Freelancing guide
Posted on May 22, 2025
If you're a freelancer in India, you know how important it is to get paid smoothly, especially when your clients are spread across different countries. Enter Deel: a smart, all-in-one platform that takes the headache out of handling payments, contracts, and compliance. Whether you're just starting or growing your freelance business, Deel makes managing international work way easier. Curious about how to start?
Let's have a look at simple steps for Deel account and get you set up to receive payments globally—no stress, just straightforward freelancing.
What is Deel, and Why Should Indian Freelancers Care?
If you're dipping your toes into international freelancing, Deel might just become your new best friend. Put simply, Deel is the platform that simplifies remote work and levels the global playing field, enabling freelancers and remote workers to seamlessly accept contracts and payments and handle compliance all in one place. It is like a personal assistant that handles the paperwork and payment back-and-forths so you can concentrate on your art.
Globally, Deel connects freelancers with clients from all over the world, handling currency conversions, tax forms, and legal compliance smoothly. For Indian freelancers, this means you can work with overseas clients without worrying about complicated payment processes or government regulations.
Why should you care? Because Deel offers three big wins:
Easy payment collection — Get paid faster and in your preferred currency without juggling multiple platforms.
Simple contract management — Digital contracts that protect you and clarify project terms, all stored in one place.
Tax and compliance support — Deel helps you stay on the right side of Indian tax laws, including generating important documents like e-FIRC.
In short, Deel streamlines your freelance business, saving you time and stress, so you can focus on growing your career and earning more.
Now, let us understand step-by-step how you can create a Deel account.
Step 1: Create Your Deel Account
Getting started is simple. Just head over to Deel's website and click on Sign Up. You'll need to enter your name and email address and create a strong password to keep your account secure.
When asked, select "Freelancer" as your account type and set your country to India.
Step 2: Set Up Your Profile and Payment Preferences
After your account is set up, you can create your profile. Deel will request some necessary details like your address and tax information — to get your PAN card ready to keep things accurate.
Next, pick and choose how you would like to be paid.
Indian freelancers usually prefer bank transfers (RTGS/NEFT) for INR payments. Still, you can also select other international payment options if you work with foreign clients who pay in USD or other currencies.
Don't forget to add your bank details carefully—this ensures your payments go straight into your account without hiccups.
Pro tip: Double-check your tax info and bank details before you finish. This saves you from payment delays and keeps your freelancing smooth and hassle-free.
Step 3: Upload Your Documents for Verification
Before you can start getting paid, Deel must verify youridentity, which is simply to comply with regulations. You’re going to be required to upload some KYC (Know Your Customer) documents like PAN card or address proof.
After you upload these, Deel’s verification team will verify them.
If something doesn’t add up or something is off, Deel will let you know with simple directions on how to correct it. Just follow the steps and verification will complete in no time.
Step 4: Set Up Your Freelance Contract with Deel
Deel makes contract management a breeze. You can create, review, and digitally sign your freelance contracts right on the platform—no printing or scanning needed.
Whether you're working on a per-project basis, a retainer contract, or a custom freelance agreement, Deel supports various contract types tailored to your needs.
The best part? Deel makes sure your contracts are compliant with important regulations, such as RBI regulation and Indian tax guidelines. In other words, you can focus on your work without worrying about the legal and tax complications that Deel will take care of on your behalf.
Step 5: Manage Your Clients and Payments
Once your account is set up, adding clients is a breeze. Invite your clients to join your Deel workspace or connect with them directly through the platform. This helps keep all your projects and payments organised in one place.
Deel's dashboard lets you easily track invoices and payments. You can see who's paid, who owes you, and when your next payment is due—all without juggling spreadsheets or emails.
One of Deel's smart features is automated payment reminders and late fee management. So if a client forgets to pay on time, Deel nudges them for you, helping you get paid faster without the awkward follow-ups.
Pro tip: To ensure your payments hit your account on time every time, keep your client information updated and confirm your payment schedules within Deel.
Step 6: Withdraw Your Earnings in INR or USD
Deel makes it a breeze to get your hard-earned money out. You may transfer your funds to the Indian bank account directly through RTGS/NEFT, or use international options such as wire or PayPal (depending on your preference and currency of client).
Deel also transparently takes care of the currency exchange rates. Hence, you won’t get any unexpected fees when getting payments in INR, USD, or any other currency.
Pro tip: To avoid surprise fees, become acquainted with Deel’s transaction fees before you start racking up transactions, and select withdrawal methods that align with your preferred frequency for earning. In this way, you are able to keep more money in your pocket.
Why Deel is Ideal for Indian Freelancers: The Final Verdict
While there are many contenders to help you run your freelance business, Deel comes as an excellent option for Indian freelancers. Unlike PayPal or Wise, Deel offers a full suite of services — not just processing payments, but contract management and compliance too.
Deel understands India’s unique requirements. It’s designed to work smoothly with PAN registration, GST rules, and other tax laws, helping you stay on the right side of regulations without extra hassle.
On top of that, Deel lets you handle contracts and payments seamlessly with clients worldwide, so you can focus on your craft instead of paperwork.
If you’re looking to grow your freelance career globally, Deel’s all-in-one platform makes it easier to manage everything in one place. That’s why many Indian freelancers are choosing Deel as their go-to platform for international work.
FAQs about Creating a Deel Account for Indian Freelancers
Q1: Is Deel available for freelancers in India?
Absolutely! Deel supports freelancers based in India and is quickly becoming popular because it simplifies international payments, handles contracts, and ensures compliance with Indian tax laws. This makes it easier for Indian freelancers to work with clients globally without worrying about complicated paperwork or payment delays.
Q2: How long does it take to get verified on Deel as a freelancer in India?
Verification usually takes around 1–3 business days after submitting your documents. However, delays can happen if your documents need additional review or if there are mismatches in the information you provide. To speed things up, make sure your PAN card and address proof are clear and up to date.
Q3: Can I receive payments in INR through Deel?
Yes, you can! Deel allows Indian freelancers to receive payments directly in INR via bank transfers like RTGS or NEFT. You can also get paid in USD or other currencies, with Deel handling currency conversions smoothly and transparently.
