How do you receive a transfer from abroad to a Georgian account?
Three ways to receive money and what each needs.
Short answer
You can receive money from abroad by bank transfer to your IBAN, through a system such as Western Union, or via Visa+ by phone number to a TBC card. For a bank transfer the sender needs your IBAN and the bank's SWIFT code, for example BAGAGE22 for Bank of Georgia and TBCBGE22 for TBC. For a money transfer TBC asks for the transfer code, the sender's name, the amount, the currency and the country of origin.
Why
- The IBAN format is set by the National Bank of Georgia, and bank SWIFT codes are published by the banks and the National Bank.
- TBC receives money transfers through FastTransfer, IntelExpress, MoneyGram, Ria, RicoGram and Western Union and pays them out via internet bank, mobile bank or the contact centre.
- Visa+ lets you receive money from abroad to a TBC card using only a mobile number.
Details
TBC money transfers are collected in the internet bank (Transfers, Money Transfers), in the mobile bank (Transfers, Remittances, Receive Remittance) or by calling the contact centre. The money arrives within 48 hours at most, and the exact time depends on the system. The transfer system may itself ask for additional information.
Visa+ is available to adult TBC customers with an active debit card and a verified Georgian mobile number: you link the number to the card in the mobile bank and share it with the sender. The sender must use a bank or service that takes part in Visa+. If you have an account in the currency of the transfer, the money goes there, otherwise it is credited in your priority currency. Sending from Russia is covered in How can you send money from Russia to Georgia in 2026. How to open an account is covered in How can a Russian citizen open a bank card in Georgia.
Tip
To collect a money transfer, have the transfer code, the sender's name, the amount, the currency and the country of origin at hand, and the answer to the control question if there is one.
What may differ
Each bank has its own terms. Fees for incoming transfers and limits must be confirmed with the bank. Visa+ is available only to TBC customers with a Georgian number.
Common misconception
Money from abroad can only be received by a bank SWIFT transfer.
What actually happens
TBC also receives money transfers from six systems and Visa+ by phone number.
People also ask
- How can I receive money from abroad in Georgia?
Sources
- TBC Bank: money transfersChecked at:
- TBC Bank: receiving money from abroad with Visa+Checked at:
- National Bank of Georgia: IBANChecked at:
- Liberty Bank: correspondent banks (SWIFT codes of Bank of Georgia and TBC)Checked at:
Fees and timing depend on the bank and the transfer system, check before sending.
Related questions
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What is a Georgian IBAN and where do you find it?
A Georgian IBAN has 22 characters: the country code GE, two check digits, two letters of the bank code and 16 digits of the account identifier assigned by the bank.
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How can you top up a card or pay a bill at a terminal in Georgia?
Utilities, mobile, internet, television and state services in Georgia are paid at payment terminals: the TBC Pay network has more than 4,000 terminals and over 1,000 services.
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Where can you exchange damaged or old lari banknotes?
Worn and damaged lari banknotes and coins are replaced free at face value at the National Bank of Georgia and commercial banks if they still meet the fitness criteria.
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Which lari banknotes and coins are in circulation now?
Georgia has banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 lari and coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 tetri, 1 and 2 lari.