How to Receive International Payments Seamlessly in Nigeria

When Aisha landed her first international client as a freelance designer, she was ecstatic. But her excitement quickly turned to frustration because her PayPal didn’t work, her bank blocked the transfer, and the fees from her money transfer service ate up a chunk of her payment.

If you’re a Nigerian freelancer, remote worker, or creator, this probably sounds familiar.

The truth is, earning in dollars is only half the battle. The bigger challenge is how to receive international payments in Nigeria without the stress, delays, or endless conversion losses. That’s where platforms like Cleva come in, giving you flexible, reliable, and seamless options to get paid from anywhere in the world.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to receive USD in Nigeria using Cleva, the different methods available, and which one is best for your type of work.

Let’s break it down.

Why receiving international payments Is still a struggle in Nigeria

If you’ve ever tried to receive money from clients in the US, UK, or other countries using a traditional Nigerian bank account, you’ve probably run into issues like:

• Inaccessible accounts
• Currency conversion loss
• Delays and blocked transactions
• High withdrawal and transfer fees

That’s why more Nigerians are switching to digital banking platforms designed for international transactions like Cleva.

What is Cleva?

Cleva is a fintech platform used by thousands to process cross-border payments. With Cleva, freelancers and remote workers can open a USD account in their name, without needing to be a US-resident and from the comfort of their home. Whether you’re working on Upwork, Fiverr, Deel, or getting paid directly by international clients, Cleva makes it easy to get your money fast and in full control.

With Cleva, you can open a USD account easily and access multiple payment methods tailored to how you work.

How to receive international payments on Cleva

Cleva offers three flexible ways to receive money from international clients, platforms, or partners. So no matter how you earn, there’s a solution that fits your workflow.

1. Receive payment via bank transfer (Wire or ACH)

Best for:

• Freelancers using platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Deel, Payoneer etc. or receiving payments from US-based companies.
• Remote workers on international payrolls.
• Creators and consultants with clients who pay via banks.

How it works:
Once you sign up on Cleva and complete your KYC, you get a dedicated USD account in your name. Your clients or platforms can send money via ACH (for US-based transfers) or wire transfer (for international banks). Usually, you should get your payment in 1–3 working days if you use this method.

Why it’s great:
This method works with almost every global platform and is ideal for recurring payments or professional engagements. It’s also reliable and traceable.

2. Receive stablecoins (USDT/USDC)

Best for:

• Freelancers or creators working with international clients who prefer to pay in crypto.
• Users who want fast, borderless payments without relying on traditional banking channels.

How it works:
Cleva supports USDT and USDC across multiple networks: TRON (TRC-20), Ethereum (ERC-20), and Solana (SOL). Just select your coin and network, copy your unique wallet address and/or QR code, and share it with your client.

Once the stablecoins are sent, your Cleva wallet will reflect the equivalent USD balance. For this method, you should get your payment in 5 to 10 minutes, depending on network speed.

Why it’s great:
This is the fastest way to receive payments, especially if you work with tech-savvy clients, web3 companies, or agencies that pay in crypto.

3. Fund with Naira and convert to USD

Best for:

• Creators or freelancers who want to save or spend in dollars
• Users getting paid in naira but need access to USD
• People who want to top up their Cleva virtual dollar card

How it works:
You can deposit naira into your Cleva wallet and instantly convert it to USD at the current in-app rate. This is useful if you’re preparing to pay for subscriptions, tools, or international shopping. This method is amazing because you get your payment instantly.

Why it’s great:
No need to look for black market rates or worry about hidden conversion fees. It’s fast, transparent, and puts you in.

Other features that make receiving payments easier with Cleva

Cleva is more than just a USD account. It comes with powerful tools that make receiving and managing your international income stress-free:

• Cleva virtual dollar card: Spend directly from your USD balance.
• Cleva tag: Share your unique tag and receive funds from other Cleva users instantly.
• Cleva Points: Earn rewards whenever you receive payments or perform transactions.
• 2FA security: Keep your funds safe with two-factor authentication.
• Bank statements: Download official statements for verification or visa purposes.

How to get started

1. Sign up at getcleva.com
2. Complete your KYC verification
3. Choose your preferred payment method (USD account or stablecoin wallet)
4. Share your details with clients or platforms

In just a few minutes, you’re ready to receive international payments with ease.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a freelancer, remote worker, creator, or small business owner, receiving international payments in Nigeria shouldn’t be complicated. With Cleva, you get more than just a dollar account, you get freedom, control, and flexibility.

Start receiving payments seamlessly with Cleva today.
Sign up now on Play Store or App Store.