If you're an Indian exporter or freelancer working with U.S. clients, get ready for a change: cards are becoming a preferred way for businesses to pay. We often think of credit and debit cards as consumer payment tools, but businesses use them too. In fact, about 8 out of 10 small businesses in the US use at least one business credit card to manage payments. Why are cards on the rise for B2B? Because they offer speed, rewards, and simpler internal approvals for the payer. This trend impacts you directly – your next invoice could be paid via a card.&nbsp;

In this blog, we’ll dive into why U.S. clients prefer card payments, what that means for your cash flow and compliance as an Indian exporter, and how you can adapt. We’ll also cover how Skydo can help you accept U.S.-issued Visa/Mastercard payments through InstaLinks, as well as ACH payments through virtual accounts, with funds delivered in less than 48 hours.

Your U.S. clients might insist on paying by card for several practical reasons. Understanding their perspective can help you cater to their needs better. Here are the top reasons U.S. businesses favour card payments:

What This Means for Indian Exporters and Freelancers

Cards sound great for your client, but how do they affect you as the person receiving the payment in India? Here are the key implications:

Convenient First Payments (A Sweet Spot to Get Started)

Card payments shine for first-time invoices and smaller amounts. When you’re kicking off a new client relationship or handling an urgent project, cards help avoid delays. As mentioned, a new wire transfer setup can slow down an initial payment. With cards, your client can pay immediately without bureaucratic hurdles. For smaller invoice values, many clients are even willing to absorb the card processing fee for the sake of speed and convenience.

Reduced DSO (Less Waiting and Fewer Failed Payments)

DSO stands for Days Sales Outstanding – essentially, how long it takes to collect payment after you issue an invoice. Lower DSO is better for your cash flow. Using cards can reduce your DSO because traditional methods like wire transfers are slower and often come with hiccups. In fact, international wires sometimes fail or get delayed due to errors or compliance checks. According to SWIFT, roughly 10% of international payments get held up along the way for compliance reviews. 

When a wire fails, you might only find out after 3–5 days (when the money bounces back to the sender), putting you back at square one. Card payments can also fail or be declined, but the big advantage is that you know the result instantly. If a client's card is declined (due to insufficient limit, an expired card, suspected fraud, etc.), they can resolve it or use another payment method right away, rather than you both waiting in limbo. The immediacy of card authorisation means fewer payments are stuck in processing. Overall, this translates to quicker resolution of payment issues and a lower chance of invoices getting “stuck” for days or weeks.

Higher Completion Rate (Fewer "Stuck" Invoices)

A "stuck invoice" is a payment that gets trapped in processing due to additional approvals needed, missing paperwork, or technical glitches. With wire transfers, an invoice can get stuck if, say, the client’s bank needs extra compliance documents or if there was a typo in your bank details (like a SWIFT code). Such issues can hold up a payment for many days while everyone scrambles to fix the problem. Card payments, on the other hand, tend to be binary – they either go through or they don’t. When a client attempts a card payment, you get one of three immediate outcomes: approved, declined, or requires verification. If it’s approved, great – you're getting paid. If it’s declined or needs additional verification, you know right away and can ask the client to investigate or use an alternate method. There’s much less chance of a payment disappearing into a “processing black hole.” This higher completion rate means you spend less time chasing down payments that are stuck in limbo.

Compliance Impact (FIRA/eBRC Requirements Still Apply)

One important thing to remember: even if you receive money via a card payment or ACH, from the government and banking regulatory perspective in India it’s still a foreign inward remittance. Accepting card payments doesn’t exempt you from the usual export documentation. You will still need a Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA), as proof that foreign currency funds arrived in your Indian bank account. If you’re exporting goods or certain services, you also need an Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC) mapped to that payment to satisfy RBI and FEMA regulations. In short, card or no card, the paperwork remains. The good news is that some modern payment platforms (like Skydo) automatically generate the necessary FIRA for you on each payment, which saves you the headache of chasing the bank for it. Just be mindful that you must account for every dollar coming in and tie it back to an export invoice for compliance purposes, the same way you would with a wire transfer.

Card payments are becoming a default choice for U.S. companies, and they can help you get paid quickly. To make the most of this trend (and to avoid potential pitfalls), you’ll want to adapt your processes. Here are several strategies to smoothly accommodate both card and ACH payments from U.S. clients:

Don’t force your client into a single payment method. On every invoice, present card and bank transfer as standard payment options. This way, the client immediately sees they have a choice. They’ll appreciate the flexibility to pay how they prefer. Often, just knowing that you can accept a card can make a client more comfortable – it signals that you’re easy to do business with.&nbsp;

Not all payments are equal. It can be smart to steer clients toward one method or another based on the situation:

By segmenting payments this way, you optimise for both speed and cost-efficiency depending on the scenario.

When you start accepting multiple payment methods, you’ll face the question of how to handle the different fees. How do you charge clients in a way that’s fair and also nudges them toward the most efficient option? Here are a few pricing approaches you can consider:

No matter which model you choose, communicate clearly with your client. If you’re offering an ACH discount or charging extra for card, mention it upfront in the quote or invoice. Transparency builds trust, and many clients will understand that different methods have different costs.

Skydo’s Card + Net Banking Solution for Indian Exporters

When you work with U.S. clients, you don’t want to lock them into just one way of paying. That’s why Skydo supports both ACH transfers (via virtual accounts) and InstaLinks (card + ACH debit) — so you can cover every client scenario without extra setup.

ACH Credit via Virtual USD Accounts (Bank Transfer)

Skydo issues you a virtual U.S. bank account with unique account and routing numbers. Your client simply makes an ACH Credit (push payment) from their U.S. bank as if they were paying any domestic vendor.

For first-time clients, urgent projects, or those who prefer flexibility, Skydo provides InstaLinks — a secure payment link that lets your client choose between paying by card (Visa/Mastercard) or ACH debit (pull from their account).

Now, go ahead and embrace the card payment trend – and happy earning!

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US card payments in India

When it comes to receiving payments from US clients, choosing the right method can save you time and money. The main options are ACH payments vs wire transfers, with credit card payments as an alternative. In a nutshell, wire transfers are secure but often expensive, while ACH transfers are slower but much cheaper. Card payments offer convenience at a higher fee. Understanding ACH vs wire vs card trade-offs, especially in 2025’s evolving payments landscape, will help you get paid quickly, affordably, and with minimal hassle.

For a fast decision, use the table below to pick the best payment rail (method) based on your scenario:

ACH payment types reminder: “ACH” actually comes in two flavours:

Both are bank-to-bank transfers through the Automated Clearing House network, but credit is initiated by the payer, while debit is initiated by you with permission.

Six-Step Decision Flow for Choosing a Payment Rail

To choose the right payment method for each invoice, follow this step-by-step logic:

By considering these factors, you’ll select the payment method that best fits each scenario.

Why Payment Rail Selection Matters in 2025

Picture this: You just finished a project for a US client and invoiced $5,000. The client says, “I’ll wire the money like always.” You agree without a second thought. A few days later, only $4,720 arrives in your account. Where did the missing $280 go? It vanished in transit via fees and exchange markups – the costly downside of using the wrong payment rail.

In 2025, US clients increasingly want convenience (using cards or low-friction ACH bank debits), and Indian service providers want low costs, quick settlement, and smooth compliance. If you pick the wrong payment method for a given situation, you could suffer:

The bottom line: choosing the right rail for each invoice can save money, reduce delays, and avoid a lot of frustration. The next sections provide a practical framework to evaluate each option in plain English.

Let’s break down the main ways to get paid (ACH credit, ACH debit, wire, and card) in simple terms, including how they work, typical timelines, costs, and best uses.

Your client pushes money from their US bank account to you. With a platform like Skydo, you receive unique US account and routing numbers (virtual USD account) to share with the client – it looks to them like any US bank account. They send an ACH transfer to that account. Once received, the platform converts it at live forex rates and credits your INR account in India.

You pull funds from the client’s US bank after getting their authorisation. Think of it like setting up an autopay — the client gives permission (via a secure link) and you initiate the debit.

A wire transfer is a direct bank-to-bank transfer across the SWIFT network (for international payments). Your client sends USD from their bank, which hops through one or more correspondent banks, and finally, the money arrives in your Indian bank account.

This is the standard credit/debit card payment process via a payment gateway or link. The client pays you using their card, just like buying a product online. It’s a familiar, user-friendly checkout experience for them.

Comparing ACH vs Wire vs Card: Fees and Settlement Times

To illustrate the differences, let’s compare what happens with an example $1,000 invoice paid via Card, ACH Credit, ACH Debit, or Wire:

Beyond the direct fees we just outlined, keep an eye on indirect costs that can eat into your time or profits:

Skydo advantage: Whether you’re receiving card payments, ACH debits, or ACH credits via virtual accounts, Skydo helps eliminate hidden costs on currency conversion by using live forex rates with zero margin. You get the real mid-market exchange rate, instead of a marked-up bank rate that can quietly cost you 1–2% on every transaction. This ensures more of the invoiced amount actually ends up in your pocket.

Risk and Reliability: Avoiding Common Payment Failures

Even after choosing the optimal payment method, things can go wrong. Here are the most common failure points in getting paid (and how to prevent them):

Why Offer Multiple Payment Options Up Front?

Every US client is a bit different in how they prefer to pay. Finance departments typically love ACH debits or credits for their low cost and predictable process. Founders or project managers, on the other hand, might prefer card payments because they’re faster, they might earn points, or they don’t have to involve their accounts payable team. If you insist on only one option (say, wire only or ACH only), you force a negotiation that can delay the deal while the client seeks approvals or alternatives.

Offering two rails from the start (e.g. ACH and Card) can significantly smooth the process:

How to present it: It’s important to communicate these options clearly to the client so they know they have a choice. For example, you might include a line in your invoice email like:

Invoice Payment Options: “Pay via ACH (lowest cost) or Card (fastest) — choose what works for you. Both routes provide instant receipts and required compliance docs.”

This one-liner shows that you understand their needs (speed vs. cost trade-off) and assures them that either way, the paperwork (receipts, compliance) is taken care of. Clients appreciate having a say in the payment method; it builds trust that you’re easy to work with and flexible.

Most importantly, by offering multiple rails, you avoid delays. There’s no back-and-forth to set up alternatives, because the alternative was there from the start. In many cases, you’ll find the client will opt for the card for speed, or ACH for cost, and the payment gets done without further discussion.

How Skydo Implements Dual-Rail Payments (Without the Chaos)

If managing multiple payment methods sounds complex, platforms like Skydo are designed to handle much of that complexity for you. Here’s how Skydo’s solution works for offering both ACH and Card options seamlessly:

ACH via Virtual USD Accounts (ACH Credit, “Push”)

Skydo issues you a virtual US bank account (with unique account and ABA routing numbers) to receive ACH credits.

InstaLink Payments: Card &amp; ACH Debit (Pull via a Single Link)

Skydo’s InstaLink is a one-stop payment link that offers the client both Card and ACH Debit options in a single interface. You send them the link, and they choose their preferred method.

To help communicate the dual-option payment approach to clients, here are a couple of short lines (microcopy) you can adapt:

Using friendly, client-centric language like this ensures the client doesn’t feel pushed one way or the other, but understands the pros and cons of each method.

In summary, ACH vs Wire vs Card is not about a one-size-fits-all winner – it’s about choosing the right tool for the job. In 2025, smart freelancers and businesses are rail-agnostic, offering multiple payment options and letting the client’s context dictate the best method. ACH transfers shine for their low cost on routine payments, wire transfers still play a role for large or time-sensitive international payments, and card payments provide a quick and easy way to get paid when speed trumps fees. By understanding these differences and leveraging platforms that simplify multi-rail payments, you can get paid faster, save money on fees, and keep your clients happy.

Explore Skydo: If you’re looking to streamline your US payments with minimal fees, automated compliance docs, and dual payment options for your clients, check out Skydo’s platform and see how it can support your business. Getting paid from the US has never been easier!

ACH Payment vs Wire Transfer vs Card: 2025 Guide for Indian Exporters

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Skydo vs Infinity: What each platform does

Skydo is an India-first cross-border payment platform built for international freelancers and exporters. You get virtual accounts in major countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Your international clients pay into what appears to be a local bank account, but the funds are transferred directly into your Indian bank account within 24-48 hours.

💸: For that $5,000 project, you'd pay $29 in fees and receive the rest at live market rates, with all compliance paperwork handled automatically.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/infinity-payment-features-and-fees-breakdown">Infinity</a> is a Y Combinator-backed cross-border payment platform that provides Indian freelancers and exporters with virtual local accounts in key countries. When your clients need to pay you, they send money to what appears as a regional bank account in their country.

When choosing between payment platforms, the details matter. Here's how both stack up across the factors that impact your daily operations:

Receiving USD 10,000 in India with Skydo vs Infinity

Let's say you just completed a major web development project for a US-based start-up, and they're ready to pay you $10,000. Here's exactly what you'd receive with each platform:

Your savings with Skydo: $21 in fees, which translates to ₹1,785 more in your account.

Infinity: The platform emphasises virtual accounts and bank transfers on its main pages. Card and ACH acceptance isn't prominently listed in their standard offerings, so you'd need to verify these options directly with their team if your client prefers these payment methods.

The bottom line: For standard bank transfers, you save $21 per $10,000 transaction with Skydo. Over multiple projects throughout the year, these savings add up while you get the same zero-markup exchange rates and compliance support.

The right platform depends on how you work and what your clients prefer. Here's a quick guide based on different freelancer situations:

Need card/ACH payment options: Your US clients want to pay via Visa/Mastercard or ACH transfers through InstaLinks, with instant FIRA generation and India-based support for quick issue resolution.

Sell on Amazon Global Selling: As an official PSP-approved partner, you get tailored pricing, seamless seller dashboard integration, and automated eBRC generation for export compliance.

Handle larger invoices: For larger invoices, Skydo's&nbsp;Flat fees or 0.3% fee turns out to be more affordable, coupled with its live forex rate.&nbsp;

Want comprehensive support: India-based team guides setup in your timezone with a better understanding of local compliance requirements.

Handle smaller, frequent payments: The 0.5% rate works better for payments under $3,800 with simple percentage-based pricing.

Work primarily through Upwork/Deel: The Platform specifically highlights compatibility, though you should compare actual costs for your typical invoice amounts first.

Prefer simple bank transfers only: Clients are comfortable with standard international wire transfers, and you don't need card payment flexibility.

The decision comes down to your average invoice size and payment preferences. Skydo offers better value for larger amounts and more payment flexibility, while Infinity appeals to those wanting simple percentage-based pricing.

Skydo's approach: Live zero-margin FX combined with flat pricing till USD 10,000 means you get the actual interbank exchange rate without any hidden markup. For an $8,000 invoice, you pay $29 regardless of currency fluctuations. If the dollar strengthens against the rupee during processing, you benefit from the better rate without paying extra fees.

Infinity's model: The 0.5% all-in fee includes everything with no FX markup. That same $8,000 invoice costs you $40, but the percentage stays consistent whether you're receiving $1,000 or $50,000. Both platforms eliminate the 2-4% forex margins that banks typically charge.

Skydo: Instant FIRA generation means the moment your payment processes, the compliance document hits your inbox automatically. For Amazon Global Selling merchants, Skydo also handles automated <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-is-e-brc">eBRC (Electronic Bank Realization Certificate)</a> generation, streamlining your export documentation without manual paperwork.

Infinity: Offers instant free FIRA, ensuring you get the necessary compliance documentation for your international payments. The platform handles the regulatory requirements, though the specific timing and automation level may vary.

Skydo: US card and ACH payments work through InstaLinks. You share a payment link with your client, they pay using their preferred method (Visa/Mastercard at ~5% or ACH at ~2%), and you receive the funds at live FX rates with instant FIRA. Your client gets a familiar payment experience while you maintain compliance.

Infinity: Focuses primarily on virtual local accounts for bank transfers. Clients send money to what appears as a regional bank account in their country. Card payment support isn't prominently featured on their main pages, so you'd need to verify this option directly with their team if clients prefer card payments.

Skydo: Official PSP-approved status for Amazon Global Selling means direct integration with your seller dashboard and tailored pricing for marketplace withdrawals. The platform also supports payments from Deel, Upwork, and other freelancing platforms, plus offers business analytics, real-time tracking and GST-compliant invoicing tools.

Infinity: Specifically highlights compatibility with Upwork, Deel, and other global client platforms. The focus remains on streamlining payments for freelancers working through these popular marketplaces, and like Skydo, it also offers payment tracking.

Your US startup client appreciates the convenience of card payments and prefers to avoid international wire transfers.

Infinity option: Card payment support is not clearly listed on their platform. You should contact their team to verify if this payment method is available for your client.

$8,500 EU software project via bank transfer

You just delivered a custom CRM system for a Berlin-based company. They're ready to pay via standard bank transfer.

Note: Both platforms offer free and instant FIRA Savings with Skydo: $13.50 in fees = ₹1,147.50 more in your account

You completed a logo design project for a Canadian client who prefers bank transfers.

Verdict: Infinity - For smaller payments under $3,800.

Step 1: Sign up and get verified: Create your Skydo account in under 5 minutes. Upload your business documents (PAN, bank details, basic KYC). The India-based support team guides you through verification, usually completed within 24 hours.

Step 2: Get your virtual accounts:&nbsp; Once verified, you receive virtual bank accounts in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries. Each account comes with local routing numbers that your clients can use for payments.

Step 3: Update your next client invoice:&nbsp; Instead of your old payment details, add your new Skydo virtual account information to your invoice. Your US client sees familiar US bank details, your UK client sees UK account details, and so on.

Step 4: Notify your client about the change:&nbsp; Send a quick message: "I've switched to a new payment processor for faster, more reliable international transfers. Please use the updated bank details on your next payment." Most clients appreciate smoother payment processing.

Step 5: Track and receive:&nbsp; Once your client pays, track the payment status in real-time through your Skydo dashboard. Within 24-48 hours, funds are deposited into your Indian bank account, and an instant FIRA is automatically sent to your email.

💡Pro tip: Start with one client to test the process before switching all your payment flows. This way, you can experience the difference firsthand while maintaining backup options for other clients.

Both Skydo and Infinity solve the same problem: simplifying international payments for Indian freelancers and exporters. Your choice depends on payment size and client preferences.

Choose Infinity if you handle smaller, frequent payouts under $3,800 and clients prefer bank transfers. The 0.5% flat rate works better for smaller amounts, and the platform also offers instant FIRA

Choose Skydo if you deal with larger invoices, need card/ACH options, or sell on Amazon. Flat fees save money on bigger payments, plus you get instant FIRA and India-based support.

The math decides: A $15,000 project costs $45 with Skydo versus $75 with Infinity. But an $800 payment costs $6 with Infinity versus $19 with Skydo.

Calculate your typical payment amounts and client preferences. Both beat traditional banking - pick whichever saves you more.

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Skydo vs Infinity

Skydo vs Payoneer: Understanding the differences&nbsp;&nbsp;

Skydo and Payoneer are leading platforms for accepting international payments in India. If you’re not sure what they are, here’s a snappy overview of each.

Payoneer has a presence in 190+ countries and supports 70+ currencies. You can create virtual accounts to receive payments in USD, EUR, GBP and more, like a local. In addition to virtual accounts, it allows you to receive payments via multiple other methods, such as card or ACH debit, and PayPal

Payoneer’s fee structure depends on the payment method. For a virtual account, it is generally free or may incur a 1% charge or a fixed fee, depending on the amount and currency.&nbsp; For ACH (US only), the fee is&nbsp; 1%, and for a card, it is 3.2% + $0.49. It also charges a currency conversion markup of 3% on the mid-market exchange rate when you withdraw the amount in INR.

For Indian users, Payoneer automatically provides government-mandated digital Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA), FIRS, or NOC document for every international payment received. You can download the FIRA within 24–72 hours of receiving the payment.&nbsp;

Payoneer integrates with over 2,000+ global marketplaces and platforms, including Amazon, Fiverr, Airbnb, eBay, and Upwork. If you work on one or multiple such platforms, you can track payments in a single dashboard.&nbsp;

Skydo is a home-grown virtual payment platform built for Indian exporters, freelancers, and businesses. You get virtual accounts in multiple currencies, such as USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD, to receive international payments like a local transfer and bypass SWIFT charges&nbsp;

Skydo offers live, mid-market FX rates without any forex markup. The fee structure is also flat and simple. You pay $19 for payments ≤ $2,000, $29 for $2,001–$10,000, and 0.3% above $10,000. With InstaLinks, you can use a single link to request payment in credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard) for a 5% fee, or ACH transfers for 2% fee.

Skydo automatically generates a free, instant FIRA after you receive an international payment. Similarly,&nbsp; Amazon Global sellers get an automated eBRC to ease compliance.&nbsp;

Skydo provides India-based support via WhatsApp, email, and phone to resolve your queries. It received RBI’s Payment Aggregator–Cross Border (PA-CB) in-principle approval (Jan 2025),&nbsp; which means it meets all the requirements set by RBI to operate as a payment aggregator for international transactions.

Receiving USD 10,000 in India with Skydo vs Payoneer&nbsp;

If you receive a $10,000 payment from an international client, how much money will you receive in hand via different payment methods on Payoneer vs Skydo? We find that out in this section

Scenario A — Client Pays via Virtual Transfer

Scenario B — Client Pays via Credit Card

1. Freelancers &amp; Agencies:&nbsp; Skydo is better for regular invoices: lower fees than Payoneer, live mid-market FX. For US clients, Skydo's InstaLinks also supports ACH and card payments. Every payment comes with instant FIRA and India-based support

2. Amazon &amp; Marketplace Sellers:&nbsp;&nbsp;Payoneer excels with broad marketplace integrations (Amazon, eBay, Etsy, 2,000+ platforms).
But if you sell primarily on Amazon Global Selling, Skydo’s automated eBRC plus its RBI-approved PSP status makes compliance easier.

3. High-Value Invoices (e.g., SaaS, licensing)
For large invoices, Skydo’s flat-tier fees + no FX markup deliver more.
Example: On a $100,000 invoice, Skydo costs ~0.3% vs Payoneer’s ~3% markup—a difference of over ₹2.3 lakh saved.

4. Mixed Payment Methods (Card + Bank):&nbsp;Skydo’s InstaLinks handle U.S. ACH (2%) and card payments (5%).
Payoneer covers global cards (3.2% + $0.49) and U.S. ACH (1%), along with 3% currency conversion fee.&nbsp; Verdict: U.S. clients → Skydo; non-U.S. clients needing cards → Payoneer.

Let’s put it all together. Here’s a summary of what we have covered so far about Skydo and Payoneer based on different parameters:&nbsp;

Skydo offers transparent pricing with a simple flat fee structure: $19 for payments up to $2,000, $29 for payments up to $10,000, and 0.3% for amounts beyond that. For Instalink, the fees are 5% for card and 2% for ACH. There is no forex markup; you receive funds using the live mid-market FX rate&nbsp;

Payoneer’s fees vary based on payment method. It is 1% for ACH transactions and 3.2% + $0.49 for card payments. However, it applies an additional 3% forex markup on currency conversion when you withdraw funds to INR.

Skydo provides instant, free FIRAs for every inbound payment and automatically generates electronic BRCs (eBRC) for Amazon Global sellers. You also have access to an India-based support team to resolve your&nbsp; regulatory queries or compliance issues&nbsp;

Payoneer also issues digital FIRAs at no extra cost, but does not offer automated eBRCs. Payoneer has a global support network that covers a broad geographical area. However, the support may not be as India-focused,&nbsp; leading to slower issue resolution for India-specific compliance questions.

Skydo’s InstaLinks sends secure payment links to accept U.S. Visa/Mastercard and ACH payments. The fee for cards is 5% and for ACH is 2%, but you can choose to absorb, share or transfer the transaction fees based on your relationship with your client.&nbsp; This feature is only applicable for US-based clients.

Payoneer’s Payment Requests support card and ACH payments across a broader geography. You have more flexibility to accept payments from clients worldwide.&nbsp;

Skydo settles your payments into your INR bank account within 24 to 48 hours. For ACH and Debit or Credit Card payments, it takes 6 business days to settle the payment.

Payoneer’s settlement times vary widely depending on payment method and receiving bank. ACH takes <a href="https://www.payoneer.com/resources/general-payments/utilizing-ach-transfers-to-power-your-cross-border-payments/">2 to 3</a> business days, and card payments take around 1 to 3 days.

Skydo is a Payment Service Provider (PSP) for Amazon Global Selling. This means you receive international payments securely, at a lower cost, live exchange rate, and automatically obtain FIRA for free. Skydo also offers built-in invoicing and payment tracking to track the real-time movement of money from withdrawal request to final deposit into your Indian bank account.

Payoneer boasts integration with over 2,000 marketplaces worldwide, including Amazon, eBay, Fiverr, and Upwork. Its store management tools provide a consolidated view of marketplace payments in one place. It also matches each invoice automatically, generates tailored earnings reports, and offers API integration to connect your accounting software.

How to Switch:&nbsp;Move Your Next Invoice to Skydo

Note: You may prefer to keep Payoneer for marketplace payments, as it offers more options, while routing direct client invoices through Skydo to optimize costs and FX benefits.

You now have a clear understanding of how Skydo and Payoneer stack up across pricing, FX, compliance, and payment experience for your specific needs. If you’re a freelancer or agency billing U.S. clients, a marketplace seller, or handling high-value invoices, Skydo’s transparent fees, live FX, and instant compliance docs give you the edge.&nbsp;

Ready to take control of your international payments? Create your first InstaLink or set up your global virtual accounts with Skydo today.

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Picture this: your neighbour who drives for Ola during weekdays, delivers food on weekends, and somehow still finds time to offer home tutoring services through an app. Or you know someone who left their 9-to-5 to become a full-time content writer, juggling clients from three different platforms while working from their favourite coffee shop.

This is India's gig economy in action, and it's everywhere once you start noticing it.

The gig economy refers to work that occurs outside the traditional employee-employer setup. Instead of one permanent job, people take on task-based, short-term projects or freelance assignments.&nbsp;

In India, this means millions of people are earning through digital platforms like Upwork for writing projects, Urban Company for home services, or Swiggy for food delivery. They're not employees in the traditional sense, but independent workers who choose when, where, and how much they want to work.

India's gig economy is divided into two main categories that appear quite distinct from one another.&nbsp;

Blue-collar gig work encompasses delivery drivers for Zomato and Swiggy, house cleaners and electricians through Urban Company, quick commerce workers fulfilling 10-minute deliveries for Blinkit and Zepto, as well as Ola/Uber drivers. These require physical presence and manual labour.

White-collar gig work encompasses digital services such as graphic design and content writing through platforms like 99designs and Contently, software development via Upwork and Toptal, business consulting through specialised networks, and online tutoring on platforms like Vedantu and Unacademy. These professionals often work remotely and sell their specialised skills to clients worldwide through these digital platforms.

Both types are reshaping how Indians think about work, income, and career paths. What started as a side hustle for extra income has become a primary livelihood for millions, fundamentally changing India's workforce landscape.

Rise of Gig Economy in India: The Numbers Behind the Boom

The numbers tell a story that's hard to ignore.

India had around 7.7 million gig workers in 2020-21, according to <a href="https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-06/Policy_Brief_India%27s_Booming_Gig_and_Platform_Economy_27062022.pdf">NITI Aayog data</a>. By 2029-30, that number is expected to jump to 23.5 million workers.

However, the real surprise is how significant this shift could be for India's economy as a whole.&nbsp;

The gig economy is projected to grow at a <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/india-s-gig-economy-could-add-90-mn-jobs-enabled-by-large-multinationals-124112800721_1.html">17%</a> compound annual growth rate, reaching a market volume of $455 billion by 2024

What's even more interesting is the potential GDP contribution - estimates suggest the gig economy could add <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/india-s-gig-economy-could-add-90-mn-jobs-enabled-by-large-multinationals-124112800721_1.html">1.25%</a> to India's GDP by 2030 and create around 90 million jobs in the long term.&nbsp;

The blue-collar boom is leading the charge

While white-collar freelancing often gets the headlines, it's actually blue-collar gig work that's seeing the most dramatic growth. Blue-collar gig hiring surged by <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/blue-collar-gig-hiring-rises-92-in-2024-driven-by-last-mile-logistics-platforms-report/article69722043.ece">92%</a> in 2024, driven primarily by last-mile logistics and e-commerce platforms.

According to WorkIndia's analysis of over <a href="https://www.outlookbusiness.com/start-up/news/blue-collar-gig-hiring-rises-92-in-2024-driven-by-last-mile-logistics-platforms-report#:~:text=*%20The%20WorkIndia%20report%20is%20based%20on,increase%20seen%20among%20graduates%2C%20said%20the%20report.">4.8 lakh</a> job postings, cities such as Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata emerged as key hubs for delivery jobs, each registering more than 100% growth.

If you've ever wondered who's actually doing all this gig work, the answer might surprise you. It's not just college students delivering food or tech professionals freelancing on weekends. India's gig economy has become this fascinating mix of people from entirely different skill levels and backgrounds, all finding their own ways to make it work.

The breakdown is interesting when you look at the numbers (<a href="https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-06/Policy_Brief_India%27s_Booming_Gig_and_Platform_Economy_27062022.pdf">Source</a>).&nbsp;

That middle chunk - the medium-skilled jobs - is actually the most significant slice of the pie, which tells you something important about where the real opportunities are.

The foundation: low-skilled gig work (31%)

This is likely what most people envision when they think of the "gig economy." We're talking about delivery drivers weaving through traffic on their bikes, domestic workers connecting with families through apps like Urban Company, and ride-share drivers navigating the chaos of Indian roads.

What's changed is how these jobs are accessed and managed. Instead of standing at street corners waiting for work or relying entirely on word of mouth, workers can now open an app, view available jobs, and get paid digitally. It's the same work, but with more transparency and often better pay than traditional casual labour.

The middle ground: medium-skilled opportunities (47%)

Here's where things get really interesting. This category includes marketing support, customer service, data entry, content moderation, and basic digital tasks. These jobs require some training or education, but they're not rocket science either.

Many of these workers are individuals who may have previously worked in offices but found that they could earn similar money with greater flexibility by doing gig work. Others are fresh graduates who have discovered they can start earning immediately, rather than waiting for the perfect full-time opportunity.

The specialists: high-skilled professionals (22%)

This is the segment that's growing the fastest, even though it's still the smallest. We're talking about graphic designers, web developers, consultants, writers, and digital marketers who serve clients across India and globally.

What's particularly exciting here is the rise of what people are calling "freelance SaaS teams" -small groups of skilled professionals who band together to offer comprehensive solutions to companies. Instead of hiring a full agency, businesses can work with these lean, specialised teams that often deliver faster and at a lower cost.

Then there are the solo consultants who've figured out how to serve international clients from their homes in Bangalore, Pune, or even smaller cities. These professionals are often earning more than they would in traditional corporate jobs, while having complete control over their schedules and client relationships.

One trend that's really gaining momentum is Indian gig workers serving global clients. The time zone difference that used to be a headache has become an advantage - Indian professionals can work on projects. At the same time, their US or European clients sleep, and they deliver results by the next business day.

This international connection is changing the game for high-skilled gig workers. They're no longer just competing with other Indians for local projects. They're part of a global marketplace where skills and quality matter more than location.

Why global clients are choosing Indian talent

International companies are discovering that Indian professionals offer high-quality work, competitive rates, and convenient time zones. A marketing agency in New York can brief its Indian content team and wake up to completed campaigns. Indian freelancers are increasingly earning in dollars and euros, often commanding rates three to four times higher than those for local projects.

However, this global opportunity comes with a practical challenge: getting paid efficiently across borders. Traditional banking systems often consume a significant portion of earnings through hidden foreign exchange markups coupled with processing delays.

For those tapping into international markets, having a payment infrastructure that doesn't erode hard-earned global income becomes crucial for long-term success.&nbsp; 💡 Pro Tip: Use platforms like Skydo that offer mid-market exchange rates without any markup to receive the full value of your international payments.

Drivers Behind the Rise of the Gig Economy in India

Five years ago, freelancing meant spending half your time finding clients and the other half chasing payments. Today, you can find work, complete it, and get paid without leaving your house. Several significant shifts aligned to make this possible.

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