Send Money Japan → India
Best Remittance Services for Indians in Japan 2026
Compare Wise, Remitly, bank wire — NRE/NRO account guide included.
How much do you want to send?
Compare Services
Wise
⭐ RecommendedBest transparent rate for NRE/NRO bank transfers
Recipient gets ~
Rs 1,14,492
Minutes to 1 business day
Fee
~0.4-0.9% of amount
Rate
Mid-market rate (best)
Speed
Minutes to 1 business day
⚠️ Confirm with your Indian bank that a Wise transfer counts as a formal inward remittance before funding an NRE account for tax purposes.
Remitly
Fast option with Economy/Express speed choice
Recipient gets ~
Rs 1,14,150
Minutes (Express) to 1-5 days (Economy)
Fee
Varies by speed tier
Rate
Competitive on Express, better value on Economy
Speed
Minutes (Express) to 1-5 days (Economy)
Indian Bank NRE Top-Up (SBI/HDFC/ICICI direct)
If your bank has a Japan partnership — check first
Recipient gets ~
Rs 1,13,680
1-3 business days
Fee
Varies, sometimes preferential if bundled
Rate
Varies by partnership
Speed
1-3 business days
Generic Japanese Bank Wire Transfer
AVOID for regular remittances — most expensive option
Recipient gets ~
Rs 1,09,701
1-3 business days
Fee
¥2,000-¥7,000 flat + hidden rate markup
Rate
Poor — wide FX spreads compared to digital platforms
Speed
1-3 business days
⚠️ Bank wires typically carry the widest exchange rate margin of any option — compare the ACTUAL rate, not just the advertised fee.
Quick Comparison — Sending ¥200,000
| Service | INR Received | Speed | NRE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Rs 1,14,492 | Minutes to 1 business day | ✅ |
| Remitly | Rs 1,14,150 | Minutes (Express) to 1-5 days (Economy) | ✅ |
| Indian Bank NRE Top-Up (SBI/HDFC/ICICI direct) | Rs 1,13,680 | 1-3 business days | ✅ |
| Generic Japanese Bank Wire Transfer | Rs 1,09,701 | 1-3 business days | ✅ |
Estimates only. Actual amounts depend on current exchange rates. Reference rate used: ¥1 = Rs 0.58.
FAQ — Sending Money Japan to India
Q: Is it legal to send money from Japan to India through these apps?
A: Yes — all services listed (Wise, Remitly) are legally registered money transfer operators under Japan's Payment Services Act. Using regulated services protects your money and ensures your transfer qualifies as a formal inward remittance under FEMA. Never use informal or unregistered transfer agents.
Q: What ID do I need to register?
A: All services require your Japanese Residence Card (在留カード). Wise additionally requires a selfie for identity verification. Some services may ask for proof of address in Japan (utility bill or bank statement). Setup typically takes 1-3 days for initial verification.
Q: NRE vs NRO — which account should I send my Japan salary to?
A: Send your Japan salary to an NRE account. NRE accounts receive foreign income, the interest is tax-free in India, and the funds are fully repatriable. NRO accounts are for India-side income (rent, dividends) and carry 30% TDS on interest. Mixing Japan salary into NRO costs you unnecessary tax. See the India Banking Guide for full details.
Q: Why do rates differ between apps?
A: Each service makes money on the exchange rate margin (the spread between the real mid-market rate and what they offer you), on fees, or on both. A "0 fee" service often compensates with a worse rate. A small fee with a fair rate can be cheaper overall. Always compare the total INR your family receives, not just the advertised fee or the headline rate.
Q: Is there a limit on how much I can send from Japan to India?
A: On the Japan side, there are no legal limits for individuals sending their own legitimate income overseas, but transfers above ¥3 million require the Japanese bank to record the purpose. On the India side, NRE accounts have no inward remittance cap. Transfers above Rs 10 lakh (~¥1.7 million) may trigger routine AML/KYC verification at your Indian bank — keep payslips and employment contracts available.
Q: Do I need a FEMA purpose code for these transfers?
A: Your Indian bank may ask for a purpose code when crediting a large inward remittance. Common codes: P0001 (family maintenance/support), P0008 (personal transfers to own account). Wise and Remitly handle the remittance reporting on their end, but keep records of what purpose you stated in case your Indian bank queries the credit.
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Before sending money, compare the EXCHANGE RATE shown, not just the fee — a "0 fee" transfer with a bad rate often costs more than a transfer with a small fee and a fair rate. Always look at the total INR your family receives. And if you are sending to an NRE account for tax-free status, the funds must come from foreign income — check the India Banking Guide to confirm you are using the right account type before sending.