How to Send Money to South Africa
Whether you’re sending money to loved ones, paying for education, or supporting business operations, getting funds into South Africa can be a challenge. Traditional methods like international bank transfers and remittance services often come with high fees, long delays, and unfavourable exchange rates.
VALR Pay offers a modern, borderless alternative: instant, secure, and fee-free transfers using cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins like USDC, USDT, and EURC—or even directly in South African Rands (ZAR). It’s the easiest and most cost-effective way to send money to South Africa.
5 Ways to Send Money to South Africa
1. International Bank Transfers
Banks across the world support SWIFT payments to South Africa. While this method is widely available, it’s often slow, expensive, and involves poor exchange rates. Depending on your location, your bank might also require you to visit a branch or complete additional documentation.
2. Remittance Services
Services like Western Union, MoneyGram, WorldRemit, and Remitly are widely used for international transfers to South Africa. These services are convenient and accessible, but their fees can add up quickly, especially for urgent or cash pickup transfers. Exchange rates are often not favourable either.
3. Digital Wallets and Fintech Apps
Apps like PayPal, Revolut, Wise, and Skrill offer cross-border transfers to South Africa, but many involve multiple steps, intermediaries, or currency conversion charges. Some may not support ZAR directly or require both sender and receiver to use the same app.
4. Forex Brokers and Transfer Companies
Specialist services such as OFX, TorFX, and CurrencyFair offer transfers to South Africa with competitive exchange rates, especially for large sums. However, the signup and verification process can be long, and smaller or one-off transfers may still incur fees.
5. VALR Pay (Crypto + ZAR Transfers)
VALR Pay is a game-changer for sending money to South Africa. Using stablecoins like USDC, USDT, and EURC, or South African Rand (ZAR) directly, you can send funds instantly, securely, and without any fees. It’s ideal for both one-time and recurring transfers, and the recipient doesn’t need to go to a bank or cash outlet—they receive the funds instantly in their VALR account.
How to Use VALR Pay to Send Money to South Africa
Sending money to South Africa with VALR Pay is simple. Just follow these steps:
1. Sign in to VALR
Visit valr.com or download the VALR app (available for iOS and Android). Tap “Get Started” to create your free account, or log in if you’re already registered.
2. Navigate to VALR Pay
Once signed in, navigate to the “VALR Pay” tab and select “Pay” to begin your transaction.
3. Choose the asset and amount to transfer
Fund your VALR account with your preferred crypto. You can send stablecoins like USDC, USDT, EURC, or directly in ZAR (South African Rands). Choose the amount you want to transfer.
4. Enter recipient’s details
Add the recipient’s phone number, email, or VALR Pay ID. You can include a note or opt to send the funds anonymously.
5. Complete the transaction
Review the transaction details and tap “Next.” Finalise by selecting “Pay now.” The funds will be delivered instantly.
Send money to South Africa faster, cheaper, and smarter with VALR Pay. Whether you’re sending ZAR or stablecoins, enjoy a seamless, fee-free experience. Sign up today to make cross-border transfers simple and stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
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VALR Pay offers you the most efficient solution for sending money to South Africa. You can make instant, fee-free transfers using cryptocurrencies like USDC, USDT, and EURC or South African Rands (ZAR). Unlike traditional bank transfers or services like MoneyGram that charge high fees and exchange rates, VALR Pay eliminates middlemen and paperwork, providing a faster, cheaper, and more convenient option.
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With VALR Pay, you can send as little as 0.00001 BTC (approximately 15.93 ZAR) and as much as 10 BTC (approximately 15927048.30 ZAR) or equivalent in other cryptocurrencies to South Africa. This wide range gives you flexibility for both small everyday transfers and significant transactions.
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When using VALR Pay to send money to South Africa, you only need your recipient's phone number, email address, or VALR Pay ID. This is much simpler than traditional bank transfers which typically require full banking details, address verification, and sometimes in-person visits to complete forms.
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VALR Pay provides a perfect solution for sending money without requiring a bank account in South Africa. Your recipient can receive and hold funds in cryptocurrency directly in their VALR account. This makes it accessible for anyone with a smartphone, even without traditional banking access.
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Yes, you can definitely send money to South Africa from other countries using VALR Pay. The platform specifically supports international transfers, allowing senders from countries like Lesotho and many others to quickly and securely transfer funds to recipients in South Africa without the complications of traditional cross-border banking.
Risk Disclosure
Trading or investing in crypto assets is risky and may result in the loss of capital as the value may fluctuate.
VALR (Pty) Ltd is a licensed financial services provider (FSP #53308).