Popular apps like Venmo and Zelle may not work overseas.
How to hide Venmo transactions
Your friends or strangers may be able to see where you send money. Here’s how to change this:
problem solved
Apps such as Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle are now routinely used in the United States for payments and money transfers, but the State Department is warning Americans not to rely too much on peer-to-peer options when traveling abroad.
“We are seeing at consulates around the world that many Americans are having problems accessing money transfers abroad because of their reliance on apps,” the department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs said in a post on X, without naming specific apps.
“The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of the American people,” the State Department told USA TODAY in an email. “Americans should not rely solely on a single payment method when abroad.”
Here’s what travelers need to know:
cash app
The Cash App app may only be used to add funds, make payments, and withdraw funds within the United States and United Kingdom.
However, the Visa-affiliated Cash App Card can be used in most countries, except for the 27 countries listed on the website, including Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
According to the Cash App website, “There is a 3% international fee when using the Cash App Card in supported countries or at international online merchants.” Users who qualify for Cash App Green benefits can have international fees waived by spending or depositing a certain amount each month.
Withdrawals at out-of-network ATMs are subject to a $2.50 fee in addition to any fees charged by the ATM operator.
paypal, venmo
“If you are not currently in the United States, you will not be able to sign in to your Venmo account,” Venmo says on its website, directing users to parent company PayPal for international transactions.
PayPal can be used to send money in over 110 countries, but international personal transactions are subject to a 5% fee and a cap of $4.99.
Another option is to use your Venmo debit card to make payments and withdrawals at ATMs overseas. There are no foreign transaction fees for purchases, but international ATM withdrawals are subject to a $2.50 fee and any applicable fees charged by the ATM operator.
PayPal also offers debit cards that charge a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases and a $2.50 fee on foreign ATM withdrawals, as well as fees charged by ATM operators.
Both debit cards can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted.
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Zelle’s website states that to use Zelle, senders and recipients “must have U.S. bank accounts.”
Other payment methods
The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs advises, “If you’re traveling outside the United States, make sure you have access to an internationally accepted credit or debit card (and have a backup plan!).”
To save money, travelers should check whether their cards have foreign transaction fees and minimize the fees they incur as much as possible.
Some locations may not accept credit or debit cards at all. For example, cash is still the norm at food stalls and small businesses in Japan. Regardless of the destination, travelers should carry cash in the local currency in case of emergencies.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
