How to Send Money to Cuba, Haiti and Countries With Transfer Restrictions
Sending Money to Restricted Countries — What Works in 2026
Sending remittances to Cuba, Haiti, and other countries with U.S. sanctions or infrastructure challenges requires knowing which services actually work, what limits apply, and how to get the best exchange rate.
Sending Money to Cuba
Cuba is subject to U.S. economic sanctions that limit remittance transfers. Key rules in 2026:
- Monthly limits apply per sender per household in Cuba
- Transfers are prohibited to certain Cuban government officials
- Approved providers include Western Union (when operating), Ria Money Transfer, and specialized Cuba-focused services
- Check current OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) regulations before sending, as rules change frequently
Sending Money to Haiti
Haiti has no U.S. sanctions, but infrastructure and security challenges affect transfer options:
- MoneyGram and Western Union — widely available but higher fees
- Remitly — competitive rates, delivery to mobile wallets
- CAM Transfer — specialized for Haiti, good mobile money options
- Digicel Moncash — popular mobile wallet for direct deposits
Tips for All International Transfers
- Compare rates on Wise’s remittance comparison tool before sending
- Send larger amounts less frequently to reduce per-transfer fees
- Use bank transfers rather than credit cards (card fees add 1-3%)
- Confirm the recipient’s preferred receive method before transferring
Before you send: Use Remitly’s comparison tool at remitly.com/send to compare rates across providers for your specific corridor.
