Choosing between Wise vs PayPal for international payments 2025 can significantly impact your bottom line. As an Indian freelancer or business owner receiving money from abroad, every percentage point in fees matters.&nbsp;

While PayPal and Wise offer reliable ways to get paid, they differ dramatically in their approach to fees, exchange rates, and features.&nbsp;

Let's dive into a practical comparison to help you pick the platform that puts more money in your pocket.

Wise vs PayPal: Understanding the Differences

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/transferwise-india-features-benefits-pros-cons">Wise (formerly TransferWise)</a> is a digital financial platform specializing in international money transfers. Wise stands out for using accurate mid-market exchange rates and transparent fee structures. For Indian businesses and freelancers, Wise Account offers multi-currency accounts that let you receive payments from over 50 countries as if you had a local bank account.

It started as a peer-to-peer remittance service allowing individuals to send and receive money without intermediaries like banks. Later, it grew as a business-to-business money transfer service for organizations to receive and make international business payments.&nbsp;&nbsp;In India, Wise Business lets you receive international payments in multiple currencies, but you can’t use it to send business payments abroad. Also,&nbsp; Wise&nbsp; Debit card is not available to businesses in India.&nbsp;

Moving forward, we'll focus on comparing Wise Business and PayPal for receiving international payments, excluding Wise's peer-to-peer service

For r<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/wise-transfer-charges-in-india">eceiving payments in India:</a>

🔖<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/top_5_wise_alternatives_for_international_payment">Learn about the Wise alternatives</a>

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/paypal-in-india-charges-review-alternatives">PayPal</a> is a payment platform serving over 400 million users worldwide. It functions primarily as an international payment gateway, letting you receive money from clients across 200+ countries. While PayPal offers extensive features globally, its services in India are explicitly focused on cross-border transactions.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/paypal-transaction-fees-india">For receiving international payments:</a>

🔖<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/top-paypal-india-alternatives-for-international-payment">Learn about the PayPal alternatives</a>

Let's examine how Wise vs. PayPal compares when receiving international payments in India. With significant differences in their fee structures and features, choosing between these platforms can directly impact your earnings.&nbsp;

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of PayPal vs Wise to help you make an informed decision:&nbsp;

Skydo: An Affordable Alternative to Wise and PayPal&nbsp;

When comparing Wise vs PayPal, it's worth considering emerging alternatives that offer even better value. Skydo is an India-made solution designed explicitly for receiving international online payments with significantly lower fees than TransferWise and PayPal.

Skydo is a modern payment platform tailored for Indian businesses and freelancers receiving international payments. It provides virtual global bank accounts in 10+ different countries, including the United States, UK, Canada, and Australia. These accounts give you local banking details that clients can use to send payments as domestic transfers - eliminating SWIFT fees and international wire charges that typically cost $20-40 per transaction.

Curious if Skydo is the right fit for your business?<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">&nbsp;Sign up for a free demo&nbsp;</a>to find out.

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When dealing with international clients, you need the right payment partner to ensure timely payment. Skydo and Wise are trustworthy and reputed platforms helping business owners streamline this process. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is known for its global presence and multi-currency accounts while Skydo is popular for its flat fee structure and high-quality support.

But you don't need two platforms; you just need one that fulfils most of the requirements. This blog will help you pick the right one by comparing their pros and cons and fee structures with an example.

Skydo vs Wise: Understanding the Differences

Wise and Skydo enjoy a strong reputation as payment solutions. However, their differences will help you decide which one meets most of your needs

Wise (<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/transferwise-india-features-benefits-pros-cons">formerly TransferWis</a>e) was founded in 2011 and soon gained popularity due to its pricing and user-friendly interface. It started as a peer-to-peer remittance service allowing individuals to send and receive money without intermediaries like banks.

Later, it grew as a business-to-business money transfer service for organisations to receive and make international business payments via <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/virtual-account-numbers">international virtual accounts</a>. Based on the location, Wise also offers business debit cards to its users, although&nbsp;Wise&nbsp;Debit card is not available to businesses in India.&nbsp;

Moving forward, we'll focus on comparing Wise Business and Skydo for receiving international payments, excluding Wise's peer-to-peer services.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wise charges a conversion fee in the range of 1.7-1.9% of the transaction amount and it varies depending on the currency.&nbsp; For example, when receiving a payment of USD 1,000, USD 17 will be deducted as Wise fee/conversion fee.&nbsp;

Wise uses mid-market exchange rates to convert payments without levying any markup.&nbsp;

Wise also charges an additional fee for issuing digital FIRA for every transaction. This fee again varies across currency, for USD payments it is USD 2.50 per FIRA

Skydo is an India-based international payment platform offering businesses virtual accounts in key geographies like the US, UK, Europe, Australia and more to receive cross-border payments seamlessly.&nbsp;In addition to facilitating international payments, Skydo offers businesses tools to create professional invoices and monitor payments in real-time, simplifying the process for exporters.

Skydo has a transparent fee structure and converts payments at live forex rates without levying any markup, unlike banks and many other payment platforms.&nbsp; Skydo also offers instant FIRA for every payment you receive automatically at no additional cost.&nbsp;As a homegrown brand, Skydo offers India-based customer support to assist new users throughout the onboarding process and address any queries existing users may have.

Skydo offers a transparent, fee structure for receiving international payments:

Additionally, Skydo converts your funds at live forex rates with no markup, ensuring you receive the most competitive exchange rates.

Receiving USD 10,000 in India with Skydo vs Wise

How much can you expect to receive via Skydo vs Wise if a US-based client transfers USD 10,000? Let's find out:

By choosing Skydo, you can save $165 in fees, resulting in over ₹11,520 more credited to your bank account.

But Skydo offers more than just competitive fees:

Curious if Skydo is the right fit for your business? <a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Sign up for a free demo</a> to find out.

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Since its launch in 2000, PayPal has become a go-to platform for businesses handling international payments. Its strong reputation and global reach make it a popular choice for Indian businesses as well.

If you're exploring <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/paypal-in-india-charges-review-alternatives">PayPal for your business </a>and not sure if it’s the right fit for you, then you’ve come to the right place.&nbsp; We have done a quick but detailed analysis of PayPal’s transaction fees and more so you know how much you pay for each transaction. We will also suggest a more cost-effective alternative to PayPal at the end of the blog.

PayPal stands out for its seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify and Magento, along with its robust <a href="https://www.paypal.com/in/webapps/mpp/paypal-buyer-protection?no_follow=true">buyer </a>and <a href="https://www.paypal.com/in/brc/article/what-is-seller-protection#:~:text=Here's%20how%20sellers%20can%20get,delivery%20generally%20within%2010%20days.?no_follow=true">seller protection programs</a>. Buyers are covered if items don’t arrive or match the description, while sellers are protected from unauthorized transactions and lost shipments. Additionally, its built-in invoicing feature and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for both businesses and freelancers

However, it is important to note that a lot of PayPal’s features aren’t available in India. For example, PayPal cannot be used for domestic transactions, and PayPal credit isn’t available to Indian businesses as well. And not to mention, PayPal’s usability comes PayPal’s transaction fees, coupled with its currency conversion charges and fixed fees. In the next section, we will break down Paypal’s transaction fees and all other associated charges.&nbsp;

PayPal Transaction Fees India: A Quick Breakdown

There are three categories of fees: transaction fee, fixed fee, and currency conversion fee

Every time you receive a payment in India from an international client, PayPal charges a 4.4% transaction fee. For example, if a US-based client sends $10,000 for your services, PayPal will deduct<a href="https://www.paypal.com/in/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees"> 4.4%</a> of the amount, which is $440 (4.4% X 10,000) as transaction fees. You can decide to pay this transaction fee by yourself, split it with your client, or ask them to bear it on the basis of your relationship with the client.&nbsp;

In addition to the transaction fees, PayPal charges a<a href="https://www.paypal.com/in/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees"> fixed fee</a> based on the currency. Here are a few examples of fixed fees on different currencies:

Click on<a href="https://www.paypal.com/in/business/paypal-business-fees"> this link</a> to view the fixed fee for the entire range of currencies.

PayPal also adds a 4% markup on the prevailing exchange rate while converting foreign currencies to Indian rupees. For example, If the current exchange rate is USD 1= INR 85, then PayPal will levy a 4% markup on this, making the effective exchange rate INR 81.6.

PayPal Transaction Fees from USA to India: How Much Will You Pay?

So far we covered the different fees PayPal applies to international money transfers. But how does all of that translate in a real-life scenario? Here's an example to help you with that.

Imagine you're a business owner receiving a payment of $5,000 from a client in the USA via PayPal. First, PayPal will deduct a transaction fee of 4.4%.

PayPal will also charge a fixed fee of $0.30 based on the above table of fixed fees for different currencies.

So the total fee applied on the amount is $220 + $0.30 = $220.3. We are left with a balance of $4779.7 which will be converted to Indian rupee.

While converting the currency, PayPal will charge 4% markup on the prevailing exchange rate as currency conversion fee. Considering the current rate to be 1 USD to INR 85, the fee is Rs. 3.4 and the effective exchange rate is Rs. 81.6.

In summary, the balance of $4779.7 will be converted to INR at the exchange rate of Rs. 81.6. The amount that can expect to receive is Rs. 390,023.52

So how much did you end up paying in fees?

The actual value of the transaction amount in INR is Rs. 425,000, however, you received Rs. 390,023.52 resulting in a difference of Rs. 34,976.48 (or $411). This difference is the total fee for receiving the payment through PayPal.

Skydo: An Affordable and Seamless PayPal Alternative to Receive International Payments

PayPal has built a solid global reputation as the right payment partner for emerging businesses. Its user-friendly interface, smart features, and integrations are the biggest reasons behind<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/218493/paypals-total-active-registered-accounts-from-2010/#:~:text=PayPal%20in%20general,generate%20revenue%20through%20transaction%20fees."> 435 million</a> active PayPal accounts. However, its charges can make it unaffordablefor many Indian businesses and individuals. Moreover, PayPal India doesn't offer many services to Indian customers, for example, the wallet feature is not available for Indian users and it also doesn't have an India based support team.&nbsp;

If PayPal fees and limited support are concerning factors, exploring Skydo is worth it. Like PayPal, Skydo simplifies accepting payments from international clients. It offers virtual bank accounts with a unique 18-digit number that accepts payments and credits them to your linked bank account. The process is fast and there are no SWIFT charges like in the case of normal bank transfers.

Skydo charges USD 19 for payments under USD 2000, USD 29 for payments between USD 2001-10,000 and 0.3% for payments above USD 10,000. Skydo also offers live forex rate without any forex markup. Meaning if the live exchange rate is 1USD = 85 INR, Skydo will convert your payment at that rate without taking a cut. 

Here’s a quick comparison of how much will you pay to receive USD 5000 with Skydo vs PayPal:

Skydo's live forex rate and transparent fee make it a go-to solution for Indian businesses to receive international payments in India. As you can see in the above table, there is no fixed fee or markup on the market exchange rate meaning, the currency is converted at the current rate. You only have to bear $29 as fees and save Rs. 32,511.48 compared to PayPal’s fee structure. Further, Skydo’s India-based customer support team with a superfast onboarding process makes it a more viable option for businesses to receive international payments. So switch to Skydo today and experience the difference&nbsp;

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If you have been exploring platforms to receive payments from international clients in India recently, you might have come across PingPong Payments. It's a global money transfer service company founded in 2015 in New York with the global headquarters situated in Hangzhou, China.

Should you pick PingPong Payments to receive cross-border payments? We will help you answer this question by analyzing its features, its costs, and our expert opinion about it. At the end, we will also highlight how Skydo can be a better alternative for PingPong Payments.

PingPong Payment's global presence has made it a popular platform for e-commerce sellers and business owners to receive payments from foreign clients effortlessly. We have identified a few key points about PingPong payments that you must know while evaluating the platform.

If you are unaware of virtual accounts, we recommend reading our<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/virtual-account-numbers"> virtual bank account</a> blog to get complete details. In short, it's a digital account linked to your bank account and has an 18-digit bank account number that you share with your clients to accept payments. With PingPong payments, you can create virtual accounts in 15 different currencies. You also have the choice to receive payments in the same currency and then convert them into<a href="https://www.international.pingpongx.com/solutions/fintechs"> 25+ currencies</a>.

PingPong Payments is mostly sought after by e-commerce sellers because it integrates with major marketplaces and e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, and Rakuten. That means if you're selling goods online on different platforms, you can manage payments of all these apps in a single place.

Even if you're not an e-commerce seller but pursuing some form of international trade, PingPong Payments could still be a good choice. For example, you can use it for making international payments to your suppliers in<a href="https://www.international.pingpongx.com/smb/ecommerce-sellers"> 195 countries</a> using SWIFT transfer.

PinPong Payments complies with international regulations like Anti Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Payment Service Directive (PSD2). It also holds<a href="https://www.international.pingpongx.com/solutions/fintechs"> 60 financial payment licenses</a> in major economies like China, Hong Kong, Europe, and the US.

PingPong Fees to Receive International Payments in India

While PingPong Payments positions itself as a low-cost solution, the final costs can vary depending on the transaction amount and exchange rates. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the fee structure better.

PingPong charges a 1% transaction fee on each payment you receive. While this may seem low at first glance, it can add up for higher-value transactions. For example, on a payment of USD 10,000, the transaction fee would be USD 100 (approximately INR 8,500, assuming an exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 85).

Additionally, PingPong does not publicly disclose the exact exchange rate applied during currency conversion. In general, platforms may include a markup on the mid-market rate, which is often around 1% to 2%. For instance, if the current mid-market rate is INR 85 per USD and a 2% markup is applied, the effective rate would be around INR 83.3. This means that for a USD 10,000 payment, you would receive approximately INR 8,33,000 instead of INR 8,50,000.

The same fee structure typically applies for Amazon Global Selling users receiving payments through PingPong.

We’ve summarized these examples into an illustration below to give you a clearer picture of what to expect when receiving US dollar payments via PingPong.

Integration with Multiple Marketplaces PingPong Payments’ easy integration with global selling platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy makes it convenient to expand business across borders without worrying about payment management.

Free VAT and Global Tax Payments The integrated tax management solution helps you pay VAT, GST, and other applicable taxes in 12 countries. This helps you make payments within the protocols and avoid penalties.

Free FIRA on Every Transaction A<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/importance-of-fira-for-freelancers"> Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA)</a> is an essential document as it proves you have received an international payment in India. Banks charge a fee for issuing FIRA every time, but platforms like PingPong Payments provide it for free within the PingPong dashboard.

Unavailability of Local Customer Support Like many other international payments platform, PingPong Payments doesn't have an India based support team, which can make resolution of queries a challenge for Indian customers..&nbsp;

PingPong Payments Review: The Good, Bad and Ugly

We dug into the reviews of PingPong Payments on Trustpilot, a software review website to bring out the good, bad, and ugly sides of it:

Customer Support PingPong Payments receives brownie points in this area. We found two reviews on the website that highlight the professional and helpful nature of the customer support team. One reviewer even goes to the extent of mentioning the names of the customer service executives who helped her<a href="https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/649282738d146d7288d35aab"> resolve the issue</a>.

Users on review platforms have reported challenges in getting <a href="https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/678c922cf87236b67d11504f">balance refunds </a>after closing their PingPong accounts. According to their feedback, the process often involved filling out multiple documents and repeated follow-ups, with no clear communication on timelines.

Some users also mentioned experiences where their payments or receivables were temporarily blocked. In<a href="https://www.trustpilot.com/users/6549434d146789001292b71f"> one instance</a>, a user described the difficulty of navigating the situation when access to their funds was restricted.

Please note: These insights are based on user reviews gathered from public platforms and do not reflect Skydo’s opinions.

Skydo: A Viable PingPong Alternative to Receive International Payments in India

PingPong payments have built a strong reputation globally, however, its high fees and low transparency make it an expensive choice for freelancers and exporters. In addition to that, the reviews about restricting refunds and blocking transactions are worrisome.

Skydo is a more affordable and transparent alternative to PingPong Payments. The fee structure is simple and there are no hidden charges. For receiving a payment of under USD 2,000 you pay a fee of USD 19. For amounts between USD 2,001 to USD 10,000, the fee is USD 29 and for USD 10,000+ the fee is 0.3% of the amount. Moreover, there are no markups on the exchange rate, so the conversion is done based on the live forex rate.

Skydo also offers other benefits like a highly secure platform, no additional fees for FIRA, and a responsive local customer support team. With our support team based in India and working during Indian business hours, it’s always easy to get on a call or chat with them in case you get stuck. This is a huge perk if you’re just starting as an exporter or a freelancer. Having a trusted team by your side helps you to scale faster.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you're open to looking at platforms beyond PingPong payments that are more supportive and cost-effective for your business, Skydo could be the right choice.

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If you’ve ever waited on an international payment that seemed to vanish into thin air, you’re not alone. Whether you're an exporter, freelancer, or business owner dealing with cross-border transactions, one document that often comes up in these moments of confusion is the SWIFT MT103.

Think of the MT103 as the digital receipt for your international wire transfer – a standardised SWIFT message issued by the sender’s bank that includes key details of the transfer. It shows information like the sender, recipient, amount, currency, and reference numbers, plus any charges applied along the way. In other words, it’s a globally recognised proof of payment for SWIFT transactions.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a SWIFT MT103 message actually is, why it matters (especially when payments are delayed or under dispute), how to get one from your bank, and how it can help you track down an international transfer if something goes wrong.

We’ll also show you how modern fintech platforms (like Skydo) make tracking international payments easier,&nbsp; no MT103 needed! – saving you time and SWIFT fees.

An MT103 is a standardised SWIFT message format used by banks to confirm that an international wire transfer has been sent. It’s essentially the SWIFT payment confirmation message for a cross-border transaction – kind of like a digital receipt that travels with your money through the banking system. In SWIFT terminology, MT103 is known as a “Single Customer Credit Transfer” message type.

When you send money internationally through the SWIFT network, your bank generates an MT103 message and shares it securely with the recipient’s bank. This SWIFT MT103 document contains all the essential transaction details, including:

Banks use the MT103 message to track and trace international payments, especially if there’s a delay or a dispute. After your payment is sent, you can request a copy of the MT103 from your bank as evidence that the transfer was processed.

💡 MT103 vs. Other SWIFT Message Types: You might have heard of MT202, which is another SWIFT message. To clarify, MT103 is used for customer payments (it carries all the customer and transaction details as described above), whereas MT202 is a bank-to-bank transfer message used for moving funds between banks (often to settle or cover an MT103).

In simpler terms, if you, as a customer, send money abroad, the transaction is sent as an MT103, and behind the scenes, banks may use an MT202 for their interbank settlement. MT202 messages don’t include customer details, while MT103 messages do. This distinction is mainly important for bankers, but it’s good to know that an MT103 is the document you (or your client) would need as proof of payment in a customer transaction.

What is MT103&nbsp;SWIFT document used for?

While an MT103 isn’t required for every international payment, it can be incredibly helpful, especially when you're sending or receiving large sums or if something goes wrong. Here’s why the MT103 matters:

Imagine you’ve paid an overseas supplier, but they claim the funds haven’t arrived. You check with your bank, and they confirm the SWIFT transfer was sent – now you’re stuck in the middle, unsure who to believe. This is where the MT103 comes in. By obtaining the MT103 document, you get a detailed record of the payment showing when and where the money was sent, and through which banks. 

You can forward this to the beneficiary as proof of payment, and your bank can use the reference information in the MT103 to help trace the payment’s path and find any bottlenecks in the process. Often, just providing the MT103 to the beneficiary’s bank is enough for them to locate a pending credit in their system.

MT103 Format and Fields (Understanding the Details)

An MT103 message contains various coded fields that together provide all the transaction information in a structured format. If you’ve never seen one, an MT103 looks a bit cryptic at first – it’s a series of lines with codes and values. But each code (or “tag”) corresponds to a specific piece of information.

An MT103 includes all the details necessary for processing an international transfer. Here’s what a typical MT103 message contains:

All this information in the MT103 ensures that the transaction flows smoothly and reaches the right destination with clarity on who paid what. The standardised format means that no matter which banks are involved, the information is structured in a way they all understand.

Every MT103 has specific field tags as outlined above, and learning to read them can be useful. You don’t need to memorise every code, but knowing the key fields helps.

 For most users, the critical things to check on an MT103 copy are: 

Mandatory vs. Optional Fields: Some fields appear on every MT103, while others are optional or used only in certain cases. We covered the common mandatory fields (like 20, 32A, 50, 59, 71A, etc.). Optional fields can include:

These optional tags might not appear on every MT103, but they offer flexibility to include extra details when needed. For example, a Tag 72 might carry a note like “/INS/ intermediary bank fees to be charged to sender,” or other instructions that don’t fit in the standard fields.

If you’ve made a SWIFT transfer and need proof that the payment was sent, the MT103 is what you’re looking for. However, banks do not automatically give out the MT103 document for every transfer – you usually have to request it. Here’s how to get an MT103 from your bank, step by step:

Important: If you are the receiver of the payment (i.e., waiting for money to come in), note that you usually cannot request the MT103 directly from the sending bank. Only the sender (the bank whose customer sent the money) can issue the MT103. So if you’re waiting on funds that seem delayed, you should ask the sender (your client or business partner) to request the MT103 from their bank and share it with you. Many times, this comes up if you’re trying to track a missing payment – you’ll have to loop in the sender to obtain the MT103.

In some countries, the MT103 might be referred to by a different name. For example, in India, some banks might call it a “SWIFT Advice” or “SWIFT Copy” instead of using the code “MT103” – but it’s the same document.&nbsp;Don’t be confused by terminology; just clearly ask for proof of the SWIFT transfer or a SWIFT payment confirmation document if the bank seems unsure.

Since some banks charge for it and it can take effort to obtain, it’s best to request an MT103 only when you need it. Good scenarios are: a payment is significantly delayed or stuck with an intermediary bank, you need the MT103 for compliance documentation or audits, or the beneficiary is insisting on proof to investigate a missing transfer. If everything went smoothly and the beneficiary already got the money, you typically wouldn’t bother getting an MT103 (your regular bank statement or transfer confirmation would suffice in that case).

Generally, the sender of the international payment is the one who can request the MT103 from their bank. The MT103 is generated by the sending bank and is considered that bank’s record of the transaction, so they usually will release it only to their account holder (the sender).

If you are the sending customer, you have the right to ask your bank for the MT103 as proof of payment. If you’re a business and you initiated a wire transfer through your corporate bank account, you (or your finance team) can similarly request the MT103 from your banking relationship manager or through support channels. It doesn’t matter if it’s a personal transfer or a company transfer – the account holder (sender) can obtain it.

If you’re the recipient waiting on a payment, you cannot directly get the MT103 from the sender’s bank. You’d have to ask the sender to do it on their side.

This sometimes causes frustration in international deals, because the receiver might want to independently verify a payment. But due to privacy and banking rules, the receiving bank won’t issue an MT103 for an incoming payment (they can trace it if they have details, but the formal MT103 comes from the sender’s side). So, it often becomes a part of business workflows: the recipient asks the sender to provide the MT103 for reassurance or tracking.

One tip for businesses:&nbsp;If your company sends wires frequently, you might want to set up a process with your bank where they automatically send you the SWIFT confirmation for each transfer. Some banks can arrange to email you the MT103 for every outgoing payment (especially if you have a premium account or use SWIFT a lot). This can save time if proof is often required in your line of work.

How to Track a SWIFT Payment Using MT103&nbsp;

International wire transfers via SWIFT can sometimes take longer than expected – typically 1-5 business days, but delays happen if funds are routed through multiple correspondent banks or if there are compliance checks. If your payment hasn’t arrived within the usual timeframe (say, it’s been a week and still no credit on the other side), it’s natural to want to track where the money is. This is where the MT103 becomes extremely useful: it’s like a tracking slip or a package tracking number for your money.

Using the MT103 Reference to Trace Your Payment: Every MT103 document includes a unique transaction reference code (in Field 20) and often a UETR (Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference) if the transfer was sent through the SWIFT gpi system. Think of this as your payment’s tracking ID.

Once you or your bank has this code, your bank can enter it into the SWIFT tracking systems to check the status of the payment. They can see timestamps of when it left your bank, and if the payment went through SWIFT’s newer GPI (Global Payments Innovation) service, they might even see real-time updates of its journey. For example, SWIFT gpi can show that the payment is “In transit – at intermediary bank in New York” or “Credited to beneficiary bank – pending beneficiary account credit,” etc., in near real-time. Many major banks now participate in SWIFT gpi, which means they provide status updates for cross-border transfers. Some banks offer customer-facing portals for this tracking, while others will relay the information if you contact support.

Without SWIFT gpi, even with a regular MT103, banks can still perform a SWIFT trace: they send a query or use the reference to see logs of where the payment last was. It’s a bit more manual, but still effective in pinpointing a stuck transfer. The MT103 essentially provides the data needed (like the transaction reference and routing information) to start that investigation.

MT103 vs. SWIFT gpi – What’s the Difference? It’s worth noting that SWIFT gpi is a newer initiative to modernise cross-border payments. MT103 is a message (a document) confirming the payment was sent. SWIFT gpi, on the other hand, is a tracking system/network upgrade that allows end-to-end visibility in real time. If we use a courier analogy, MT103 is like your shipment receipt and tracking number, whereas SWIFT gpi is the online tracking system you plug that number into, to see exactly where the package (payment) is.

Many banks now embed the UETR from SWIFT gpi into the MT103 message itself, effectively linking the two. The table below summarises it:

MT103 vs. SWIFT gpi: What’s the Difference?

In short, MT103 is like your proof that something was sent (and gives you the reference to track it), and SWIFT gpi is the technology that can show you exactly where it is in transit. If your bank supports SWIFT gpi, you may not even need to request an MT103 to know the status – some banks let you see the progress via online banking. But if not, having the MT103 and contacting the bank is the way to trace the payment.

Do You Always Need an MT103? (Alternatives and Best Practices)

While MT103s are undoubtedly helpful (even essential) when payments go missing, they’re not always the most convenient solution for everyday needs. In 2025, businesses want faster and simpler ways to confirm transactions. Obtaining an MT103 means waiting for the transfer to be sent, then requesting the document, waiting again for it to be issued (and possibly paying for it). If you have multiple international payments a month, that’s a lot of overhead just to get confirmations.

That’s why modern fintech platforms have reimagined the experience of sending and receiving international payments. Instead of relying on SWIFT messages and then chasing documents for tracking, these platforms often provide built-in tracking and local payment routes that bypass some of SWIFT’s limitations.

For example, Skydo (our platform) offers real-time payment tracking in your dashboard. When you receive an international payment through Skydo, you can see the status of that payment in real time – whether it’s been initiated, is in transit, or has been credited to your account – without needing to ask for an MT103. Essentially, the platform provides the transparency that SWIFT gpi does, but directly to you as the user.

Moreover, with solutions like Skydo, you can avoid traditional SWIFT fees and delays altogether. Skydo provides you with local virtual accounts in countries like the US, UK, and EU. So if you’re an exporter in India awaiting payment from a US client, your client can pay into a local US account (ACH transfer) which is faster and cheaper, and Skydo then settles the money to you in INR. No $25-$40 SWIFT wire fee, no multiple correspondent banks holding your funds, and no need to wait days wondering where the money is. This means:

Sometimes, not needing an MT103 is the best-case scenario. If you can skip the uncertainty and the fees associated with SWIFT by using a platform that provides instant confirmation and tracking, it makes life easier for both sender and receiver. Of course, SWIFT isn’t going away – it’s a backbone of international finance – but for many transactions, especially business payments, these new methods are gaining favor.

(Skydo is one such platform that provides these benefits, helping you save on fees and get peace of mind. Instead of waiting for a SWIFT MT103, you could be seeing your incoming payment in real time. It’s about streamlining the process and focusing on doing business, not on chasing bank documents.)

MT103 swift message: Format, Fields and How to get it

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As Indian businesses expand globally, managing payments in multiple currencies has become more than just a convenience; it’s a competitive edge.

Whether you're an exporter billing clients in USD or a SaaS company offering subscriptions in EUR and GBP, a multi-currency account can simplify how you receive, hold, and manage your international earnings.

But what exactly is a multi-currency account? And why is it becoming essential for modern Indian businesses?

A multi-currency account (sometimes called a foreign currency account or international account) lets individuals or businesses receive, hold, and send money in multiple currencies from a single platform.

Unlike traditional bank accounts that immediately convert foreign currency to INR (often with heavy fees), multicurrency accounts let you:

For example, if you have received payment from an international client from the US in USD, you can hold the payment in USD in your multi-currency account. If you have to pay a client in USD, you can use the current funds for direct payment without converting your local currency to USD.

Some multi-currency accounts come with additional features which can help in increasing the return potential. For example, some multi-currency accounts may offer interest on the balances held in different currencies, while some may offer access to foreign exchange markets.&nbsp;

Which Currencies Can I Hold in a Multi Currency Account?

The accepted currencies in a multi-currency account range between 30-200, depending on the financial institution. However, a multi-currency account facilitates, at minimum, transacting in the following currencies.

Benefits of Multi-Currency Accounts for Indian Businesses

1. Save More by Converting When It Makes Sense

A big perk of a multi currency account is that you don’t have to convert money right away. You can hold on to your earnings in USD or EUR and convert them when the exchange rate is better. Over time, this can add up, especially compared to traditional bank accounts that charge ₹750–₹1000 per transaction just to convert your money.

2. Lower Fees, Less Money Lost in Conversion

If you’re dealing with international payments regularly, small fees can eat into your income. A multi currency bank account typically charges much less in conversion fees compared to regular methods, and that means you keep more of what you earn.

If you’re getting paid in different currencies, tracking it all can be messy. A multi currency account in India helps you keep everything in one place—whether it's dollars, euros, or pounds. That makes your bookkeeping and accounting a lot less painful.

When payments don’t need to go through currency conversion each time, they move faster. A multi currency bank account can help you get your money sooner, without the usual back and forth or waiting around.

Having a multi-currency account can make your business feel more established, especially to international clients. It shows that you're set up to work globally, which builds trust from the start.

6. A Smoother Experience for Your Clients

Getting paid should be easy, for you and for your clients. A multi currency account lets your clients pay in their own currency, which feels more familiar and hassle-free on their end.

7. Helps You Pay International Partners More Easily

Whether you’re working with vendors, freelancers, or service providers abroad, being able to pay them quickly, in their own currency, goes a long way. A multi currency account in India makes this part of the job feel a lot less complicated.

How Can You Get a Multi Currency Account in India?

Most leading banks in India, including HDFC, DBS, HSBC, and others, offer multi currency accounts. However, today, fintech platforms are truly leading the way with multi currency accounts right now. Platforms like Skydo, Wise, Stripe offer mutli currency accounts, enabling businesses to manage their income and payments in multiple currencies. Here's why FinTech-led multi-currency accounts have an edge over multi currency accounts offered by traditional banks:

When deciding where to open your account, carefully assess factors like fees, services, and customer support from each institution. Additionally, ensure that the chosen account supports the currencies relevant to your usage.

Who Is Qualified for a Multicurrency Account?

You must be 18 and above to open a multicurrency account, and certain accounts are restricted to residents of specific countries. Meeting minimum balance requirements may also be necessary. Some multi-currency accounts cater to businesses or high-net-worth individuals, imposing relatively high minimum balance criteria.

Potential beneficiaries of multicurrency accounts include the following.

Final Thoughts: Why a Multi-Currency Account Isn’t Optional Anymore

If you work with international clients—whether you're a growing exporter, a SaaS founder, or a freelancer—sticking to traditional bank transfers or high-fee platforms like PayPal or SWIFT is holding you back.

A multi-currency account in India isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore—it’s a core tool for doing global business right.

In short: A good multicurrency bank account puts you in control of your money, your timelines, and your global growth.

Looking to switch? Skydo offers multi-currency accounts tailored to Indian businesses and freelancers, with no forex markup and fast settlements.

The Benefits of Multi-Currency Accounts for International Payments TH

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Updated: 14th November 2025 Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) is a key term for anyone in India receiving payments from abroad,&nbsp; be it exporters shipping goods overseas or freelancers offering services to international clients.

Are you dealing with international payments and confused by terms like FIRC? If you’ve ever received money from abroad for your business or freelance work, you might have been told to get a FIRC. Don’t worry – you’re not alone in finding this acronym puzzling. In this conversational guide, we’ll demystify Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates (FIRC) – explaining what they are (including the full form and meaning), why they’re important, who needs them, and how to obtain one. By the end, you’ll know exactly why FIRC matters for Indian exporters, freelancers, small businesses, and even accountants handling cross-border transactions. Plus, we’ll share tips on making the whole process much easier (hint: there are modern solutions that do the heavy lifting for you). Let’s dive in!

Let’s start with the basics: FIRC stands for Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate. It’s essentially an official document from an Indian bank that confirms you’ve received a payment from abroad. Think of it as a receipt or proof of an inward remittance (foreign money transfer) into your Indian bank account.

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