How Do You Receive Money from Georgia to India in 2026?

Inside Georgia, bank transfers settle through the Automated Transfer and Electronic Settlement System run by the National Bank of Georgia, which combines RTGS and clearing. Accounts use a 22-character GE IBAN. These are domestic systems. To pay an Indian bank directly, a Georgian client sends a SWIFT wire.

• Rails: The National Bank of Georgia's settlement system handles high-value and low-value payments between banks and microbanks. It moved to the ISO 20022 messaging standard on 11 May 2026 and opened participation to eligible non-bank payment service providers.
• Client enters: For a local GEL transfer, the client enters the beneficiary name and a Georgian IBAN, which is 22 characters starting with GE. For a SWIFT wire, the client enters your name, Indian account number, your bank's SWIFT code and address, and your invoice reference.
• Client cost: Charges for a domestic GEL transfer are set by the client's bank. An international wire carries the client bank's charges, and the client may choose whether it or you bears the fees.
• Speed: Domestic transfers settle through the NBG system on its operating schedule. A SWIFT wire to India often takes one to three business days, depending on the banks in the chain.
• Instant payments: The National Bank of Georgia describes a GEL Instant Payment System available 24/7 as a project, and its RTGS page calls it a future service. It is designed for GEL payments between Georgian banks and payment service providers, so it is not a route to an Indian bank account.

The table ranks platforms with full published pricing for GEL by the INR received on GEL 5,000, then lists other business platforms that accept GEL, unranked. Fees were checked on 30 Sept 2026 or later.

You receive less than the invoice because fees and the exchange margin come off the GEL amount. The lari floats freely under National Bank of Georgia policy, so the rate also moves between invoice and payment. For example, at an example mid-market rate of ₹32.00 per GEL, GEL 5,000 is ₹1,60,000. At ₹31.50 you receive ₹1,57,500.

Each row applies the platform's published fee, FX markup and 18% GST on the fee to the mid-market rate of ₹36.57 per GEL for 3 Nov 2026.

• Total cost: Add the percentage fee, any fixed fee and the exchange margin, then compare the rupees credited with the GEL amount at the mid-market rate.
• Local rail coverage: Check whether the method gives your client local GEL account details with a GE IBAN, or whether the client must send an international wire.
• Settlement speed: Ask how many business days pass between the client's payment and the rupee credit, and what the cut-off times are.
• FIRA: Confirm you get an inward remittance advice for every payment, showing the purpose code, foreign currency amount and rupee amount.
• Client experience: Ask your Georgian client which currency and payment method its bank supports. Business clients often pay foreign suppliers by wire, while card checkout suits individuals and small amounts.
• Support: Check how the provider handles returned payments, name mismatches and documents your AD bank asks for.

Receiving money from Georgia as export income needs the right purpose code, an EDF where required, and realisation within nine months. These rules come from the FEMA (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, in force from 1 October 2026. Your AD bank closes the EDPMS entry when payment arrives.

• FIRA / e-FIRA: FIRA is a common name for the bank's inward remittance advice. It is not a term defined in FEMA. GST refund rules under CGST Rule 89 refer to a foreign inward remittance certificate issued by an AD Category-I bank. See what is FIRA.
• Purpose code: Use a services code from the RBI purpose code list, such as P0802 "Software consultancy/implementation (other than those covered in SOFTEX form)" or P1006 "Business and management consultancy and public relations services".
• EDF (services): Under Regulation 3(2) of the 2026 Regulations, a services exporter files an EDF within 30 days from the end of the invoice month. One EDF can cover all exports in a month. A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 20 replaced SOFTEX with the EDF from 1 October 2026.
• EDF (goods): Goods exporters declare the full export value in the EDF at the time of export. For shipments through EDI ports, the EDF is deemed part of the shipping bill under Regulation 3(1).
• EDPMS: Export value must be realised within nine months of the invoice for services, or 12 months if invoiced or settled in rupees. For invoices up to ₹10 lakh, your AD bank may close the EDPMS entry on your declaration.
• PA-CB fund safety: A PA-CB must keep collected funds in an Inward Collection Account with a scheduled commercial bank, under paragraph 16 of the RBI Payment Aggregator Master Direction.

Export income from Georgia is taxed in India, and GST is zero-rated when the export conditions are met. The India-Georgia DTAA has applied in India since 1 April 2012. Georgia taxes a non-resident's services income at source only when it is Georgian source income, such as work done in Georgia.

• GST zero-rating: Services to a Georgian client are an export when the conditions in IGST Act section 2(6) are met, including payment in convertible foreign exchange. Exports are zero-rated under section 16, and you can supply without IGST under a Letter of Undertaking filed under CGST Rule 96A.
• GST on fees: Fees charged to you by a bank or payment service in India can carry GST, shown on its tax invoice. Under IGST section 16(2), you can claim input tax credit on them even though exports are zero-rated.
• Income tax: From 1 April 2026 the Income-tax Act, 2025 applies. The presumptive schemes that were sections 44AD and 44ADA are now in section 58, per the Income Tax Department FAQ. Earlier years stay under the 1961 Act.
• India-Georgia DTAA: Article 7 of the India-Georgia DTAA taxes business profits only in the country of residence unless there is a permanent establishment. Article 12 lets Georgia tax fees for technical services paid by a Georgian resident, capped at 10% of the gross amount. It excludes services under Article 14, which needs a fixed base or a 183-day stay. Article 24 gives Indian residents a credit for Georgian tax.
• Client-side tax: Under Article 134(1)(e) of the Tax Code of Georgia, Georgian source income of a non-resident without a permanent establishment in Georgia is taxed at source at 10%. Article 104 treats services as Georgian source mainly when rendered in Georgia. It also covers income from a Georgian resident enterprise for management, financial or insurance services.

Rules and rails are linked to official sources below with the dates they were checked. Platform figures come from each platform's own pages, checked on 30 Sept 2026 or later, and RBI authorisation was checked against RBI's published list. Rates are ExchangeRate-API open access feed, dated 3 Nov 2026. The method is on the methodology page.

1. RBI: Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 (FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB, as amended), Reg 3(1) EDF for goods, deemed part of shipping bill at EDI ports; Reg 3(2) services EDF within 30 days from end of invoice month, single EDF per month, non-software may file on or before payment; Reg 4 EDPMS closure on declaration up to Rs 10 lakh; Reg 5 realisation nine months from invoice for services, twelve months if invoiced/settled in INR, AD may extend. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
2. RBI: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 20 dated 16 January 2026, Supersedes Master Directions on Export/Import and SOFTEX circulars from 1 October 2026. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
3. RBI Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregators, Para 11(d): max value per PA-CB transaction Rs 25 lakh; para 11(h): PA-CB to provide documents for EDPMS closure; para 16(a): funds in Inward Collection Account (InCA) with a scheduled commercial bank. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
4. RBI circular RBI/2026-27/08 dated 9 April 2026: Guidelines to facilitate faster cross-border inward payments, Banks shall endeavour to credit inward payments received during forex market hours within the same business day; effective six months from the circular date. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
5. RBI: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 (29 Feb 2012), purpose codes for reporting forex transactions, P0802 Software consultancy/implementation (other than those covered in SOFTEX form); P1006 Business and management consultancy and public relations services. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
6. IGST Act, 2017, section 2 (definition of export of services), Section 2(6): conditions for export of services including payment in convertible foreign exchange or INR where RBI permits. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
7. IGST Act, 2017, section 16 (zero rated supply), 16(1) export of services is zero rated; 16(2) input tax credit may be availed; 16(3) supply under bond or LUT. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
8. CGST Rules, 2017, Rule 96A, Bond or Letter of Undertaking in FORM GST RFD-11 furnished prior to export. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
9. CGST Rules, 2017, Rule 89, Refund application refers to foreign inward remittance certificate issued by Authorised Dealer-I Bank. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
10. Income Tax Department: FAQs on objective and scope of the Income-tax Act, 2025, Presumptive taxation schemes (44AD, 44ADA, 44AE) consolidated into section 58; applies from 1 April 2026. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
11. RBI Master Direction - Reserve Bank of India (Deposits and Accounts) Directions, EEFC: 100% of export earnings may be credited; accruals converted by the last day of the following month after approved uses. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
12. Income Tax Department: Georgia Comprehensive Agreement (DTAA), Notification No. 4/2012 dated 6-1-2012, Signed New Delhi 24 August 2011; in force 8 December 2011; effect in India from 1 April 2012. Art 5(3)(b) services PE over 90 days in any 12-month period; Art 7(1) business profits taxable only in residence state unless PE; Art 12(2) royalties/FTS source tax capped at 10% of gross; Art 12(3) FTS = managerial, technical or consultancy services, other than those in Articles 14 and 15; Art 12(5) arise where payer is resident; Art 14 independent personal services: fixed base or 183 days in any 12 months; Art 24(1)(a) India allows deduction equal to income tax paid in Georgia, capped at Indian tax attributable. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
13. Legislative Herald of Georgia: Tax Code of Georgia (consolidated version 25/06/2026 - 30/09/2026, English), Art 104(1)(c) services Georgian source if actually rendered in Georgia (and listed cases); Art 104(1)(n) income from a resident enterprise for management, financial or insurance services; Art 134(1)(e) other Georgian source income of a non-resident not attributed to a PE taxed at source at 10%; Art 134(1)(b1) royalty 5%. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
14. National Bank of Georgia: RTGS System, Automated Transfer and Electronic Settlement System integrates RTGS and clearing; participants NBG, Treasury, commercial banks, microbanks; ISO 20022 from 11 May 2026; non-bank PSPs may become participants; foundation for future Instant Payment System. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
15. National Bank of Georgia: IBAN - International Bank Account Number, IBAN mandatory in Georgia since 1 January 2013; 22 characters: GE, two check digits, two-letter bank code, 16-digit account identifier. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
16. National Bank of Georgia: Optimal Exchange Rate Policy, NBG has a floating exchange rate regime; rate determined by market demand and supply; interventions not a major instrument. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
17. National Bank of Georgia: Instant Payment System Project, Instant payment system 24/7/365 allowing payments in GEL; banks and non-bank PSPs will be involved; procured under a World Bank-financed project. (checked 8 Oct 2026)
18. Stripe India pricing, International cards with USD/other currency presentment 4.3% + 2% if currency conversion is required; Mastercard and Visa cards issued outside India 3% + 2%; American Express outside India 3.5% + 2%; dispute received INR 1,000.00 (checked 7 Oct 2026)
19. Cashfree Docs: Global Collections overview (checked 6 Oct 2026)
20. Tazapay Pricing, Global Collection Accounts: *Contact sales; Global Cards 3.8% + USD 0.5; APMs 0.8%-2.5%; FIRC (India) USD 4; Custom tier: Volume-Based Discounts, Payment Method-Specific Rates, Customized FX (checked 7 Oct 2026)