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Guide

How to use MellaPay

Everything you need to send money from the United States to Ethiopia — on the app or the website, using whichever funding method your bank has enabled.

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Or jump straight to funding methods
Identity verified
Every account is KYC checked
Costs shown upfront
See the fee before you confirm
Trackable end to end
Follow every stage by reference
A phone showing a completed transfer, surrounded by a bank, a card and a coin representing the ways you can fund it.

Every funding method below shows its real, live status.

Getting started

Two ways to use MellaPay

Everything works the same on both. Use whichever suits you — your account, recipients and history are shared.

The MellaPay app

Install it to your home screen for the fastest experience, with push notifications when a transfer changes status.

Create your account

The website

Sign in from any browser. Best for reviewing history, updating documents, or sending from a desktop.

Sign in

One-time setup

Set up your account

You only do this once. Verification is required by US regulation before any money can move.

  1. 1

    Create your account

    Register with your email and a password, then confirm your phone number by entering the code we text you.

  2. 2

    Verify your identity (KYC)

    Upload a government photo ID and confirm your address. This protects your money and is legally required of every US money transmitter.

  3. 3

    Add a recipient

    Enter your recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account or ID, plus their bank and account number, or their mobile wallet number.

  4. 4

    Choose how you'll pay

    Pick a funding method from the options your bank has enabled. The next section explains each one.

Setup takes a few minutes

Register now and get verification out of the way, so your first transfer is only a couple of taps.

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Choose funding method

How you can pay for a transfer

These are the funding methods MellaPay supports. Each one shows its live status, because a method can only be used once U.S. Banking Partner has enabled and approved it. Statuses update automatically — nothing here is hard-coded.

Available

Enabled and ready to use.

Coming soon

Being built, available in a future release.

Awaiting bank enablement

Planned, but not usable until the bank approves it.

No funding method is live yet

This funding method is not yet available. We are currently completing integration with our banking partner. Please choose another available funding option or check back soon.

Bank account (ACH debit)

Awaiting bank enablement

Fund your transfer directly from a linked US checking or savings account.

Clears in 1-3 business days

How it works

  1. 1Link your US checking or savings account.
  2. 2Confirm the amount and authorise the debit.
  3. 3We collect the funds and notify you when they clear.
  4. 4Your recipient is paid once the funds settle.

This funding method is not yet available. We are currently completing integration with our banking partner. Please choose another available funding option or check back soon.

Domestic wire

Awaiting bank enablement

Send a domestic wire from any participating US financial institution.

Clears in same business day

How it works

  1. 1We show you the exact wire instructions and a reference number.
  2. 2Send the wire from your bank, quoting that reference.
  3. 3We match the incoming wire to your transfer.
  4. 4Your recipient is paid once the wire posts.

This funding method is not yet available. We are currently completing integration with our banking partner. Please choose another available funding option or check back soon.

Debit or credit card

Awaiting bank enablement

Fund your transfer with a major debit or credit card.

Clears in minutes

Cards we plan to accept

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressDiscoverJCBDiners ClubUnionPay

Processed securely through MellaPay's approved banking partner.

How it works

  1. 1Enter your card details on a secure form.
  2. 2Approve any verification step your card issuer requires.
  3. 3Funding confirms within minutes.
  4. 4Your recipient is paid once funding confirms.

This funding method is not yet available. We are currently completing integration with our banking partner. Please choose another available funding option or check back soon.

Cash deposit

Awaiting bank enablement

Pay in cash at a participating branch, an authorised agent, or an approved deposit channel.

Clears in next business day

How it works

  1. 1Start the transfer online to get a deposit reference.
  2. 2Take your cash and that reference to a participating location.
  3. 3The agent records the deposit against your transfer.
  4. 4Your recipient is paid once the deposit is confirmed.

This funding method is not yet available. We are currently completing integration with our banking partner. Please choose another available funding option or check back soon.

Sign in to see what you can use right now

Your account only ever offers the funding methods that are live and approved for you, so you will never pick a method that cannot be completed.

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Sending money

Send money to Ethiopia

Once your account is verified, a transfer takes about two minutes.

  1. 1

    Enter the amount

    Type what you want to send in USD. You'll see the exchange rate, our fee and the exact birr amount your recipient receives before you commit.

  2. 2

    Pick your recipient

    Choose a saved recipient or add a new one. Double-check the name matches their bank records exactly, or the bank may reject the deposit.

  3. 3

    Choose your funding method

    Only methods your bank has enabled can be selected. Anything not yet live is clearly marked and cannot be chosen.

  4. 4

    Review and confirm

    Check every detail on the review screen. Nothing is charged until you confirm, and you get a reference number immediately afterwards.

Receiving money

How your recipient gets paid

Your recipient does not need a MellaPay account. Payout happens once your funding clears.

Bank deposit

Straight into their Ethiopian bank account in birr. They receive an SMS from their bank when it lands.

Mobile wallet

Sent to their mobile money wallet, spendable from their phone right away.

Cash pickup

Collected in cash at a partner branch. They bring photo ID and your reference number.

Track it the whole way

Every transfer has a reference number. Sign in and enter it under Track to see exactly which stage it has reached, from funding through to payout.

Staying safe

What MellaPay will never do

A few things worth knowing, so you can spot a scam immediately.

We never ask for your password. Not by phone, email or text.

We never ask you to send money to a stranger to "release" a transfer.

We never show a success screen for a payment that did not actually go through.

We never charge a fee you were not shown before you confirmed.

Ready to send money to Ethiopia?

Create your account and complete verification now, so your transfer is ready to go the moment you need it. Already registered? Sign in to pick up where you left off.

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