Idea
Celebrating Diwali Across Borders? A Guide to Sending Money to Loved Ones
by
iFAST Global Markets
Diwali is a time for family, celebration and giving. But when the people you want to celebrate with are thousands of miles away, sending money home can become part of the preparation too.
Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, so if you are planning to send money to loved ones in India, it is worth thinking about your transfer before the celebrations begin.
A few simple checks can help you avoid unnecessary delays and give you a clearer idea of how much your recipient could receive.
Start with the recipient details
Before sending money, check that you have the right information for the person receiving it.
For an international bank transfer, this can include the recipient's full name and address, their bank details, the name of their financial institution and the relevant account or routing information. The exact details required can vary depending on the destination and payment method.
It may sound obvious, but it is worth checking the information directly with your recipient rather than relying on bank details saved from a previous transfer.
A small mistake in an account number, name or bank identifier can hold up a payment or make it more difficult to recover if the money is sent to the wrong account.
Give yourself time before the celebrations
When you are sending a Diwali gift, timing matters.
International transfers do not always arrive immediately. Weekends, local holidays, the recipient's bank and additional payment checks can all affect when funds become available.
With iFAST Global Bank, transfers using EzRemit can generally arrive more quickly, although the exact timing depends on the destination and receiving bank.
For payments submitted through your iFAST Global Bank account, our current payment cut-off is 3pm UK time on a business day. Instructions received after the cut-off, or on a non-business day, are treated as received on the next business day. Additional security checks may also increase processing time.
With Diwali falling on a Sunday this year, planning ahead can give your transfer more time to reach your loved ones before the celebrations.
Check more than the transfer fee
The amount you send and the amount your recipient receives are not always the same thing.
If you are sending pounds and your loved one will receive Indian Rupees, the GBP to INR exchange rate will determine how much INR they receive.
It is therefore worth checking both the exchange rate and any applicable fees before confirming your payment.
With our EzRemit service, you can send GBP and arrange for your recipient to receive INR directly into their bank account in India. We currently charge no overseas transaction fee on cross-currency international payments. The applicable exchange rate is shown before you confirm the transfer.
Third-party or receiving-bank charges may still apply, and exchange rates affect the final conversion amount. A zero transfer fee does not necessarily mean the lowest overall transfer cost, so the amount your recipient is due to receive is an important figure to check before sending.
Sending to India? You may have a faster option
If you are sending money from the UK to India, EzRemit supports INR payments to Indian bank accounts.
Transfers to India can be credited in as little as 24 hours, depending on factors including the receiving bank and holidays.
That can be useful when you are preparing for Diwali, but it is still better not to leave an important payment until the last minute. Transfer times are not guaranteed, and circumstances outside our control can affect when the recipient receives the funds.
Take a final look before you send
Before confirming your Diwali transfer, take a moment to check:
- The recipient's name and bank details are correct.
- The amount and currency are what you intended.
- You are comfortable with the exchange rate shown.
- You have reviewed any applicable fees or third-party charges.
- You have allowed enough time for the payment to arrive.
It only takes a few extra moments, but it can make sending money across borders feel much more straightforward.
Celebrating together, wherever you are
Being away from family does not mean being left out of the celebrations.
Whether you are contributing to the family gathering, helping with festive expenses or simply sending something to mark the occasion, preparing your transfer early gives you one less thing to think about as Diwali approaches.
With iFAST Global Bank, you can manage your money internationally and send qualifying cross-currency payments to India from your account, while seeing the applicable exchange rate before you confirm.
Then you can focus on what Diwali is really about: staying connected with the people who matter, wherever you happen to be.
iFAST Global Bank is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
iFAST Global Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Our Financial Services Register number is 716167. We are registered in England and Wales, our company number is 4797759.
Please note that the provided details serve as general information and should not be considered as financial advice or endorsements. We strongly advise customers to diligently carry out their own research and consider seeking expert guidance for tailored financial choices.
