Thinking of sending money abroad with HDFC? You’re not alone. Whether you’re an international student, a parent paying for tuition, a business owner handling cross-border deals, or someone simply sending love overseas, HDFC Bank offers a wide array of foreign remittance services to make your transfer smooth, safe, and relatively affordable.
In this ultimate guide, we break down all the ways you can send money abroad with HDFC, including charges, exchange rates, timelines, and how it stacks up against smarter digital alternatives like HOP Remit by moneyHOP.
Why People Prefer Sending Money Abroad With HDFC?
With a massive customer base and presence in over 22 foreign currencies, HDFC Bank offers a range of remittance services. You can initiate transfers via online banking (RemitNow), by visiting a branch, or through demand drafts and cheque deposits.
And yet, while sending money abroad with HDFC is easy and secure, there are a few caveats—especially related to forex conversion charges, hidden markups, and timelines.
Let’s decode each method step by step.
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Outward Remittances: 4 Ways of Sending Money Abroad With HDFC
1. RemitNow by HDFC
RemitNow is HDFC’s online foreign outward remittance platform. It lets you send funds abroad through NetBanking or Mobile Banking, without visiting a branch.
How to Use:
- Log in to HDFC NetBanking or the app.
- Register for third-party transfer (only once).
- Add your foreign beneficiary with bank details.
- Choose “Foreign Outward Remittance.”
- Enter amount, select currency & purpose.
- Accept terms and hit submit.
- Make payment from your HDFC account.
Charges for RemitNow Transfers:
| Amount | Commission | GST |
| Up to USD 500 | ₹500 | 18% |
| Above USD 500 | ₹1,000 | 18% |
Before sending money abroad with HDFC, always check the INR to USD conversion charges, as the effective rate includes a hidden markup (typically 2–3.5%).
Tip: Check the HDFC remittance rate and INR to USD transfer rate via NetBanking. These are not always transparent or updated in real-time.
2. Branch Transfers (Walk-in Method)
If online banking isn’t your thing, you can walk into any HDFC branch to send money abroad. This method gives you personal assistance with document verification and process walkthroughs.
What You’ll Need:
- Beneficiary details
- Purpose code (like education, gift, etc.)
- PAN card & passport copy
- SWIFT code of beneficiary bank
Compare HDFC foreign remittance charges at the branch vs. online — they can vary slightly based on forex markup and service fees.
3. Foreign Currency Demand Draft
HDFC issues foreign currency demand drafts in 9 currencies. These are great for fixed university fees or invoices where exchange rate stability matters.
Why it’s helpful:
- Lower remittance charges
- No forex rate fluctuation after draft issuance
- Ideal for students paying tuition abroad
Charges:
- Up to USD 500: ₹200
- Up to USD 10,000: ₹300
- Above that: ₹500
Compare HDFC vs ICICI for sending money abroad
4. Foreign Currency Cheque Collection
If someone abroad sends you a cheque in USD, EUR, or any supported currency, you can deposit it in your HDFC account. The bank collects and credits the INR amount.
- Accepted in 14+ currencies
- Time taken: 7–21 days
- Charges: ₹250 + 0.25% of cheque value
Note: There can be delays if the cheque is drawn in one currency but payable through a different country.
Things to keep in mind before remitting to a foreign country from HDFC:
- You need to be an HDFC Bank account holder to use RemitNow.
- The minimum transfer amount is ₹10,000.
Inward Remittances: Receiving Money from Abroad
Besides sending money abroad with HDFC, you can also receive foreign funds into your Indian account via:
1. RemitNow2India
This is a fast online option to receive international money in your HDFC account. Friends and family abroad can transfer funds digitally via trusted partners.
Benefits:
- Real-time FX rate
- Lower conversion loss
- Auto credit to your INR account
Search volume for “HDFC inward remittance rate today” is rising, so keep an eye on the exchange rate before confirming.
2. SWIFT Transfers via Correspondent Banks
HDFC supports SWIFT remittances from over 600 foreign banks. It takes 24–72 hours depending on the currency and country.
Users often Google “HDFC SWIFT transfer tracking” – make sure you collect the SWIFT reference number for status checks.
How does IndusInd Bank stack up for foreign remittance?
3. IndiaLink & QuickRemit (for African Institutions)
These services allow institutions in Africa to send money to Indian HDFC accounts using drafts or wire transfers with reduced fees and faster turnaround. This isn’t for individuals but helps reduce processing costs and time.
HDFC International Money Transfer Charges – Complete Overview
| Transaction Type | Charge |
| NetBanking Transfer (≤ USD 500) | ₹500 + 18% GST |
| NetBanking Transfer (> USD 500) | ₹1,000 + 18% GST |
| Demand Draft Issuance | ₹200–₹500 |
| Foreign Currency Cheque Collection | ₹250 + 0.25% |
| Forex Markup Fee | ~3.5% |
| Inward Remittance Credit | ₹0 (but hidden FX loss may apply) |
Not all charges are visible upfront. Here’s a quick visual breakdown of hidden costs to look for when sending money abroad with HDFC:
HOP Remit vs HDFC: A Smarter Alternative?
While HDFC is reliable, it’s not always transparent or cheap. That’s where HOP Remit by moneyHOP shines with its 100% digital platform – no paperwork, no hidden fees.
Why HOPRemit by moneyHOP is better:
- Bank-level security
- Send to 60+ countries
- Competitive exchange rates with near-zero markup
- Entirely app & web-based
- Freeze live FX rates for 24 hours
- 24/7 customer support
Why is HOP Remit by moneyHOP a low-cost, digital-first alternative to HDFC?
Why pay more for international money transfers when moneyHOP is here?
- NO hidden fees
- ZERO convenience fees
- Real-time updates
- Lowest exchange rates
Table Comparing Convenience Fees With Banks
| You Send Amount | HOP Remit’s Convenience Fees | Bank’s Convenience Fees |
| 1000 | 0 | 750 |
| 10000 | 0 | 750 |
| 100000 | 250 | 1000 |
| 300000 | 350 | 1250 |
| 500000 | 750 | 1500 |
| 800000 | 1000 | 1500 |
| 1200000 | 1250 | 1500 |
Who All Do We Serve?
| Customer | Description |
| Overseas university students | Send your university fees and living expenses with no hassle |
| International Travelers | Pay for your accommodation and itinerary in advance |
| Overseas family/guardians | Send gifts/maintenance money to your family in another country |
| Medical tourists | Pay for your treatments in another country in advance |
| Business travelers | Facilitate business travels like a pro with fully planned and paid advanced bookings |
Choosing the Best Option for You:
The ideal choice for an international money transfer service will vary depending on your requirements and preferences. Consider the following factors:
- Transfer amount: The size of your transfer can influence fees and exchange rates.
- Currency: The exchange rate for your chosen currency can vary dramatically.
- Transfer speed: If you need your funds to arrive quickly, prioritize services with faster processing times.
- Fees: To determine the choice, you should assess the upfront fees and the difference in exchange rates.
- Ease of use: Go for a service that offers a platform that is simple to use and navigate.
Final Thoughts on Sending Money Abroad With HDFC
Sending money abroad with HDFC offers a familiar and secure process, especially if you’re already an account holder. Their global network and multiple transfer modes cover nearly all use cases.
BUT, if you want better transparency, lower fees, and real-time FX rates, platforms like HOP Remit by moneyHOP are leading the way with digital-first solutions.
So, whether you choose HDFC for its brand trust or HOP Remit for its fintech agility, make sure you’re comparing rates, fees, and convenience before hitting “Send.”
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