To activate the ability to receive international wire payments (incoming international wires), we’re required to collect additional information about your business and its beneficial owners. This is a standard regulatory requirement by our international payments partner, Nium, and helps ensure secure, compliant international payments.
Once all required information and documents are submitted and approved, incoming international wire payments will be enabled.
Should incorrect information be provided, an application can be reset within the International Wires Activation page under Settings.
Before you start
- Ensure you have access to the browser version of Relay Financial. Applications cannot be accessed or submitted on the mobile app at this time.
- A business owner with admin permissions must begin the activation process.
- If your business has multiple owners, each owner must submit their own required documents.
Eligibility Requirements
To activate inbound (receiving) international wires:
International wires are only available to for-profit businesses.
You must be a business owner listed on the Relay account with more than 25% ownership.
Non-profit organizations are not eligible to receive international wires.
Only business owners with 25% or more ownership can apply to activate receiving international wires. If you are not listed as a qualifying owner on the account, the activation form will not appear in your Relay dashboard.
How to start the activation process
- Log in to Relay account.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select International Wires Activation.
- Follow the on-screen steps to submit the required information and documents.
Note: If your business has multiple owners, each owner must log in to their own account and submit their required documents by going to Settings → Document Requests.
Once submitted, your information will be reviewed by our international payments partner, Nium. You’ll be notified if anything additional is needed.
What information is required
Business details and operational information
We’ll ask for the following details about your business:
- Incorporation date
-
Business website, or if you don’t have one:
- A social media profile registered under the business name (not an individual’s profile)
- The profile should clearly describe your company’s products or services
- Industry category that best describes your business activities
- Primary intended use case for receiving international wire payments
-
Expected payment details, including:
- Estimated total monthly value of wires received
- Estimated monthly number of wires
- Average value per wire
Should incorrect information be provided, an application can be reset within the International Wires Activation page under Settings.
Tip: These amounts can be estimates. If you’re unsure, we recommend overestimating rather than underestimating.
Beneficial owner information
In most cases, we already have beneficial owner information on file and will automatically include it during the international wire activation process. If any required details are missing, outdated, or need confirmation, you’ll be prompted to review or provide the information as part of the activation flow. This applies even if the business has only one owner.
Required verification documents
Proof of identity (beneficial owners)
- US Citizens: Passport or Valid Driver's License
- Non-US Citizens: Passport only can be accepted
Proof of personal address (beneficial owners)
Provide one of the following documents issued within the past 90 days:
- Utility bill (gas, electricity, internet, phone, or water)
- Bank statement
- Tax documents (IRS notices or state tax statements that include an issue date)
Proof of business address
Provide one of the following:
- Utility bill (gas, electricity, internet, phone, or water) issued within the past 90 days
- Bank statement issued within the past 90 days
- Active lease agreement issued within previous 12 months
After you submit the required information, our international payments partner, Nium, may request additional documentation as part of their compliance review. This doesn’t happen in all cases, but when required, it helps complete verification. If additional information is needed, we’ll reach out to you directly via email.
When will receiving international wires be activated?
Access to incoming international wire payments will be activated once all required information and documents are submitted and approved by our international payments partner, Nium.
If additional information is needed during the review, our team will notify you via email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can start the international wires activation process?
A business owner with admin permissions must start the activation from Settings → International Wires Activation.
Our business has multiple owners. Do all owners need to submit documents?
Yes. If there are multiple owners, each owner must log in to their own account and complete any requests in Settings → Document Requests.
What if I don’t see “International Wires Activation” in Settings?
This typically means you don’t have the required admin/owner permissions. The form to activate receiving international wires is only visible to business owners who own more than 25% of the company and are listed on the Relay account. If you’re not an eligible owner, the option will be hidden.
What business information will I be asked to provide?
You’ll provide business details (such as incorporation date, industry, and intended use case) and expected incoming wire estimates (monthly value, number of wires, and average wire size).
Do payment volume and frequency numbers have to be exact?
No. These can be estimates. If you’re unsure, we recommend overestimating rather than underestimating.
Why do you need beneficial owner information if we’ve already submitted it before?
In most cases, we already have it on file and it will be included automatically. If any details are missing, outdated, or need confirmation, you’ll be prompted during the activation flow—even if the business has only one owner.
What documents can I use for proof of identity?
US Citizens can upload a passport or valid driver's license. Non-US citizens must provide a passport.
Can I use a driver’s license for proof of identity?
Only US Citizens can upload a driver's license for proof of identity. Non-US Citizens must provide a passport.
What documents are accepted for proof of personal address?
Provide one document issued within the past 90 days, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or qualifying tax document (with an issue date).
What documents are accepted for proof of business address?
Provide one of the following: a utility bill (issued within 90 days), a bank statement (issued within 90 days), or certain Secretary of State filings like Articles/Certificate of Incorporation.
Can Nium request additional documents after I submit everything?
Yes. In some cases, additional documentation is required as part of compliance review. If so, we’ll contact you via email with next steps.