Why Isn't the Medium Partner Program Available in My Country? and How Can I Join?

Many writers and content creators wonder if the Medium Partner Program (MPP) is available in their country. Unfortunately, the program's availability may be limited due to several factors, one of which is the payment gateway used by Medium, Stripe.

Payment Gateway Limitations

Currently, Medium only supports payments via the Stripe payment gateway. However, Stripe has certain limitations when it comes to foreign currency payments. For instance, it currently only supports local currency payments for India. This means that if you're trying to register for foreign currency payments, you'll need to have an Import-Export Code (IEC) number during the registration process.

What about Virtual Accounts?

In the past, providers like Payoneer offered a solution. Users could obtain a virtual account in USD and take payments in dollars, after which Payoneer would convert the USD to INR and pay you into an Indian account. This was a convenient workaround for non-Indian residents. However, as of 2021, Stripe has imposed stricter requirements, requiring users to provide American National Identification (NIC) and address details.

Legal and Safe Approaches

It's essential to avoid any unofficial or "black hat" methods of obtaining payment details. While there may be websites that provide this information freely on the internet, it's strongly advised to avoid such methods as they can result in a lifetime ban from the platform. Instead, you can legally register yourself as a proprietor, LLC, or any other form of business entity and obtain an IEC number to register and earn from Medium legally.

Why Some Countries Are Excluded

Some content creators also inquire about the reasons behind the exclusion of certain countries from the Medium Partner Program. A common misconception is that there's a blacklist of countries. However, this is not the case. The MPP's exclusions are typically based on payment gateway availability and regulatory compliance issues.

The focus of Medium is often on first-world countries due to their robust regulatory frameworks and larger market size. As a result, they have more stringent requirements and focus on ensuring a compliant and transparent payment process.

Can I Still Get into the Program?

If your country supports Stripe's local currency payments, you should still be able to join the Medium Partner Program. The key is to ensure you have all the necessary documentation, including an IEC number if required. If you face issues, it could be due to a mistake on your part, or perhaps you're misunderstanding the registration process.

Conclusion

While the availability of the Medium Partner Program may be limited by factors such as payment gateway restrictions, countries that support Stripe can still participate. By legally registering your business and obtaining an IEC number (if necessary), you can join the program and earn from Medium.

For the latest updates and any specific requirements, please refer to the Stripe India website.

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