For many Filipino freelancers and virtual assistants, the preferred place to receive money is a local bank account — whether that’s BDO, BPI, UnionBank, or another Philippine bank. It’s familiar, it integrates with how you already manage savings, and it’s where you likely handle most financial decisions.
Until recently, getting paid by an international client into your Philippine bank account involved multiple steps: receiving into a USD wallet, converting, then withdrawing. It worked, but it wasn’t exactly seamless.
Now there’s a more direct route. Here’s how to receive client payments straight to your Philippine bank account — with full transparency on what you’ll receive before the payment is even sent.
Why Receiving Directly to Your Bank Account Matters
For freelancers managing their finances seriously, a bank account offers things a mobile wallet doesn’t — higher limits, better integration with savings and investments, and a clearer paper trail for tax and invoicing purposes.
Receiving directly to your bank also eliminates a step in the process. Rather than landing in an intermediate account and requiring a manual withdrawal, your earnings arrive where they need to be. That means less time managing money transfers and more time focused on your work.
With Remitly, you’ll always see the exact PHP amount you’ll receive before anything is confirmed. No estimates, no surprises.
Open a free Remitly Freelancer account and get paid directly to your Philippine bank account.
What You Need to Get Started
Setting up is straightforward. You’ll need:
- A Remitly Freelancer account — free to open, no monthly fees
- Your Philippine bank account details (account number and bank name)
- A client based in the US, Canada, or the UK who’s ready to pay you
No USD account required. No minimum balance. Your bank account details are stored securely in the app so you don’t have to re-enter them for every payment.
How the Payment Process Works
Once your account is set up and your Philippine bank account is selected as your payment destination, the process is simple for both you and your client:
Step 1: Create your payment request.
In the Remitly app, tap Request, enter the amount, and generate your payment link.
Step 2: Send the link to your client.
Share it however works best — email, messaging app, or directly from the app.
Step 3: Your client pays in their currency.
They log into Remitly, review the payment details including their fee, and confirm. Everything is transparent on their end too.
Step 4: Funds arrive in your bank account.
The payment is converted to PHP and deposited directly into your Philippine bank account. You saw exactly what was coming before it was sent.
Fees: What You Pay, What Your Client Pays
Receiving payments to your bank account in the Philippines through Remitly is free for you. There are no fees for opening an account, creating payment requests, or receiving a bank deposit.
Your client pays a fee based on the amount and their payment method — this is shown clearly before they confirm. Keeping fees visible on both sides means no awkward conversations about unexpected deductions.
Which Banks Are Supported?
Remitly works with a wide range of Philippine banks, including BDO, BPI, UnionBank, Metrobank, China Bank, RCBC, and many more. You can check the full list of supported providers on the Remitly Freelancers Philippines page.
If you prefer getting paid to GCash or Maya instead of a bank account, those are also available as direct payment destinations — the choice is yours.
Common Questions
Do I need a USD wallet or any intermediate account?
No. Payments go directly from your client to your Philippine bank account. There’s no USD wallet setup required.
Can I switch between bank account and mobile wallet as my payment destination?
Yes. You can update your preferred payment destination at any time in the app. Some freelancers keep both options available depending on the payment.
What if I want to hold funds in USD?
If you’d prefer to receive your client payments into a USD wallet and convert when the rate is right, that option remains available. You’re in control of where your money goes.
Who can pay me through Remitly?
Clients based in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom can send payments to you through Remitly.
Do my clients need to have a Remitly account?
Yes. Your client will need a Remitly account to complete the payment. Once you create and share your payment request link, your client will open the link you shared, download the Remitly app, and create an account. They will see your payment request, enter payment details, and send the transfer in their local currency. The money is delivered directly to your local bank account or mobile wallet — or to your Remitly USD wallet if you prefer to hold and convert later. From there, you can withdraw to any supported destination with no hidden fees.
A Simpler Way to Get Paid
Getting paid by international clients shouldn’t require a complicated setup or multiple transfer steps. With Remitly, your earnings go directly to your Philippine bank account — clearly, quickly, and with full fee transparency before anything moves.
Open your free Remitly Freelancer account and receive payments to your Philippine bank.
Legal Disclaimer
Product availability may vary by jurisdiction and is subject to change. Not an offer or solicitation where Remitly or its affiliates are not licensed or otherwise authorized. Availability and use of the products and services is subject to compliance with applicable law.