Imagine this: Someone sent you money on your PayPal Account, and suddenly; “Funds on hold for 180 days.”
That’s six months. Half a year. A whole school term in Nigeria.
And now the big question: what happens after those 180 days?
Will your money magically appear? Will PayPal keep it forever? Or do you have to beg customer care like a politician begging for votes?
Don’t worry. I’ll break it all down for you step by step and I’ll also show you how to avoid this wahala by using Exswap (our service that pays you faster, without long unnecessary holds).
👉 Check out how Exswap works here
Why PayPal Freezes Money in the First Place
Let’s start from the beginning.
PayPal doesn’t just wake up and decide to hold your money because they hate you. They do it because:
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Risk control: PayPal is scared you might be a scammer.
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Too new: Your account is fresh, no “trust history.”
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High refunds/disputes: Buyers keep complaining about your sales.
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Country restrictions: If you’re from Nigeria (you know the vibes), PayPal already sees you as “high risk.”
So to protect themselves, they keep the money like “collateral” for 180 days.
The 180 Days Explained
Day 1 to Day 180
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Your money is locked. You can’t withdraw, send, or even touch it.
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PayPal uses it as a security deposit in case of chargebacks or disputes.
Day 181 (the “release day”)
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In most cases, PayPal will send an email: “Funds are now available for withdrawal.”
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The money moves from “on hold” to “available balance.”
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You can then withdraw to your linked bank account or card.
But… and this is important:
👉 If your account is permanently limited, you might still need to request release manually.
Real Experiences People Report
Some freelancers say:
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“On day 181, I withdrew smoothly.”
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“PayPal delayed me an extra 2–3 days.”
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“I had to contact support because it was stuck.”
So yes, while PayPal’s official line is “181 days and done”, but real life can offer no guarantee.
What If Your Account Is Permanently Limited?
This one pain pass.
When PayPal limits your account forever:
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They’ll hold the money 180 days.
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After that, you get an email: “You can withdraw your remaining balance.”
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If you don’t get the email, you have to contact them and provide a withdrawal account.
👉 Learn how Exswap helps Nigerian freelancers avoid PayPal limitations
How to Actually Get Paid After 180 Days
Here’s the process:
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Wait patiently until Day 181 (mark it on your calendar).
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Log in to PayPal → check if “Withdraw funds” is active.
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Add a bank account or card (if not already added).
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For Nigerians, this is tricky, because PayPal doesn’t allow direct withdrawals locally.
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If stuck, contact PayPal support (send them ID, bank details).
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Transfer the money.
⚠️ But here’s the problem: Nigerian banks aren’t supported. That’s where people get stranded.
But Exswap Can Provide you With a Bank Account to Withdraw, Contact Us Here
The Nigerian Way (Why It’s Tougher Here)
Let’s be real.
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Most Nigerians use “workarounds” to even open PayPal.
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Withdrawals are blocked to local banks.
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Even after 180 days, the funds might be there but you can’t touch it easily.
That’s why services like Exswap exist. We step in where PayPal frustrates you.
👉 See how to cash out PayPal in Nigeria with Exswap
What Happens If You Ignore the Money?
If you do nothing:
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The funds will just sit there.
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PayPal doesn’t “eat” it immediately.
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But in extreme cases, if accounts stay abandoned, PayPal can forfeit balances (depending on country laws).
Alternatives So You Don’t Wait 180 Days Again
Easy, You Can Use Our Strong PayPal Accounts to Send and Receive Payments worldwide, Our PayPal Account have the Longevity, history and Trust to Receive and send out any amount of your Choice.
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FAQs (Answer Like I’m Talking to a Kid)
Q: Will PayPal release my money exactly at midnight on Day 181?
A: Not always. Sometimes a few hours late, sometimes 2–3 days or Never.
Q: Can PayPal refuse to give me my money?
A: They can delay if there are unresolved disputes. But if the money is clean, they must release or they Just don’t.
Q: Can I withdraw directly to my Nigerian account?
A: No. That’s the main wahala. You’ll need a workaround like Exswap.
Q: Is there a trick to avoid 180-day holds?
A: Not really, Use Exswap services.
Final Thoughts
PayPal’s 180-day hold is frustrating, especially for six months which is a long time to wait for your own money.
But here’s the truth:
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After 180 days, yes, PayPal does release funds.
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If you’re in the US/UK, easy to withdraw.
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If you’re in Nigeria? You’re stuck unless you use a bridge service.
And that’s where Exswap shines. We make sure you don’t have to wait half a year just to touch your hard-earned money.
👉 Start swapping PayPal funds to Naira safely with Exswap