Export essentials
Posted on Apr 22, 2025
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Whether you're a freelancer billing clients abroad or an export business shipping products worldwide, receiving international payments quickly and compliantly is key. That’s where payment gateways come in.
A payment gateway serves as a bridge between your business and your customers’ banks, allowing seamless, secure online transactions. For domestic money transfers, most payment gateways are safe. But when it comes to international money transfers, you need to choose wisely.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what an international payment gateway actually is and explore the best payment gateways in India for receiving money transfers from abroad.
What is an International Payment Gateway?
An international payment gateway is a platform that authorises and processes international money transfers through multi-currency accounts.
It enables businesses and freelancers to receive international payments from foreign customers. These gateways support multiple currencies and comply with global payment regulations. International payment gateways in India automatically convert foreign currency into INR, provide foreign inward remittance certificates (FIRC), and enable real-time payment tracking.
How Payment Gateway Works for International Transactions:
For international money transfers, a payment gateway works in three simple steps :
Step 1: Accepts foreign currency payments from your international clients. This often requires you to have a virtual bank account in a foreign country where the client does a local bank transfer.
Step 2: Converts the foreign currency into INR based on live or pre-determined FX rates
Step 3: Transfers money in INR to your Indian bank account.
International payment gateways ensure transaction security, compliance, and timely settlements, which are especially critical for exporters and freelancers dealing with clients overseas.
As more Indian businesses go global, choosing the right payment gateway becomes more than a tech decision — it’s a financial one.
Why are International Payment Gateways Crucial for Indian Exporters and Freelancers?
International clients expect seamless payment experiences — and that’s where Indian businesses need to step up.
Here’s why choosing the right international payment gateway in India matters:
Speed: Delayed payments mean cash flow issues. Good payment gateways offer faster international settlements, typically within 24 hours.
Compliance: Exporters need RBI-compliant documentation, like e-FIRCs and purpose codes.
Transparency: International wire transfers and payment platforms often have hidden charges and high markups. Select an international payment gateway that converts currency at zero FX markup. This can increase your foreign earnings.
Ease of use: Clients should be able to pay via card, bank transfer, or payment links without friction.
In short, a powerful payment gateway isn't just a backend tool — it's a business growth enabler for Indian freelancers, SaaS companies, and exporters.
Top 4 Payment Gateways for International Payments in India
Let’s take a closer look at the most popular international payment gateways Indian businesses use for receiving international payments — and how they stack up for global use:
1. Razorpay
Accepts international cards (manual activation)
No multi-currency accounts
e-FIRC must be requested manually (₹500 each)
Ideal for domestic businesses with light international exposure
2. PayPal
Globally recognized
Supports over 25 currencies
High transaction fees (~4.4% + fixed fee + 4%)
Good for freelancers but lacks Indian compliance features (no e-FIRC)
3. Instamojo
Easy to set up and use
Supports international card payments
Limited compliance support for exporters
Best suited for smaller businesses just starting out
4. Payoneer
Offers virtual USD, EUR, and GBP account details
Great for receiving direct bank transfers
e-FIRC is not auto-generated
Each of these international payment gateways for Indian merchants solves different problems. But if you are looking for a comprehensive payment platform that offers security, transparency, and affordability, Infinity is the ideal solution.
Infinity: The Best Solution for Receiving International Payments
Infinity is not a payment gateway but a modern payment solution built specifically for Indian freelancers, SaaS founders, and export businesses.
With features like:
Multi-currency virtual accounts (USD, EUR, GBP)- Open your multi-currency account in minutes by following a simple KYB procedure.
Real-time INR settlement- Receive your payment in 1 business day and track your payment throughout the process.
Auto-generated e-FIRCS- With each transaction, you get instant and free-of-cost FIRA.
Transparent Live FX rates- No more hidden charges and FX markup, you get what you see at Google. That means you get to convert your money at live FX rates.
Cheapest Pricing- With just 0.5%( inclusive of all) platform fee, you can receive your payment across the globe.
Infinity ensures you receive more, faster, with full compliance and zero surprises.
👉 Visit infinity to learn more or start receiving global payments like a pro.
How to Choose the Best Payment Gateway for Your Business
The best payment gateway for international use depends on several factors:
✅ Currency support – Can you accept USD, EUR, etc., directly?
✅ e-FIRC & compliance – Is documentation automated and RBI-ready?
✅ FX transparency – Are exchange rates fair, or padded with hidden markups?
✅ Speed – How fast do you get your INR?
✅ Integration ease – Does it plug into your website or app easily?
Many gateways tick a few boxes. But very few cover everything Indian exporters and freelancers need to scale globally.
Which Payment Gateway Should Indian Exporters and Freelancers Choose?
If you’re selling mostly in India and occasionally taking international card payments, tools like Razorpay or Instamojo may be enough to get started.
But if you’re a growing exporter or a freelancer with overseas clients, you need more:
Transparent FX rates
Virtual foreign account details
Fast INR settlements
Auto e-FIRC and purpose code tagging
That’s where Infinity stands out.
Want to know how much you save on your payments? Click here to know more!
FAQs: Top International Payment Gateways for Money Transfer
1. What is an international payment gateway?
An international payment gateway enables businesses and freelancers to receive payments from clients or customers in other countries. It processes cross-border transactions through multi-currency accounts.
2. How do international payment gateways differ from domestic ones?
Domestic gateways only support local payments in local currencies (like INR in India). International gateways allow you to accept payments in foreign currencies like USD, EUR, or GBP and settle them to your local bank account.
3. What should I look for when choosing an international payment gateway?
Key factors to consider include:
FX fees and conversion rates
Supported currencies and countries
Settlement speed
Ease of integration
Customer support
Compliance and documentation requirements
Platforms like Infinity help you compare all these features in one place, so you can choose what works best for your business.
4. Are there any hidden charges when using international gateways?
Yes, many gateways charge FX markups, platform fees, or hold your funds for a longer time. This is why Infinity highlights transparent FX rates and platform fees, so you always know what you’re paying.
