India to Kenya Money Transfer: INR to KES Guide 2025
India and Kenya share strong trade and diaspora ties. Whether you're an Indian business owner or professional in Kenya, or sending money between the two countries, this guide covers your options.
Quick Comparison: India to Kenya
| Provider | Fee (ā¹10,000) | Rate | Speed | M-Pesa |
| Wise | ā¹150 | Mid-market | 1-24h | ā |
| Remitly | ā¹0-199 | 1.5% markup | Minutes | ā |
| WorldRemit | ā¹199 | 2% markup | Minutes | ā |
| Western Union | ā¹300+ | 4% markup | Minutes | ā |
| Bank Transfer | ā¹500+ | 3% markup | 3-5 days | ā |
What Your Recipient Gets
Sending ā¹50,000 to Kenya:
| Provider | Fee | Rate (KES/ā¹) | Recipient Gets |
| Wise | ā¹750 | 1.44 | KES 70,920 |
| Remitly | ā¹199 | 1.41 | KES 70,220 |
| WorldRemit | ā¹299 | 1.40 | KES 69,580 |
| Bank Wire | ā¹1,000 | 1.38 | KES 67,620 |
Best Options from India
1. Wise - Best Exchange Rate
Why Wise:
- Real mid-market rate
- RBI authorized
- UPI payment accepted
- Track transfers online
Payment Methods:
- UPI (instant, free)
- IMPS/NEFT
- Debit card
Speed: 1-24 hours to M-Pesa
2. Remitly - Fast & Easy
Why Remitly:
- Express delivery in minutes
- Good app experience
- First transfer offers
- UPI supported
3. WorldRemit
Why WorldRemit:
- Multiple receive options
- Reliable delivery
- Cash pickup available
Indian Regulations
RBI/FEMA Compliance
All outward remittances must comply with FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act).
LRS Limit
- $250,000 per year (Liberalized Remittance Scheme)
- Covers all foreign transfers
- PAN card required
Required Documents
- PAN card
- Aadhaar (for UPI)
- Purpose of remittance
Taxable?
- Not directly taxed
- TCS (Tax Collected at Source) may apply for amounts above ā¹7 lakh/year
Payment Methods
UPI (Recommended)
- Instant and free
- Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm
- Works with Wise, Remitly
IMPS/NEFT
- Bank to bank
- Same day
- Low/no fees
Debit Card
- Instant
- 1-2% fee
- Convenient
Tips for Indian Senders
- Use UPI - Fastest and free funding
- Check LRS usage - Track your yearly limit
- Keep PAN ready - Required for all transfers
- Compare INR/USD and USD/KES - Sometimes routed via USD
- Avoid bank wires - Expensive and slow
Business Transfers
For India-Kenya business payments:
- Wise Business account
- RBI compliance documentation
- GST implications (consult CA)
- FIRC for proof of transfer
FAQs
Can I send to M-Pesa from India?
Yes! Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit all support direct M-Pesa.
Is Wise legal in India?
Yes, Wise is authorized by RBI for outward remittances.
What documents do I need?
PAN card is mandatory. Aadhaar helps for UPI.
How long does India to Kenya take?
- Fastest: Minutes (Remitly Express)
- Standard: 1-24 hours (Wise)
- Bank: 3-5 business days
Conclusion
Wise offers the best value for India to Kenya with UPI payment and mid-market rates. Remitly is excellent for speed. Avoid traditional bank wires due to high fees.
Last updated: January 2025