Best Ways to Pay Overseas Agencies (Guide for UK Businesses)

If you're paying an international agency from the UK, the chosen payment method can affect how much the payment costs, how quickly it arrives, and how easy it is to reconcile afterwards.

To help you make an informed decision regarding which method to use to make those payments, we've compared 5 ways UK businesses can use to pay international agencies - remittance companies, SWIFT bank transfers, digital wallets, international card payments, and Wise Business.

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⚠️ Note: Payment method costs and speeds mentioned in this article may vary due factors including but not limited to business type, customer circumstances, payee, sender, and/or country.

Wise Business offers a free Essential plan for basic spending and transferring. If you need to receive money, set up direct debits, or generate invoices, you'll pay a one-time £50 setup fee to unlock the Advanced features.

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Summary

Key takeaways

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Remittance companies

How do remittance company transfers work?

Remittance companies are designed specifically for cross-border payments.

Here's what that can look like when paying an agency:

1. You create a transfer with the provider
2. You enter the agency's recipient details and payment currency
3. The remittance company shows the exchange rate, fee and estimated delivery time
4. The remittance company pays the agency through its available payout route

Some providers focus on SMEs, some on large corporate FX, and some on platform or marketplace payouts, so the exact process can differ.

Costs

Costs vary by provider, route and pricing model.

Check whether the provider charges a visible transfer fee, adds a markup to the exchange rate, charges for faster delivery, or passes on any recipient-side costs.

Speed

Speed depends on the destination, currency, funding method, compliance checks and payout route.

Before paying an agency, check whether the estimated delivery time refers to payment initiation, recipient receipt, or withdrawal availability.

SWIFT bank transfer

How do SWIFT bank transfers work?

Traditional bank transfers often use the SWIFT network to send money internationally between banks.

Here's what that can look like when paying an overseas agency:

1. You set up an international payment from your business bank account
2. Your bank sends the payment using the recipient's bank details, such as an IBAN or SWIFT/BIC code
3. One or more intermediary or correspondent banks may handle the transfer
4. The agency's bank receives the funds and credits the recipient account

For urgent sterling payments inside the UK, CHAPS may be relevant. The Bank of England describes CHAPS as a sterling same-day system for high-value wholesale payments and time-critical lower-value payments.¹

Costs

Some banks charge a fee for international transfers and may also apply a markup to the exchange rate used.

Intermediary and recipient bank fees may also apply, which can reduce the amount your agency receives unless you confirm who covers each charge.

Speed

International bank transfer timing varies by bank, destination, currency, cut-off time and intermediary route.

For time-sensitive agency invoices, check the estimated arrival date before sending and leave a buffer around the invoice due date.

Wise Business

How do Wise Business transfers work?

Wise Business uses a network of local bank accounts around the world to process transfers more efficiently.

Here's what that can look like when paying an overseas agency:

1. You set up the agency as a recipient or add multiple recipients for a batch payments
2. You choose the payment currency and send from GBP or another available balance
3. Wise shows the fee and exchange rate before you confirm the payment
4. The agency receives the payment in the selected currency, depending on the route and recipient details

This can be useful if you work with agencies in several countries and want a repeatable payment process, rather than setting up every international invoice manually.

Costs

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and shows fees upfront before you confirm a transfer.

That can make it easier to compare the true cost of paying an international agency, especially where another provider may add a margin inside the exchange rate.

Speed

Wise shows an estimated delivery time before you send. Delivery can vary by currency, destination, payment method, verification checks and banking partner availability. 75% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds. Transaction speed claims depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions.

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Digital wallet or online payment platform

How do digital wallet transfers work?

Digital wallets and online payment platforms typically let businesses send money using an email address, mobile number or platform account ID instead of full bank details.

Here's how it can work when paying an agency:

1. The agency shares its platform account details
2. Your business sends funds from a wallet balance, linked bank account or card
3. The agency receives the payment in its platform account
4. The agency can then hold, convert or withdraw the money, depending on the provider

Costs

Costs vary by provider, payment type, sender country, recipient country and currency conversion.

Some platforms charge international transaction additions on top of domestic transaction fees. For example, PayPal's UK merchant fees page lists additions of 1.29% for EEA sender markets or 1.99% for all other sender markets.²

Currency conversion costs may also apply. For example, the same fee page lists conversion for business account balances, and transactions where the receiver agrees to bear conversion, at 3% above the base exchange rate.²

Speed

Platform-to-platform payments can feel fast because the first step happens inside the platform.

The agency may still need extra time to withdraw funds to a bank account, convert currency or complete account checks.

International card payment

How do international card payments work?

International card payments can be used where an agency accepts card billing for retainers, project deposits, ad spend, software-style costs or online invoices.

Here's what that can look like:

1. The agency sends a card-payment link or invoice
2. Your team pays using a business debit or credit card
3. The payment is authorised through the card network and processor
4. The agency receives settlement according to its payment processor's schedule

Cards can be convenient when you need fast authorisation, card statements, spend controls or a simple approval trail.

Costs

Costs depend on your card issuer, billing currency and the agency's payment setup.

Foreign transaction fees, currency conversion costs and agency-side processing fees can all affect the final cost.

Speed

Card payments are usually authorised quickly at the point of payment.

Settlement to the agency can take longer, depending on the card processor, merchant account, country and currency.

Manage international agency payments with Wise Business

If your real challenge is building a repeatable way to pay overseas agencies, Wise Business can help you send local-currency payments, manage batch payments and keep cross-border payment costs clearer upfront.

That can be useful when you pay the same agencies regularly, work across several currencies, or need cleaner reconciliation for international supplier payments.

Wise Business offers a free Essential plan for basic spending and transferring. If you need to receive money, set up direct debits, or generate invoices, you'll pay a one-time £50 setup fee to unlock the Advanced features.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 70+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit Wise Interest to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily (Card payment acceptance for new Wise Business customers is currently unavailable. Payment methods subject to eligibility and availability.)
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for your domestic and global needs.

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**Investments are not guaranteed, and your capital is at risk.

Wise is an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), so features like Interest and Stocks may be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For standard cash balances, we safeguard your funds to meet regulatory obligations.

In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets, the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 839689).

We do not provide investment advice, and taxes may apply. If unsure, seek qualified financial advice. Full fund information is available on our website.

Frequently asked questions about paying international agencies

What is the cheapest way to pay an international agency from the UK?

There is no single cheapest option for every payment.

The total cost depends on the transfer fee, the exchange rate used, card or wallet fees, and whether intermediary or recipient charges apply.

For larger or recurring payments, the exchange rate markup often matters more than the headline fee.

How long does it take to pay an overseas agency?

It depends on the payment method, currency and route.

Card and wallet payments can feel fast at the sending stage, while bank and SWIFT payments may take longer to settle, especially if intermediary banks are involved.

With Wise, 75% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds, although speed depends on the payment route and individual circumstances.

The safest approach is to check the estimated delivery time before you send and build in a buffer around invoice due dates.

Can I pay an international agency in GBP?

Sometimes, yes, but it is not always the best option.

If the agency prices in another currency, paying in GBP may push conversion costs onto the recipient, who may then add margin or receive less than expected.

Paying in the agency's local currency is often clearer and can reduce friction.

What details do I need to pay an overseas agency invoice?

You will usually need the legal business name, invoice reference, payment amount, currency, and bank or platform details.

For bank transfers, that may include an account number, IBAN, SWIFT or BIC code, bank name and registered address.

It is also sensible to confirm any tax wording, billing currency and beneficiary details before sending the first payment.

Sources:

1. CHAPS | Bank of England
2. PayPal Merchant Fees - Seller Fees | PayPal UK

Sources checked on 14 July 2026