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. 

FIRC full form is Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate, and it serves as an official proof that money has been remitted into India from a foreign sourceskydo.com. In simpler terms, a FIRC is a document issued by an Indian bank to verify and record details of an incoming foreign payment – including the sender, recipient, amount, and purpose of the transactiondbs.com. 

This certificate is crucial in the Indian context as it ensures your foreign earnings are transparent, properly documented, and compliant with regulations. In this guide, we’ll explain what FIRC means, why it’s important, how it works under RBI rules, and how Indian businesses or freelancers can obtain and use FIRC effectively.

FIRC stands for Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate, and as the name suggests, it is a certificate provided by banks in India to verify a foreign currency remittance received in the country. The FIRC contains important information such as the amount received, the foreign sender’s and Indian recipient’s details, and the reason for the payment. Essentially, it’s a tangible proof of an inward remittance – functioning as a testimonial that an individual or business in India has received a payment from abroad.&nbsp;

FIRCs have historically been issued by Authorized Dealer (AD) banks whenever an export payment or any foreign inward payment came in. For example, if an exporter in Mumbai sells goods to a buyer in Europe and receives the payment in USD into her Indian bank account, the bank would issue a FIRC confirming that the foreign payment was received. This document legitimizes the transaction and is often required by various authorities for reference. Only banks licensed as Authorised Dealer Category I by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can issue FIRCs, since they are the ones permitted to handle foreign exchange transactions in India.&nbsp;

It’s important to note that “FIRC” is sometimes used informally to refer to similar documents like Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA) or Foreign Inward Remittance Statement (FIRS). We will discuss these terms later, but broadly speaking, all of them serve a similar purpose: proving that a foreign remittance was received. In summary, a FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate) is the official proof of foreign money coming into India, making it an indispensable document for cross-border payments.

Whether you are an Indian exporter, a service provider, or a freelancer, obtaining a FIRC (or its equivalent advice) for your foreign earnings is very important. Here are the key reasons why FIRCs matter:

In summary, the FIRC is more than just a piece of paper – it is essential for compliance, for availing financial benefits, and for maintaining clean financial records of foreign income.&nbsp;Especially in India’s tightly regulated foreign exchange environment, this certificate (or its modern digital equivalent) becomes a cornerstone for anyone dealing with international payments.

FIRC in India: RBI Guidelines and the Switch to FIRA

It’s important to understand how FIRCs are handled in India today, because there have been regulatory changes in the past decade. Historically, banks issued a physical FIRC on security paper for every foreign inward remittance received against exports. However, since 2016, the RBI changed the process for most cases. Let’s break down what that means:

In conversations around FIRC, there are a few more terms that get frequently mentioned, one of them being eFIRC. So what exactly is <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/efirc-firc-brc-essentials-differences">eFIRC?</a>

Two acronyms often discussed together are FIRC and BRC. They are related but not the same thing. We’ve explained FIRC (proof of receiving foreign payment). BRC stands for Bank Realisation Certificate. Here’s how they differ and how they work together, especially for exporters:

In summary, BRC is the second step in the documentation chain for exports: first get your FIRC/FIRA (proof of payment), then that leads to a BRC (proof that payment matches an export transaction). Both are important for exporters, but they serve different (complementary) purposes.&nbsp; This decison tree will help you decide if and when will you need FIRC/BRC

This is a sample FIRC document. All crucial remittance details have been masked for security purposes. Now let’s break the content of a FIRC down: 

How to Obtain a FIRC (Procedure to Get the Certificate)

Obtaining a FIRC or the equivalent remittance certificate is not an automatic process in many banks – often, you need to request it. Here’s a step-by-step on how Indian businesses or freelancers can get their FIRC/FIRA from the bank:

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-get-firc-certificate-online">Getting a FIRC</a> might sound like a hassle, but with Skydo, it's a breeze. Our fully automated payment system along with built-in partnerships with banks, ensures effortless compliance with RBI guidelines, without needing any manual intervention.

When you receive an export payment through Skydo, we automatically generate the required FIRC for you at no extra cost. Just log into our user-friendly dashboard, and you'll find your FIRC ready to download, complete with all the details you need. 

Exporting goods and services is considered Zero-Rated Supply, meaning it is subject to 0% GST. However, to claim a GST refund for the input tax credit, exporters must provide the required documents including FIRC. These documents authenticate that the business is claiming a refund because it exported services and couldn't offset its input tax credit as it would in normal domestic business. Without FIRC, claiming a GST refund may not be possible

As we surge in cross-border transactions, ensuring compliance and safeguarding against illicit activities has become a pressing concern. However, at Skydo, we believe your focus should be on advancing your business, not on grappling with compliance challenges.

With Skydo, enjoy seamless international payments, delivered promptly and without any hidden fees. But that's just the beginning! Every time you receive a cross-border payment, an auto-generated FIRC is readily available for you to download, relieving you of compliance burdens so you can devote your energy to what truly matters: driving your business forward.

What is FIRC? Learn the full form, meaning, and how Indian exporters & freelancers can get FIRC or FIRA to claim tax benefits and stay RBI-compliant.

FIRC Full Form, Meaning & Guide for Exporters

Dive into the world of FIRC. Explore the full form, importance, and process of obtaining FIRC for your international transactions

Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC): Full form, meaning and RBI guidelines

Prashanth

small_63aec75c493ff751315d72ac_63948a436dc07c0bec0374ea_uA3i3IUVLPHk_-xjAlW9Z7bxKaOLRCylGX1byeHyzyE.png

thumbnail_63aec75c493ff751315d72ac_63948a436dc07c0bec0374ea_uA3i3IUVLPHk_-xjAlW9Z7bxKaOLRCylGX1byeHyzyE.png

Prashanth Kumar

Inward remittance means receiving money from abroad in your bank account in India. However, inward remittance, especially foreign payments aren't as straightforward as a domestic transfer due forex rate, RBI guidelines and international systems.&nbsp; In this blog, we’ll break understand what inward remittance is, what are the rules, charges, and timelines around it. So let us begin!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Inward remittance is simply money sent to your bank account in India from someone living abroad. It could be funds from an NRI family member helping with education or medical bills, or even a foreign employer or client paying your salary or invoices.

The money arrives in foreign currency and gets converted into Indian Rupees at the current exchange rate. Whether it’s personal support or business payments, understanding how inward remittance works makes it easier to manage and maximize what you receive.

What are the Rules and Guidelines for Receiving&nbsp; Inward Remittance in India?

Since inward remittance involves movement of money across national borders, it comes with its own set of rules and guidelines.&nbsp;In India, the RBI and <a href="https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/fema">FEMA</a> (Foreign Exchange Management Act) have set out <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/compliance-guideline-for-inward-remittance">specific guidelines</a> for receiving inward remittances in India:&nbsp;

<a href="https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/FEMAMASTER/PDFs/1061.PDF">&nbsp;Only Authorised Dealer Category I&nbsp;</a>(AD Cat I) banks are allowed to receive foreign inward remittances in India.&nbsp; The AD Cat I banks are financial institutions that hold a license issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to buy and sell foreign currency for capital and current account transactions.

Each foreign inward remittance must contain a<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/rbi_purpose_code_for_inward_remittance"> purpose code.</a>&nbsp;The code defines the purpose of inward remittances like education, investments, remuneration, travel, insurance and more.&nbsp;For example:

If your inward remittance is payment for selling goods/services abroad then it must be accompanied by an FIRA. <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-firc-a-complete-guide">FIRA&nbsp;</a>is proof that you have received a <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-receive-international-payments-in-india">foreign payment </a>in India and is issued by the AD Category I banks.

Transfers related to lottery winnings, gambling, and other illegal activities are prohibited under FEMA guidelines.

For most foreign inward remittances, there’s no<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/compliance-guideline-for-inward-remittance#do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-remittance"> tax liability</a> in India. However, if the remittance is income from sources like investments, salary, or business, it will be taxed according to your applicable income tax slab rate.

We've briefly touched on the compliance requirements associated with inward remittance. You can find the <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/compliance-guideline-for-inward-remittance">detailed explanation of the compliance requirements here</a>

What Documents Are Required for Receiving Inward Remittance in India?&nbsp;

While receiving your inward remittance, you may need to furnish the followig documents

You fall into this category if you’re an exporter, freelancer or someone who provides services to international clients. Here’s the document list:

You can find a detailed explanation of the<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/compliance-guideline-for-inward-remittance#what-are-the-documents-required-for-inward-remittance-in-india"> documents required for inward remittance in India right here</a>

How Do You Receive Inward Remittance in India?

There are three primary means to receive foreign inward remittances in India:

Let’s explore each medium and the steps in collecting inward remittances in India.&nbsp;

Banks are one of the most popular ways of transferring money from overseas to India. To receive inward remittance you must share your Indian bank account details like account number, bank and branch name, and <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/swift-money-transfer-ultimate-guide">SWIFT code</a> with the sender. You can find the<a href="https://www.skydo.com/swift-code-finder"> SWIFT code of your bank right here.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/paypal-in-india-charges-review-alternatives">PayPal supports</a> over 100 currencies and has gained popularity in India as a medium to receive inward remittances. You can use the PayPal website or download their app to receive foreign remittances. Link your bank account to PayPal, so that you can withdraw money when you like.

I<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/virtual-account-numbers">nternational virtual accounts</a> are like digital gateways linked to your real bank account. They don’t store money themselves—when funds are credited, they’re transferred to your bank account. With platforms like Skydo, you can use virtual accounts to receive payments in different foreign currencies, making cross-border transactions simple and hassle-free.

The cost of processing inward remittances varies across banks and can include charges like SWIFT fees, forex markups, and additional service fees. For business payments, it’s crucial to understand these charges, as they are often borne by the recipient.

Here’s a breakdown of inward remittance charges at popular Indian banks:

Understanding these fees can help you plan your payments better and avoid unexpected deductions.

PayPal Charges for Receiving Inward Remittance

PayPal also comes with a hefty price tag for receiving foreign remittances in India especially when it comes to business payments. It charges a flat 4.4% transaction fee on every transaction. Additionally, you have to bear a fixed fee, which depends on the currency and a currency conversion fee of 4% on the current exchange rate. To get an in-depth explanation of each charge, check out our blog on<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/paypal-in-india-charges-review-alternatives"> PayPal India Charges</a>.

International virtual accounts Charges for Receiving Inward Remittance

Virtual accounts do not charge SWIFT fees because it’s treated as a local transfer making it a more affordable option. Here’s a quick breakdown of how much Skydo charges for receiving international payments via virtual accounts:&nbsp;

With Skydo, for payments up to USD 2,000, you pay $19. For payments between 2,000 to 10,000, you pay $29 and for payments above USD 10,000 only 0.3% fee is levied. So for a USD 5000 inward remittance, you can expect to receive INR 5,424 more compared to banks and INR 32, 862 more compared to PayPal.

Is There Tax on Inward Remittance in India?

Are you supposed to<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/decoding-gst-on-foreign-exchange"> pay taxes on inward remittances</a>? According to the income tax rules for international remittances, it depends on the purpose of the remittance. We have covered three different scenarios to give you a snappy overview:

Find out <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-receive-international-payments-in-india">how to receive foreign payments in India.</a>&nbsp;

How Much Inward Remittance is allowed in India?

According to the framework set by RBI for<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/online-payment-gateway-service-provider-opgsp?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link"> Online Payment Gateway Service Providers</a> (OPGSP), there are no limitations on personal transfers.&nbsp; However, <a href="https://www.rbi.org.in/commonman/English/scripts/FAQs.aspx?Id=1692#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20limit%20on,lakh%20for%20trade%20related%20transactions.">as per RBI</a>, there is a cap of INR 15.00 lakh for trade-related transactions.

Receive Business Inward Remittance Seamlessly with Skydo

For an exporter or a freelancer, paying hefty charges for inward remittances is a huge loss to their earnings. They deserve a platform that offers transparent pricing and advanced features for invoicing.<a href="https://www.skydo.com/"> Skydo</a> fits the requirements perfectly and is a trusted partner for business owners looking to scale their revenue from international clients.

large_Foreign Remittance in India

medium_Foreign Remittance in India

small_Foreign Remittance in India

thumbnail_Foreign Remittance in India

Foreign Remittance in India

India’s tech exports hit a massive <a href="https://www.ibef.org/industry/information-technology-india">$199 billion in FY24</a>—a clear sign of how resilient and innovative India’s tech sector is, even in tough global times. This growth is putting India on the map as a global leader in technology and services.

But let’s be honest: while the numbers look great, the reality for Indian exporters can be challenging. One of the biggest pain points? Getting paid. Despite all the advancements, receiving international payments is still slow, complicated, and often way too expensive.

So, how do you, as a tech professional, keep your cash flow healthy and focus on growing your business globally? That’s where Skydo comes in. We take the headache out of receiving international payments, cutting through the delays and unnecessary costs, so you can focus on what really matters—your growth.

Limitations of Existing Payment Channels in India

The existing international payment landscape in India is extremely cumbersome and time-consuming for businesses.&nbsp;

The majority of <a href="https://www.pwc.in/industries/financial-services/fintech/dp/the-evolving-landscape-of-cross-border-payments.html">international remittances</a> take place through the following channels:

The following are the challenges that tech exporters face while receiving international payments through these channels:

Steep Fees and Unfavourable Exchange Rate:&nbsp;

Receiving international payments via SWIFT comes with its own set of costs. You’ll encounter SWIFT fees ranging from INR 500 to 1,000, along with additional charges like tracking fees and FIRA fees. But the real issue lies in the unfavourable exchange rates offered by banks.

Unlike live exchange rates, banks often provide lower rates. For example, if the market rate is 1 USD = INR 86, a bank might offer you a rate of 84. On a payment of USD 10,000, this means you’d receive INR 8,40,000 instead of INR 8,60,000—a loss of INR 20,000, simply due to poor exchange rates. And the worst part? You might not even realise it.

Complex and Time-Consuming FIRA Process:

FIRA, or Foreign Inward Remittance Advice, is a critical compliance document that every exporter must secure after receiving cross-border payments. It serves as proof of the international payment you’ve received for your services.

However, obtaining FIRA from banks is far from simple. The process often involves repeated follow-ups, long waiting times, and, to make matters worse, most banks charge an additional fee for issuing the document. This not only adds to the complexity but also increases the overall cost of managing international payments.

When it comes to customer support, banks often fall short—understandably so, given the sheer volume of customers they handle daily. However, this leaves exporters like you in a tough spot. Even a straightforward query can take weeks to resolve, requiring multiple follow-ups along the way. For busy tech exporters juggling countless priorities, this lack of timely support can quickly become a source of frustration.

Receiving a SWIFT transfer can take upto 5 business days, longer if there are multiple intermediary banks involved. This wait time can not only be frustrating but can also cause a cash crunch for exporters.&nbsp;

Why is Skydo Important, and What Does it Solve?

Skydo is transforming the way businesses handle international payments with innovative, affordable solutions. With features like automatic FIRA generation, automated invoicing, flat transaction fees, and responsive customer support, Skydo takes the hassle out of cross-border payments, letting you focus on growing your business.

We understand the unique challenges tech exporters face when dealing with international transactions—hidden fees, delays, and endless follow-ups. That’s why Skydo is designed to tackle these issues head-on, making global payments fast, transparent, and stress-free.

Here’s how Skydo addresses common pain points and becomes your go-to solution for international payments.

One of the most significant benefits of the <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/a-quick-guide-to-using-the-skydo-platform?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">Skydo payment platform</a> is the flat transaction fee for receiving international payments.&nbsp;

For payments above USD 10,000, Skydo charges a 0.3% fee, much more affordable than most other payment platforms.&nbsp;

You can view the exact transaction fee when you generate an invoice. Thus, Skydo ensures transparency and helps you save unnecessary hidden charges levied by other payment gateways.

2. Seamless payment processing within a few hours

Skydo provides you with virtual international accounts in multiple key regions including the US. UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore and more. So, in these regions, your clients pay you in these virtual accounts, making it a local transfer rather than an international one. Skydo then consolidates these payments and settles it in your Indian bank account within just 24 hours—no more long wait times, just smooth and consistent cash flow. Plus, with our real-time payment tracking feature, you’ll always know exactly where your payment is at every step of the process.

Skydo converts the payment received in international currency into INR as per the live foreign exchange rates without levying any additional fee. This means that you get the exact amount in your bank account as per the prevailing currency rate without any deductions.&nbsp;

4. Invoice generation and payment reminders with the auto-generated invoice number

Invoicing is one of the best features of the Skydo payment platform. It helps you save on time and manual efforts by creating automatic invoices. 

Skydo provides customisable professional invoice templates to suit your business requirements. The payment platform automatically adds the invoice number every time you generate an invoice.&nbsp;

Moreover, you can track the real-time status of all your invoices on a single dashboard and send payment reminders to clients through Skydo.

Learn more: <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/transforming-your-invoicing-experience-with-skydo">Transforming Your Invoicing Experience With Skydo</a>

5. Compliance with Indian regulations - Automated FIRA

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-FIRC-a-complete-guide?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA) certificate</a> provides complete details of all foreign services provided by Indian exporters. It is essential for businesses to maintain all FIRA receipts to reconcile their financial statements and for tax compliance purposes.&nbsp;

Skydo automatically generates FIRA certificates for all transactions, making it easier for you to comply with tax laws.

The intuitive dashboard has been designed to help users easily navigate through Skydo's payment platform. It provides you access to all the details related to your transaction within a few seconds.

How Does Skydo Ensure 100% Safe and Secure Payments?

Questions around safety and security become paramount when it comes to international payments. Here's how Skydo ensures 100% compliant payments every time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

1. Skydo's Collaboration with Indian and Foreign Financial Institutions

Skydo has partnered with renowned financial institutions around the world including HDFC and Banking Circle and many more to simplify international payments for Indian exporters and service providers. We are also actively in talks with many other renowned institutions to be able to offer virtual accounts in more regions

Learn More: <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/seamless-payment-experience-with-international-bank-accounts">Enjoy Seamless Payment Experience by Creating International Bank Accounts in Just 5 Minutes</a>

Skydo is now <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/companies/start-ups/fintech-skydo-receives-in-principle-approval-to-operate-as-pa-cb-entity-125012101362_1.html">RBI-approved as a Payment Aggregator for Cross-Border Payments (PACB)! </a>This milestone reflects our commitment to making your payments secure, seamless, and fully compliant with RBI regulations.

We’re also SOC 2 certified, meaning your data’s safety is non-negotiable for us. With end-to-end encryption, secure storage, and regular security checks, we ensure your data stays private and protected—always.

3. Ensuring Compliance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Guidelines

We understand how important it is to comply with RBI’s strict guidelines, not just for us but for our tech exporters too. That’s why Skydo provides free and instant FIRA for every transaction, eliminating the need for repeated bank visits and ensuring your payments are always RBI-compliant—without the extra hassle.

4. How Skydo Streamlines Know Your Customer (KYC) Processes

One thing business owners despise the most about payment and banking platforms is the tedious KYC process. With Skydo, the process is simple.&nbsp;

As soon as the users enter the business PAN, the platform automatically extracts relevant details such as the company's name, GSTIN, and CIN from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs database.&nbsp;

Even when the directors upload their PAN, the platform automatically collects information from the uploaded file. Thus, Skydo offers smooth and quick KYC processes.

4. Auto-generated Purpose Code based on RBI Guidelines

As per the RBI guidelines, all invoices related to the export of goods or services must have a purpose code to identify the type of service provided. Without the purpose code, the banks reject the payment received from an overseas account.&nbsp;

There is a long list of different purpose codes that you can find online. Entering the purpose code manually for every transaction is time-consuming and leaves scope for error.&nbsp;

Skydo's payment platform prefills the purpose code in your account post-registration. This code is then automatically available in a drop-down based on the services rendered in that invoice. This ensures that you send accurate invoices and receive payments on time.

Harshal, founder of Mobiprise, and a proud Skydo customer, couldn't contain his enthusiasm when he said, "Compliance with Skydo is not only good but great! It’s been very painful all these years." With Skydo, you too can experience the benefits of hassle-free cross-border payments.

While businesses are keen on expanding their services globally, challenges related to international payments act as restraints. Add to this multiple regulatory processes and banking norms. Consequently, payment gets delayed, making it difficult for merchants to scale their business.&nbsp;

Skydo streamlines the payment process by providing automated invoicing services and charging flat transaction fees. It also has a vast network of Indian and foreign bank accounts, enabling businesses to open a local bank account in the US. This facilitates quick receipt of international payments to your local bank account in India.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=demo_click">Request a demo</a> today to expand your business internationally with Skydo!

Indian Tech Exporters: Accept International Payments In India With Skydo Th

large_Indian Tech Exporters: Accept International Payments In India With Skydo Th

medium_Indian Tech Exporters: Accept International Payments In India With Skydo Th

small_Indian Tech Exporters: Accept International Payments In India With Skydo Th

thumbnail_Indian Tech Exporters: Accept International Payments In India With Skydo Th

If you’re an exporter or freelancer earning from abroad, you’ll need an FIRC certificate to stay compliant and claim benefits. But let’s be honest—getting one through traditional banks can be a tedious process, often requiring multiple follow-ups and fees.

The good news? You can now get your FIRC certificate online, quickly and hassle-free. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the easiest way to obtain it without the usual headaches.

FIRC certificate, or its full form <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-firc-a-complete-guide" target="_blank">Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate</a>, is an important document issued by banks to exporters as proof of receiving foreign currency payments. Prior to 2016, AD Category I Banks were authorized to issue FIRCs to exporters for every cross-border payment received. FIRC certificate was crucial for exporters to serve as proof of foreign transfers. It was also a crucial document for both goods and service exporters to claim their tax exemption and GST refund.

However, as per RBI guidelines since 2016, banks only issue FIRCs for specific financial transactions like inward remittances from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional Investment (FII). For export collections, banks now provide a<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/importance-of-fira-for-freelancers"> Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA) instead.</a>

Although FIRA is often still referred to as FIRC, the two serve slightly different purposes. The key difference is that FIRCs are now limited to transactions related to foreign investment, meaning FDI and FII transactions, while FIRA is what exporters need for all other international payments.&nbsp; For clarity, we'll use the term FIRC certificate moving forward, but it refers to FIRA throughout.

To obtain a Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) from your bank, you need to submit a formal request with the following details:

Some banks may ask for additional documents like the invoice, foreign client contract, or purpose declaration, depending on the transaction type.

✅ Pro Tip: With platforms like Skydo, there’s no need to request or wait for FIRA.&nbsp; Your FIRA (valid for export payments) is generated instantly and is fully compliant with RBI regulations.

FIRC Certificate Download: How to Do it Online?

Today, beyond traditional banks, several online platforms like Skydo, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/transferwise-india-features-benefits-pros-cons">Wise</a>, and <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/payoneer-payment-gateway-features-fees">Payoneer</a> provide exporters with fast and secure options for <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-receive-international-payments-in-india">receiving international payments in India.</a> Some of these platforms also offer FIRC Certificates to streamline compliance for exporters.

While some platforms may refer to these digital FIRAs as <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/efirc-firc-brc-essentials-differences" target="_blank">eFIRC,</a> electronic FIRC digital FIRC, or simply FIRC, it's important to understand that they are essentially digital FIRAs, regardless of the name. Now, let’s explore how you can receive your digital FIRA from these platforms:

How to get your PayPal FIRC Certificate ?

Since 2021, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/paypal-in-india-charges-review-alternatives" target="_blank">PayPal</a> has started issuing digital FIRA to businesses receiving international payments in India as proof of payment receipt. The platform doesn’t issue individual FIRA for every transaction, instead, it issues <a href="https://www.paypal.com/in/brc/article/paypal-monthly-digital-firc?no_follow=true">monthly digital FIRA</a>, and all international transactions of the previous month are referenced in that one FIRC certificate. You can access this FIRC certificate by the 15th of the subsequent month. For example, your monthly FIRC certificate for July will be available to you by 15th of August.

Once the FIRC certificate is available, PayPal will notify you of the same via email. Here’s how you can download it:

Note that PayPal doesn't charge any additional fee for issuing FIRC certificate.&nbsp;

How to get your FIRC Certificate from Payoneer?

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/payoneer-payment-gateway-features-fees" target="_blank">Payoneer</a> is another widely used platform for Indian businesses to receive international payments. To simplify compliance, Payoneer provides users with free digital FIRC Certificates for all their international transfers.

Here’s how you can download your FIRC Certificate from Payoneer&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/top_5_wise_alternatives_for_international_payment" target="_blank">Wise</a> is a leading platform for businesses and individuals to receive foreign payments, supporting both B2B and P2P transfers. For business payments in India, Wise provides a digital FIRA via email for each transaction.

However, Wise charges an additional fee for issuing the digital FIRC certificate, which varies depending on the currency. For instance, if you receive a payment in GBP, the fee is <a href="https://wise.com/in/pricing/business/receive?sourceAmount=1000&amp;sourceCcy=GBP&amp;targetCcy=INR?no_follow=true">1.91 GBP,</a> while for USD transactions, the fee is <a href="https://wise.com/in/pricing/business/receive?sourceAmount=1000&amp;sourceCcy=GBP&amp;targetCcy=INR?no_follow=true">2.50 USD</a>.&nbsp;

Get Your Free FIRC Certificate from Skydo instantly&nbsp;

At Skydo, our goal is to simplify the international payments process, allowing you to focus on growing your business. That’s why we provide digital FIRC Certificates for every transaction, completely free of charge.

When transacting through Skydo, it automatically generates FIRC certificate for all international payments when they reach your bank account. You will also be notified of the same via email. The document details will be according to the information mentioned in the invoices and payment receipt details. You can easily go to the Skydo dashboard and download FIRA receipts for all or specific transactions, at no extra cost! 

Here’s how you can download your FIRC Certificate from Skydo:

With Skydo, enjoy hassle free and compliant international payments, delivered promptly and without any hidden fees. Switch to Skydo and experience the difference.

large_How to get your FIRC certificate Online

medium_How to get your FIRC certificate Online

small_How to get your FIRC certificate Online

thumbnail_How to get your FIRC certificate Online

How to get your FIRC certificate Online

What is FIRA (and how the terminology evolved)

In banking, FIRA is your AD bank’s written confirmation that foreign currency was received against your export of goods/services. Many branches still use “FIRA/FIRC” interchangeably, which causes confusion—the function for exports is FIRA.

Freelancers &amp; agencies (service exporters)

If you offer services to overseas clients—IT/engineering, design, content, marketing, consulting—every inward foreign payment should be backed by a FIRA. It proves the income is export revenue, not a personal transfer, and supports GST refunds and audits.

If you are working for an international company and getting paid directly from them in foreign currency, you would need FIRA.&nbsp;

For global subscriptions or license sales, FIRA underpins revenue recognition and audit trails (monthly or one-off). Course creators and other digital products fall here, too.

Goods exporters &amp; marketplace sellers

If you export physical products (direct or via marketplaces like Amazon/eBay), FIRA is the first step; then, eBRC is generated to complete the documentation.

Simple rule: If you receive foreign income, you should have a FIRA for each payment.

Takeaway: Service exporters typically rely on FIRA; goods and SOFTEX-covered software exporters need FIRA + eBRC.

Skydo: instant, automated FIRA (and clear pricing)

If you receive payments through Skydo, FIRA is generated automatically for every inward remittance—no branch visits or follow-ups. You also get live mid-market FX with clear, flat fees (no hidden markups), plus India-based support.

Why exporters pick Skydo for compliance + cost control

Want a link-based flow with automatic FIRA and predictable FX? Try InstaLinks for US clients, or use Skydo’s virtual USD/EUR/GBP accounts for broader collections.

large_Importance of FIRA for Freelancers th

medium_Importance of FIRA for Freelancers th

small_Importance of FIRA for Freelancers th

thumbnail_Importance of FIRA for Freelancers th

Importance of FIRA for Freelancers th

If you’re billing overseas clients, from a SaaS subscription to a consulting invoice, you want three things: a. the payment to land on time, b. The INR you receive to be predictable, c. and the paperwork to be airtight.

This guide explains how Cashfree handles international payments, what it costs, what documents you get, and when a specialised exporter platform (like Skydo) might fit better.

Cashfree is a Bengaluru-based payments company. Domestically, it’s an RBI-licensed Payment Aggregator. For cross-border, it offers two ways to collect and settle in INR:

Let's take a moment to understand both these methods.&nbsp;

1) Global Collections Account (virtual accounts + local rails)

Best for: Invoices from overseas clients (freelancers, agencies, IT/consulting, SaaS).

In short: Feels like a “local bank account” for your client; you receive INR in India with per-payment FIRA.

2) International Payment Gateway (cards/APMs)

Best for: Online checkout flows (eCommerce, digital goods, subscriptions, SaaS).

In short: Optimised for conversion at checkout with multi-currency presentation; compliance comes as period summaries.

Cashfree International Payments Charges — what to expect

Use the International Gateway when:

Quick comparison: Global Collection Account vs Payment Gateway

A focused alternative for exporters: Skydo

While Cashfree gives Indian businesses multiple ways to collect payments, it’s still built to serve both domestic and international flows.
If you’re an exporter or freelancer who deals primarily in foreign payments, Skydo might be a better fit because it’s designed only for that.

With Skydo, you get global bank accounts in your business’s name across major currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD.
Your clients can pay you through their local payment methods, ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe, Faster Payments in the UK, and the funds reach your Indian account at live forex rates with zero markup.

If your client’s in the US, you can even share an InstaLink; they can pay instantly via card (5%) or ACH debit (2%) at midmarket rates without any markup

Every payment comes with an instant FIRA and eBRC (for Amazon sellers).

In short, Skydo takes care of the entire export payment journey,&nbsp; from collection to compliance, without the guesswork or hidden forex costs. So try Skydo today and let us take on of your payment worries

Cashfree International Payments (2025): Global Account, Gateway, Charges & Alternative