How to Send Money to US from Turkey

Whether you’re paying tuition in Boston, supporting family in New York, or getting paid for freelance work in California, one thing is universal: nobody wants to lose half their money in fees and bad exchange rates. If you’re in Turkey and need to send money to the United States in USD, the good news is that you have plenty of options. The less-good news? The details can get confusing fast.

This guide breaks down, in plain English, how to send money from Turkey to the US, how TRY–USD exchange rates actually work, and what you can do to squeeze the most value out of every lira. We’ll walk through banks, online money transfer services, and cash-transfer brands, plus practical tips and real-life-style experiences at the end.

Understanding TRY-USD Transfers from Turkey to the US

How the TRY–USD exchange rate affects you

Every time you send money from Turkey to the US, two things happen:

• The provider converts Turkish lira (TRY) to US dollars (USD).
• They charge you fees either clearly upfront, or sneakily through a marked-up exchange rate.

The “real” rate you’ll see on financial news sites or reputable currency converters is called the mid-market rate. It’s based on global currency trading and sits between the buy and sell rate used by banks. Many banks and traditional money transfer companies don’t give you that rate. Instead, they add a margin (sometimes a few percent), which effectively becomes an extra hidden fee on top of any stated transfer fee.

Key info you’ll always need

No matter which method you use, be ready with:

• Your ID (Turkish ID, passport, or residence permit).
• The recipient’s full name as it appears on their US bank account.
• Their US bank details:
  • Bank name
  • Account number or IBAN (if the bank uses it internally)
  • Routing number and/or SWIFT/BIC code
• The purpose of the transfer (family support, tuition, salary, etc.).

In Turkey, banks and money transfer providers may ask you to select a “transaction purpose code” and, for larger amounts, show documents such as invoices, tuition letters, or contracts.

The Main Ways to Send Money from Turkey to the US

1. Online money transfer services (usually best for rates)

Specialist online services are often the sweetest spot between cost and convenience when sending TRY to the US. Popular brands that frequently serve Turkey–US routes include:

• Wise (formerly TransferWise)
• Remitly
• Revolut (for some customers, via multi-currency accounts)
• Other regionally available fintech platforms

These platforms typically:

• Use or closely track the mid-market exchange rate.
• Charge a transparent fee that you see before you hit “send.”
• Let you pay via bank transfer, card, or in-app balance.
• Deliver funds to a US bank account, sometimes on the same day or within 1–2 business days.

For example, services like Wise are well-known for showing you the exact fee in TRY and the exact USD amount your recipient will receive, with the mid-market TRY–USD rate clearly listed. That transparency makes it very easy to compare against banks or other providers.

When online services are a great fit

• You want low total cost (good rate + low fee).
• You’re okay sending money directly to a US bank account.
• You’re comfortable using apps or websites and verifying your identity online.

2. Turkish bank SWIFT transfers to the US

Most major Turkish banks, such as Ziraat Bank, Türkiye İş Bankası, Garanti BBVA, Kuveyt Türk, Albaraka Türk, and others, allow you to send foreign currency abroad via SWIFT transfers using their branch network, internet banking, or mobile apps. You’ll typically send money in USD directly from your foreign currency account in Turkey to the recipient’s US bank account.

With a bank transfer, you’ll need:

• The recipient’s bank account number or IBAN (some US banks provide an internal IBAN format).
• The US bank’s SWIFT/BIC code (e.g., BOFAUS3N for Bank of America, CITIUS33 for Citi, etc.).
• The bank’s name and address (often automatically filled in once you input the SWIFT code).

Bank transfers are familiar and feel “official,” but they can be more expensive. You might see:

• A fixed outgoing wire fee in Turkey.
• A worse TRY–USD exchange rate if your bank does the conversion.
• Possible intermediary bank fees along the way.
• Fees on the US side when the funds land.

When bank transfers make sense

• You’re moving larger amounts and need a traditional bank-to-bank trail.
• The recipient prefers or requires funds deposited via SWIFT (e.g., some universities or employers).
• You already have a foreign currency account in USD at your Turkish bank, so the currency conversion happens before the transfer.

3. Cash transfer companies (Western Union, etc.)

Cash-based services like Western Union let you send funds from Turkey to the US, sometimes for cash pickup, sometimes directly to a bank account. From Turkey, you can often initiate transfers:

• In person at an agent location.
• Online or via app, with payment from your bank account or card.

These providers are convenient if your recipient doesn’t have a US bank account or needs the money quickly in cash, but:

• Per-transfer fees can be relatively high, especially for large amounts.
• The exchange rate often includes a significant markup compared with the mid-market rate.

For smaller emergency transfers, paying a premium might be worth it. For regular or high-value transfers, it’s usually not the cheapest option.

How to Get the Best TRY-USD Rate from Turkey

Step 1: Check the real mid-market rate

Before you send anything, look up the “real” TRY–USD rate on a neutral currency converter (not tied to a single bank). This gives you a baseline. If a provider’s rate is noticeably worse, that difference is hidden cost.

Step 2: Compare providers side by side

To find the best Turkey–US deal, compare at least two or three of the following:

• Your Turkish bank’s SWIFT transfer rate and fee.
• One or two online money transfer services (e.g., Wise, Remitly).
• A cash-transfer provider, if you need cash pickup in the US.

For each provider, note:

• The amount of USD the recipient actually gets.
• The total TRY cost to you, including fees.
• The estimated delivery time.

The best deal isn’t always the absolute lowest fee sometimes a slightly higher cost is worth it for faster delivery or better customer service. But for most routine transfers, total cost plus reliability is what matters.

Step 3: Time your transfer (if you can)

The Turkish lira can be volatile against the US dollar. If your transfer isn’t urgent, you might:

• Watch the TRY–USD rate for a few days or weeks.
• Use rate alerts offered by some apps so you’re notified when the rate improves.
• Avoid sending late Friday or during global holidays, when processing can be slower and spreads sometimes widen.

Of course, trying to “trade the market” for a remittance is risky. Think of timing as a small optimization, not a money-making strategy.

Step-by-Step: Sending Money from Turkey to a US Bank Account

Option A: Sending via an online money transfer service

1. Set up an account. Download the app or register on the website. Verify your identity with your ID and possibly proof of address.
2. Choose the route. Select Turkey as the sending country and the United States as the receiving country.
3. Enter the amount in TRY. The app will show you the exchange rate, fees, and the final USD amount.
4. Add recipient details. Name, US bank name, routing number, and account number.
5. Fund the transfer. Pay by bank transfer, card, or your in-app balance (depending on what’s supported in Turkey).
6. Confirm and track. You’ll get an estimated arrival time and usually real-time updates via the app or email.

Option B: Sending via a Turkish bank SWIFT transfer

1. Log in to your bank’s app or visit a branch.
2. Open a USD account if you don’t have one already, and convert TRY to USD if needed.
3. Start an international SWIFT transfer. Choose your USD account as the source.
4. Enter the recipient’s details. Name, US bank name, account number, SWIFT/BIC code, and address if required.
5. Select who pays the fees. Some forms let you choose between:
   • OUR – you cover all fees.
   • SHA – fees are shared.
6. Confirm the amount and charges. The bank should show you the fee before sending.
7. Keep the SWIFT confirmation. This includes a reference number that your recipient’s bank may ask for if there’s a delay.

Option C: Using a cash-transfer provider

1. Visit an agent or go online. Provide your ID and recipient info.
2. Choose payout method. Cash pickup or bank deposit in the US.
3. Pay in TRY or USD. The provider will show you fees and exchange rate.
4. Share the reference or MTCN number. If it’s cash pickup, your recipient will need this plus ID.

Fees, Limits, and Regulations for Sending Money from Turkey

Typical fees and limits

Fees vary widely by provider, but you’ll commonly see:

• Banks: Flat outgoing SWIFT fees, plus possible intermediary and receiving bank fees.
• Online services: A combination of a fixed fee plus a small percentage of the transfer, usually lower than banks for mid-sized transfers.
• Cash-transfer providers: Tiered fees that rise with the amount, and often a bigger exchange-rate margin.

Many providers also have transfer limits based on your verification level. For fully verified accounts, these can be quite high, but for new or lightly verified users, the limits may be relatively low until you submit more documents.

Regulatory considerations in Turkey

Turkey has anti–money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing rules overseen by MASAK. Banks must report larger outbound foreign-currency transfers over certain thresholds, and they’re allowed and required to ask questions about the source and purpose of funds.

For everyday personal remittances (like family support, tuition, or living costs), transfers are usually straightforward as long as:

• You can show where the money came from (salary, savings, etc.).
• You provide honest, clear information about the purpose of the transfer.
• You comply with your bank’s documentation requests for large or frequent transfers.

On the US side, incoming international transfers may also be monitored for AML compliance, and large or frequent transfers can draw extra questions from the receiving bank. That doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong it’s just how the system is designed.

This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. For complex situations (like large investments or business transfers), consider speaking with a qualified professional.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Sending Money from Turkey to the US

• Not checking the real exchange rate first. You can’t know if a provider’s TRY–USD rate is good unless you know the mid-market rate.
• Ignoring hidden fees in the rate. “Zero fee” offers can still cost more if the exchange rate is poor.
• Sending small amounts too frequently. If you pay a flat fee every time, dozens of small transfers can be much more expensive than one or two larger ones.
• Getting the US bank details wrong. A single digit wrong in the account or routing number can delay your money or send it to the wrong place.
• Assuming all banks or services treat fees the same way. Some charge only the sender, others split fees between sender and recipient.

Real-World-Style Experiences & Practical Tips (Extra )

Let’s talk about how this actually feels in real life. Imagine three different people in Turkey who need to send money to the US: a student, a freelancer, and a parent supporting a child abroad.

The student paying tuition in the US

Ayşe is studying in Chicago, and her parents in Istanbul need to send tuition twice a year plus monthly living expenses. The university only accepts payments via bank transfer or online payment portal.

For the big tuition payments, her parents decide to use their Turkish bank. They open a USD account, convert TRY to USD when the rate looks reasonable, and then send a SWIFT transfer to the university’s bank. They carefully check:

• The university’s bank name, account number, and SWIFT code.
• The payment reference number the university requires, so the money is correctly applied.
• Who pays the fees they choose to cover them so that Ayşe doesn’t get an awkward email saying her payment is short by $40.

For monthly living money, though, they switch to an online money transfer service. They’ve realized that:

• The total cost (fee + exchange rate) is lower than a bank wire for smaller amounts.
• Transfers usually arrive faster in Ayşe’s US account.
• They can set up recurring transfers and track everything in an app, which makes budgeting easier.

The freelancer getting paid from US clients

Mehmet is a designer in Ankara working for US startups. Some of his clients are happy to pay in USD to a US bank account he has via a fintech service; others want to send money to Turkey in TRY.

For the income flowing into Turkey, he tries two methods:

• Letting clients pay through an online freelancing platform that handles currency conversion and bank payouts.
• Giving clients his details on a specialist payment service that accepts USD and then converts to TRY in his Turkish account.

He quickly realizes that fees and exchange rates vary a lot between platforms. A 2–3% difference in costs doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re invoicing thousands of dollars a month, that’s real money. After doing the math a few times, he picks the service that:

• Gives him a near mid-market TRY–USD rate.
• Charges a lower percentage fee for higher amounts.
• Lets him withdraw funds to Turkish banks with minimal extra cost.

His pro tip: once a month, he compares how much TRY he would get for the same USD amount across two or three providers. If one starts drifting higher in cost, he switches.

The parent supporting a child in the US

Elif’s daughter lives in Texas and is working her first job. Elif occasionally helps with rent or big purchases. She doesn’t send money often, but when she does, it’s usually a meaningful amount.

At first, she uses a traditional cash-transfer company because it’s what her friends use. The daughter picks up cash in the US and deposits it herself. It works, but:

• The total fees are painful.
• Her daughter has to go to a physical location to collect the cash.

One day, her daughter opens a US bank account and sets up online banking. They switch to a specialist online transfer service that sends TRY from Turkey directly to the US bank in USD. Suddenly:

• The total cost of a 1,000 USD equivalent transfer drops.
• Her daughter doesn’t have to go anywhere the money arrives directly in her account.
• They both get app notifications when the transfer is in progress and when it arrives.

Elif still keeps the cash-transfer option in her back pocket for emergencies, but for normal situations, online bank deposits are now her go-to.

Practical “experience-based” tips for Turkey → US transfers

• Do a test transfer. Before you send a large amount, try a small transfer first to make sure all the details are correct and the route works smoothly.
• Save your recipient as a template. In your app or online banking, save the recipient’s bank information so you don’t retype it each time it reduces errors.
• Send during business days. Transfers initiated late on Friday or before holidays can sit in processing queues longer.
• Ask your US recipient to confirm their bank fees. Some US banks charge for incoming international wires. Knowing this helps you decide who should cover fees.
• Use alerts and calculators. Many services offer built-in calculators and rate alerts so you see exactly what you’re paying and what your recipient will receive before you commit.

Over time, most people in Turkey who regularly send money to the US settle on a small “toolkit”: one main online transfer service, their bank for big or formal transfers, and maybe a cash-transfer brand for rare emergencies. Once you test and compare, your own best mix becomes obvious.

Conclusion: Choose Smart, Check the Rate, Keep More Lira

Sending money from Turkey to the United States doesn’t have to feel like donating half your paycheck to mystery fees. If you:

• Check the mid-market TRY–USD rate before you send,
• Compare at least two providers, and
• Pay attention to both fees and exchange rates,

you’re already ahead of the game. Online money transfer services tend to offer some of the best overall value, while traditional banks and cash-transfer providers still have their place for specific situations.

Take a few minutes to compare, run the numbers, and then pick the combination of speed, convenience, and cost that fits your life. Your future self and your US-based recipient will thank you.

SEO Summary

sapo: Need to send money from Turkey to the United States without watching your hard-earned lira vanish into mystery fees and bad exchange rates? This in-depth guide explains exactly how TRY–USD transfers work, compares banks, online money transfer services, and cash-transfer brands, and shows you how to check the real mid-market rate so you keep more money in your pocket. From step-by-step tutorials and regulatory basics to real-world tips and experience-based scenarios, you’ll learn how to choose the best method, get competitive TRY–USD rates, and avoid common mistakes when sending money from Turkey to a US bank account.