How to receive a USD salary in Brazil and pay lower fees
If you receive a USD salary in Brazil, hidden fees — transfer charges, FX spread, and IOF — can cost 5–7% per payment. Here's how to reduce them and keep more of every dollar.
The hidden costs of receiving a USD salary in Brazil
- A fixed transfer fee charged for each wire or ACH.
- The FX spread built into the exchange rate.
- IOF and other taxes applied to the transaction.
The compounding effect of fees
At a total cost of 6%, they lose about $240 every month, or nearly $2,900 per year, to fees, FX spreads and taxes.
With Ruvo, USD-to-BRL conversion starts at 0.5% for individuals (PF) and 0.3% for businesses (PJ). On the same income, that means paying as little as $240 per year as a PF or $144 per year as a PJ, saving up to $2,640 annually compared to a typical 6% solution.
Estimated cost of receiving $4,000/month from abroad
| Method | Typical total cost | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Bank wire (SWIFT) | 5–7% | Transfer fee + FX spread + IOF |
| PayPal or Payoneer | 4–6% | Platform conversion fee + FX markup |
| Ruvo | ~1.1% | IOF only — 0% spread, free incoming transfer |
Get paid in dollars first
Instead, receive your salary directly in USD using US banking details. With Ruvo, you receive an account number and routing number that can be added to your employer's payroll system or platforms such as Deel, Rippling, and Gusto.
Your salary arrives directly in dollars, avoiding the expensive exchange rates often applied by traditional banks. See our guide to choosing the best account to receive USD.
How to reduce costs
- Free incoming USD payments.
- Transparent foreign exchange pricing.
- The ability to hold a USD balance.
- Fast withdrawals to Brazil via Pix.
Convert when you need to
Holding a USD balance allows you to exchange only the amount you need, when you need it. You can convert gradually, wait for a more favorable rate, or keep part of your income in dollars as savings.
When you need reais, funds can be sent instantly to any Pix key in Brazil via Pix.
The card can save even more
Advertising expenses, software subscriptions, travel, and other international purchases are often paid in dollars. Traditional Brazilian cards typically add 3.5% IOF plus a foreign exchange markup of 2% to 5%.
The Ruvo card spends directly from your USD balance with 0% IOF and 0% FX spread, helping you avoid those extra charges altogether.
Get paid Friday, use it Friday
Traditional international transfers can take several business days to settle, leaving your money stuck in transit while exchange rates move.
With instant settlement, your salary is available as soon as it arrives, giving you immediate access to spend, save, or convert on your own terms.
For a practical example, see our breakdown of a Brazilian developer earning $5,000 per month and how much can be saved by reducing fees.
In the FX spread, fixed transfer fees, and IOF and other taxes on the transaction. Combined, they can reach 4%-8% per payment at traditional banks.
It depends on how much you receive. Someone earning $4,000 per month who cuts the total cost from 6% to under 1% keeps roughly $240 more every month, or nearly $2,900 per year, and saves even more if they also spend in dollars on a 0% IOF card.
For many, yes: it protects against the depreciation of the real and lets you convert at the best moment. At Ruvo, the balance stays in dollars and you decide when to convert.
There is no rule — convert when your reais balance needs topping up, or when the rate is favourable. Many people convert once or twice a month. Converting more often in smaller amounts does not cost more on Ruvo (the rate applies per conversion, not per transaction), but timing conversions around rate movements can meaningfully increase what you take home over a year.
For cost, ACH is usually cheaper than SWIFT — some US employers pay a $15–$25 wire fee on SWIFT transfers which reduces the net amount you receive. ACH from a US bank account is typically free or low-cost. Crypto (USDT/USDC) is the cheapest rail — near zero network fee for TRC-20. Ask your employer or client which rails they support and prefer the lower-cost option.
For an individual (PF) receiving a salary from a foreign employer, the main requirement is a service contract or employment agreement stating the amount and currency. You will also need a bank account or dollar account (such as Ruvo) to receive the transfer. A contador can advise on whether carnê-leão or PJ invoicing is more appropriate for your arrangement.
