Imagine that after you receive Payment and click “Withdraw to Bank,” PayPal says “Pending.”
You wait. One day. Two days. Five days. The money is still floating in the air.
That’s when panic starts: “Is PayPal eating my money? Did it bounce? Do I need to call my bank?”
Relax. Let’s break down exactly why withdrawals get stuck, what to do about it, and how Nigerians, especially, can avoid this long wahala using Exswap.
👉 Swap PayPal to Naira instantly with Exswap
Why PayPal Withdrawals Show “Pending”
Withdrawals get stuck for different reasons. Some are normal delays, others are red flags.
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Bank processing time. Some banks take 1–5 business days.
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Currency conversion checks. PayPal double-checks FX when you withdraw across currencies.
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Account review. If your account is new or flagged, PayPal pauses to verify.
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Technical issue. Sometimes the payment rails (ACH, SWIFT) lag.
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Country restrictions. If you’re in Nigeria, PayPal doesn’t support direct withdrawal at all — so your funds won’t even withdraw.”
Normal Timeline for Withdrawals
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US/UK accounts: 1–3 business days to hit bank.
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Europe: Often 1–2 business days via SEPA.
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Others : If your PayPal is from a supported country, it will land, but if otherwise and stays “pending” until reversed or locked.
Example Scenarios
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Tunde in Lagos: Linked a US bank through a friend. Withdrawal stuck for 5 days before bouncing back.
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Mary in UK: Withdrawal pending 24 hours, cleared on Day 2.
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Chuka in Abuja: Tried linking Nigerian bank — withdrawal stayed pending, then PayPal reversed after 7 days.
👉 Learn how Nigerians safely swap PayPal balances to Naira
What To Do If Withdrawal Is Stuck
Here’s a checklist:
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Wait at least 3 business days. Sometimes it’s just bank delay.
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Check your bank details. Wrong account number or mismatched name = failure.
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Look for PayPal email. They send notices if extra verification is needed.
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Contact PayPal support. Provide transaction ID, last 4 digits of bank.
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If in unsupported country (like Nigeria): Don’t keep retrying — find a safe workaround like Exswap.
Nigerian Freelancer Reality
In Nigeria:
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PayPal doesn’t allow full withdrawals to local banks.
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“Pending” often means the transfer isn’t going to work at all.
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People risk shady exchangers, get scammed, or lose money.
That’s why services like Exswap exist. We convert your frozen PayPal balance straight to Naira safely.
Prevention: How to Avoid Withdrawal Problems
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Always withdraw to a verified bank account.
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Stick to banks in PayPal-supported countries.
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Avoid large one-time withdrawals on new accounts. Split them.
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Build history with smaller withdrawals first.
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For Nigerians: Don’t link local banks; use trusted alternatives like Exswap.
Alternatives if PayPal Fails
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Payoneer: Faster payouts for freelancers.
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Wise: Smooth international transfers in some regions.
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Cash App & Zelle: US clients can pay you here.
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Gift cards: Easy to liquidate.
FAQs
Q: How long should a PayPal withdrawal stay pending?
A: Usually 1–3 business days. Anything beyond 5 days needs checking.
Q: Can a pending withdrawal fail completely?
A: Yes. If bank rejects or country unsupported, funds bounce back.
Q: What if my withdrawal is pending for weeks?
A: Contact PayPal support immediately. In Nigeria, just stop — use Exswap.
Q: Can I cancel a pending withdrawal?
A: Not usually. You must wait for it to clear or fail.
Final Word
“Pending” on PayPal doesn’t always mean disaster sometimes it’s just a slow bank. But if you’re in Nigeria, pending often equals blocked.
Instead of stressing for days, use a safer route. No more stuck withdrawals. No more sleepless nights. Just smooth payouts.