Introduction 

There are over four million Filipinos in the USA, particularly in the following states: California, New York, Hawaii, Nevada, and Illinois. Many of them left the Philippines to find work in the States. As such, you will find numerous Filipinos in occupations related to healthcare, management, arts, business, and science, among others.

If you’re an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the US, you most likely send a part of your salary back home to your relatives. Nowadays, while it is relatively easy to send money to the Philippines from the USA, there are still several factors to consider for a smoother transaction, which Cebuana Lhuillier will discuss in this post.

USA: A Top Destination for Filipino Workers and Immigrants 

The immigration history of Filipinos to the USA started in the late 1800s, after the Philippines was annexed to the States. Many Filipinos emigrated to the USA to work in agriculture, while some went to study.

Years later, World War II paved the way for more Filipinos to migrate to America. Some went to the USA as military recruits, particularly in the Navy, while some came as spouses to the American soldiers stationed in the Philippines. Additionally, some Filipinos moved to the States to gain knowledge and experience in healthcare and ended up staying there.

Today, many Filipinos still move to the USA to seize the available job opportunities with high salaries and good benefits. This is often fueled by the lack of job openings in the country and the lower pay offered by many local companies.

Factors To Consider When Sending Money From the States 

Here are some things you should account for when sending money to the Philippines from the USA:

Money Transfer Fees 

The money transfer fee is the amount charged by the remittance company you’re using to send funds abroad. This amount depends on various factors, including the amount you will be sending. Thus, expect higher transfer fees if you send a considerable sum of money from the US to the Philippines.

Another factor that could affect the transfer fee is the speed of delivery. There are also remittance companies that charge a receiving fee, which will need to be paid by the person receiving the money before they can claim it. Meanwhile, if you’re after the cheapest way to send money from the USA, don’t just consider the transfer fee but the exchange rate as well.

Exchange Rates 

This is one of the most crucial factors you should consider when sending money internationally. The exchange rate will determine how much the recipient will receive in their local currency. It is not a fixed amount—exchange rates change based on various factors, such as inflation. Moreover, it may differ among money transfer companies.

To get the best rate, you should first research the latest exchange rate online between the US dollar and the Philippine peso. Compare this rate against different money transfer companies and choose the ones that follow the rate nearest to the current exchange rate for that day.

Transaction Security and Safety 

The money you send back to your relatives is the fruit of your hard work and effort, so it would be a significant loss if it doesn’t reach its intended recipients. To prevent this from happening, make sure you only send your money through reputable money remittance companies. They often have security measures to ensure the funds end up in the right hands.

Cebuana Lhuillier understands that working as an OFW in the USA to earn money is no walk in the park. Thus, we only partner with trusted international remittance partners to ensure our customers get the hard-earned money sent to them by their relatives. Another way we ensure the safety of the funds we transfer is by giving a 10-digit control number to the sender, which the receiver has to present to obtain the money remitted.

Accessibility of Remittance Centers 

Consider the accessibility of the remittance center, so it will be more convenient for you to send money, especially if this is something you need to do monthly. Even if a remittance center offers lower money transfer fees and higher exchange rates, if it is located at a considerable distance from where you live, it may not be worth it to do the transaction there.

Cebuana offers one of the best ways to send money to the Philippines, thanks to its multiple international remittance partners, offering more options for sending cash abroad. Western Union, PayPal/Xoom, Ria, Moneygram, and Viamericas are just some of the companies we have partnered with in the USA to make it more convenient for Filipino workers and immigrants to send money back to the Philippines.

Other Important Factors 

Other essential factors to consider are:

• Transfer Speed – Inquire about the arrival time of the money you send, especially if your relatives in the Philippines need the cash urgently due to an emergency. Be aware of any religious, local, or bank holidays that may cause delays in your money transfer so that you can notify your family accordingly.
• Transfer Limits – If you’re thinking of sending a substantial amount, make sure to know first the maximum amount of money you can transfer. This will depend on the money transfer company and the maximum foreign currency allowed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to be brought into the Philippines.
• Customer Support – Also consider the customer support services of the money transfer service. Are they known to give quick and reliable responses to their customers? Dependable customer support will come in handy when you encounter problems with your money transfer.

Visit Cebuana Lhuillier’s Remittance Partners in the USA 

Through Cebuana’s international remittance partners, sending money to the Philippines from the USA is easier and more convenient. For more information on remitting money from abroad, check out our list of international remittance partners.

Likewise, claiming the money you sent is also an easy and simple process for your family in the Philippines. With over 3,000 Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshops nationwide, they can always find a branch nearby to receive money from the USA.

Conclusion 

You’ll soon become an expert in sending money internationally once you familiarize yourself with the important factors to consider. But if ever you need more help with the money remittance process, Cebuana is always here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer care unit or any of our branch personnel. Contact us now!