Understanding Transfer Limits When Sending Money to the Philippines
When you send money to the Philippines through UniFi, your transfer is delivered via one of two payment networks operated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP): InstaPay or PESONet. Each network has different speed and limit characteristics.
This article explains how these networks work, their limits, and how UniFi automatically routes your transfer for the best experience.
The Two Payment Networks
InstaPay: Instant Transfers
InstaPay is the Philippines' real-time payment system. Transfers arrive in seconds, 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
| Speed | Instant (typically under 30 seconds) |
| Per-transaction limit | ₱50,000 (~$900 USD) |
| Availability | 24/7, including holidays |
| Best for | Smaller, time-sensitive transfers |
PESONet: Same-Day or Next-Day Transfers
PESONet (Philippine EFT System and Operations Network) handles larger transfers with batch processing.
| Speed | Same business day or next business day |
| Per-transaction limit | No fixed maximum (bank-dependent) |
| Availability | Business days only |
| Best for | Larger transfers where instant delivery isn't critical |
About PESONet timing: PESONet processes transfers in batches throughout the day. If your transfer is submitted before the cut-off time (typically early afternoon Philippine time), it usually settles the same business day. Transfers submitted later, or on weekends/holidays, will settle on the next business day.
How UniFi Routes Your Transfer
UniFi automatically selects the best network based on your transfer amount. You don't need to choose—we handle it for you.
| Transfer Amount (PHP) | Network Used | Delivery Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₱50,000 | InstaPay | Instant |
| ₱50,000 or more | PESONet | Same day / next business day |
Why This Matters
The ₱50,000 InstaPay limit is set by the BSP, not by UniFi or any individual bank. This limit applies across all financial institutions in the Philippines that use InstaPay.
If you need to send more than ₱50,000 and want instant delivery, you'll need to split your transfer into multiple transactions of ₱50,000 or less. We're exploring ways to make this easier in the future—stay tuned.
Understanding Transfer Limits
Per-Transaction Limits
The only BSP-mandated limit is the ₱50,000 maximum per InstaPay transaction. PESONet has no fixed maximum—limits depend on the receiving bank.
| Network | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| InstaPay | ₱50 | ₱50,000 (BSP-mandated) |
| PESONet | No minimum | No fixed limit (bank-dependent) |
Daily Limits
Daily transfer limits are not set by the BSP—they vary by the recipient's bank. Most Philippine banks allow between ₱200,000 and ₱500,000 per day via InstaPay. Some examples:
| Receiving Bank | Daily InstaPay Limit |
|---|---|
| BPI (regular accounts) | ₱250,000 |
| BPI (preferred/private) | ₱500,000 |
| Bank of China | ₱500,000 |
| CIMB | ₱500,000 |
If your recipient's bank has a lower daily limit, transfers may be declined even if each individual transaction is under ₱50,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which network to use?
Currently, UniFi automatically selects the network based on your amount. If your transfer is under ₱50,000, it goes via InstaPay (instant). If it's ₱50,000 or more, it goes via PESONet (same-day or next business day).
Why is there a ₱50,000 limit on instant transfers?
This limit is set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines. It applies to all InstaPay transactions nationwide, regardless of which bank or service you use.
What if I want to send a large amount instantly?
For amounts over ₱50,000 that need to arrive instantly, you can split your transfer into multiple transactions of ₱50,000 or less. Each transaction will be delivered via InstaPay in seconds.
For example, to send ₱120,000 instantly:
- Transfer 1: ₱50,000 (InstaPay — instant)
- Transfer 2: ₱50,000 (InstaPay — instant)
- Transfer 3: ₱20,000 (InstaPay — instant)
We're working on features to make large instant transfers more convenient. For now, splitting manually is the way to go.
Are there any fees for using InstaPay vs PESONet?
UniFi does not charge additional fees based on which network is used. Both InstaPay and PESONet transfers are included in your standard UniFi transfer.
UniFi charges no transfer fees to the Philippines—and you always get the real mid-market exchange rate with no markup. Learn more about sending money to the Philippines.
What banks and e-wallets support these networks?
Both networks are supported by virtually all major Philippine banks and e-wallets, including:
- BDO
- BPI
- Metrobank
- UnionBank
- GCash
- Maya (formerly PayMaya)
- And many more
What if my transfer is declined due to limits?
If a transfer is declined, it's usually because the recipient's bank has reached its daily limit. You can try again the next day, or split the amount into smaller transfers.
Summary
| Network | Per-Transaction Limit | Speed | When UniFi Uses It |
|---|---|---|---|
| InstaPay | ₱50 – ₱50,000 | Instant | Transfers under ₱50,000 |
| PESONet | No fixed limit | Same day / Next day | Transfers of ₱50,000+ |
UniFi automatically routes your transfer to give you the fastest delivery possible within BSP limits. For instant delivery of larger amounts, split your transfer into ₱50,000 chunks.
Have questions? Contact our support team at [email protected].