Sending money home is one of the most routine and highest-stakes tasks in the lives of Israel’s Asian worker and expat community. Filipino caregivers, Thai agricultural workers, Indian tech professionals, and workers from Nepal, China, and beyond collectively transfer hundreds of millions of shekels out of Israel every year — supporting families, paying mortgages back home, and funding children’s education.
The options have multiplied in recent years. Where a trip to a physical agent was once the only choice, today a mix of Israeli-built fintech platforms, global giants, and community-specific services compete for that business. This guide maps what’s available, what it costs to navigate, and how to get your money where it needs to go.
For the full directory of remittance services, see our Asian businesses directory.
Israeli-Built Services#
These platforms were built specifically for Israel’s foreign worker and expat market, and often offer the best rates for the most common corridors.
GMT — Global Money Transfer
GMT is the best-known Israeli remittance company serving the foreign worker community. It operates an online platform and has a partnership with Cebuana Lhuillier — one of the Philippines’ largest pawnshop and financial services networks, with over 2,500 branches — meaning cash pickup is accessible almost anywhere in the Philippines. GMT also serves Thai, Indian, Chinese, and Nepali workers.
MoneySend
An Israeli platform offering transfers to 90+ countries including the Philippines, Thailand, and India. Transactions are credit-card based with no branch visit required — you apply and send entirely online. Popular with caregivers who need a fast, low-friction option.
Rewire by Remitly
Rewire started as an Israeli startup targeting migrant workers and was later acquired by US-based Remitly. The local platform still operates under the Rewire brand and covers 130+ countries. The app is available in multiple languages including Tagalog and Thai, and the service is frequently cited in Filipino and Thai worker communities in Israel for competitive exchange rates.
Monox Philippines by 019
A dedicated Philippines-to-Israel corridor service operated by 019 (an Israeli telecom and financial services company). Advertises zero transfer fee — you pay only on the exchange rate spread. Options include cash pickup, direct bank transfer, and GCash (the Philippines’ dominant e-wallet). For workers sending exclusively to the Philippines, this is worth comparing directly against GMT and Rewire.
Facebook: MonoxPhilippinesby019
MoneyLowCost
A community-oriented service specialising in Israel–Philippines transfers, notable for one unusual feature: it offers 20-day interest-free credit. This means a worker can initiate a transfer before their salary clears, with repayment due later. Organised as a Facebook group community; best suited for workers with established trust in the service.
Neema Digital Wallet
Neema (operated via the i-Change platform) is a digital wallet designed for foreign workers in Israel. It issues a physical Mastercard, enabling workers to receive their salary, spend locally, and transfer abroad at relatively low fees. The wallet model is useful if your employer or recruiter supports direct deposit to it.
Global Networks With Israeli Presence#
Western Union Israel
Western Union operates through agents across Israel — including post offices, exchange bureaus, and dedicated agents in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and other cities. As one of the world’s largest remittance networks, it offers coverage to virtually every country in Asia. Rates are typically less competitive than the Israeli-focused platforms above, but the brand is trusted, the branch network is wide, and cash-payout options at destination are mature.
Israel Post — Western Union Service
Israel Post branches nationwide serve as Western Union agents. This is a practical option for workers in smaller cities or towns where dedicated remittance agents don’t exist. Post office hours are limited compared to private agents — check branch hours before travelling.
Israel Post money transfer page
MoneyGram Israel
MoneyGram operates a network of agents across Israel for both sending and receiving. Coverage at destination is strong in the Philippines, India, and Thailand. As with Western Union, rates are often less competitive than Israeli-focused digital platforms, but the cash-payout network in remote areas of destination countries can be an advantage.
Digital-Only Alternatives#
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise uses mid-market exchange rates with transparent, low fees — and publishes both upfront, so you know exactly what arrives before you confirm. It is popular with Indian tech workers, Chinese expats, and anyone sending larger amounts where the fee differential between Wise and a bank transfer is significant. Wise requires identity verification and a bank account in Israel; it is less useful for workers who are paid in cash or who do not have an Israeli bank account.
By Destination Country#
Philippines#
The largest single corridor from Israel. The best-covered services are:
- GMT (Cebuana Lhuillier pickup network, 2,500+ branches)
- Rewire (Tagalog-language support, competitive rates)
- Monox by 019 (zero fee, GCash supported)
- MoneyLowCost (interest-free credit option)
- Western Union / Israel Post (cash pickup nationwide in the Philippines)
GCash, the Philippines’ dominant e-wallet, is supported by Monox and some GMT transfers. If your recipient uses GCash, this can be faster than a bank deposit.
Thailand#
- GMT (Thai worker support)
- MoneySend (covers Thailand)
- Rewire (Thai-language support)
- Western Union / MoneyGram (cash pickup at PromptPay-linked agents and banks)
India#
- GMT (Indian corridor supported)
- MoneySend (covers India)
- Wise (strong for bank-to-bank INR transfers, popular with tech workers)
- Western Union / MoneyGram (broad agent network in India)
SWIFT/bank transfers from Israeli banks are also viable for India if the amounts are large and your recipient has a bank account with SWIFT access.
China#
- GMT (Chinese workers supported)
- Wise (CNY transfers to Chinese banks)
- Western Union (China coverage)
Note: transfers to mainland China face additional compliance checks on both the Israeli and Chinese sides. Allow extra time and ensure your recipient’s bank account details are accurate.
Nepal#
- GMT (Nepali workers listed in GMT’s supported corridors)
- Western Union / MoneyGram (strong network in Nepal)
Nepal has a large and active remittance-receiving infrastructure — most services that cover South Asia cover Nepal. GMT and the global networks are the most reliable options.
Practical Tips#
What to Bring#
For in-person agents, bring your teudat zehut (Israeli ID, for residents and citizens) or passport (for those on work visas). Some services also require your Israeli work visa or residency permit. For digital services, identity verification is done via app upload — have your documents photographed in advance.
Exchange Rate vs. Transfer Fee#
Do not evaluate services on fee alone. A service advertising “no fee” may offer a worse exchange rate than a service charging a small fee. Always compare the amount that arrives at the destination for the same amount sent — this is the only honest comparison. Most of the platforms above have rate calculators on their websites; use them side by side before deciding.
Best Times to Send#
Exchange rates fluctuate with the shekel. The NIS has historically been stronger against Asian currencies mid-week on days with good Israeli economic news. There is no universal “best day,” but avoiding major news events (elections, central bank announcements, escalations in the security situation) when the shekel is under pressure will typically produce better rates.
Israel Tax Authority (ITA) Reporting#
The Israeli Tax Authority requires reporting of certain large outgoing transfers. For most workers sending regular monthly amounts, the sums involved fall well below reporting thresholds. However, if you plan to send a large one-time transfer (e.g., for a property purchase or significant family expense), consult with the service agent or a tax professional about whether the transfer requires declaration.
Bank of Israel Regulations#
Israel’s Bank of Israel regulates money transfer services. Licensed operators must comply with anti-money-laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) rules — which is why all services listed here require identity verification. If a service asks for unusually high fees, requests payment in cryptocurrency without proper licensing, or offers rates that seem too good to be true, treat it as a red flag. Stick to licensed operators.
For complaints or verification of a service’s license status, contact the Bank of Israel’s Supervisor of Banks and Payment Services.
Choosing the Right Service#
| Need | Best option(s) |
|---|---|
| Lowest total cost, Philippines | Compare Monox, GMT, Rewire |
| Cash pickup in remote Philippines | GMT (Cebuana) or Western Union |
| GCash delivery | Monox by 019 |
| Thai agricultural worker, send THB | Rewire or GMT |
| Indian tech worker, send INR | Wise or GMT |
| No Israeli bank account | Western Union / Israel Post (cash-based) |
| Small-town Israel, no nearby agent | Israel Post branches |
| Large one-time transfer | Wise (lowest rates on large amounts) |
| Need credit before salary clears | MoneyLowCost (Philippines only) |
The full list of remittance services in our directory is at Asian businesses directory. If you use a service not listed here and want it added, contact us via the contact page.
