Send Money to the Philippines Via Money Transfer Agents in Canada

As a newcomer in Canada, I’ve been advice to send remittance to the Philippines through money transfer agents.

I get the idea of what “remittance” is as quickly as balikbayan boxes. It’s a second nature to OFWS; so it’s not surprising that the Philippines is known to be the 3rd recipient country of remittances. India comes first, followed by China.

This post is a part of a series of blog posts on how to send money remittances:

1. Money transfer agents in Canada (and Remittance Centers in Calgary)
2. Online money transfer companies
3. Canadian banks

The series can grow more so if you have any tricks on how to remit, let us know.

For now let’s explore where in Canada can we find remittance agents. There could be one close to your place.

Tip: You can check online the information of a company through FINTRAC – Money Services Business Registy.

List of Money Transfer Agents in Canada

I have only tried one money transfer agent (iRemit) so far because I prefer to send money to the Philippines online. If you are looking for one-on-one interaction for remittances, this list is for you.

Note: The transaction fee in money transfer agents is higher compare to online money remittance service. To find out the updated fee and exchange rate, you can contact the agent provided in the links.

1. Metro Remittance Inc.

Metrobank offer services to the OFWs through Metro Remittance Inc. with branches in America, Asia, Europe, and Middle East.  In Canada, it has two remittance branches located in British Columbia and Ontario.

Contact Information:

Vancouver Office
Address: 4292 Fraser St. Vancouver, BC V5V 4G2
Tel. No: 1 (604) 874 – 3373
Fax: 1 (604) 874-3374
Email: vancouver@metroremittance.ca

Office Hours:
Monday to Saturday (10:00 am – 5:30 pm)
Sunday (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)

Toronto Office
Address: 569 St. Clair Ave. West Toronto, ON M6C 1A3
Tel. No: 1 (416) 532 – 9779 / 1 (416) 532 – 3223
Fax: 1 (416) 534 – 4040
Email: toronto@metroremittance.ca

Office Hours:
Monday to Saturday (10:00 am – 7:00 pm)
Sunday (10:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Service:

• Real time credit to Metrobank accounts
• Credit to other Philippine bank accounts
• Door-to-door cash delivery
• Cash pick-up services

Related Post: Open a Metrobank Account in Canada

2. PNB Remittance Company (Canada) (PNBRCC)

I’ve mentioned PNB Remittance Company in my post on How to Open a PNB Account in Canada. You can remit money in PNBRCC’s branches which I also included in the post so I wouldn’t add it here.

There might be a PNB branch in Calgary soon. For those of us who can’t go to the branch, we can consider the Global Filipino Card (GFC) which my friends recommended me to try. (But I haven’t done yet.)

It is a re-loadable pre-paid ATM card for OFWs and their beneficiaries. You can go to any PNB Branch, remittance center, or agent tie-up abroad to apply for GFC.

Manila Convenience Store is one of the convenience stores in Calgary. Most of the Filipinos, frequent the store to send money through Global Filipino Card. I maybe veering of the topic but I’ll spill anyway that you can also book a trip to the Philippines in the same store.

3. TFC myRemit

myRemit is the money remittance service from Canada to the Philippines of ABS-CBN Canada Remittance Inc.

Contact Information:

Main Office
Address: 300 Consilium Place, Suite 105 Toronto, ON M1H3G2
Tel No: 1 (647) 748-2003
Fax:  1 (855) 997-3649 (1-855-99 REMIT)
Toll-Free: 1 (855) 80 73648 (1 855 80 REMIT)
E-mail: myremitca@abs-cbn.com
Website

You can send money through myRemit in the main office in Toronto or visit any of the myRemit authorized remittance agents in Canada.

4. Western Union

Western Union is a financial service company that I cannot forget because it allows us to send money within the Philippines to our relatives. I remember seeing clocks with different timezones in one of the remittance agents of Western Union.

Fun fact: Western Union started as a telegraph company in 1851. I guess it’s not just the oldest money transfer company in the list but also the most innovative.

Through Western Union, you can send money online or through any of the Western Union money transfers agents worldwide.

Tip: Enter your location’s city and choose Canada when you use the agent locator for better search result.

5. MoneyGram

MoneyGram is a money transfer company, a bit younger than Western Union.

It is established in 1940 and today its remittance agents are found mostly in stores like Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Rexall, 7 Eleven, and convenience stores.

Try the agent locator to find the nearest MoneyGram remittance agent in your area.

6. iRemit

iRemit is the largest non-bank Filipino-owned remittance company. Through iRemit, I experienced for the first time how to financially give back to my family. I felt independent, like a real responsible adult. (Iba pala kapag nakakatulong sa sariling sikap.)

Although I didn’t have any issue with iRemit back then, I decided to send money through an online international money transfer company which reminds me to also have a look at iDOL (iRemit Direct Online).

The money transfer agents and tie-ups of iRemit are scattered in different provinces of Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario.

Most of the iRemit agents are located in Filipino convenience stores so I would often shop and sent remittance or either. In Calgary, you can do both in Loriz Bakery. (Don’t forget the spanish bread.) Share in the comment where you send money through iRemit agent.

7. First Global Money

First Global Money is one of the money transfer companies in the list that allow clients to send money online or through its money transfer agents in Canada.

The remittance agents of First Global Money are located in the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.

Final Thoughts

Although, I advocate for OFWs to send money online because it is convenient and cheaper, but I knew there is something special in going to money transfer agents in Canada.

You stand there waiting for the money to be transferred. There’s interaction and you could also pay in cash (which I seldom do). Do you get excited knowing that the hard-earned money can help your loved ones back home?

Are we getting a bit emotional now? Let me digress by asking your help to share any remittance agent that  wasn’t included in the list.

What often is your purpose of sending remittance in the Philippines and which is your favourite agent in the list?

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