Download Remitly, verify your identity once, choose Lebanon, pick your speed, and pay in Canadian dollars. Your family receives US dollars, and when they choose Purpl as the cash out option, they withdraw it with zero fees at 450+ locations across Lebanon. No bank account, no card.
If you live in Canada and have family back home, you already know the routine: payday comes, and you want a fast, safe way to get money to Beirut, Tripoli, Zahlé or your village, without losing a chunk to fees or worrying whether it actually arrives.
Remitly is one of the most popular apps for exactly this. It works from anywhere in Canada, it's regulated, and it pays out in Lebanon in US dollars. Here is exactly how to use it, step by step, plus the one decision that determines how much your family actually ends up holding: the cash out option.
1.Sending with Remitly, step by step
2.What Remitly costs
Every Remitly transfer has two costs, and it's worth understanding both before you send:
- The transfer fee. It depends on the amount, your payment method, and the speed you pick. Smaller transfers often sit in the CAD 1.99 to 7.99 range. Paying by bank account is usually cheaper than paying by card.
- The exchange rate margin. Remitly applies a small markup on the mid market CAD to USD rate. This is the quiet cost most people forget to check.
First time customers get a promotional exchange rate on their first transfer, often capped at the first CAD 1,500. If it's your first send, use it on a larger amount to get the most value.
The golden rule: always look at the recipient gets number, not just the headline fee. That figure already bakes in the exchange rate margin and tells you the truth about your transfer.
Express or Economy?
| Option | Typical fee | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express | ~CAD 5 to 8 | Within minutes | Urgent needs, emergencies, same day cash |
| Economy | ~CAD 2 to 4 | Hours to 2 days | Regular monthly support, planned transfers |
Illustrative fees for a typical small transfer at the time of writing. Remitly shows the exact fee and recipient gets amount in the app before you confirm.
Example: sending CAD 500 to Lebanon
Economy(Express)3.Why Remitly beats the alternatives
Remitly is not the only way to send from Canada to Lebanon, but for most senders it offers the best overall combination of cost, speed, flexibility, and reliability. Here is how it stacks up against the other common options:
| Method | Typical fee | Speed | Payout in Lebanon | Free cash out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our pick | ~CAD 2 to 8 + small FX margin | Minutes (Express) or hours to 2 days (Economy) | Cash pickup / wallet / bank | Yes, via Purpl |
 Paysend | CAD 0 (promo) · normally CAD 3 | Same day | Card / bank / cash pickup | Yes, via Purpl |
| Taptap Send | No flat fee, FX margin only | Minutes to same day | Cash pickup via agents | No |
| Western Union | ~CAD 5 to 12 + FX margin | Minutes to days | Cash pickup / bank | No |
| Ria | Variable fee + higher FX margin | Minutes to days | Cash pickup | Yes, via Purpl |
| Bank wire | ~CAD 30 to 50 | 2 to 5 days | Bank account only | No |
Illustrative figures based on publicly published fees at the time of writing. Check each provider's app for current rates before sending.
What sets Remitly apart from this field:
- You choose the speed. Express in minutes when it's urgent, Economy when it can wait and you want to save. No other provider on this corridor gives you that choice so clearly.
- The most flexible payout. Cash pickup, mobile wallet, or bank deposit. Most rivals offer only one or two of these.
- A real delivery promise. If your transfer doesn't arrive on time, Remitly refunds your fees. Agent based services don't offer that guarantee.
- New customer promo. A promotional exchange rate on your first transfer, typically up to CAD 1,500, which can make it one of the cheapest first sends on the market.
- Free cash out with Purpl. Unlike Taptap Send, Western Union or Ria, money sent with Remitly can be withdrawn as free USD through Purpl, so your family keeps everything that arrives.
4.The part that decides everything: cash out
Getting money into Lebanon is the easy half. The half that actually matters to your family is getting it out: quickly, conveniently, and without extra fees eating into it.
That's where Purpl comes in. Purpl is a Lebanese fintech app, licensed by the Central Bank of Lebanon (Banque du Liban), built for exactly this moment. When you send with Remitly, your family chooses Purpl as their cash out option and then:
- Withdraws USD for free at 450+ locations across Lebanon, with no withdrawal fee.
- Skips the bank account. No account and no card needed. Just the Purpl app and an ID.
- Gets it fast. Funds are ready to access quickly, so there's no waiting around.
The Purpl cash out network covers the whole country through two trusted partners:
Banque Libano-Française ATMs Cash out fresh USD at BLF ATMs across Lebanon, with no bank account and no card needed. Visit eblf.com → 
MTM locations Pick up your money in cash at MTM agent locations nationwide, licensed by the Central Bank of Lebanon. Visit mtm.com.lb → You don't have to learn anything new. Send with Remitly the way the steps above describe. Just have your family pick Purpl on the receiving end.
5.A few tips before you send
- Use the first transfer promo wisely. Remitly's promotional rate for new customers is best used on a larger first send, within the cap.
- Pay by bank account when you can. It's usually cheaper than paying by credit card, which may also carry cash advance fees from your card issuer.
- Pick the right speed. If it's not urgent, Economy saves money. If someone needs cash today, Express is worth it.
- Match the recipient name to their ID. Small spelling differences are the most common reason pickups get delayed.
- Set the cash out option first. Agree with your family that they'll use Purpl, so the money arrives ready to withdraw as free USD.
Every dollar counts. Make sure all of it arrives.
Tell your family to download Purpl, then send through Remitly and choose Purpl as the cash out option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Remitly the best way to send money from Canada to Lebanon?
For most senders, yes. Remitly combines competitive fees, a choice of Express or Economy speeds, flexible payout, a delivery promise, and a promotional rate for new customers, and it pairs with Purpl for free USD cash out at 450+ locations. Agent based services like Western Union and Ria typically cost more once fees and exchange rate markups are counted.
How do I send money from Canada to Lebanon with Remitly?
Download the Remitly app, create an account and verify your identity, choose Lebanon, enter the amount in Canadian dollars, pick a speed and delivery method, add your recipient's details, and pay with your bank account, debit card, or credit card. Your family can then cash out US dollars for free with Purpl at 450+ locations.
How much does Remitly charge to send to Lebanon?
It depends on the amount, your payment method, and the delivery speed. Smaller transfers often cost between roughly CAD 1.99 and CAD 7.99, plus an exchange rate margin. You always see the full cost and the recipient's amount before confirming.
What is the difference between Remitly Express and Economy?
Express arrives within minutes and costs a little more. Economy is cheaper but takes longer, often a few hours to two business days. Both deliver US dollars to Lebanon and both work with Purpl for free cash out.
How can my family get free cash out in Lebanon?
When sending with Remitly, your recipient chooses Purpl as their cash out option. Purpl lets them withdraw US dollars for free at 450+ locations nationwide, including Banque Libano-Française ATMs and MTM locations, with no bank account and no card required.
Is sending money to Lebanon this way safe?
Yes. Remitly is a regulated transfer service with a delivery promise, and Purpl is licensed by the Central Bank of Lebanon with encrypted transactions, so your family receives their money securely.