A Contractor’s Guide to Deel’s Flexible Payment Terms

As an independent contractor, you can choose when you work, what you work on, and who you work for. 

And in 2026, your payment options should be just as flexible.

With Deel, they can be.

While contractors and their clients can choose to manage payments off-platform, Deel offers a variety of withdrawal methods and contract terms to suit your location and preferences, so you can manage everything in one place.

Here’s how Deel helps make contractor payments as simple, efficient, and compliant as possible.

Deel’s contract options

On the Deel platform, contractors and clients can choose to generate compliant contracts, selecting the agreement type that best suits their business relationship and payment needs. This includes Fixed, Milestone, or Pay As You Go terms.

Fixed payments

With Fixed payment contracts, you and the client come to an agreement on a fixed rate for the work to be done, which is then paid out every pay cycle. The payment cycle, and the date on which the payment will be made, are mentioned in the contract. 

These cycles can be weekly, bi-weekly, every other week, or monthly, depending on what has been agreed upon by both parties.

Milestone payments

A milestone contract establishes specific points of achievement or completion in a project. Instead of paying a lump sum upfront or upon project completion, payments are made at predefined milestones. With Deel, clients can pay on a one-time or per-project basis with as many payment milestones as needed.

Pay-As-You-Go payments

When you work on a Pay As You Go contract, your payment rate is variable and depends on factors such as hours worked or tasks completed. To receive payment, you need to submit your hours through Deel for approval by your client. 

If you have any bonus, expense, overtime, or other adjustment types, you can adjust your invoice accordingly for each payment. Your client can then approve the hours and add a bonus. If applicable, your client can also update hours by CSV upload.

Deel’s flexible payment options

Deel offers you the flexibility to choose how you want to receive payments based on your location, local payment regulations, and preferred withdrawal method.

This incldues 10+ withdrawal methods, including instant card transfer, local bank transfer, SWIFT, major e-wallets, Coinbase, BVNK (USDC/USDT), and the Deel Card. Each method has different processing times, fees, and minimum withdrawal amounts.

Although there are various options available for contractors to receive payments outside of the Deel platform, the on-platform options are more efficient and easier to use.

Deel Card

Withdrawal ETA: Instant
Supported currencies: USD, AUD, CAD, SGD, NZD, HKD, JPY, EUR, GBP, CHF (availability varies by country and card type)

The Deel Card is a global spending card that lets contractors use their earnings directly, in USD and 10+ currencies. It can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, and can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay manually, making it a convenient payment method for contractors worldwide.

• Virtual Card: Available for online purchases
• Physical Card: Can be requested in supported countries for in-person purchases
• Wallet Funding: Directly funded from the Deel balance for easy access

The Deel Card is available to eligible contractors under Pay as You Go, Fixed, and Milestone contracts. Eligible contractors will see a Deel Card tab under the Finance icon in their dashboard that will allow them to apply for a virtual or physical Deel Card or both. Contractors can review their Deel Card spending by selecting the Finance icon and navigating to the Deel Card dashboard.

Learn more about Deel Card

Instant Card Transfer

Withdrawal ETA: Instant
Supported currencies: Depends on country

Instant Card Transfer provides immediate access to your balance through a card-to-card transfer. To utilize Instant Card Transfer, contractors must possess a Mastercard or Visa debit/credit card linked to a bank account. 

Unlike traditional bank networks like SWIFT, Instant Card Transfer leverages the reliability and speed of MasterCard and VISA networks to deposit your withdrawal into your card-connected bank account within seconds. 

In contrast to some countries that only support SWIFT, which is costly and time-consuming, Instant Card Transfer operates seamlessly worldwide and is unaffected by bank holidays. 

Note: Since the transfer time depends on the recipient's bank, in some cases, it may take a few hours for the bank to credit the funds.

Outside the US: A nominal fee of 2%, with a minimum withdrawal amount of $5 USD. The maximum fee is capped at $15 USD, plus any applicable foreign exchange rates.

Within the US: A low fee of 0.75%, coupled with a minimum withdrawal amount of $5 USD. The maximum fee is $25 USD.

Instant Card Transfer is currently available in the following countries:
Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Deel is expanding the Instant Card Transfer feature to more countries and currencies. Refer to this article for the most up-to-date availability.

See also: How to use Instant Card Transfer

Stablecoin wallet

Availability: Varies by country

Deel stablecoin wallet is a dollar-backed balance inside Deel where contractors can hold earnings in a stable currency, be eligible to earn rewards, and spend anywhere via the Deel Card—no crypto exchange, separate accounts, or steep learning curve. All without leaving the platform they already use to get paid.

• Contractors maintain their earnings in a dollar-denominated balance. Funds are held as DLUSD—Deel's USD-denominated digital balance, designed to track USD value at 1:1, that's always redeemable for USD value within the platform
• Contractors can move their wallet balance back to Deel balance instantly at any time, with no costs, minimum holding period, or lock-up
• Contractors can opt into Earn and become eligible to earn rewards on their balance. Rewards accrue from that moment forward, and the full balance, including any accrued rewards, is available to withdraw at any time, fully or partially, with no lock-up or penalty
• With the Deel Card, contractors can spend their stablecoin balance directly—no conversions, separate accounts, or extra steps

Access funds early with Advance

Verified contractors on Fixed or Pay As You Go contracts are eligible for Advance.

Advance is an agreement between the contractor and Deel, wherein the contractor receives a cash advance of their earnings. This is not a loan—there is no interest rate and Deel does not run any credit checks.

Contractors can easily initiate a Advance request through their Deel account, streamlining the process for quick accessibility. Contractors can request several advances within a single cycle, enabling them to access smaller amounts as needed rather than committing to the full limit at once. Each new request adjusts the available balance and repayment chain, providing greater flexibility.

Upon approval, the Advance payment is deposited into the contractor's Deel Balance, ensuring a rapid turnaround for urgent financial needs. For repayment, Deel automatically uses available funds from the Deel Balance to repay the outstanding Advance when contractors receive a payment from a client.

Learn more: Frequently Asked Questions About Advance

These features are all a part of the financial tools built into Deel. Watch the video below to learn more:

E-wallets

An e-wallet, short for electronic wallet, is a digital tool that provides a convenient and efficient way for individuals to make electronic payments, transfer funds, and manage their financial resources digitally. 

Through our user-friendly portal, contractors have the freedom to choose their withdrawal method and currency. Whether it's utilizing Coinbase for crypto transactions, or opting for platforms like Paypal, Revolut, or Wise, we provide an extensive array of options. 

Wise

Withdrawal ETA: Up to 1 business day
Supported currencies: AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, NZD, SGD, USD

Wise is an international payment method with a typically low exchange rate, allowing local bank payouts in 40 currencies and 160 countries. Deel does not charge a withdrawal fee for Wise, though separate transaction and exchange fees may apply.

Coinbase

Withdrawal ETA: Usually in minutes, up to 1 business day
Supported currencies: BTC, DASH, ETH, SOL, USDC

Coinbase allows businesses to transfer funds globally using digital currencies. With lower fees (1.5% cost to contractors) and the potential for increased security and privacy, Coinbase presents a modern and efficient alternative to traditional international money transfers.

PayPal

Withdrawal ETA: Up to 1 business day
Supported currencies: USD

Known for its user-friendly interface, fast transaction processing, and the ability to link various funding sources, PayPal offers a reliable and widely-used payment solution for contractors. Deel enhances the flexibility for contractors by allowing them to withdraw funds from their Deel balance into their PayPal accounts. The transaction fee is 2.5% (minimum $0.25 USD).

Payoneer

Withdrawal ETA: Up to 1 business day
Supported currencies: USD

Payoneer, a global payment platform, offers advantages such as fast and secure transactions, competitive exchange rates, and a 1% fee. Through the Deel platform, international contractors can easily withdraw their funds from their Deel balance to Payoneer, leveraging various payment solutions including virtual accounts, prepaid cards, and e-wallets.

Revolut

Withdrawal ETA: Up to 1 business day
Supported currencies: USD

Revolut, a digital banking platform, serves as another cost-effective option for cross-border transfers with a withdrawal speed of up to one business day. Revolut provides a user-friendly mobile app, convenient account management features, and additional services like multi-currency wallets and virtual debit cards. Contractors using Deel can select Revolut as a withdrawal method within their Deel accounts with no withdrawal fees.

Local bank transfer

Withdrawal ETA: 1-5 business days
Supported currencies: 180+

Local bank transfers involve sending funds between bank accounts within the same country, eliminating the complexities and fees associated with cross-border transactions. These advantages make handling domestic payments efficient, with no cost to the contractor and a withdrawal time of one to five business days. 

Please note that most payment providers, especially banks, do not process payments on weekends and public holidays. 

International bank transfer/SWIFT

Withdrawal ETA: 5-7 business days
Supported currencies: 180+

SWIFT is a global network used for transferring money between financial institutions worldwide. Many companies use this network to pay their contractors through international bank transfers, as it has around 11,000 bank members in approximately 200 countries. 

The SWIFT withdrawal method may use multiple intermediary banks to process international payments, which can result in unpredictable processing fees. Neither Deel nor your own bank can predict these fees, and they may be deducted from the final received amount.

Easy access on the Deel mobile app

The Deel mobile app is a central hub where global workers manage their pay, contracts, time off, expenses, tasks, and financial tools — all in one place, regardless of worker type or location. Contractors can view their earned balance, withdraw via 10+ methods including crypto and stablecoins, request pay advances instantly, and manage a multi-currency Deel Card — all within the app.

Enjoy flexible payment terms with Deel

As a contractor, you should have the power to choose when and how you receive your earned wages (as long as it complies with local payment regulations). 

While Deel isn’t the only payment solution available, it will enable you to be paid more easily and quickly compared to many other methods. Plus, as an all-in-one platform, you can manage everything from contracts and payments to expenses and tax forms in one centralized place.

Sign up to see how smooth the payment process can be.