How long does it take to send money on paypal

If you are sending or receiving money using a PayPal account, most transactions take just a few minutes before you will see the money deposited. Getting money out of your PayPal account can take a few days using PayPal's standard service. However, if you are in a hurry to get the money into the bank, you can use PayPal Instant Transfer for a fee.

Understanding PayPal Transfers

PayPal gives you the ability to accept payments from another PayPal account, or from a credit card or a debit card. To move money out of your PayPal account, you can deposit it into your bank account, or to a credit card or debit card. While debit cards are almost always linked to a bank account, PayPal makes a distinction between bank transfers and debit card transfers because the back-end process is different between the two.

Paypal-to-Paypal Transfer Times

If someone is paying you from their PayPal account, the transfer to your PayPal account takes just a few minutes, provided it is paid from their PayPal balance, a debit card or a credit card.

Times for Client Payments to Be Processed

If you invoice a client using PayPal's invoicing service, you can usually expect the money to appear in your PayPal balance within a few minutes, provided they pay with a credit card or a debit card. If they pay with a bank transfer or eCheck, it can take a few days to clear the bank. When using PayPal's invoicing, PayPal notifies you with an email when the payment has been made, and the invoice status is changed to "Paid."

If you are using PayPal's merchant services, or PayPal powered by Braintree, credit card and debit card transactions go directly to your specified bank account. Visa, MasterCard and Discover card payments take two to three business days, while American Express payments take four to five business days. If you accept PayPal payments, these go to your own PayPal account within a few minutes.

Transferring to a Bank Account

Transferring money from your PayPal account to a bank account or debit card is free and takes approximately one business day.

PayPal Instant Transfer: If you need to get money from your PayPal account into your bank as soon as possible, PayPal Instant Transfer will do just that. There is a $10 fee for this service or 1 percent of the transaction amount, whichever is less. PayPal Instant Transfer takes no more than 30 minutes. Transfers made after 7 p.m. Eastern Time or on weekends or holidays may take longer.

To use this service, log into PayPal and select Transfer. Under the Instant section of the page, select Link an eligible card. Enter the details of your Visa or MasterCard, or your debit card if it has the Visa or MasterCard logo on it.

PayPal Refund Times

The time it takes a refund to be processed depends on how the money was originally paid. If you paid through PayPal Cash, you will get the money the same day the refund was requested. If you paid through a bank account, the refund will take three to five business days to arrive in your account. If you paid with a credit card or a debit card, including a PayPal credit card, the refund can take up to 30 days to appear in your account.

To see the status of a refund you have received, go to your PayPal Activity page. The refund status will say "Pending", "Refunded", "Partially Refunded" or "Completed". If the refund was sent before the payment was cleared by your bank, the status may say "Temporary Hold" until the payment is cleared.

I want to send some money as a gift to my friend through PayPal, but I do not have any PayPal balance left. So I tried to send him money from my Wells Fargo checkings account. I did this yesterday afternoon (Sunday, not a business day) and my friend has still not received the money. I heard that it takes between 1 business day to a whole week... How long do these transactions usually take? Also, when my friend receives it, can he use the money right away? His account is unverified by the way-- he does not want to link his bank information to PayPal, and plans to just use the PayPal balance he receives. 

If you have a PayPal balance, you can withdraw your money in several ways - including transferring money to your linked bank account, sending it to an eligible debit or credit card, or requesting your money from PayPal in the form of a check.

Receiving money onto your card or as an instant bank transfer is quickest - your balance will arrive in just a few minutes. However, there’s a fee to pay for this service. Standard bank transfers take 1 -3 business days usually, and moving your money out of a PayPal account by check takes the longest - possibly several weeks.

This guide covers how long it takes PayPal to send money by bank transfer, to a card or by check. But if you’re looking for a fast and cheap way to make international money transfers, you’ll want to know about Wise. With a Wise account, you can save up to 6x when you send a payment internationally - more on that later.

Save up to 6x with Wise

Bank account

Once you have linked your bank account to your PayPal, you’ll be able to make a standard transfer of your balance, which will usually land in your bank in 1 to 3 days. Here’s how¹:

• Log into your PayPal account
• Click Transfer Money, which is displayed under your PayPal balance
• Select Transfer to your bank and then choose the account you want to send money to, being sure to select a standard payment
• Add the transfer amount
• Review, click Transfer Now, and confirm by selecting Done

Standard payments like this are free, although your own bank might charge you a fee to receive the money. Standard bank transfers usually arrive in a day or two, but can take up to 5 business days.

Debit or credit card

If you’re in a hurry you can have your money moved from your PayPal account to a card - or your linked bank account - in minutes. However, there’s a fee of 1.5% of the transfer value to pay for this service².

Here’s how to make an instant transfer from PayPal to your card or linked bank account:

• Log into your PayPal account
• Click Transfer Money, which is displayed under your PayPal balance
• Select Transfer to your bank and then choose the card or account you want to send money to, under the instant payment section
• Add the transfer amount
• Review, click Transfer Now, and confirm by selecting Done

Check

Transferring your money from PayPal using a check will cost 1.50 USD in fees. In the US, it’ll take 5 to 10 business days on average to get your check. Outside the US, it could take significantly longer to receive your check in the mail - up to 45 days³.

Here’s how to withdraw from PayPal by check:

• Log into your PayPal account
• Click Request check by mail, which is displayed under your PayPal balance
• Add the amount you want to withdraw
• Check your address is correct in your PayPal profile, and click Next
• Use the online prompts to complete the request

Meet Wise - and get fast & low-cost international transfers

Getting money out of PayPal may not always be fast. But Wise international payments usually are. In fact, on popular routes, your money may arrive in just seconds.

Send money online with Wise to save up to 6x on speedy international payments all around the world. All currency exchange uses the real mid-market rate, with no markup and no hidden fees.

See how much you can save in comparison with PayPal:

The true cost of sending USD to GBP

Bottom line

You have several different options when it comes to withdrawing your PayPal balance. It’s possible to get your money for free using a standard bank transfer - if you have the time to wait. It’s also worth noting that there may be an extra day’s delay for standard transfers initiated after 7pm ET⁴.

If you’re in a hurry, you’ll need to pay a 1.5% fee for an instant transfer to a card or bank account². Plan in advance if possible, to avoid fees.

Instant transfers arrive in minutes

Standard transfers take 1 - 5 business days

Checks arrive in 5 - 10 business days in the US

Outside the US it may take up to 45 days for the check to arrive in the mail

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sending money through PayPal instant?

PayPal offers different services to allow customers to withdraw their funds. If you need an instant transfer you can move your PayPal balance to an eligible card or your linked bank account in minutes, for a fee of 1.5% of the transfer value².

Why do PayPal transfers take so long?

Some types of PayPal transfer simply take longer - like standard bank transfers made out of hours or on public holidays, and check withdrawals. However, sometimes PayPal transfers are also held up if they need to be reviewed, or if there’s an issue with your own bank.

Check your PayPal account if you’re experiencing problems - payments marked as pending may be under review. If your transfer is delayed due to an issue with your own bank, you’ll get an email from PayPal to explain the situation.

1]PayPal help - withdrawals
2]PayPal - fees
3]PayPal help - check withdrawals
4]PayPal help - transfer delays

All sources checked on 25 October 2021

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from TransferWise Limited or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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