How to send money to Mexico with WhatsApp?

Sending money to Mexico via WhatsApp has evolved from a experimental feature into a practical method using third-party integrations. As of late 2023 and 2024, the primary way to do this is through **Helix**, **Félix Pago**, or **Mercado Pago** (limited regions).

Here is the step-by-step guide on how to facilitate these transfers.

### 1. Primary Method: Using Félix Pago

Félix Pago is currently the market leader for WhatsApp-based remittances from the USA to Mexico. They use a chatbot interface to process the transaction.

* **Requirements:** A US phone number, WhatsApp, and a debit card/bank account.

* **Fees:** Typically a flat fee of **$2.99** for transfers to a bank account and **$3.99** for cash pickup (Source: FelixPago.com).

* **Exchange Rate:** They apply a margin to the mid-market rate (usually 1-2%).

**Step-by-Step Instructions:**

1. **Initiate Chat:** Go to [FelixPago.com](https://www.felixpago.com) and click the "Send Money" button, or message their official WhatsApp business number directly (+1 909-515-9430).

2. **Provide Details:** The chatbot will ask how much you want to send and the recipient's name in Mexico.

3. **Select Delivery Method:**

* **Bank Deposit:** You will need the recipient's 18-digit CLABE (Clave Bancaria Estandarizada) or their 16-digit debit card number.

* **Cash Pickup:** Choose retailers like OXXO, Elektra, or Coppel.

4. **Payment:** The bot will send you a secure link to enter your payment details (Debit card or ACH).

5. **Confirmation:** Once paid, the bot provides a tracking number. Money is usually available in Mexico within minutes.

### 2. Emerging Method: Meta Pay/WhatsApp Pay (Limited)

While WhatsApp Pay (built-in) is fully active in Brazil and India, it is **not yet fully deployed for cross-border transfers in Mexico**. However, users can use **Meta Pay** within the ecosystem if both parties have US-based accounts.

* **Warning:** For transfers originating in the US to a Mexican bank account, you cannot simply "attach" money like an image unless you use a third-party bot (like Felix Pago mentioned above).

### 3. Receiver Requirements in Mexico

To ensure the transfer is successful, the recipient must have one of the following:

* **A CLABE Interbancaria:** An 18-digit number assigned to every Mexican bank account.

* **Spin by OXXO:** A very popular option for WhatsApp transfers. If the recipient has a Spin card, they can receive the funds instantly.

* **Official ID:** If choosing cash pickup, the recipient must present their **INE** (Voter ID) or Passport.

### 4. Comparison of Costs (Estimates)

| Service | Transfer Fee | Delivery Time | Pickup Locations |

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

| **Félix Pago** | $2.99 - $3.99 | < 1 hour | OXXO, Elektra, Coppel, Banks |

| **Helix** | Varies ($0-$5) | Minutes | Major Mexican Banks |

| **Remitly (via Web/App)** | $0 - $3.99 | Immediate | Over 25,000 locations |

*Note: Remitly and Western Union do not have "native" WhatsApp bots but send status updates/receipts via WhatsApp once the transfer is initiated on their apps.*

### 5. Regulatory and Security Considerations

* **Anti-Money Laundering (AML):** Under Mexican law (CNBV regulations), transfers exceeding approximately **$1,000 USD** (or the equivalent in Pesos) in a single month may require the recipient to provide additional documentation to their bank regarding the source of funds.

* **Encryption:** WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, but the payment processing happens on the provider's secure servers (Félix Pago uses Stripe-level security).

* **Verification:** Never send money to a "WhatsApp Business" account that does not have the **Green Verified Checkmark**. Scammers often impersonate remittance services.

### Summary Checklist for Sending Today:

1. **Message** the Felix Pago bot or Helix bot.

2. **Have the CLABE number** of your relative in Mexico ready.

3. **Check the exchange rate** offered by the bot against the Google mid-market rate to ensure you are getting a fair deal.

4. **Complete the payment** via the secure external link provided by the bot.

5. **Share the receipt** (automatically generated) with your recipient via WhatsApp.