start. Many Colombian-American senders pair these with a Self.Inc Credit Builder Account to grow savings and credit at the same time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Misspelled receiver name. Colombian banks check names carefully.
- Missing cédula. Most banks require the receiver's national ID number for compliance.
- Wrong account type. Confirm whether the account is savings (cuenta de ahorros) or checking (cuenta corriente).
- Sending right at peso volatility spikes. The peso swings, so a small wait can save 1% to 2%.
- Using credit card funding. Adds a 1% to 3% surcharge plus possible cash advance fees.
When Cash Pickup Wins
Cash pickup remains the right choice when the receiver lives outside a major city or does not have a bank account. SuperGiros, Banco Agrario, and Efecty have agents in even small rural towns.
For pickup, the receiver needs:
- A government-issued ID, usually their cédula
- The reference number you provide
- The exact amount and your full legal name
Cash pickup fees are usually $1 to $3 higher than bank deposit, so use it only when needed.
Final Word
Sending money to Colombia is fast, flexible, and competitive in 2026. Wise and Remitly are the cheapest for most bank deposits, while mobile wallet transfers through Nequi or Daviplata are growing as the cheapest and fastest option for younger receivers.
Match the delivery method to your family's needs. Compare apps before each big transfer. Pair smart sending with a credit-building tool, and your remittance routine becomes part of building a stronger financial future on both sides of the corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to send money to Colombia?
Wise and Remitly Economy are usually the cheapest for bank deposit. Mobile wallet transfers through Nequi or Daviplata can be even cheaper for receivers who use those apps.
Can I send money to Nequi from the US?
Yes. Apps like Remitly and Xoom now support direct deposits to Nequi and Daviplata. Money usually lands in seconds and can be spent immediately.
How long does it take to send money to Colombia?
Most app-based bank deposits land in minutes to 1 business day. Mobile wallet transfers arrive in seconds. Bank wires from a US bank can take 1 to 3 business days.
Do I need a Social Security number to send money to Colombia?
No. Most major apps accept ITINs or passport numbers for identity verification. The Current Build Card is a popular funding source for new arrivals to the US.
