Get Payments from International Clients
Learn more about how Karbon help you receive international payments at the lowest fees. Settlement in 24 hours.
Freelancing is a hustle.
Anyone who says it’s “easy money” hasn’t walked a day in your shoes.
Because you’re the salesperson, the marketer, the accountant, and the service provider, all rolled into one.
Whether you're just starting out or already working with international clients, there’s one thing that always bothers you:
Why does getting paid cost so much?
Maybe you:
• Have just landed your first overseas gig after months of effort.
• Are pulling in consistent projects but watching platforms eat up 5–7% of every payment.
Either way, you save your hard-earned money you must understand different ways to receive payment in India.
India’s freelance economy is growing rapidly, with estimates suggesting it can support up to 90 million non-farm jobs and generate over $250 billion in work volume, adding another 1.25% to the GDP over time.
As freelancing grows, with right skills, working with global clients becomes easier. Which is why it’s important to know how to get paid smoothly.
Here are four simple ways to receive international payments in India:
Most banks in India, like HDFC, ICICI, Axis, and SBI, support international remittance via SWIFT.
To receive payments this way, you'll need to share your bank account details along with the SWIFT/BIC code and occasionally intermediary bank details, depending on the sender’s country.
The funds are routed through a network of correspondent banks, which is why the process can take a few days and often lacks real-time tracking.
Bottom line: It’s best for large, infrequent payments, but not ideal for freelance gigs or recurring small payments.
A common situation 7/10 freelancers face:
Your client says, “Payment sent,” but the amount hasn’t reached your account yet.
A delay of a day or two is expected, but when it stretches to 7–10 days, it can be frustrating.
To speed things up, freelancers turn to third-party payment gateway for freelancers in India like PayPal, Razorpay, or Stripe.
They’re easy to use, well-known globally, and integrate smoothly into most workflows.
However, these platforms often come with noticeable fees.
For example, if a client pays $1,000, and the exchange rate is ₹83/USD, you might expect to receive ₹83,000.
But after transaction charges and forex markup, the actual amount credited could be closer to ₹76,000–₹78,000.
Here’s the pros and cons of receiving payment through PayPal, Razorpay etc.
Freelancers are switching to creating virtual accounts. You can set a local account in USD, EUR, or GBP (like a U.S. bank account), but linked to your Indian bank.
Platforms like Karbon, and Wise Business offer international virtual accounts.
Karbon FX makes it easier and more affordable to receive international payments. If your monthly volume is under $10,000, the fee is just 0.5% (fact check). For higher volumes, the fee drops to 0.3%, helping you save more as you grow.
There’s no forex markup either. Your USD earnings are converted to INR at live market rates with no hidden charges. Plus, it’s fully compliant with RBI and FEMA guidelines, so you don’t have to worry about regulatory issues.
With Karbon, you will receive ₹82,700–83,000.
Compared to PayPal’s ₹76,000–78,000, that’s a ₹5,000–7,000 gain
Month after month, this adds up.
If you work with international clients outside platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, getting paid can feel hectic. Bank details, follow-ups, delays.
Payment links solve that.
You just generate a link, send it to the client, and get paid via card or bank transfer. No website needed, no complex setup.
Platforms like Karbon let you:
• Generate custom payment links in seconds
• Accept international cards, bank transfers
• Get paid without needing a full-blown website
💡 Tip: Add a "Pay Now" button on your invoice emails.
Freelancers in India have multiple options to get international payments, but not all are equal. Here’s the best way to get paid fast:
Freelancers in India have multiple options to receive international payments, but not all platforms offer the same balance of speed, cost, and convenience.
Here are some of the most reliable options to receive payment from international clients in 2025:
We are becoming one of the most preferred payment platforms for freelancers. Karbon lets you receive payments from international clients at live market exchange rates, without any hidden markups.
With fees as low as 1%, we have the least deduction compared to any other platform for Indian freelancers. (For context: PayPal charges 5–7%, and Payoneer charges around 3% plus a forex markup.)
Funds are settled directly into your Indian bank account, usually within 24 hours, making it an ideal choice for those who value both speed and savings.
PayPal is one of the oldest and most widely recognized payment platforms globally. It’s trusted by clients and incredibly easy to set up. However, the convenience comes at a cost.
Freelancers often lose 5–7% of their earnings due to a combination of high transaction fees and unfavorable exchange rates. While PayPal offers a familiar experience, many freelancers are now looking for more cost-effective alternatives.
Payoneer is a reliable choice, particularly for freelancers working on global platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. It supports payments in multiple currencies and offers prepaid cards for easy withdrawals.
However, the fees can range between 2–3%, and the exchange rates aren’t always the most favorable. While dependable, it isn't tailored specifically to the needs of Indian freelancers the way some newer platforms are.
If you're serious about freelancing in 2025, don't ignore how you get paid.
The platform you choose affects not just how fast you get money, but how much of it you keep.
Instead of defaulting to wide known payment gateways or relying on traditional banks, consider modern, transparent platforms that are trustworthy, easy to use and charges the minimum fees.
Freelancers in India receive payment from international clients through platforms like PayPal, Wise, Payoneer, bank wire transfers, or directly from freelancing marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr.
Newer platforms like Karbon Forex are also becoming popular due to their lower fees and faster settlement times, especially for direct client work.
There’s no definite answer to this one. If low fees and faster settlement are priorities, platforms like Karbon Forex may offer better value.
PayPal is widely accepted but has higher fees and weaker exchange rates. Payoneer is reliable for marketplace payments but can be slower or more expensive depending on currency and country.
Freelancer.com uses an escrow system, which means clients deposit funds that are released to you once the work is approved. You can withdraw payments through Karbon, PayPal, Skrill, Payoneer, wire transfer, or in some cases, platforms like Karbon (if integrated via direct transfer options).
You can accept payments from international clients using platforms like PayPal, Wise, Payoneer, Karbon Forex, or traditional wire transfers. If you're working with direct clients (outside platforms), virtual account solutions like Karbon or Wise often offer better exchange rates and fewer intermediary charges than traditional bank routes.
Upwork offers several withdrawal methods, including direct bank transfers, PayPal, Payoneer, and wire transfers. You can set up automatic withdrawals weekly or monthly. Do note that Upwork charges a service fee (typically 10–20%) based on your earnings with a client, which impacts your net payout.
