How long does it take to send money from the UK to India?
Most transfers from the UK to India arrive within minutes to a few hours, because India's domestic payment systems run 24 hours a day, every day. IMPS and UPI payments are instant, NEFT settles every half hour, and international SWIFT payments from UK banks are the slowest, at 1 to 5 working days. Checks on a first transfer or a large amount can add time.
Written by Sonic Wallet editorial team · Last reviewed: 1 November 2026
Key facts
- IMPS and UPI credit Indian bank accounts instantly, 24 hours a day, including Sundays and bank holidays.
- NEFT runs around the clock in half-hourly batches, and the money should reach the account within 2 hours of the batch.
- RTGS is real-time for payments of ₹2 lakh or more, and the recipient's bank must credit the account within 30 minutes.
- International SWIFT payments can take 1 to 5 working days and may pass through intermediary banks.
How long does a transfer from the UK to India take?
Usually from a few seconds to a few hours, depending mostly on the payment system that delivers the money in India. These are the systems used to pay money into Indian accounts:
| System | Speed | When it runs | Amount limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMPS | Instant | 24/7, including bank holidays | Up to ₹5 lakh per payment |
| UPI | Instant | 24/7, including bank holidays | Per-payment and daily limits; set by the provider for payouts |
| NEFT | Within 2 hours of a half-hourly batch | 24/7, in 48 batches a day | No Reserve Bank of India limit |
| RTGS | Real time; credited within 30 minutes | 24/7 | ₹2 lakh minimum, no maximum |
| SWIFT | 1 to 5 working days | Banks' working days | Set by the banks involved |
Many money transfer providers pay out through IMPS, UPI or NEFT, while UK banks usually send international SWIFT payments.
Why can a transfer to India take longer?
Delays usually come from checks, mistakes or the way the money travels:
- Identity and security checks. A first transfer, a large amount or an unusual pattern can trigger checks under UK anti-money-laundering rules.
- Paying the provider. The provider has to receive your money before it can send it. UK bank transfers through Faster Payments run around the clock and usually arrive quickly.
- Incorrect details. A wrong account number or IFSC code can cause the payment to be returned.
- SWIFT routing. International payments can pass through intermediary banks, each adding time, and are usually processed only on working days in both countries.
- Holidays. IMPS, UPI, NEFT and RTGS run on bank holidays, but a provider's or bank's own processing may pause.
Can money arrive in India at the weekend?
Yes. IMPS, UPI, NEFT and RTGS all run 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so a provider that pays out through them can deliver at weekends. Currency markets close from late on Friday to late on Sunday, UK time, though, so the exchange rate you are offered at the weekend may include a wider margin.
How can you make sure money reaches India quickly?
- Verify your identity with your provider before you need to send.
- Copy the account number and IFSC code from a cheque, passbook or banking app.
- Send to a UPI ID, or use a provider that pays out by IMPS, for instant delivery. See our UPI guide.
- Pay the provider by UK bank transfer and keep the payment reference.
- Send a few days early when the money must arrive by a deadline, such as a fee payment.
How do you track a transfer to India?
Your provider gives you a reference and status updates. In India, NEFT and RTGS payments carry a Unique Transaction Reference (UTR) number, which the recipient's bank can use to trace the payment.
Sending money to India?
See how many rupees your family will receive, what it costs, how long it takes and the details you need.
Send money to IndiaFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to send money from the UK to India?+
Usually minutes to a few hours. IMPS and UPI are instant and NEFT settles every half hour, around the clock. International SWIFT payments from UK banks can take 1 to 5 working days.
Does IMPS work on Sundays and bank holidays?+
Yes. IMPS runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including Sundays and bank holidays.
Why is my transfer to India delayed?+
The most common reasons are identity or source-of-funds checks, incorrect bank details and SWIFT payments waiting for working days. Contact your provider with the transfer reference if a payment is late.
What is the fastest way to send money to India?+
A transfer paid out through IMPS or to a UPI ID, because both credit the recipient's account instantly. Having your identity already verified with the provider saves time too.
Do NEFT payments work at night?+
Yes. Since December 2019, NEFT has run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, settling payments in half-hourly batches.
Related guides
- What bank details do you need to send money to India?IFSC codes, account numbers, UPI IDs and when you need a SWIFT code.
- How to send money to India with UPI from the UKPaying a UPI ID from the UK, and how NRIs can use UPI with a +44 mobile number.
- The cheapest way to send money from the UK to IndiaWhy the fee is only half the cost, how to compare providers and what the average transfer costs.
- When is the best time to send money to India? GBP/INR dataA year of pound to rupee rates by month and weekday, updated every hour.
Useful tools and pages
Sources
- IMPS product overview, National Payments Corporation of India
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI), National Payments Corporation of India
- NEFT frequently asked questions, Reserve Bank of India
- Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) frequently asked questions, Reserve Bank of India
- FAQs on the centralised payment systems operated by the Reserve Bank, Reserve Bank of India
- The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, legislation.gov.uk