You can receive money from abroad in India through bank transfers, payment gateways, or virtual international accounts.
Getting paid from overseas shouldn’t be frustrating. However, for freelancers, agency owners, and global Amazon sellers in India, it often is. There’s either:
• Delays.
• High fees.
• Poor exchange rates.
• Excessive paperwork.
In this guide, we break down the most reliable ways to receive international payments in India.
We’ll also help you choose the right method based on your specific needs, so you keep more of what you earn with fewer complications.
If you're using PayPal or similar services and paying 5–7% in fees, you could also look at options like Karbon with flat 1% fees.
Getting paid from international clients isn’t the same as receiving local payments. It’s slower, unpredictable, and often more stressful.
Even when a client says they’ve sent the payment, it can take days (sometimes weeks) before the money shows up in your account.
And in most cases, it’s the receiver who must do all the follow-up.
To make things harder, Indian banks usually don’t notify you when a payment arrives. So, if you receive payments weekly, you're left tracking and checking constantly. That uncertainty builds up, and the anxiety becomes part of your routine.
To avoid delays, many turn to third-party platforms that speed up the process. But they deduct 5–6% as fees per transaction.
For example, say you completed a $5,000 project.
That’s a huge loss on one single payment, and it adds up quickly.
Use Karbon’s deduction calculator to find out how much you’ll receive.
That’s why it’s important to:
• Know how each international payment method works
• Understand when to use or avoid them
• Explore better alternatives.
Here’s an overview of the most widely used options:
This is the legacy method. Your client initiates an international wire transfer via their bank using the SWIFT network. The funds pass through intermediary banks and land in your Indian bank account after conversion and deductions.
The process is:
Client sends → intermediary bank → Indian bank → your account.
Each intermediary bank has its own processing time. Your bank receives the foreign currency, converts it to INR (often at a poor rate), applies fees, and credits your account in a few days.
Many businesses and freelancers are so irritated with the delay that they choose methods that allows them to receive money online without visiting the bank.
In the next three method we will walk you through how to receive international payments in India online.
Online platforms like PayPal or Payoneer let you receiving money from abroad in india directly. You withdraw the amount to your local bank after platform fees and currency conversion.
The client pays into your PayPal account. You then transfer the INR-equivalent to your Indian bank account, typically within 1–2 days.
Indian businesses and freelancers can create a virtual account in global markets like the US or EU. Clients pay directly into this account. The money is converted at live market rates and transferred to your Indian bank within one business day.
The fees from platforms like Karbon FX are as low as 1%. The platform also ensures full RBI and FEMA compliance and handles documentation like FIRA, eFIRC, and GST-ready invoices for you.
It’s one of the best ways to receive international payments in India for exporters, Amazon sellers, and freelancers on Fiverr, Upwork, or Toptal.
Generating a payment link is an easy way to request international payments without a complex setup. You create a payment link, send it to your client, and they can pay using their card or preferred method.
Once the client pays via the link, the funds are converted and transferred to your INR bank account. Most platforms handle the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
• Perfect for freelancers, consultants, and service providers who want a clean, frictionless experience.
Compared to SWIFT or PayPal, fees are lower, the process is faster, and forex transparency is steadily improving across platforms
Yes, international payments can be taxable in India. How you pay tax depends on who you are and why you’re receiving the money.
Freelancers and service providers: Payments from foreign clients are treated as taxable income and must be reported in your ITR. They’re taxed according to your income slab after claiming eligible business expenses.
Businesses: Income is taxed on net profit, not the full amount received. If you export services, you may be eligible for GST exemptions or refunds, but proper documentation like FIRCs and invoices is required.
Individuals: If you receive money into your personal account for services rendered, it is considered taxable income. However, gifts from relatives are tax-exempt. Non-relative gifts above ₹50,000 may be taxable.
Many platforms claim to help, but how to get international payments in India securely and affordably requires a closer look.
The platform you choose can directly impact how fast you get paid, how much you lose to hidden charges, and how smoothly you stay compliant.
Your ideal payment method depends on what kind of business you run.
Freelancers and one-time service providers may benefit from quick and simple options like payment links.
On the other hand, eCommerce sellers, SaaS exporters, and larger B2B businesses often need virtual accounts for better compliance, current FX rates, and automated invoicing.
Some platforms advertise “0% fee” but sneak in poor exchange rates. Others may offer fast transfer speeds but charge 6-7% in combined fees. Ask yourself:
• Are the FX rates based on live market rates?
• Do I know exactly how much will be deducted?
• Are there flat fees, percentage cuts, or tiered pricing?
Use Karbon’s deduction calculator to see exactly how much you’ll receive.
If you're receiving payments in foreign currency, you're required to comply with RBI and FEMA regulations.
• Do you get automated eFIRC or FIRA certificates?
• Is GST invoicing or export documentation supported?
• Does the platform help with reconciliation at tax time?
Manual compliance is a headache. Look for platforms that automate it.
If your client has to jump through hoops to pay you, that’s a problem.
Consider:
• Can they pay in their local currency?
• Do they need to use a specific bank or card?
• Are payment instructions simple?
Platforms that offer local USD, GBP, or EUR accounts or direct card payment links make things easier on both sides.
Running a business or working as a solopreneur already comes with enough responsibilities. Chasing payment confirmations, dealing with delays, or sharing endless bank details shouldn't be part of your routine.
The right payment platform gives you control, and faster access to your earnings.
With Karbon, you get paid on time with assurance that your payments, compliance, and conversions are all taken care of.
Yes, you can. Most Indian banks support inward remittances via SWIFT transfers. This method can take up to 3-7 days.
There are other alternatives like paying through 3rd part payment gateway, having virtual international accounts or getting paid through payment links. These methods are faster and more convenient to use.
No, as of 2025, UPI and Google Pay do not support international payments for Indian users. These platforms are designed for domestic use only.
For international transactions, you’ll need to use a platform that supports foreign currency inflows, like Karbon, Payoneer, Wise, or traditional bank transfers.
You can use payment gateways like Stripe, Razorpay, or Karbon to accept international card payments. These platforms allow your foreign clients to pay using Visa, Mastercard, or AMEX, and then settle the amount to your Indian account after conversion.
To receive USD or other foreign currencies in India, you can use:
• SWIFT transfers via banks
• PayPal or Payoneer accounts
• Virtual international bank accounts
• Payment links
Realistically, there’s no completely free way to receive international payments. Every platform charges a certain amount, either as a flat fee, percentage cut, or FX markup.
You can choose a platform based on your requirement.
If speed is your priority, PayPal is a common choice. It's been in the market for a long time, and many businesses still prefer it for convenience.
However, it charges around 6–7% per transaction.
More affordable options are now available that offer similar speed, security, and reliability. Karbon, charges a flat 1% fee and is trusted by many professionals.
On the other hand, if you're receiving a lump sum, don’t need to make frequent transfers, and are okay with slower processing times, a bank SWIFT transfer could be a practical option.
