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Global Payment Systems
Global payment systems let you accept card and digital wallet payments from customers worldwide through virtual POS, physical POS terminals, payment links, Stripe, PayPal and Checkout.com. We set up the right combination of country, company and provider for your business.
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How Businesses Get Paid by Customers Abroad
Selling to customers in other countries means accepting the cards and wallets they already use, in their own currency, through a provider that will actually onboard your company. Not every provider accepts every country: Stripe, for example, only onboards businesses registered in its supported countries, and PayPal has not offered sending or receiving money in Turkey since June 2016. This page compares the main options (virtual POS, physical POS, payment links, Stripe, PayPal, Checkout.com and Telr), gives a sourced example of current fees and explains how our team handles company formation, the bank account and the provider application on your behalf.
What Are Global Payment Systems?
Global payment systems are the infrastructure that allows a business to accept credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal) and local payment methods from customers in different countries, collect funds in multiple currencies and settle them into a business bank account. They include virtual POS for online sales, physical POS for in-store sales, payment links for selling without a website, and payout / money transfer solutions for mass disbursements.
The choice of infrastructure affects sales directly: when a foreign buyer does not see their own currency or a familiar payment method at checkout, they may abandon the purchase. That is why a provider should be chosen by the payment methods it supports in the countries where your customers are.
Types of Global Payment Systems
1. Virtual POS (Online Payment Gateway)
A payment gateway integrated into your website or mobile app that processes card data securely. It supports 3D Secure, multi-currency pricing, instalments and subscriptions. Stripe, Checkout.com and Telr are leading providers in this space. See our Global Virtual POS Payment Systems page for details.
2. Physical POS and SoftPOS
Card terminals used in shops, restaurants, hotels and clinics where customers pay in person. Contactless (NFC), Apple Pay and Google Pay are standard. With new-generation SoftPOS solutions, a smartphone can become a card terminal. In the UAE we offer this through our Physical POS Solutions in Dubai service.
3. Payment Links (Pay by Link)
A one-click payment link created without a website or technical integration. Share it by email, WhatsApp, Instagram or on an invoice, and the customer pays in seconds by card or digital wallet. It is the fastest way to start for consultants, freelancers, medical tourism providers and B2B service companies. Stripe Payment Links, PayPal invoicing, Checkout.com and Telr pay-by-link all fall into this category.
4. Digital Wallets and Alternative Payment Methods
PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and local methods such as iDEAL, SEPA and Klarna in Europe are how global shoppers prefer to pay. Offering the popular method in your target market noticeably reduces cart abandonment.
5. Subscriptions and Recurring Billing
Billing infrastructure (for example Stripe Billing) that stores cards securely and charges customers automatically on a schedule, ideal for SaaS, memberships, education and content platforms.
6. International Money Transfers and Payouts
For businesses that pay suppliers, partners or users in bulk, we offer solutions such as Visa Direct (VisaNet) and a Western Union business account.
Stripe vs PayPal vs Checkout.com vs Telr
Providers differ in the countries where they onboard companies, the industries they accept and their risk policies. The table below is based on information each provider publishes on its official pages (see Sources).
| Provider | Best suited for | Example company jurisdictions | Payment links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | E-commerce, SaaS, subscriptions, marketplaces | USA, United Kingdom, UAE, EU countries (Turkey not listed) | Yes (Payment Links) |
| PayPal Business | Freelancers, agencies, sales where buyers want to pay with PayPal | USA, United Kingdom, UAE, EU countries | Yes (invoices and payment links) |
| Checkout.com | High-volume, enterprise e-commerce | UAE, United Kingdom, EEA countries | Yes (valid for 24 hours by default) |
| Telr | Online businesses selling into the Gulf region | UAE, Saudi Arabia | Yes (Telr Social) |
| Dubai bank POS | Retail, restaurants, hotels, clinics (physical and virtual POS) | UAE | Depends on the bank |
Why Do Non-Resident Founders Need a Company Abroad?
Payment providers onboard businesses only in the countries they support. Turkey, for instance, does not appear on Stripe's list of supported countries, so a Turkish company or Turkish bank account cannot be used to open a Stripe account [1]. PayPal has not allowed users in Turkey to send or receive money since 6 June 2016; on 2 June 2016 Turkey's banking regulator BDDK announced that it had not approved PayPal's licence application because the company would not move its primary and backup systems to Turkey [2].
The route most founders in this position take is to form a US LLC, a UK LTD or a company in Dubai, open a business bank account there and apply to the provider on behalf of that company. The right jurisdiction depends on your target market and business model: a business selling into the Gulf with a physical store may be better served by the UAE, while a software company selling subscriptions to US customers may prefer a US LLC. Tax consequences in your country of residence vary from person to person, so speak to your accountant before deciding.
Fees and Costs
Costs usually consist of processing fees, international card surcharges, currency conversion fees and chargeback fees. As an example, Stripe's published standard pricing for the United States (as of September 2026) is [3]:
- Domestic cards, online: 2.9% + 30¢ per successful transaction
- International cards: +1.5%
- Currency conversion, if required: +1%
Rates differ in other countries and with other providers, and high-volume businesses can negotiate custom pricing. Because tariffs change, we re-check the providers' official pricing pages before sharing a comparison at the quotation stage.
Who Are Global Payment Systems For?
- E-commerce and cross-border export brands
- SaaS and software companies with subscription models
- Agencies, freelancers and consultants serving foreign clients
- Medical tourism, hotel and travel businesses
- Online education, coaching and digital content creators
- Companies running shops, restaurants or offices in Dubai and the Gulf
How We Work
In the first call we ask what you sell, where your customers are and what monthly volume you expect; those three answers largely decide which provider fits. We then choose the company jurisdiction with you, form the company and open the bank account. Before applying, we review your website's refund, privacy and terms pages, product descriptions and contact details, because providers look at these pages when assessing an application.
To talk through the right setup for your business, request a free consultation.
Sources
- Stripe, "Stripe Global: Supported countries", stripe.com/global (accessed 23 September 2026).
- Anadolu Agency, "Kanuna uygun olmadığından PayPal'ın lisans başvurusu onaylanmadı" (BDDK statement), 2 June 2016, aa.com.tr.
- Stripe, "Pricing & fees", stripe.com/pricing (accessed 23 September 2026).
- Stripe Docs, "Payment Links", docs.stripe.com/payment-links.
- PayPal UAE, "PayPal Business", paypal.com/ae/business.
- Checkout.com Docs, "Create a Payment Link", checkout.com/docs.
- Telr, "Telr Social: Payment links", telr.com.
How to Set Up a Global Payment System
The steps to accept payments from international customers via virtual POS, physical POS and payment links.
1. Needs analysis
Clarify what you sell, where your customers are, your sales channels (website, store, payment links) and your expected monthly volume.
2. Jurisdiction and provider selection
Pick the company location (USA, UK, UAE, etc.) and the provider (Stripe, PayPal, Checkout.com, Telr or bank POS) that fit your market and business model.
3. Company formation
Form the company in the chosen country and complete tax registrations, such as an EIN in the US, and any trade licence required.
4. Business bank account
Open a business bank account, ideally multi-currency, to receive settlements.
5. Application and compliance check
Publish refund, privacy and terms pages on your website, then apply to the provider with company documents, shareholder IDs and a description of your business model.
6. Integration and go-live
Complete the virtual POS integration, payment links or physical POS setup, run test transactions and start accepting live payments.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Global Payment Systems frequently asked questions.
A global payment system is the infrastructure that lets a business accept credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets and local payment methods from customers in different countries, in multiple currencies. It covers virtual POS, physical POS, payment links and payout solutions.
Stripe does not directly serve companies or bank accounts registered in Turkey. However, if you have a company and business bank account in a Stripe-supported country such as the USA, the UK or the UAE, you can use Stripe legally while living in Turkey. We manage this whole process for you.
No. PayPal has not allowed users in Turkey to send or receive money since 6 June 2016, after Turkey's banking regulator BDDK declined its licence application because PayPal would not move its primary and backup systems to Turkey. Founders based in Turkey can still accept PayPal payments from foreign customers by opening a PayPal Business account for a company formed in a country PayPal serves, such as the USA, the UK or the UAE.
A virtual POS processes online payments made on a website or app. A physical POS works at in-person points of sale such as shops, restaurants or hotels, where the card is tapped or inserted into a terminal. Many businesses use both through a single provider.
You create a payment link by entering an amount and description, then send it to your customer by email, WhatsApp or social media. The customer pays on a secure page by card or digital wallet. No technical integration is needed, although providers may ask for a website or social media presence that describes your business during onboarding.
Typically: company formation documents, a tax number (such as an EIN in the US), a business bank account, shareholders' passports and proof of address, a description of your business model and a website with refund, privacy and terms pages. The exact list depends on the provider and country.
In our experience, if your overseas company and bank account are already in place, provider approval usually takes from a few business days to a few weeks; your industry and any missing documents can extend this. If the company and bank account have to be set up from scratch, the total timeline is typically a few weeks depending on the jurisdiction.
Providers such as Stripe, PayPal and Checkout.com let you accept USD, EUR, GBP, AED and many other currencies. With a multi-currency account you can hold funds without converting them and reduce FX losses.
Fees depend on the provider, country, card type and volume. For example, Stripe's standard US pricing (September 2026) is 2.9% + 30¢ per successful online payment with a domestic card, plus 1.5% for international cards and 1% when currency conversion is required. We share an up-to-date comparison tailored to your business at the quotation stage.
It depends on your target market, the payment provider you want, whether you need physical POS and your tax planning. A US LLC is popular for the US market and SaaS, the UK or EU for Europe, and the UAE (Dubai) for the Gulf market and in-store sales. We recommend the best structure during a free consultation.
Providers may review an account or hold a rolling reserve because of high chargeback rates, sudden volume spikes or missing compliance items. We reduce this risk by checking website and business model compliance before applying, and we can design a backup provider setup when needed.
CLIENT REVIEWS
What do our clients say about us?
Experiences shared by clients whose company formation and corporate processes we have managed across multiple jurisdictions.
“The World Company Setup team was a huge help in setting up my company in Estonia and provided excellent service. They guided me in detail at every step and helped us complete the bureaucratic procedures quickly and smoothly. Thanks to their professionalism and customer-focused approach, the whole process was far easier and more efficient. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking to set up a company in Estonia. (Translated from Turkish)”