You can add money to your PayPal card at over a dozen major retail chains nationwide, including Walmart, CVS, and 7-Eleven, by either swiping your PayPal Debit Card at the register or by generating a barcode in the PayPal app. This direct cash-loading service is the fastest way to put spendable funds onto your card without needing a bank account.
Where can I add money to my PayPal card at retail stores?
Participating retailers that allow you to add cash to your PayPal Debit Card include Walmart, CVS, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Kroger, Meijer, and Casey's. You have two in-store methods to choose from: you can swipe your physical PayPal-branded Debit Card at the register, or you can generate a barcode in the PayPal app for the cashier to scan. The barcode expires after 15 minutes, so if you do not use it in time, you must generate a new one. A fee of up to $3.95 applies per transaction, and the exact amount varies by store. Per transaction, you can add between $20.00 and $500.00, with a daily limit of $1,500.00 and a monthly limit of $5,000.00.
How to add cash using the PayPal app barcode
- Open the PayPal app and tap "PayPal balance" from the Home or Accounts tab.
- Select "Add Cash at Stores."
- Choose a retailer from the list of participating stores.
- Generate the barcode and show it to the cashier at checkout.
The cashier will scan the barcode, and you hand over your cash. The funds are added to your PayPal Balance immediately, making them available to spend with your PayPal Debit Card.
How to set up direct deposit for your PayPal card
Direct deposit allows your paycheck or government payments to land automatically in your PayPal Balance. To set it up, log into your PayPal account, go to Settings (or Profile), and select "Set up or view direct deposit" (or "View your Direct Deposit info"). You will find your PayPal-assigned account and routing numbers there. Provide these numbers to your employer or payer. Note that direct deposit is only available for PayPal Balance accounts and requires the payer to be located in the US. It may take up to two pay cycles for the deposits to begin.
Transferring money from your bank or debit card
You can add money to your PayPal Balance from a linked bank account or an eligible Visa or Mastercard debit card. Go to "Wallet," click "Transfer Money," then "Add money from your bank or debit card." Transfers from a debit card are typically available in seconds, while bank transfers can take up to 5 business days. Limits for adding money from a debit card are up to $5,000 per day, $10,000 per week, and $20,000 per month. This method is useful if you want to quickly move funds into your PayPal Balance without visiting a store, and it also lets you use PayPal credit if you have that feature enabled, simply select it as your funding source during checkout. If you need to fund your account but lack a debit card, you can also transfer money from a credit card to PayPal as an alternative.
Receiving money from friends and family
When someone sends a personal transfer to your PayPal account using your email address or phone number, the funds become available on your PayPal Debit Card balance. This is the simplest way to get money onto your card without any fees (for domestic personal transfers) and without leaving your home. It is also a common answer to the question of how to put money in a PayPal account when you do not have cash or a linked bank, just ask a trusted contact to send you a payment.
