How to Track Your Money Transfer to India
A comprehensive guide to tracking your international money transfers - ensuring peace of mind when sending money to India
Last Updated: May 2025
Why Tracking Your Money Transfer is Important
Sending money to India from abroad involves entrusting your hard-earned funds to transfer services and banking systems. Whether you're supporting family, investing in property, or making business payments, the ability to track your transfer provides essential peace of mind and security.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about tracking money transfers to India, including:
- Step-by-step tracking procedures for popular money transfer services
- How to track transfers through Indian banking systems
- Common tracking problems and their solutions
- Best practices to ensure smooth transfers
- Mobile apps and tools that make tracking easier
By understanding the tracking systems and following our recommendations, you'll be better equipped to monitor your transfers and address any issues that may arise.
Table of Contents
- Popular Money Transfer Services to India
- Tracking Methods Explained
- How to Track Western Union Transfers
- Tracking Wise Transfers
- Tracking Remitly Transfers
- Tracking Bank-to-Bank (SWIFT) Transfers
- Indian Banks' Inward Remittance Tracking
- Common Tracking Problems and Solutions
- Mobile Apps for Tracking Transfers
- Best Practices for Transfer Tracking
- Customer Experiences and Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
Popular Money Transfer Services to India
Several established services facilitate money transfers to India, each with its own tracking mechanisms. Here's an overview of the most popular options:
Western Union
Transfer Speed: Minutes to 5 business days
Tracking Method: MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number)
Best For: Cash pickup and bank deposits
Tracking Options: Website, mobile app, phone
Jump to Western Union tracking guide →Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Transfer Speed: 1-2 business days
Tracking Method: Transfer reference number
Best For: Bank-to-bank transfers with low fees
Tracking Options: Website, mobile app
Jump to Wise tracking guide →Remitly
Transfer Speed: Express (minutes) or Economy (3-5 days)
Tracking Method: Transfer ID
Best For: Fast transfers with delivery guarantee
Tracking Options: Website, mobile app
Jump to Remitly tracking guide →Bank Transfers (SWIFT)
Transfer Speed: 3-7 business days
Tracking Method: SWIFT code, reference number
Best For: Large transfers and established relationships
Tracking Options: Online banking, bank branch
Jump to Bank Transfer tracking guide →Other popular services include:
- Xoom (a PayPal service)
- MoneyGram
- ICICI Bank Money2India
- SBI Express Remit
- RemitMoney
Tracking Methods Explained
Understanding the different tracking systems will help you monitor your transfers more effectively:
Transaction Reference Numbers
Most money transfer services provide a unique reference number or ID for each transaction. These can be:
- MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) - Western Union's 10-digit tracking number
- Transfer ID - Unique numeric or alphanumeric codes provided by services like Remitly and Wise
- Reference Number - Bank-provided tracking codes for SWIFT transfers
Always keep these numbers safe and accessible. They are your primary means of tracking your transfer.
SWIFT and UETR Tracking
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) transfers use a combination of:
- SWIFT Code - Identifies the specific bank and branch
- UETR (Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference) - A unique identifier for cross-border payments
Banks participating in SWIFT gpi (Global Payments Innovation) provide enhanced tracking capabilities using the UETR number.
Tracking Platforms
Money transfers can typically be tracked through:
- Service Provider Websites - Official tracking pages
- Mobile Apps - Dedicated applications for real-time updates
- Customer Service Channels - Phone support and chat services
- Email Notifications - Automatic updates sent to your registered email
- SMS Alerts - Text notifications about transfer status
- Indian Bank Tracking Systems - Recipient bank's remittance tracking portals

Pro Tip:
Take a screenshot or photo of your transfer confirmation and tracking information. This provides a backup in case you lose the physical receipt or digital confirmation.
How to Track Western Union Transfers
Western Union is one of the world's oldest money transfer services and offers extensive coverage in India, with both cash pickup and bank deposit options. Here's how to track your Western Union transfer:
Step 1: Obtain Your MTCN
After completing your transfer, you'll receive a 10-digit Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN). This number is provided on your receipt or in the confirmation email/SMS.
Step 2: Visit the Western Union Tracking Page
Go to the Western Union website (westernunion.com/global-service/track-transfer) or open the Western Union mobile app.
Step 3: Enter Your Tracking Information
Enter your 10-digit MTCN and follow the prompts. You may also need to provide:
- Sender's country
- Transfer amount
Step 4: View Your Transfer Status
The system will display the current status of your transfer, which may be one of the following:
- In Progress - Transfer is being processed
- Available - Money is ready for pickup or has been sent to the recipient's bank
- Completed - Money has been collected by the recipient
- On Hold - Transfer requires additional verification
- Refunded - Money has been returned to sender
Alternative Tracking Methods
Tracking Without MTCN
If you don't have your MTCN, you can still track your transfer on Western Union's website by providing:
- Sender's full name
- Recipient's full name
- Destination country
- Transfer amount
Customer Service Tracking
You can also call Western Union's customer service at +1-800-325-6000 (for US) or visit a local Western Union agent location with your MTCN and ID to inquire about your transfer status.
Important Note:
For security reasons, Western Union may require additional verification for large transfers or first-time users. This can sometimes delay your transfer