Receiving International Salary in Kenya: Remote Worker's Guide

Working remotely for international companies while based in Kenya? Here's how to receive your salary efficiently and keep more of your earnings.

Ways to Receive International Salary

1. Wise (Recommended)

How It Works:

• Get USD/EUR/GBP account details
• Employer pays as if local transfer
• Convert and withdraw to M-Pesa or bank

Pros:

• Lowest conversion fees
• Mid-market exchange rate
• Hold multiple currencies
• Instant conversion when rates are good

Best For: Regular salary payments, any currency

2. Payoneer

How It Works:

• USD/EUR receiving account
• Employer deposits to your account
• Withdraw to local bank

Pros:

• Common with international platforms
• Multiple currency accounts
• Prepaid card available

Cons:

• Higher fees than Wise
• Slower withdrawals

3. PayPal

How It Works:

• Employer sends to your PayPal
• Withdraw to local bank

Pros:

• Very common globally
• Easy to set up

Cons:

• High fees (4-5% total)
• Poor exchange rate
• Withdrawal fees

4. Direct Bank Wire

How It Works:

• Employer wires to your Kenyan bank

Pros:

• Simple, direct

Cons:

• High fees ($25-50)
• Poor exchange rate
• Slow (3-5 days)

Cost Comparison: Receiving $3,000 Monthly Salary

Using Wise vs PayPal saves you ~KES 16,000/month (~$125)

Over a year, that's $1,500 more in your pocket.

Setting Up Wise for Salary

Step-by-Step

1. Create Wise Account

- Sign up at wise.com

- Verify identity (passport + proof of address)

1. Get Account Details

- Go to "Balances"

- Select USD (or employer's currency)

- Get account details (routing number, account number)

1. Give to Employer

- Provide as your "local" bank details

- They pay as domestic transfer (cheaper for them too)

1. Receive and Convert

- Salary arrives in USD balance

- Convert to KES when rate is good

- Withdraw to M-Pesa or bank

Tips for Wise Users

• Hold USD when KES is weakening
• Set rate alerts for favorable conversion
• Convert in batches to time the market

Payoneer Setup

Step-by-Step

1. Sign up at payoneer.com
2. Verify identity
3. Get US Payment Service account
4. Provide details to employer
5. Withdraw when funds arrive

Payoneer Fees

• Receiving: Free
• Withdrawal: 1-2%
• Currency conversion: 2-3%

Talking to Your Employer About Payment

What to Negotiate

1. Payment method: Ask if they can use Wise or direct transfer
2. Currency: Receiving in USD is usually best
3. Frequency: Monthly vs bi-weekly
4. Who pays fees: Try to get them to cover transfer costs

Sample Request to Employer

```

Hi [Name],

For my salary payments, could we use Wise? I have a USD account

with them that works like a US bank account, so it would be a

domestic transfer for you (no international wire fees).

Here are my details:

[Wise account details]

This would save us both on transfer fees. Let me know if this works.

```

Tax Considerations

Kenya Tax Obligations

If you're tax resident in Kenya:

• Income is taxable in Kenya
• File returns with KRA
• Pay as you earn (PAYE) may apply
• Consider professional tax advice

Common Structures

• Direct employment: Employer may withhold if they have Kenya entity
• Contractor: You handle own taxes
• Remote for foreign company: Usually contractor status

Record Keeping

Keep records of:

• All payments received
• Exchange rates used
• Converted amounts
• Tax paid in other jurisdictions

Opening Supporting Accounts

Kenyan Bank Account

For receiving withdrawals:

• Equity Bank: Good for M-Pesa integration
• KCB: Wide branch network
• Standard Chartered: USD account available

M-Pesa

Essential for:

• Daily spending
• Receiving Wise withdrawals
• Paying local bills

Managing Multiple Currencies

Strategy

1. Receive in USD (most stable)
2. Convert as needed for monthly expenses
3. Hold remainder in USD for savings

Timing Conversions

• Check USD/KES rate trends
• Convert when rate is favorable
• Don't convert all at once

Common Challenges

Challenge: Employer Only Uses PayPal

Solution: Accept initially, but explain the cost difference. Calculate annual savings and propose Wise.

Challenge: Irregular Payment Timing

Solution: Build buffer of 2+ months expenses in KES. Convert USD as needed.

Challenge: Bank Asks Questions About Foreign Income

Solution: Keep contract, pay slips, and tax records ready. Foreign income is normal for remote workers.

Building Financial Stability

Recommendations

1. 3-month emergency fund in KES
2. USD savings for stability
3. Diversify across Wise, Payoneer, local bank
4. Track exchange rates to optimize conversions

Conclusion

For remote workers receiving salary in Kenya:

1. Use Wise for lowest fees and best rates
2. Get employer to pay to Wise USD account
3. Convert strategically when rates are good
4. Keep records for taxes
5. Save in USD for stability

The right setup saves you $1,000+ per year on a typical salary.

Compare receiving options with our money transfer calculator.