A deeper look at identity checks before receiving international payments.

Before an Indian freelancer or business can receive even a single foreign payment, the payment platform they sign up with must complete identity verification. This verification is not the same everywhere. Some platforms rely only on document uploads. Some insist on video KYC to confirm that the user is the real owner of the ID. A few cases may even trigger in person checks at the bank level. What makes this area confusing is that each platform follows its own regulatory logic, and Indian exporters must deal with that before their first invoice gets paid.

For exporters who depend on timely inward remittances, understanding these differences matters. A slow verification process can delay the first payout, disrupt cash flow and sometimes even force a client to use an alternative payment method. So it helps to know which platforms demand video KYC, which rely on document based checks, and which avoid both because their systems are designed around India’s local rules.

Why Some Platforms Insist on Video Verification

Video KYC is designed to solve a very specific problem. When a platform allows someone to open an account and receive money across borders, it carries regulatory risk. Regulators and financial institutions want the platform to be sure that:

• The person on the application is the real owner of the identity card.
• The name on the ID and the person in the video match.
• The business is not a shell entity created to move money without transparency.
• The intended activity aligns with the documentation provided.

Global platforms operate in dozens of countries. They must satisfy requirements from Europe, the United States, India, the UK and several other regulatory bodies. Video KYC allows them to close the identity gap without physically meeting the user. But for exporters in India, who often work alone or run small teams, this extra step sometimes feels unnecessary. Still, it is not optional on platforms that enforce it.

Verification Methods of Major Global Platforms

Platform	KYC Method Used for Indian Accounts	Why This Method is Used	Consequence of Mismatch
Wise Business	Mandatory Video KYC	Provides multi-currency accounts and foreign balances; must satisfy multiple strict international regulatory regimes simultaneously.	Requires time for video session and resubmission if ID/Aadhaar/PAN do not match video.
PayPal	Document Upload Only	Relies on traditional document checks (ID, PAN, Bank Proof, Address Proof) built for global standards.	Document mismatches (e.g., in naming or address format) can create delays that feel just as long as a video check.
Stripe	Document Upload Only	Regulated as a Payment Aggregator in India; performs deeper document checks on business registration, bank ownership, and merchant website quality.	Verification holds until website and documentation issues are resolved; often takes longer than PayPal.

Wise Business and its Mandatory Video KYC

Wise is one of the clearest examples of this. For Indian accounts, Wise almost always uses video KYC. The reason is straightforward. Wise provides multi currency accounts, foreign currency balances, and routing numbers in foreign jurisdictions. This means Wise must satisfy multiple regulatory regimes at once, and identity verification becomes stricter.

During Wise onboarding, users are asked to record a small video clip and show their ID. They may also be asked to:

• Verify PAN and Aadhaar
• Upload additional address proof
• Provide documents for directors or partners if it is a business account

For individuals, the process is simple but still requires time. For registered businesses, especially those with more than one owner, the video checks extend the verification timeline. This is not a reflection on the exporter but a consequence of the global structure Wise operates under.

PayPal and Stripe Take a Different Route

PayPal and Stripe do not use video KYC for Indian accounts. Instead, they rely entirely on document based verification. This does not always make onboarding faster, but it does change the nature of the process.

PayPal:

PayPal reviews documents such as:

• Government issued ID
• Address proof
• PAN
• Bank account ownership

If the name on the ID does not match the bank account exactly, or if the address format does not resemble what PayPal’s automated systems expect, PayPal requests additional documents. These requests are common for users in India because Indian address formats and naming conventions often do not match global templates. PayPal does not ask for video verification, but document mismatches can create delays that feel just as long.

Stripe:

Stripe also avoids video KYC. However, because Stripe works as a regulated payment aggregator in India, it performs deeper document checks than PayPal. Stripe verifies identity, business registration, bank ownership and the merchant website. If anything looks incomplete, Stripe holds the account in review.

Stripe also checks whether the website clearly shows services, pricing and contact information. If the business model is unclear or the domain looks incomplete, Stripe pauses verification. This is different from video KYC but can sometimes take longer because resolving website issues requires the merchant to update their online presence before Stripe continues.

When In-Person Checks Become Necessary

Even though global platforms do not require in person verification, Indian banks sometimes do. When a payment platform settles funds into a bank account, the bank itself must ensure that the account holder’s KYC is up to date.

If the bank sees inconsistencies, such as:

• A mismatch between PAN and bank account name
• A business account without clear ownership documents
• A high value foreign remittance received by a newly opened account

the bank may ask the user to visit a branch with updated documents.

This is driven by RBI rules for banks, not by PayPal, Wise or Stripe. Exporters often mistake this for platform verification, but it is actually part of the bank’s compliance responsibilities.

Platforms That Avoid Video and In-Person Checks Entirely

India focused inward remittance platforms are structured differently. They operate only within India’s regulatory environment and do not need to satisfy multi country AML layers. Their onboarding aligns with what Indian exporters actually use in practice: PAN, basic identity proof, bank verification and business activity declaration.

Instead of video KYC, these platforms focus on:

• Bank account match
• Purpose code alignment
• Clear identification of exporter activity

This approach keeps verification simpler and faster. Exporters can start receiving foreign payments sooner because the system is built for Indian documentation from the start.

Why Exporters Often Choose Platforms Without Video KYC

For freelancers, consultants, agencies and IT service providers in India, onboarding delays have real consequences. They happen at the worst moments, for example, when signing a new international client or when the first payment is due.

Platforms that avoid video KYC and heavy document cycles are preferred because exporters want:

• Quick activation
• Minimal friction
• Clear inward remittance records
• Documentation that supports GST refunds and taxation
• Compliance aligned with Indian banks rather than foreign regulators

Video KYC is useful for platforms operating across jurisdictions, but for exporters who only need to collect payments into India, it can feel like an unnecessary step.

Final Thoughts

Wise requires video KYC. PayPal and Stripe rely on documents only but use deeper review layers that can still delay onboarding. Indian banks may require in person checks when KYC mismatches appear. Platforms built specifically for India’s export needs avoid both video and in person verification, which leads to much faster activation.

For exporters who depend on predictable inward remittances, a platform aligned with Indian documentation standards offers a smoother and more reliable experience from day one.

Where BRISKPE Fits In

BRISKPE simplifies verification because it is designed entirely for Indian exporters. The platform does not use video KYC or in person checks. Instead, the onboarding process focuses on identity proof, bank account validation, and business activity confirmation. Exporters select their purpose codes at onboarding, and inward remittance documentation is generated automatically for future payments.

This creates an onboarding experience that is both compliant and efficient. Exporters can start receiving international payments without being slowed down by global verification layers that are not relevant to Indian inward remittance rules.