How to Send Money to Kazakhstan in 2025

If you’re looking for how to send money to Kazakhstan, there are several options to choose from. In this article, I’ll explore the most convenient ways for money transfers to Kazakhstan to help you find the method that suits your needs.

What to consider before you transfer funds to Kazakhstan

Before you make a transfer, here are some key things to keep in mind.

Exchange rates influence the sum your recipient gets. To save on costs, look for services that offer the mid-market rate without hidden fees. A quick search on Google can give you the current exchange rate for reference. 

Currency availability matters. The official currency of Kazakhstan is tenge, but not all services allow you to send in this currency. You can also send euros or U.S. dollars, just be mindful of your recipient's needs: in some situations, money may be needed urgently, and having to go and convert currency could be inconvenient for your recipient.

Transfer fees can vary greatly between platforms. Some charge a flat fee, others add a margin to the exchange rate.

Transfer time is also different across platforms. Some transfers happen in minutes, while others can take several days.

Delivery methods include bank deposit, cash pickup, or digital wallets. You may want to check with your recipient to see what’s most convenient for them.

Security should never be compromised. Always choose well-known services that are licensed and have good reviews.

The best ways to send funds to Kazakhstan

There’s no solution that fits all. Each method has its own advantages, depending on your priorities: transfer time, fees, convenience, or preferred currency. Let’s imagine you need to transfer $100 USD from the United States to Kazakhstan. Below is a breakdown of the most reliable options for such a transfer in 2025.

Wise

How it works: With Wise, you can send money across the globe through a website or an app. Transfers are typically sent to the recipient’s bank account in USD.

Pros: 

• Uses the mid-market exchange rate, no hidden markups.
• Low fees — starts at just $0.17, depending on the payment method.
• User-friendly website and app
• Fast: typically minutes to 1 business day.

Cons:

• Doesn’t support local currency, tenge — you can only send USD to Kazakhstan.
• No cash pickup option.

Paysend

How it works: Paysend enables you to send money directly to bank cards or through SWIFT transfer and has a fixed fee. When signing up, Paysend will ask you to verify your identity.

Pros: 

• Flat fee — $3, no hidden markups.
• Supports local currency.
• Delivers money in minutes.

Cons:

• No cash pickup option.

I live in Canada and sent money to my brother in Kazakhstan. I did it through Paysend just because my husband had used the service before and was happy with it. We were lucky — there were no transfer fees for us during that period of time, I think it was just a random promotion. I sent various amounts, from $100 to $1,000 CAD. $1,000 CAD is the maximum amount Paysend allows per transfer. My brother received the money in tenge, usually by the next day. The fastest transfer I remember took around four hours.

{{Anna Lofichenko}}

MoneyGram

How it works: One of the older names in money transfer, MoneyGram offers bank transfers and cash pickups at various locations throughout Kazakhstan.

Pros: 

• Cash pickup option, which is convenient for recipients without bank accounts and the older generation.
• Fast: same-day delivery in most cases.
• Low fees for first-time users: $0 on the first transfer, $5.49 after. Since it’s a promotional offer, it may not be eligible in all countries. Please make sure to check its availability for your preferred method of payment.

Cons:

• The exchange rate includes a markup.
• Require a recipient to visit a physical location.
• Fees increase with higher transfer amounts.

Western Union

How it works: Like MoneyGram, Western Union allows different transfer options: from bank accounts and digital wallets to cash pickups. It’s known worldwide and available in many locations throughout Kazakhstan.

Pros: 

• Supports local currency.
• Offers both bank transfer and cash pickup.
• $0 fee on the first transfer.

Cons:

• Fees vary: up to $10.99 after the first transfer.
• The exchange rate includes a markup.

SWIFT Bank Transfer

How it works: SWIFT has been traditionally used to send money from one bank to another. It’s especially common for large transfers or transfers between companies. SWIFT isn’t ideal for our $100 example due to high transfer fees, but it can be a good option if you’re sending more than $1,000.

Pros: 

• Works well for large sums.
• Supports local currency.
• Secure and widely supported by banks.

Cons:

• High fees: can reach up to $50, depending on your bank.
• Slow delivery: may take up to 5 business days. Transfers may be delayed or even frozen due to intermediary banks
• May involve intermediary bank charges on both ends.

To help you decide, we’ve put together a comparison table of the most reliable services available in 2025. 

What if you’re sending money to Kazakhstan from a “difficult” country?

In 2025, some countries face restrictions that make it harder to send money abroad, including Kazakhstan. One notable example is Russia. Despite both countries being a part of the same Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), transfers from Russia to Kazakhstan have become trickier due to financial sanctions, limited access to SWIFT, and restrictions on foreign currency operations. 

Here’s what to know — and what you can do.

Possible methods:

• MIR transfers. MIR is the Russian payment system that replaced VISA. Kazakhstan supports MIR cards in a very few banks — for example, VTB. There’s a risk, though, that this option could be shut down without any notice, so be sure to check out its availability in advance. 
• KoronaPay. Please note: if you’re located in North America, you may need a VPN with a Russian IP address to see the option to transfer money from Russia to Kazakhstan on their website. The Russia-to-Kazakhstan transfer option is also visible through the KoronaPay app. You can send rubles and receive either rubles or tenge. If the receiving currency is tenge, there is no commission. However, the exchange rate may be unfavorable as it is set but the company itself. 
• Cryptocurrency. Crypto remains a gray but increasingly used alternative for cross-border payments. However, it requires tech-savvy users and comes with regulatory and volatility risks. 

Other countries with restrictions

Besides Russia, people in countries like North Korea, Afghanistan, Iran, and other regions under sanctions or conflict may also face limitations when trying to send money abroad. In such cases, crypto or hand-carrying funds remain some of the only options. Please keep in mind that you assume full responsibility in these situations. 

Conclusion

Sending money abroad in 2025 is easier than ever if you choose the right methods for your needs. From digital platforms like Wise and Paysend to established networks like MoneyGram and Western Union, each option offers its own mix of speed, cost, and convenience. For transferring larger sums, SWIFT may still be worth considering despite its higher fees. And if you’re sending money from a country with restrictions, options like local payment system cards or even cryptocurrency may come into play — though each comes with its own risks.  

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