How to Receive International Payments in India from HackerOne
- Instant FIRA on every transfer for your FEMA and GST records
- One transparent flat fee. No hidden charges
- Receive INR in less than 24 hours
Client pays
Banks
PayPal
Approved underRBI's PA-CB framework
How do HackerOne payouts to India work?
HackerOne now converts bounties straight to Indian Rupees over a local payment route, at the mid-market rate and with no SWIFT fee. What it does not give you is the paperwork.What is the best way to receive HackerOne payouts in India?
Four routes, compared on the rate they give you and the compliance paperwork each one leaves you holding.| Direct Platform | Payment Platforms | Wire (SWIFT) | Skydo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||||
| Forex markup | HackerOne's INR route is already near mid-market | 3% to 4% | 1% to 2% | 0%, live mid-market |
| Transfer fee | No SWIFT fee on the direct INR route | $2.00 plus PayPal's cut | $10 to $30 in intermediary fees | Flat 0.3% to Skydo |
| FIRA cost | ₹300 to ₹500 per remittance from your bank | Included, weekly digital FIRA | ₹300 to ₹500 per wire from your AD bank | Free on every transfer |
| Compliance | ||||
| FIRA | Request from your bank, often refused on third-party credits | At best a digital remittance advice, and not from every provider | Request from your AD bank per wire | Instant and free on every transfer |
| GST-compliant fee invoice | Not issued | Not issued | Bank charge advice only | Issued for every fee charged |
| Purpose code on record | Set by the partner bank | Set by the provider | Declared by you to the bank | Mapped at onboarding, shown on every FIRA |
| RBI authorisation | Bank-regulated | Varies by provider | Bank-regulated | Full PA-CB, granted January 2026 |
| Experience | ||||
| Time to your bank | 2 to 5 business days | 3 to 6 business days | 3 to 7 business days | 1 to 2 days after release |
| Hold USD before converting | No | Varies by provider; some auto-convert in India | Only with an EEFC account | Yes, across 32+ currencies |
| Support | Branch and bank helpline | Global ticket queue | Branch relationship manager | India-based, WhatsApp and phone |
Stay on HackerOne's direct INR transfer if:
- The mid-market rate is all you need from the payout
- You do not claim export benefits under GST
- You do not need a FIRA for FEMA records
Route a USD payout to Skydo if:
- You claim export benefits under GST, or need a FIRA for FEMA
- You want the mid-market rate with one flat fee on any USD payout
- You want GST-ready records without chasing your bank for a FIRC
What compliance do you need for HackerOne income in India?
| Period | What you file |
|---|---|
| Until 30 September 2026 | Only goods and software exporters file — SOFTEX for software, nothing for other services — to STPI or SEZ. |
| From 1 October 2026 | Every exporter, including freelancers and agencies, files one unified EDF with their AD bank within 30 days from the end of the month invoiced in. One form can cover every invoice raised that month. |
How long do HackerOne payouts to India take?
HackerOne pays on its own cycle. The clock below starts after that, on the rail you choose.| Route | Security hold | Platform to account | Account to your bank | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HackerOne INR bank transfer | HackerOne payout cycle | Processed daily | Conversion included, at the mid-market rate | 1 business day |
| PayPal | HackerOne payout cycle | Same day to the wallet | Your own conversion time | 3 to 5 business days |
| Crypto | HackerOne payout cycle | Same day to the wallet | Your own off-ramp time | Same day plus off-ramp |
| Skydo USD account | HackerOne payout cycle | 1 to 2 business days | Same or next day | 1 to 3 business days |
Frequently asked questions
Can I receive HackerOne payments directly into an Indian bank account?
Yes, HackerOne can transfer INR directly to your Indian bank, though it gives no FIRA.
What is the cheapest way to withdraw HackerOne earnings in India?
If you need the mid-market rate on a USD payout plus a FIRA, route it to a Skydo virtual account; HackerOne's own INR transfer is fine for rate alone but gives no FIRA.
Does HackerOne provide a FIRA or FIRC for Indian earners?
No. HackerOne issues at most a remittance advice or NOC, not a FIRA, so you would take it to your own bank to raise the FIRC, about ₹300 to ₹500 per remittance and often a week's wait. Skydo issues the FIRA free and instantly on every transfer.
Do I need to pay GST on HackerOne income?
Register once turnover crosses ₹20 lakh. Exports of services are zero-rated under an LUT.
Which purpose code applies to HackerOne earnings?
P1008, research and development services, is the closest fit for security-research bounties.
Can I avoid HackerOne's fee?
HackerOne does not deduct a fee from your bounty, so there is nothing to avoid. Its INR route is already near mid-market; Skydo's value here is the FIRA and compliance record.
What is the most compliant way to receive HackerOne payments, with all documents in place?
Receive the funds into a Skydo account in your own name. Every settled payment carries a free, instant FIRA and a GST invoice, the export-of-services paperwork your CA and the GST department need for zero-rating and income-tax filing. Since HackerOne issues no FIRA itself, generating it at settlement keeps you audit-ready.
How do I switch my HackerOne payout to a Skydo USD account?
Open a free Skydo account, get your USD virtual account details, and set them as your withdrawal bank on HackerOne. Activation takes a few minutes; your next payout lands in the USD account and converts to INR at the live mid-market rate, with a FIRA issued automatically.