Skrill (formerly known as Moneybookers) are a financial services company based in UK. They are one of the best Paypal alternatives, and it is often regarded as second to PayPal.
This is for a number of reasons. Firstly, their currency conversions fees are cheaper than PayPal, so when converting from USD to Naira you get charged less.
Secondly, Paypal doesn’t allow Nigerians to receive money but to just send; making Skrill a popular choice when it comes to Nigerian online transactions.
Updated: Febuary, 2019; To Send and receive money in Nigeria via Skrill is quite easy, convenient and quick. It is important to note that Skrill is a highly regulated company. As a result of this, they have very strict rules implemented in order to abide by anti-money laundering laws in the UK and throughout Europe.
Skrill is particularly popular among people that use foreign betting platforms like Bet365, Bet Victor, Ladbrokes, William Hill etc., and (Note that you will have to be verified with them to withdraw funds from them to Skrill).
Note that you will need a domiciliary account to process withdrawals (that’s if you are going to be receiving money or payment abroad). If you do not have a domiciliary account and want to open one, read this ; How to Open a Domiciliary Account with Gtbank, Firstbank and Zenith Bank to create one.
Getting Started; How to Open Skrill Account
Getting started with Skrill is relatively easy. All you need to do is;
1. Visit Skrill official website; www.skrill.com and click the “Sign Up” button. It is important that you fill in your details accurately.
The details you will need to fill in on the form are:
2. Select your ACCOUNT TYPE – personal or business.
If you are a registered company and want to do business with this account, you should choose business. Likewise if you receive a lot of payments from companies or individuals for services you provide, you should not hesitate to pick “business account”.
If you want to use your Skrill account to deposit to a betting site, to pay for goods or services, or to transfer money to other people, then you should choose personal. If you will be making infrequent, minimal and little transactions, a personal account is all you need.
3. Enter your COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE – Nigeria, except you are currently outside the country.
4. Input your CURRENCY
Your currency should be USD (US Dollars). This is to avoid double currency exchange fees. If you choose USD, you will not be charged anything for making transfers in Dollars. If you receive a lot of payments in Euros or other currencies they may be a better choice. Another reason is for especially for domiciliary account being in USD.
Make sure you are happy with the currency you have chosen. Skrill do not allow users to switch currencies after their account has been created.
5. LANGUAGE – select English.
6. and then Personal Details
Make sure everything here is spelled correctly. Skrill will check all the details and you will need to verify your name and address with scans of your identification and a utility bill.
The fields they ask for here are:
First name
Last name
Address line 1
Address line 2
City
Post code
7. Finally, enter Phone number, tick – I’m not a rebot and agree to skrill terms and conditions; click on open account as shown below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Skrill only allows one account per person so do not create multiple account under any circumstance as you could end up having it blocked.
THE SECOND AND FINAL PART IS ACCOUNT VERIFICATION
ACCOUNT CREDENTIALS
The final fields to enter are:
- Email address
- Date of Birth
- Account Password – This should be obvious but just in case, make sure you choose a very secure password. Don’t go for something like pass1234 or 123456.
Verifying Your Skrill Account
Verification is a four part process with your card details the most important, reason being that you can use Skrill without necessarily completing all the four steps. The only problem is you will be unable to continue to use Skrill after you have make transactions of up to £2,500. Therefore it is important to make complete verification a priority.
Its four part process includes Email verification, physical address, credit/debit card, and bank account.
The first step is to verify your email address. As with any email verification system, Skrill will send you an email. You click the link in the email and easily your email address gets verified.
The next stage in verification is to verify your physical address. Skrill will send a letter to the address you entered when registering.
The letter you will receive contains a 6 digit code. You must then login to your Skrill account and enter the code on the account verification page. Once that is done, your limits for sending money to other Skrill users will be raised, as will the amount of money you can withdraw.
VERIFYING YOUR CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD
The third part in getting verified with Skrill is to set up your debit or credit card. The name you used registering must match the name on your debit/credit cards.
Skrill will charge a small amount to your card around $2.00. Once you verify it they will refund this amount back to your card.
VERIFYING YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
You have two ways of confirming your bank details. You can either deposit money to Skrill by bank wire or you can withdraw money.
Updated: Febuary, 2019; Skrill no-longer accept manual deposit into Skrill account via bank wire transfer.
When you withdraw money via bank wire, you will need to first select the “Add bank account” option. For this you will need to know the SWIFT code of your bank. Contact your bank branch for the swift code at the bank or through one of their online representative or give them a call. Not all bank branches have SWIFT codes, so you may be given a general code to use.
After you have added your bank account correctly, simply click withdraw and choose the amount of money to send to your account. Withdrawals usually take about two working days.
Manual Verification
On very rare occasions, withdrawals from Skrill may not show the code in your bank statement. If this happens, Skrill do provide a third option whereby they will manually verify your bank account. However, in order to do so, you will need to send them on some more details.
You will need to email them a screenshot of your online bank account statement or else a scanned copy of a statement from your bank.
These must clearly show:
- Your name ( the account holder)
- Your account number
- The item on your statement that shows the withdrawal from Skrill in your account.
If you have trouble with this, you will need to go down to your local bank branch and get a physical print out of the actual SWIFT transaction to send to Skrill. Your bank will supply you with a copy of this on request.
VERIFYING YOUR BANK BY UPLOADING FUNDS:
In order to do this, you will most likely need to visit your local bank branch. Simply copy down Skrill’s bank details and fill them in on an international wire form. If you have the ability to send money internationally online, you can do this using your internet banking account.
Sending wires internationally can be expensive and the cost varies from time to time.
Notes for Freelancers and Businesses
If you chose the commercial account option at the beginning of this article, you will also need to send Skrill:
- A copy of an identification document such as a passport or driver’s license.
- A copy of a utility bill showing your home address from the past 3 months.
If you followed all this processes, your account will be completely verified by Skrill.
Updated: February, 2019; Verification of skrill account is now very easy as you can verify the your account online quick using either your driving license, national ID card or Permanent Voters’ Card(PVC0 and statement of account.
How to Fund Skrill Account in Nigeria
For uploading cash to you Skrill account depending on the platform will you get charged nothing to as high as 7% .
Using bank transfer via Swift is free and it takes 2 to 5 working days to process.
Updated: February, 2019; Skrill no-longer accept bank transfer.
Using Master and Visa cards cost 1.9% of your deposit and it is instant provided you have verified your card.
Updated: February, 2019;
- Skrill no-longer accept funding of account using MasterCard.
- You can fund and withdraw from Skrill using VISA card
Skrill supports many international and local card types such as AMEX, JCB, Diners, Maestro, Paysafecard etc.
PLEASE NOTE: You can verify your skrill account using your GTBANK Naira MasterCard, once you have done that; you can easily fund your SKrill account from your GTBank savings account using your GTBank Naira MasterCard.
Methods like American Express and Paysafecard cost 2.5% and 7% respectively.
How to withdrawals Money from Skrill account in Nigeria
You will be charged 1.75% of your withdrawals up to a maximum of £10, you will also be charged 2.99% for transfers between USD, GBP, EUR, CAD and PLN currencies and 3.99% for transfers involving any other currency like Naira.
Skrill supports withdrawals via bank transfer and credit or debit card (VISA).
Some of this processes and fees can seem a little overwhelming but it’s relatively straightforward. Here is a comparison with PayPal
| Skrill | PayPal | |
| Currencies | 40 | 20 |
| Multiple currencies per account | 1 | 2 |
| Verification method | Withdraw small sum from account | Deposit small sum to your account |
| Registration time | 1 day | 2 days |
| Accounts per customer | 1 | 2 |
| Merchant Transaction Fee | 2.99% (+ Fixed amount) | 4.5% (+ Fixed amount) |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.99% t0 3.99% | Free |
| Dormant Account Fee | £1 per month after 12 months | Free |
| Gambling | Allowed and Encouraged | Requires advanced approval |
| Bonus to sign up for gambling | Yes, through promotion offered | None |
| Use for buying and Selling “adult’ services | Yes, they do not interfere with personal morality | Interfere |
| Merchant acceptance | Few | Many |
| Master Card/Debit Card offered | All customers | Only US customers |
In conclusion Skrill is decent, secure online merchant for Nigerians and a wonderful alternative for PayPal as a transfer platform and for web payment.
If you run into any issues opening, funding or withdrawing from skrill account; you can leave a comment below using the comment box.
Pls how can i withdraw my money. I tried and they keep telling me exceed 3.21 or above 11.24
how much do you want to withdraw?
I tried making several deposits of 250 usd from my access bank visa card to my skrill account. It did not work, I always get an error message ‘something went wrong’ , ‘there has been an error in processing your request’.
I need your help, why isn’t it going through?
What can I do?
you are depositing with dollar VISA Card or Naira VISA Card?
Can I withdraw my funds with a Visa card or do I have to get a domiciliary account to do so?
You can withdraw with visa card.
its asking of swift code of GBT pls help
Is it swift code for GTB or GBT?
Can transactions to and from USD skrill account be done from a Naira account?
Yes
Hello
When I clicked on Deposit into my skrill Account, I choose nigeria and currency USD? is that correct?
Also When i want to withdraw with the currency showing USD, Will be go through to my bank
What do you mean by, “Will be go through to my bank”
Can I receive payment from outside Nigeria using skrill personal account instead of business account?
Yes, of course!
I opened a skrill account, and I’m unable to fund it with my Diamond visa bank card, I’ve tried several times but it didn’t work, although i receive an OTP and I fill it accordingly, yet no way. Please what should I do?
Try another VISA Card.
I have a verified skrill account my issue is peculiar to funding an fx merchant account but its been so challenging. It gives an option of debit card and skrill balance when I click on skrill balance it says insufficient fund that I cannot use my wallet balance for the transaction. How do I solve this problem? Urgent pleas.
Do you have sufficient fund on your Skrill?
I read similar case as yours, skrill do not allow funding gambling sites including fx and binary sites once you have your skrill acct funded with your bank card. Thus this could the your case
Bro, you mean once my account is been funded via VISA card I won’t be able to fund binary or fx site? I’ve funded binary site before though, I funded my skrill via bitcoin and a skrill 2 skrill transfer.
Pls, explain better bcos I want to fund my account now and I’m thinking of trying VISA card since MasterCard is not working.
If I won’t be able to fund a broker of binary if i use a VISA card, pls can you assist me with someone or a secure site I can buy skrill from bcos I’m afraid of all the scammers. I’ll appreciate va swift response.
Lastly, when funding via visa card, can one use a naira account visa card?
Thank you
I can fund your binary or fx site through your skrill account if they accept skrill. You can also fund your skrill account via naira VISA card.
Good day sir. Pls reply Asap. Can i use my Gtbank Naira Master card or Vissa card to withdraw from skrill to my bank account? I have tried previously with Gtbank Naira mastercard. It didnt work.
USE VISA CARD
I have a verified skrill account my issue is peculiar to funding an fx merchant account but its been so challenging. It gives an option of debit card and skrill balance when I click on skrill balance it says insufficient fund that I cannot use my wallet balance for the transaction. How do I solve this problem? Urgent pleas.
Which debit card are you using?
i got same issue, It’s a master card i used to deposit my skrill
What’s the problem with the MasterCard you used to deposit your skrill?
What you will do is to go to the fx website and click on skrill logo then input your master card details there and your card will be charged directly through skrill……reason why you can’t use your skrill balance is because since its MasterCard you use to deposit your skrill wallet
Thank you, Uncle Jimmy
Hi, Please i have $147 in my skrill account, i uploaded an id since on the 6th of January for verification, according to my research, normally verification should take 48hrs, its been days now and they have still not verified the account. can you help me get the fund out, is there any other quicker way for verification?
Do online verification. However, verification has nothing to do with withdrawal.
I have a naira Mastercard and the deposit is not working for me
It’s been quite a challenge to make a deposit
Use VISA card
It’s been two weeks now I have sent my utility bills and international passport for verification on skrill, yet no response.
Why is it taken so long?
Verify your skrill account direct online
Hi sir
I have a Zenith Master Card does skrill
Accept this?
No! VISA Card.
Please i have a fully verified account and also i have about $10.70 in my accout but when i want to withdraw, the maximum limit they give me is around $4.3 and the charges for the withdrawal is $6.8 making their charges more than what i can withdraw and this thing is stopping me from putting more funds in that account. Please do you know how i can settle this issue.
That is the charge, earn more money before withdrawal
Thanks a lot for the information, I will contact by tomorrow.
mr Emma
pls can I use UBA saving account naira visa card to deposit on my skrill account, because from the questions and answers from this platform I was able to learn that skrill is no more supporting MasterCard of any bank again, so sir please I need ur reply.
I will b really gratefull.
Yes, try it.
Pls I am having problem with depositing money to my skrill account is a visa card and it is a savings account pls help me out or is their any way you can help me to make the deposit and then I can pay for it because it is not a big amount That am depositing is just $10 I will be great full you can help me out thank you.
Yeah, I can help you fund it. call me: 07038844464
1.is it possible to deposit on skrill with a saving account and withdraw with a domiciliary account.
2. is it also possible to deposit primarily with a Dom acc and withdraw with a Dom acc.
sir I need the answer, I will b grateful.
helo sir….
Av tried uploading my visa ATM card to my skrill account but it tells me to verify the card and of which av tried verifying several times after which it says “UPLOADING AND VERIFICATION FAILED”.
Dnt knw d problem sir….
Good evening please to receive foreign currency in online transaction what information should I fill when asked for account information. Is it the email I used to sign up for skrill or my account number associated with the skrill account
Email you used to sign up for skrill if you’re receiving the money via skrill.
tnks much
tnks sir.. wz helpful..
xo da means ah dnt need domiciliary account in order to withdraw from skrill?
Yes!
pls which bank do you use?
Helo sir, av never posted any questions here before buh ild be grateful in ur swift replies sir.
Ah just started working for an international company dt pays in dollars. Can i recieve in naira to fidelity bank with my Verve card or ild need visa card………
You need VISA card.
Pls Emma, this piece was greatly helpful. But how can I contact you to fund my account?
Call: 07038844464. If you’re calling from outside Nigeria, dial; 2347038844464.
Hello Emma!
Can i fund and withdraw from my Skrill account using Keystone Bank Visa card?
Maybe you have to try it. It may likely work
Good day Emma. This info has been of immense help to me. I have struggled with trying to open a skrill account, but all to no avail. But thanks to you, as it worked via ur link. But I want to fund it. So How do I get ur contact?
Call: 07038844464. If you’re calling from outside Nigeria, dial; 2347038844464.
Please for me to receive payment from through skrill account.. What address should I use as a withdrawal account
Use a verifiable address.
Emma please can you help me fund my account and what bank are you banking with