Using Paytm for International Transfers: Complete guide to what is available and alternatives

Aditya Shrivastava

Paytm is a popular digital wallet and payment app in India, but it is not currently possible to use the Paytm app internationally. So if you're a Paytm account holder looking to make international transfers, you will need to look at alternatives such as Wise.

📝 Guide to International Transfers with Paytm

Can Paytm be used internationally?

No, you cannot use Paytm when traveling abroad.

Paytm app only works in India. Firstly, you can't even sign up for Paytm without a working Indian mobile number. And even if you have an existing account activated in India, you may not be able to log in to use the app or make a Paytm transfer when using the app outside India.

You might have heard about tricks such as using a VPN to access the Paytm app outside India, but we highly advise against that. When it comes to your money, avoid trying to bypass official restrictions, or you might risk having your Paytm account suspended.

Note that UPI does support making international payments to select countries, but it is currently not supported by Paytm. But there are other UPI apps that do offer limited support for international payments, such as Google Pay and PhonePe.

Our guide to PhonePe International Transfers goes over how it works.

Sending money abroad from India with Paytm

Paytm app does not support sending money abroad from India. So you will need to look into alternatives for sending money abroad. Make sure to check for any hidden fees and markups on the exchange rate when you compare providers!

We cover the popular options in our guide to sending money to a foreign bank account from India 👉

Receiving money from abroad in India with Paytm

You can receive money transfers from abroad to your Paytm account, as long as the sender uses a service that supports international transfers to UPI accounts in India. One such service is Wise.

Wise is a convenient, easy-to-use app that supports international transfers to UPI id and bank accounts in India, with one low transfer fee and the mid-market currency exchange rate — which is the same as the one you see on Google.

avoid-big-transfer-costs

And if you're living abroad, check out the Wise multi-currency account available for residents living in supported countries. Enjoy an account as worldly as you are and spend just like a local when you travel abroad with a linked debit card, while also paying less in fees.

For Businesses: accepting international payments with PayTm

If you are a business, you can use Paytm Payment Gateway to receive international payments. However, this feature is not available to all businesses, and you will need to apply for approval from Paytm.

Here's our complete guide to Paytm Payment Gateway 👉

Meet Wise Business

Wise Business Account provides business and freelancers in India a convenient alternative to get paid from abroad. When you sign-up for Wise Business Account, you get local account details in 8 foreign currencies. This means your international customers can pay you with a local transfer in those currencies!

Wise converts the received amount to INR at the mid-market rate, and transfers it to your bank account in India - plus you get the FIRC in your inbox. All this convenience comes with a transparent fee shown upfront without any hidden markups.

Check out Wise Business account 🚀


Please see the Terms and Conditions for your region and visit our pricing page for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information on Wise products.

Cover photo by Ravi Sharma on Unsplash.


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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