Three Ways to Get Paid by Overseas Clients

The question we hear most often about international transactions is "how long will it take?" The answer can range from a single day to ten days, depending on the payment route.

① Bank wire transfer. The most familiar option, but also the slowest. One or more intermediary banks sit between the sending and receiving banks, and fees are deducted at each stage. Delivery usually takes 3-5 business days, and it's common for the amount received to be less than what was invoiced. Only recommended for large, non-urgent amounts.

② Card payment via a payment processor. The most convenient option for clients. It ends with a single link, and payment is confirmed instantly. However, a surcharge applies for international cards, plus a separate currency conversion fee. This works best for smaller, frequent transactions such as monthly subscription retainers.

③ Stablecoin settlement. The fastest option for arrival. Confirmed within minutes with no intermediary steps. However, the client must already be using this method, and you'll need to separately arrange the process of converting to Korean won domestically. This is only a realistic option if your main clients are overseas IT companies or remote teams.

How to choose. Use ① for large amounts with enterprise clients, ② when you have many transactions and quick confirmation matters, and ③ when the other party is already set up and speed is the top priority. In practice, rather than picking just one, opening all three routes on a single invoice and letting the client choose reduces the average collection time the most.

Easy to overlook. Whichever route you use, be sure to specify the currency, the applicable exchange rate basis, and who bears the fees on the invoice. The most common cause of a reduced final amount is failing to state "who covers the transfer fee."