Stripe is an online payment platform that helps businesses and freelancers accept payments, manage transactions, and receive money from customers. It supports payment methods such as cards and digital wallets, making it useful for online stores, freelancers, software businesses, creators, and other businesses that sell to customers around the world.
However, accepting a payment through Stripe and receiving the money in your bank account are two different parts of the process. After a customer pays, Stripe holds the money in your Stripe balance before sending it to your connected bank account.
This article explains how Stripe payments work, the options available to Nigerians, and how you can use Pouchers to manage your Stripe earnings.
How Does Stripe Payments Work?
Stripe works as a payment service that allows businesses to accept payments from customers online. A business can use Stripe to collect payments through its website, payment links, invoices, subscriptions, or other supported payment options.
When a customer pays for a product or service through Stripe, the money first goes into your Stripe balance. Stripe processes the payment and makes the funds available for payout after the applicable settlement period.
The exact time depends on factors such as your country, payment method, business type, and Stripe payout schedule. Once your funds become available, Stripe sends them to the bank account connected to your Stripe account.
Stripe supports different payout schedules depending on the country and account. These can include daily, weekly, monthly, or manual payouts. Your payout schedule determines when Stripe sends the money. It does not change the time required for a payment to become available in your Stripe balance.
Can You Receive Stripe Payments in Nigeria?
Yes, you can receive Stripe payments in Nigeria. Stripe supports Nigeria as an extended network market, allowing businesses to use its payment services to sell to customers worldwide.
However, accepting a Stripe payment and receiving the money into your bank account are two different steps. When a customer pays for your product or service, Stripe processes the transaction and adds the funds to your Stripe balance. The money is then paid out to the bank account linked to your Stripe account based on your payout schedule.
This means a successful customer payment does not necessarily mean the money will immediately appear in your bank account. The account must meet Stripe’s requirements, including matching the required payout currency.
For Nigerian users who need to receive international Stripe payments, the available setup depends on the type of Stripe account and the payout currency it supports. You can use a supported foreign-currency account or receive payouts through a platform connected to Stripe.
Alternatively, you can set up a business and Stripe account in another supported country when you need features that are not available through your existing setup.
Ways to Receive Money From Stripe in Nigeria
There are different ways to receive money from Stripe, depending on your business and how you use Stripe.
1. Receive payments through a foreign currency account
A foreign currency account gives you account details for receiving money in currencies such as USD, EUR, or GBP. This can be useful if your Stripe account supports payouts to the type of account you want to use.
Before connecting an account, check the payout currency, bank-account requirements, and other requirements attached to your Stripe account. This option can work well for freelancers, creators, online businesses, and other people who receive international payments.
2. Use a platform that supports Stripe
You don’t always need to manage every part of the payment process yourself. Some e-commerce platforms, creator platforms, and online marketplaces, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Substack, and Patreon, use Stripe Connect to manage payments and payouts for sellers, freelancers, creators, and other users. Stripe Connect allows platforms to create connected accounts and manage how funds are paid to those accounts.
For example, a marketplace can collect a customer’s payment and later send your share of the money to your connected account. This option can make sense when you sell through a platform rather than operating your own online checkout.
How to Receive Stripe Payments With Pouchers
With Pouchers, you can receive and manage your Stripe earnings through USD, EUR, and GBP Foreign Accounts. This gives you a convenient way to receive international payments and keep your earnings in the currency you receive. Here’s how to receive Stripe Payments with Pouchers:
1. Create a Pouchers account
Download the Pouchers app from Google Play Store or App Store. Create a new account or simply log in if you have an existing Pouchers account.
2. Open a USD, EUR, or GBP account
After creating your account, choose the foreign currency account you need. Pouchers currently offers USD, EUR, and GBP Foreign Accounts. You can activate the account directly from the Pouchers app. Choose the account based on the currency you need to receive.
3. Add your Pouchers account details to Stripe
Once your foreign account is active, copy the account details provided by Pouchers. Go to your Stripe payout settings and enter the relevant account information where supported.
Make sure the account details, currency, and other information match Stripe’s requirements before submitting them. Stripe requires a bank account to be linked to an account before payouts can be made.
4. Receive your Stripe payout
After your Stripe balance becomes available for payout, Stripe sends the money to your Pouchers foreign account according to the payout schedule. You can choose from the payout options available to your Stripe account. Stripe supports daily, weekly, monthly, and manual payout schedules in supported markets.
5. Convert your earnings to Naira
If you need your Stripe earnings for local expenses, you can convert your foreign currency to Naira through Pouchers. This allows you to receive international money in its original currency before converting it when you need Naira.
Benefits of Receiving Stripe Payments With Pouchers
1. Receive money in foreign currencies
Pouchers enables you to open virtual foreign-currency accounts in USD, EUR, or GBP, allowing you to receive international payments in your preferred currency.
2. Keep your foreign currency
Once you receive your payment, you can keep the money in USD, EUR, or GBP in your Pouchers account and convert it to Naira whenever you need it.
3. Manage multiple currencies in one place
Pouchers lets you manage your foreign-currency balances alongside your Naira and stablecoin balances. This can make it easier to keep track of your money.
4. Convert your earnings when you need Naira
When you need Naira for local expenses, you can convert your USD, EUR, or GBP balance into Naira through Pouchers. This gives you the flexibility to decide when to convert your foreign earnings instead of converting them immediately after receiving a payment.
5. Receive other international payments
Your Pouchers Foreign Accounts are not limited to Stripe. Pouchers Foreign Accounts give you a convenient way to manage earnings from overseas work and business activities in USD, EUR, or GBP.
Which Stripe Payment Option Is Right for You?
The best option depends on how you earn money and how much control you need over your payments.
Freelancers and contractors
If you provide services to clients outside Nigeria, a foreign currency account can make receiving international earnings more convenient. Pouchers can help you receive supported USD, EUR, and GBP payments and manage the money in one place.
Creators and digital businesses
Creators selling digital products, courses, subscriptions, or other online services can use Stripe to collect payments where the required Stripe features are available. A suitable foreign currency account can then help you to manage payouts.
SaaS and subscription businesses
Software businesses often receive recurring payments from customers. Stripe supports recurring payments and subscription-based businesses, making it useful for companies that charge customers regularly.
If you operate a growing SaaS business, consider your Stripe account country, payout requirements, currency needs, and business structure before choosing your payment setup.
Businesses that need their own Stripe checkout
If you want to receive payments directly from your customers, having your own Stripe account gives you different ways to accept payments. You can integrate Stripe Checkout or other Stripe payment tools into your website, allowing customers to pay directly through your checkout page.
You can also create Stripe Payment Links and send them to customers who want to pay for your products or services without going through your website. You can then connect a suitable payout account based on Stripe’s requirements for your business and country.
Stripe Payout Fees and Processing Times
Stripe charges fees for processing payments, and the exact amount depends on factors such as your country, payment method, and pricing plan. Stripe’s pricing also varies across markets.
Stripe Processing Fees
Standard Stripe payouts are free, so Stripe does not charge an additional fee when it sends your available balance to your linked bank account on its normal payout schedule.
For Instant Payouts, Stripe charges 1% of the payout amount in most countries, while the US, Australia, and New Zealand are charged 1.5%. So, a $1,000 Instant Payout would cost $10 at the 1% rate, leaving $990.
Payout Timing
Your first Stripe payout typically takes 7 to 14 days after you receive your first successful payment. The exact timing can vary based on your country and business risk level.
After your first payout, Stripe sends your available funds according to your payout schedule. Depending on your account and country, you may receive payouts daily, weekly, monthly, or manually. Banks can also take an additional 2 to 3 business days to process a payout after Stripe sends it.
Foreign Currency Conversion Fees
Currency conversion can add another cost when you receive money in a currency different from your payout or settlement currency. If the payout involves currency conversion or cross-border transfers, additional fees can apply.
For Stripe’s Global Payouts product, standard payout fees are $1.50, $0.50, or $0.30 depending on the sender country, with cross-border and currency-conversion fees potentially added.
Common Problems and Solutions When Receiving Stripe Payments
1. Your bank account is not supported
For Nigerian users receiving Stripe payouts through a foreign-currency account, the bank account must meet the requirements of the country and currency linked to the Stripe account. Stripe generally requires the payout account to use the same currency as the payout and may require the account holder’s name and other details to match the information on the Stripe account.
If Stripe rejects your account, check that the account details, currency, and account information match the payout requirements for your Stripe setup. This is especially important when you are using a USD, EUR, or GBP foreign account to receive your Stripe earnings from Nigeria.
2. Stripe requests additional verification
Stripe may ask Nigerian users for additional information to verify their account, such as a government-issued ID, proof of address, business registration documents, or bank account details.
Check your Stripe Dashboard and email for any outstanding verification requests. Provide the requested information and ensure it matches your Stripe account details to avoid delays.
3. Delayed payouts
A delayed payout does not always mean something has gone wrong. For Nigerian users receiving Stripe earnings through a foreign account, delays can happen because of account verification, bank processing times, incorrect bank details, weekends or bank holidays, or the longer waiting period that can apply to a first payout.
Check your Stripe Dashboard to see the expected payout date and status. Bank processing, weekends, holidays, verification issues, and your first-payout waiting period can all affect when money reaches your account.
4. Account details don’t match
Incorrect bank details can cause payout problems. Stripe recommends checking the payout destination in your Dashboard when a payout is missing or delayed.
Therefore, before you add your Pouchers account to Stripe, carefully copy the account details provided by Pouchers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I receive money from Stripe?
After a customer pays you through Stripe and the funds become available, Stripe sends the money to the bank account connected to your Stripe account based on your payout schedule.
2. How do I receive Stripe payments in Nigeria?
You can receive Stripe payouts through a supported bank account or other supported payout arrangement. A foreign currency account can also be useful where Stripe supports that account and currency.
3. Can I receive Stripe payments in USD?
Yes. Stripe supports USD payments and settlement in selected markets. Whether you can receive a USD payout depends on your account, country, and payout setup.
4. Can I use a foreign account to receive Stripe payouts?
Yes. You can use a foreign account to receive Stripe payouts. However, Stripe’s payout requirements vary by country and currency, so check your account’s requirements before connecting one.
5. How long does Stripe take to pay?
The first Stripe payout normally takes 7 to 14 days. After that, the timing depends on your country’s payout rules, settlement time, and selected payout schedule. Stripe supports different payout schedules, including daily, weekly, monthly, and manual payouts in supported markets.
Conclusion
Receiving Stripe payments in Nigeria becomes easier when you have the right account to receive and manage your international earnings. Whether you are a freelancer, creator, or business owner, a suitable foreign currency account can help you receive your money and manage it without unnecessary complications.
With Pouchers, you can access USD, EUR, and GBP Foreign Accounts for receiving international payments. You can keep your earnings in the currency you receive, convert them to Naira when needed, and withdraw your money to your Nigerian bank account. If you receive payments through Stripe, create your Pouchers account today and get a simpler way to manage your international earnings.
Download the Pouchers app to start receiving your Stripe payments in foreign accounts.
