Chase uses SWIFT codes to route your money to banks outside the United States

When you send money from a Chase account to a bank in another country, Chase uses the SWIFT system — a global network that connects banks and tells them where to send your money. SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. Every bank in the world that handles international transfers has a SWIFT code, a unique identifier that looks like a combination of letters and numbers (usually 8 or 11 characters long). Chase has its own SWIFT codes, and you'll need the recipient bank's SWIFT code to complete the transfer.

The SWIFT code is one piece of information you need, but not the only one. You'll also need the recipient's account number, their full name, and the name and address of the bank receiving the money. Chase can walk you through what information to gather before you start, and they'll tell you if something is missing or formatted wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • Every international bank has a SWIFT code, an 8 or 11-character identifier that tells the global banking network where to send your money.
  • You can initiate an international wire transfer through Chase online, by phone, or in person at a branch, and you'll need the recipient's SWIFT code plus their account number and full name.
  • Chase charges a fee for outgoing international wire transfers, and the amount varies depending on the destination country and whether you use expedited delivery.
  • The transfer typically takes 1 to 5 business days to arrive, though some countries and banks process faster than others.
  • You can track your transfer through Chase online banking, and Chase will give you a confirmation number and reference code to share with the recipient if the money doesn't arrive on time.

How to find the SWIFT code you need

The recipient's bank will have a SWIFT code listed on their website, usually in a section about international transfers or wire instructions. If you can't find it there, you can ask the recipient directly — they should know their bank's SWIFT code or be able to look it up in seconds. Chase also has a SWIFT code lookup tool on their website where you can search by bank name and country, though it's faster to ask the recipient.

Make sure you have the correct SWIFT code for the specific branch where the recipient banks. Some large banks have different SWIFT codes for different locations or departments. A wrong SWIFT code will send your money to the wrong bank, and retrieving it can take weeks or cost you additional fees.

What information Chase will ask for

Before you can send the transfer, Chase needs details about both you and the recipient. For the recipient, you'll provide their full name exactly as it appears on their account, their bank account number, the name and address of their bank, and the bank's SWIFT code. Some countries also require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which is a standardized format for account numbers used in Europe and many other regions.

Chase will also ask you to confirm the amount you're sending, the currency, and whether you want to pay the fee yourself or have it deducted from the amount the recipient receives. This matters because international transfers can involve multiple fees — Chase's fee, fees charged by intermediary banks, and fees charged by the receiving bank. If you choose to have the fee deducted from the transfer amount, the recipient will get less money than you sent.

Chase fees and exchange rates for international transfers

Chase charges a flat fee for outgoing international wire transfers. The exact amount depends on whether the transfer goes to a Chase bank in another country (which may be cheaper) or to a non-Chase bank. Chase also charges different rates depending on the destination country and whether you request expedited processing. You can see the current fee before you confirm the transfer, so you won't be surprised.

In addition to the wire fee, Chase will apply an exchange rate if you're converting US dollars to another currency. This exchange rate is not the same as the mid-market rate you see in the news — Chase adds a margin to it. The exact margin varies and is not published in advance, so you won't know the final amount the recipient gets until you complete the transfer. Some people use a currency conversion calculator to estimate, but the actual rate may differ slightly.

How long the transfer takes

Most international wire transfers from Chase arrive within 1 to 5 business days, depending on the destination country and the receiving bank's processing speed. Some countries and banks are faster than others. Transfers to major financial centers like London, Toronto, or Tokyo often arrive within 1 to 2 business days. Transfers to smaller banks or countries with less developed banking infrastructure can take longer.

Chase counts business days as Monday through Friday, excluding US federal holidays. If you send a transfer on Friday evening or over a weekend, it won't begin processing until Monday. If you need the money to arrive by a specific date, send it several days early to account for delays.

Sending the transfer through Chase online or in person

You can start an international wire transfer through Chase online banking by logging in, navigating to the wire transfer section, and selecting "international wire." You'll enter all the recipient information, confirm the amount and fees, and submit. Chase will give you a confirmation number and a reference code — save both of these. If the recipient doesn't see the money arrive within the expected timeframe, you'll need these codes to track it down.

If you prefer not to do it online, you can call Chase's wire transfer line or visit a branch in person. A representative will walk you through the same information and can answer questions about fees or timing. Some people find this slower but prefer the confirmation of speaking to someone directly.

What to do if the transfer doesn't arrive

If the recipient hasn't received the money within the timeframe Chase quoted, contact Chase with your confirmation number and reference code. Chase can check the status of the transfer and see whether it's still in transit, stuck at an intermediary bank, or delivered to the wrong account. If it went to the wrong place, Chase can file a retrieval request, though this process can take weeks and may not recover all the money.

The recipient should also check with their bank to make sure the transfer hasn't arrived but not been posted to their account yet. Sometimes money sits in a receiving bank's system for a day or two before it shows up in the customer's account. If the recipient's bank received it but hasn't processed it, that's a problem on their end, not Chase's.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a SWIFT code and an IBAN?

A SWIFT code identifies the bank itself and routes money to the right institution. An IBAN is a standardized account number format used mainly in Europe and some other regions. You need the SWIFT code for any international transfer; you need the IBAN only if the receiving country uses it. Ask the recipient which one their bank requires.

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

If you catch the mistake immediately after sending, call Chase right away — they may be able to stop it before it leaves their system. Once it's left Chase and entered the SWIFT network, cancellation becomes much harder and may not be possible. This is why it's critical to double-check all recipient information before you confirm.

Why is the exchange rate I got different from the one I saw online?

Chase applies its own margin to the mid-market exchange rate, and that margin is not published in advance. The rate you see in the news is the mid-market rate between banks, not the rate a bank charges customers. Different banks add different margins, so rates vary by institution.

Do I need to tell the recipient anything before I send the money?

Yes. Give them your confirmation number and reference code, the amount you're sending, and the currency. Tell them approximately when to expect it based on the destination country. If they don't see it arrive within that window, they'll need this information to ask their bank to investigate.

What happens if I send money to the wrong account by mistake?

Contact Chase immediately with your confirmation number. Chase can file a retrieval request with the receiving bank, but there's no may provide the money will come back — it depends on whether the receiving bank cooperates and whether the account holder agrees to return it. Prevention is much easier than recovery, so verify all account details with the recipient before you send.