How to Send Money to Lebanon: OMT, Whish Money, Western Union & Bank Transfer Compared
Lebanon's large diaspora sends remittances home constantly, and which service you use can make a real difference in what actually arrives — not just in fees, but in which exchange rate is applied and whether you're paid in cash dollars, cash lira, or a bank credit.
Cash pickup networks: OMT, Whish Money, and similar
OMT (Overseas Money Transfer) and Whish Money are two of the largest cash-pickup networks in Lebanon, with branches in most towns. Money sent through these services (often via a local partner in the sender's country) is typically available for pickup within minutes to a few hours. Payout is usually offered in the currency you request — often USD cash — at a rate close to the prevailing market rate, though this varies by service and by day, so it's worth confirming the exact payout rate before sending.
Western Union and MoneyGram
These global networks also operate widely in Lebanon through local agent branches. They work similarly to OMT/Whish for cash pickup, with the advantage of extensive international sending locations and online transfer options. Fees and the applied exchange rate vary by corridor (which country you're sending from) and should be checked at the time of transfer, since online quotes can differ from in-branch rates.
Bank wire transfer
Wiring money directly to a Lebanese bank account is the slowest option (often multiple business days) and, since the 2019 banking crisis, comes with an important caveat: money that lands in a Lebanese bank account is often subject to informal withdrawal restrictions, and may not be freely withdrawable in cash dollars the way it would have been before the crisis. Many senders avoid routing remittances through bank deposits for exactly this reason, preferring cash-pickup services instead.
What to check before you send
- The exact exchange rate offered — compare it against the market rate on our converter before committing.
- Total fees, including any markup baked into the exchange rate rather than a stated fee.
- Payout currency and form — USD cash, LBP cash, or bank credit each behave very differently once the money lands in Lebanon.
- Pickup locations near the recipient, and required ID for collection.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any specific provider. Fees, rates, and terms change frequently and vary by corridor — confirm current details directly with the provider before sending money.