PayPal is one of the most widely used online payment systems in the world. For freelancers, businesses, and online shoppers, it’s often the go-to method for sending and receiving money internationally. But if you’re in Bangladesh, you might be wondering: Is PayPal available here? Let’s break it down in detail.
Current Status of PayPal in Bangladesh
The short answer is: PayPal is not fully available in Bangladesh.
Bangladeshis cannot directly open and verify a full PayPal account like users in the USA, UK, or India.
However, in 2017, PayPal introduced a partial service called Xoom, which is mainly for receiving international remittances. This means you can get money from abroad, but you cannot send payments or use the full range of PayPal’s services.
Why Isn’t PayPal Fully Available in Bangladesh?
There are a few reasons behind this:
- Regulatory Issues: Bangladesh’s financial system has strict regulations for cross-border transactions to prevent money laundering and fraud.
- Low Market Demand (from PayPal’s perspective): PayPal tends to launch in countries where there is a massive user base and high transaction volume.
- Currency Restrictions: The Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) has certain restrictions in international trade, which complicates PayPal’s operations.
What You Can Do with Xoom (PayPal’s Service in Bangladesh)
With Xoom, Bangladeshis can:
- Receive money from PayPal users abroad.
- Withdraw money directly to a Bangladeshi bank account.
- Collect payments via international remittance channels.
But you cannot:
- Send money internationally.
- Shop online using PayPal.
- Receive client payments directly via PayPal (unless they send through Xoom).
Alternatives to PayPal in Bangladesh
Since full PayPal access is missing, many people use alternatives. Here are some trusted options:
1. Payoneer
- A popular choice for freelancers in Bangladesh.
- Works with platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, and others.
- Allows you to withdraw directly to a Bangladeshi bank account.
2. Wise (Formerly TransferWise)
- Great for sending and receiving international money transfers.
- Transparent exchange rates and low fees.
3. Skrill & Neteller
- Common in the freelancing and online gaming communities.
- Available in Bangladesh for cross-border payments.
4. Direct Bank Transfers (SWIFT)
- Reliable but usually takes longer and has higher fees.
Will PayPal Ever Come to Bangladesh?
The Bangladeshi government and ICT ministry have been in talks with PayPal for years. With the freelancing industry in Bangladesh growing rapidly (earning billions in foreign currency every year), there’s a high chance PayPal may consider launching full services in the future.
But until then, freelancers and businesses must rely on Payoneer, Wise, and other alternatives.
Final Thoughts
So, is PayPal available in Bangladesh?
Not fully. Only Xoom is available for receiving money.
If you’re a freelancer or business owner in Bangladesh, you’ll likely need to use Payoneer or Wise for smooth international payments. While the lack of PayPal is frustrating, the available alternatives are reliable and widely accepted.
Hopefully, in the near future, we’ll see full PayPal services in Bangladesh—which would be a huge boost for freelancers, e-commerce, and the overall digital economy.
