How to Create a Dollar Invoice in Nigeria

• 5 min read

Quick Answer: Create your dollar invoice at invoice.naija-vpn.com — free, no signup, exports as PDF. Add your Cleva, Geegpay, Grey, or Payoneer bank details as the payment destination. Client pays in USD, money lands in your dollar account, you convert and withdraw to your Nigerian bank.

NaijaInvoice — Free Dollar Invoicing for Nigerian Freelancers

Create professional invoices in USD, GBP, EUR, or NGN. No account needed. PDF export. Built for Nigerian freelancers invoicing international clients.

Create Your Invoice →

The Problem Nigerian Freelancers Face

You do work for a foreign client. They ask: "How do I pay you?" You say "bank transfer." They say "sure, what are your details?" Then you scramble — do you send your GTB account? Your domiciliary account? Your Payoneer email?

The other issue: if you just give a client your bank details with no invoice, you look unprofessional. International clients expect an invoice with a proper line item, reference number, payment terms, and bank details all in one document.

What Goes on a Dollar Invoice for Nigeria

A proper dollar invoice needs these fields:

Step-by-Step: Create and Send a Dollar Invoice

Step 1: Create the Invoice

Go to invoice.naija-vpn.com. Fill in:

Step 2: Add Your Dollar Account Payment Details

This is the part most people get wrong. Your payment details depend on which dollar account you use:

If you're using Cleva or Geegpay (USD wire):

If you're using Payoneer:

Step 3: Export as PDF and Send

Download the invoice as a PDF. Send to your client's email with a short note:

"Hi [Name], please find attached the invoice for [project]. Payment details are included at the bottom. Let me know if you need anything else."

Step 4: Receive and Withdraw

Which Dollar Account to Use for Invoicing

Account Wire transfer ACH Best for invoicing when...
Cleva Yes Yes Client is paying from a US bank
Geegpay Yes Yes You also receive GBP/EUR from other clients
Grey Yes Yes Multi-currency invoicing (USD + GBP + EUR)
Payoneer Yes Limited Client prefers to pay via Payoneer directly

What If Your Client Asks for Your Tax ID?

International clients (especially US companies) may ask for a W-8BEN form — this certifies you're not a US taxpayer. As a Nigerian freelancer, you fill this in as a non-US person. It means they won't withhold US tax from your payment.

You can download a W-8BEN from the IRS website (irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-8-ben). Fill in your name, country (Nigeria), and sign. Most clients accept a scanned PDF.

⚠️ Invoice in the currency your client will pay: If your client is a UK company, invoice in GBP — not USD. You'll avoid currency conversion on their end (which they pass back to you as a lower USD amount). Use Geegpay or Grey to receive GBP directly.

Invoicing for Platforms (Fiverr, Upwork, YouTube, TikTok)

Platform payments (Fiverr, Upwork, YouTube AdSense, TikTok) don't require invoices — those platforms handle the payment flow internally. Invoicing applies when you're working directly with a client outside a platform.

If a client found you through Upwork and wants to continue working directly (off-platform), that's when you issue an invoice. Just be aware of Upwork's ToS on direct contracts — you may need to pay a direct contract fee.

Common Questions

Q: Is it legal to invoice in dollars as a Nigerian?
Yes. Nigerian freelancers can legally invoice international clients in any currency. The CBN requires that foreign earnings are repatriated (brought into Nigeria), which is exactly what you're doing when you receive to a virtual dollar account and convert to naira.

Q: Do I need to register a business to invoice in dollars?
No. You can invoice as an individual freelancer — use your personal name as the "business name." If you want a company name on your invoices, a CAC business name registration costs ₦25,000–₦50,000 and takes 1–2 weeks.

Q: What's a fair payment term for international clients?
Net 14 (pay within 14 days) is standard for freelancers. For larger projects, request 50% upfront, 50% on delivery. For new clients with no track record, 100% upfront is reasonable.

Q: Can I invoice for Fiverr orders directly?
Fiverr handles its own invoicing — you don't send invoices to Fiverr buyers directly. NaijaInvoice is for direct clients outside of platforms like Fiverr/Upwork.

Create Your First Dollar Invoice in 2 Minutes

Free. No account needed. Handles USD, GBP, EUR, and NGN. PDF export included.

Open NaijaInvoice →

← Back to Main Guide