Sending money from Canada to India is one of the most common international money transfers — and costs vary dramatically depending on the service you use. This guide compares the best options for 2025.
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| Service | Typical Fee (on $1,000 CAD) | Exchange Rate | Transfer Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise (formerly TransferWise) | ~$6–10 CAD | Mid-market rate + 0.5% | 1–2 business days |
| Remitly | $0–4 CAD (promotional) | Slightly below mid-market | Minutes to 3 days |
| Western Union Online | $5–15 CAD | Below mid-market | Minutes to 1 day |
| Bank Wire Transfer | $15–25 CAD | 2–3% below mid-market | 2–5 business days |
| PayPal/Xoom | $10–25 CAD | Below mid-market | Minutes to 1 day |
Best Option: Wise
Wise consistently offers the best combination of low fees and mid-market exchange rates for CAD to INR transfers. Key features:
- Transparent fees shown upfront before you confirm
- Uses the real mid-market rate (Google's exchange rate)
- Recipient receives funds directly to an Indian bank account
- Supports NEFT, IMPS, and RTGS delivery
- Available via web and mobile app
How to Calculate What Your Recipient Gets
The two costs to watch are: (1) the explicit fee (what the service charges you in CAD), and (2) the exchange rate margin (the difference between the mid-market rate and what rate they give you). Many services charge no upfront fee but profit from a poor exchange rate.
Example: Sending $1,000 CAD to India
- Mid-market rate: 1 CAD = 62 INR → recipient gets ₹62,000
- Wise (fee $8, rate at mid-market): recipient gets ~₹61,504
- Bank wire (fee $20, rate 3% below mid): recipient gets ~₹58,140
Receiving Options for Your Family in India
- Bank deposit: Direct to any Indian bank account (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, etc.)
- Cash pickup: Available through Western Union and MoneyGram at thousands of locations across India
- Mobile wallet: Some services support Paytm and other Indian wallets
Tax Implications
In Canada, there is no tax on remittances themselves. If you're sending money earned in Canada, you've already paid Canadian tax on it. In India, the recipient generally doesn't pay tax on received remittances, but very large amounts (above ₹7 lakh received from certain sources) may require documentation under FEMA regulations.
Sending Large Amounts
For transfers over $100 CAD, Canadian financial institutions report to FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada). This is standard reporting, not a tax — just ensure the funds are from legitimate sources. Wise and other services also have verification requirements for large amounts.
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KOHO is perfect for newcomers: no credit check, no monthly fees, instant approval, and a free prepaid Visa card. It's the easiest way to start banking in Canada. Use code 45ET55JSYA for a bonus.
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