How to send money to Mexico with Apple Pay?

To send money to Mexico using Apple Pay, you must understand a critical distinction: **Apple Pay is a payment method (the digital wallet), not a standalone international transfer service.** While you can use Apple Cash to send money to someone in the U.S., you cannot send Apple Cash directly to a Mexican bank account or phone number.

Instead, you must connect your Apple Pay wallet to a cross-border remittance provider. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to do this effectively, including the best providers for the Mexico corridor.

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### Phase 1: Choosing a Remittance Provider

The following services integrate directly with Apple Pay and offer transfers to Mexico.

#### 1. Remitly (Best for Speed and New Users)

* **Fees:** Usually $0 for "Economy" transfers (3–5 days) or $3.99 for "Express" (minutes) if sending under $500.

* **Exchange Rate:** Typically 0.5% to 2% below the mid-market rate.

* **Payer Method:** You can select Apple Pay at checkout within the Remitly app.

* **How it works:** Money can be sent to a Mexican bank account (CLABE), for cash pickup (Elektra, BanCoppel, Oxxo), or to a debit card.

#### 2. Wise (Best for Large Transfers and Exchange Rates)

* **Fees:** Variable percentage fee (usually around 0.7% to 1% of the total).

* **Exchange Rate:** They use the **Real Mid-Market Rate** (the one you see on Google).

* **Payer Method:** After setting up your transfer to Mexico (MXN), select Apple Pay as your funding source.

* **Limit:** Apple Pay limits in Wise are usually capped at $2,000 per day.

#### 3. WorldRemit (Best for Cash Pickup)

* **Fees:** Generally $2.99–$3.99.

* **Exchange Rate:** Slightly less competitive than Wise but better than traditional banks.

* **Payer Method:** Supports Apple Pay for instant funding.

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### Phase 2: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Download and Verify:** Download the **Remitly** or **Wise** app from the App Store. Create an account and complete the "Know Your Customer" (KYC) verification by uploading a photo of your ID.

2. **Set Up the Recipient:**

* Enter the recipient’s full legal name as it appears on their Mexican ID.

* Select the delivery method: **Bank Deposit** (requires 18-digit CLABE) or **Cash Pickup**.

3. **Choose the Amount:** Enter how much USD you want to send. The app will show you exactly how many Pesos (MXN) will arrive.

4. **Select Apple Pay at Checkout:** When prompted for payment, select **Apple Pay**.

* *Note: Ensure your preferred debit card is already set up in your iPhone's "Wallet" app.*

5. **Authenticate:** Double-click the side button on your iPhone or use FaceID/TouchID to authorize the payment.

6. **Track:** You will receive a tracking number (MTCN if using cash pickup) to share with the recipient in Mexico.

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### Phase 3: Important Numbers and Limits

* **Exchange Rate Spread:** As of mid-2024, the "spread" (the hidden fee in the exchange rate) for the USD/MXN corridor via apps like Remitly is roughly **1.5%**. If the mid-market rate is 17.00 MXN, you will likely receive 16.75 MXN.

* **Daily Limits:** Apple Pay’s internal limits rarely restrict you, but the remittance apps do. New users are often limited to **$2,999 per 24 hours**.

* **Tax Implications:** Transfers to Mexico over **$10,000 USD** (or equivalent) in a single transaction or a series of related transactions must be reported by the receiving bank to the *Servicio de Administración Tributaria* (SAT) under Mexican anti-money laundering laws.

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### Common Issues and Edge Cases

* **Credit Card vs. Debit Card in Apple Pay:** If your Apple Pay is linked to a **credit card**, the remittance provider will charge an additional "Credit Card Processing Fee" (usually 3%), and your bank may treat it as a **Cash Advance**, charging you immediate high interest. Always use a **debit card** linked to Apple Pay for transfers to Mexico.

* **CLABE Accuracy:** Mexico uses an 18-digit **CLABE** (Clave Bancaria Estandarizada). If you miss one digit, the transfer will fail and could take 5–10 business days to refund to your Apple Pay account.

* **Recipient Requirements:** For cash pickups at locations like **Oxxo** or **Elektra**, the recipient must present an "INE" (voter ID) or a valid passport. The name on the transfer must match their ID exactly.

### Expert Summary Table

| Provider | Funding Method | Delivery Time | Best Feature |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| **Wise** | Apple Pay (Debit) | 0 - 24 Hours | Best Exchange Rate |

| **Remitly** | Apple Pay (Debit) | Minutes (Express) | Best App Experience |

| **WorldRemit** | Apple Pay (Debit) | Instant | Best for Cash Pickup |

**Actionable Advice:** If you are sending more than $1,000, use **Wise** to save on the exchange rate margin. If you need the money to be picked up in cash at a physical window in a rural area of Mexico, use **Remitly**.