How long a balance transfer takes depends on two banks: the one sending the money and the one receiving it. The sending bank controls when the payment goes out. The receiving bank controls when it posts to your old account. Most of the published figures describe only the first half, which is why a transfer that the new issuer calls “complete” can still show as unpaid on the old card for days.
This page records what each issuer itself says about timing, read from the issuer’s own pages on the dates shown. Where an issuer publishes no figure, we say so rather than borrowing one from somewhere else.
Processing time by issuer
| Issuer | What the issuer says | Hold before processing starts | Cancel or change window | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase | Most transfers within a week; some up to 21 days. The application terms say up to three weeks to set up a new account and process the transfer | Transfers requested with the application are sent 10 days after Chase mails the card. Chase also says a new cardmember may wait longer during a final review of recent credit history | During the 10 days after the card is mailed, by calling the number on the card, or 1-888-338-9464 before the card arrives | October 30, 2026 |
| Citi | Generally 2 to 21 days; at least 14 days when requested with a new application | At least 14 days after a new account is opened before any transfer payment is processed | During that 14-day period, by calling the number on the card | October 30, 2026 |
| American Express | Usually 5 to 7 days; in some cases up to 6 weeks | Not before 10 days after Amex has sent the Card Member Agreement | Not published | October 30, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | About two weeks per the application terms; the help page says a few business days to several weeks | Not published | Immediately, by phone, and before you confirm receipt of the card | October 30, 2026 |
| U.S. Bank | Most within 14 days | Not published | Within 10 days of account opening, by phone. After that, stop payment on a transfer check is not honored unless the check is lost, stolen or destroyed | October 30, 2026 |
| Discover | Most within 4 days, new or existing account | A new account must be open 14 days before Discover begins processing | Not published | October 30, 2026 |
| Capital One | Processed immediately on Capital One’s side; about 15 business days to reach the other creditor | Not published | Not published | October 30, 2026 |
| Navy Federal | At least 2 weeks | Not published | Not published | October 30, 2026 |
| Bank of America | Most completed electronically within 2 to 4 business days; longer when the creditor requires a paper check | For new accounts, processing begins at least 14 days after approval | Not published | October 30, 2026 |
| Barclays (US) | Not published. The help center’s balance transfer FAQ gives no timeline | Not published | Not published | October 30, 2026 |
| Synchrony | Not published for its own cards. Synchrony’s documents say transfers are offered only by targeted offer at its discretion | Not published | Not published | October 30, 2026 |
Two patterns stand out. The fastest stated figure, Discover’s 4 days, still carries a 14-day hold on new accounts, so a new Discover cardholder is looking at 18 days or so, which is roughly where Citi and U.S. Bank land. And the longest stated figure, Amex’s 6 weeks, is a ceiling Amex gives itself, not the typical case; its typical case is 5 to 7 days.
What each issuer says, in more detail
Chase
Chase’s balance transfer FAQ says most transfers are processed within a week and some can take up to 21 days. Its education pages give the same 21-day outer figure. The card-level pricing and terms documents for Slate, Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex add the detail for transfers requested with the application: Chase sends them to the payee 10 days after mailing the card, you can cancel or change them during those 10 days by phone, and setting up the account and processing the transfer can take up to three weeks. Chase’s timing page also says a new cardmember may wait longer while Chase completes a final review of recent credit history. Posting on the other side depends on how quickly the payee processes the payment. Interest on the transferred amount begins when the request posts, and Chase says to keep paying the other creditor until the transferred amount has posted there. Online and phone requests are limited to $15,000 in any 30-day period.
Citi
Citi’s application disclosures for the Diamond Preferred and Simplicity cards state that when a transfer is requested with the application, Citi will take at least 14 days after the account is opened to process any balance transfer payments. During those 14 days you can cancel or change the request by calling the number on the back of the card. Citi’s general guidance page gives a 2 to 21 day range across lenders and says to keep paying the old account until the transfer is confirmed. Note the deadline that runs alongside this: the 0% rate on both cards requires the transfer to be completed within 4 months of opening the account.
American Express
Amex’s customer service page says a transfer usually takes 5 to 7 days to complete and in some cases up to 6 weeks. Its application terms add that Amex will not initiate any transfer until at least 10 days after it has mailed or otherwise provided the Card Member Agreement. The terms also say to keep making required payments on the account being paid off until the transfer is credited there. Amex approves only transfers requested within 60 days of account opening, up to two requests from up to four accounts, $100 minimum, and not more than $15,000 in total.
Wells Fargo
The Reflect and Active Cash application terms say it will take about two weeks to complete processing of a balance transfer request. Wells Fargo’s help page is less specific, giving a few business days to several weeks. To cancel, the terms say to call 1-800-642-4720 immediately and before confirming receipt of the card. The transfer request itself must be made within 120 days of account opening to get the introductory rate.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank’s knowledge base says that in most situations a transfer is processed within 14 days, and to keep paying the account you are transferring from until it is. The Shield card’s disclosures add a cancellation rule: you may cancel a transfer request within 10 days of account opening by calling 1-800-285-8585. After 10 days, a request to stop payment on a balance transfer check will not be honored unless the check has been lost, stolen or destroyed. Transfers must be made within 60 days of opening to get the introductory rate.
Discover
Discover says most balance transfers are processed within 4 days, for new and existing accounts alike, and that the receiving issuer may need additional time to credit the other account. A new Discover account must be open for 14 days before Discover begins processing a transfer request. Discover also says to keep paying the other account until you confirm the funds were credited, and to watch that account for at least one more billing cycle for residual interest.
Capital One
Capital One’s help center says an approved transfer is processed immediately on its side, but that it can take about 15 business days for the payment to reach the other creditor. Keep paying the other card or loan until you confirm the creditor received it. Balance transfers do not earn Capital One rewards, and your Capital One minimum payment rises once the transfer completes.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal says to allow at least 2 weeks for a transfer to go through and gives no upper bound. It says to keep making payments on the previous card until the transfer completes, to avoid late fees and delinquency.
Bank of America
Bank of America’s account FAQ says most balance transfers are completed electronically within 2 to 4 business days, and that some creditors require a physical check, which takes longer. For new accounts, processing begins at least 14 days after approval. Up to three transfers can be submitted in one online session, and the total cannot exceed available credit, so Bank of America says to allow for fees, interest and pending transactions when choosing the amount. Promotional offers for existing cardholders appear in Online Banking under the card’s Information & Services tab. Bank of America’s card pages add that a transfer cannot be used to pay any Bank of America account.
Barclays and Synchrony
We could not find a processing time on either issuer’s own site. Barclays’ US help center has a balance transfer FAQ that covers how to check a transfer’s status but gives no timeline. Synchrony’s agreements say balance transfers are offered only by targeted offer at the bank’s discretion, and its one general article on the subject describes the industry, not its own cards. If you hold a card from either issuer, call the number on the back; third-party figures are circulating for both and we have chosen not to repeat them.
While the transfer is in progress
- Keep paying the old card. Chase, Citi, Discover, Capital One, Navy Federal, U.S. Bank and Amex all say this in their own materials. A payment that posts to the old account after its due date is late regardless of the transfer in flight. Once the payoff shows, here is what to do after a balance transfer.
- The 0% clock is already running. At every issuer on our tracker the introductory period is counted from account opening, not from the day the transfer posts. A transfer that takes three weeks shortens an 18-month offer to about 17 months and one week of usable time.
- Interest on the transferred amount starts when it posts, where a 0% rate does not apply. Chase states this directly and the others’ terms say the same.
- Watch the old account for one more cycle. Interest that accrued between the last statement and the payoff shows up on the next statement as a small residual balance. Discover says this explicitly; it is true everywhere.
- The cancellation windows are short and specific. Citi, 14 days from opening. U.S. Bank, 10 days from opening. Chase, the 10 days after the card is mailed, for transfers requested with the application. Wells Fargo, before you confirm the card. Amex, Discover, Capital One, Bank of America and Navy Federal publish no window at all, which in practice means call immediately and hope the payment has not gone out.
Why a transfer takes longer than the issuer said
Three things, in order of how often they come up. First, the new-account hold: Citi, Discover and Bank of America all wait 14 days before sending anything on a new account, Amex waits 10 days after sending the agreement, Chase sends application transfers 10 days after mailing the card, and Chase also reserves the right to hold a new cardmember for review. None of that time counts toward the issuer’s stated processing figure. Second, the method: some issuers pay the old creditor electronically and some mail a check, and a mailed check adds postal time plus the receiving bank’s processing time. Third, the receiving bank: a payment can leave the new issuer on day four and sit unposted at the old one for a week. Discover and Capital One both say as much.
Common questions
How long does a Citi balance transfer take?
At least 14 days from account opening when the transfer is requested with the application, because Citi holds new-account transfers for that long. Citi’s general guidance puts the range across lenders at 2 to 21 days. The request can be changed or cancelled during the 14-day hold by phone.
How long does a Chase balance transfer take?
Chase says most are processed within a week and some take up to 21 days. For a transfer requested with the application, Chase sends the payment 10 days after mailing the card and says the whole process can take up to three weeks. New cardmembers may also wait longer while Chase reviews recent credit history.
How long does a Wells Fargo balance transfer take?
About two weeks, per the Reflect and Active Cash application terms. Wells Fargo’s help page gives a wider range of a few business days to several weeks.
How long does an American Express balance transfer take?
Usually 5 to 7 days, and Amex allows itself up to 6 weeks. Amex will not start a transfer until at least 10 days after it has sent the Card Member Agreement.
Can I cancel a balance transfer after requesting it?
Sometimes, and only briefly. Citi allows changes or cancellation during its 14-day new-account hold. U.S. Bank allows cancellation within 10 days of account opening. Chase allows it during the 10 days after it mails the card, for transfers requested with the application. Wells Fargo says to call immediately, before confirming the card. The other issuers we checked publish no cancellation window. Once the payment has been sent to the old creditor, the practical remedy is to pay the new card back down, fee included.
Should I keep paying my old card during the transfer?
Yes, at least the minimum, until the old account shows the payoff. Every issuer that addresses the question says so. A missed payment on the old card is reported as late whether or not a transfer was pending.
How we verify this
Every figure above was read on the issuer’s own site on the date shown in the table. We do not take timing figures from other comparison sites, and where an issuer publishes nothing we say so instead of filling the gap. For the fees, deadlines and rates attached to these transfers, see the balance transfer terms tracker. If you find an issuer statement that differs from what is recorded here, tell us and we will check it.
Sources
- Chase, “Balance Transfers” FAQ, “How Long Do Balance Transfers Take?”, and the Slate, Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex pricing and terms documents dated September 22, 2026, chase.com
- Citi, “How Long Do Balance Transfers Take?” and the Diamond Preferred and Simplicity pricing and application disclosures, citi.com
- American Express, “Balance Transfer Processing Period” and the Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred application terms, americanexpress.com
- Wells Fargo, “How Long Does a Balance Transfer Take?” and the Reflect and Active Cash terms and conditions, wellsfargo.com
- U.S. Bank, knowledge base article “How long will my balance transfer take?” and the Shield Visa terms and conditions, usbank.com
- Discover, “What Is a Balance Transfer and How Long Does It Take?”, discover.com
- Capital One, Help Center, “Balance transfers”, capitalone.com
- Navy Federal Credit Union, “How to Do a Balance Transfer”, navyfederal.org
- Bank of America, “Credit Card Account Information FAQ” (What should I know about requesting a Balance Transfer?) and promotional balance transfer card page, bankofamerica.com
- Barclays US, help center balance transfer FAQ, cards.barclaycardus.com
- Synchrony, Synchrony Mastercard account page and Premier World Mastercard account agreement, synchrony.com