A Guide to Payment Methods

Hiring Latin American talent is easy.

Paying them — if you’ve never done it before — can feel a little confusing.

But don’t worry.

This guide will walk you through the most popular payment methods (Wise, PayPal, Payoneer, Gusto, etc.), how to choose the right one for you, and tips for making payments smooth, fast, and affordable for everyone involved.

Let’s break it down.

First things first: You’ve got options.

There’s no single “best” way to pay a Latin American VA.

But there is a best way for you — depending on:

• Where you live
• How often you pay
• Whether you want to automate it
• How much control you want over fees

Here are the most common options:

1. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

One of the most recommended ways to pay VAs in Latin America.

Why people love it:

• Low fees
• Great exchange rates
• Fast (same-day or next-day delivery to LATAM bank accounts)

How it works:

• You send USD → Wise converts it → Their bank receives in their currency directly

Pro tips:

• Set up a Wise Business account
• You can pay multiple freelancers at once
• Let your VA choose to receive in their currency or USD

Who pays the fee?

• By default, you (the sender) do
• You can deduct it from the VA’s rate if agreed upfront

2. PayPal

Almost everyone has a PayPal account.

And it’s still widely used by Latin American freelancers.

Pros:

• Instant delivery
• Familiar to both sides
• You can send in USD, and they withdraw in their currency

Cons:

• Fees can be high (up to 4–5% total)
• Exchange rate isn’t great
• Sometimes limited support for disputes/refunds

Who pays the fee?

• Up to you — just be clear in advance.

If your VA charges $500/month and fees are $25, you’ll need to decide:

• Do you pay $525?
• Or do they receive $475?

Set expectations up front.

3. Payoneer

Payoneer is another international payment platform often used by freelancers.

Pros:

• Works well for marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr, etc.)
• Decent rates
• VAs can withdraw to their local banks

Cons:

• Slightly slower than Wise or PayPal
• Not all employers are familiar with it

Still — many VAs already have Payoneer accounts.

So if they prefer it, it’s good to have as an option.

4. Gusto (U.S. Companies Only)

If you’re a U.S.-based company and already use Gusto for payroll, good news:

You can pay international contractors — including in Latin America.

How it works:

• You onboard them as an international contractor
• Gusto will handle currency conversion + compliance forms
• Contractors submit invoices, and you pay via ACH

Pros:

• It’s automated
• Looks professional
• All tax documents are in one place (great for your accountant)

Requirements:

• You must have at least 1 U.S.-based team member in Gusto already
• They charge $15/month per international contractor

Worth it if you:

• Already use Gusto
• Want everything in one system
• Hate spreadsheets and manual receipts

5. Direct Bank Transfer (Remittance Services)

Some employers just wire money through their bank.

It works… but it’s:

• Slower
• More expensive
• Less flexible

Also, international wire fees can be $25–$40+ per transfer.

Unless you’re paying someone $2k+, it’s not cost-effective.

Stick with the better options above.

Who Should Pay the Fees?

Quick answer: You should — unless stated otherwise.

It’s standard for the employer to absorb payment fees, just like you’d cover payroll processing in a traditional company.

That said, some freelancers prefer getting paid a clean amount (like $500 flat).

In that case, you can:

• Ask them to invoice you including fees
• Or agree upfront that fees are split (just be crystal clear)

How Often Should You Pay?

Here’s what most employers do:

• Monthly (most common)
• Biweekly (for ongoing roles)
• Per project or milestone (if it’s task-based)

The golden rule: Be consistent.

Set the expectation — then stick to it.

Late payments = unhappy VAs.

Should You Require Invoices?

Yes — even just basic ones.

You want:

• A record of what you’re paying for
• A clean paper trail

You can use Google Sheets and shared folders.

Whatever works for you — just keep things organized.

Automating Your Payments

Here’s how employers save time:

• Use Wise batch payments for all VAs at once
• Use Gusto for full automation (if you’re U.S.-based)
• Let VAs submit invoices via tools or a form
• Set recurring calendar reminders

You want payments to feel like brushing your teeth: Easy, fast, and not something you dread.

TL;DR: Best Ways to Pay Latin American VAs

Final Tips:

✅ Choose a method that’s fast and familiar to both sides
✅ Be clear who pays the fees
✅ Stick to a schedule
✅ Get basic invoices
✅ Don’t overthink it — just get started

Your Latin American VA is doing real work.

Paying them should feel just as real (and just as smooth).