LemFi Launches “Send Now, Pay Later” to Transform Remittances, Boost Credit Access for Immigrants

LemFi, a multinational payments platform built for immigrant communities, has unveiled Send Now, Pay Later (SNPL), a first-of-its-kind credit-enabled remittance feature that allows users to transfer money home instantly and repay later.

The service debuts in the UK, where immigrants send nearly £10 billion home each year, addressing a familiar challenge: urgent family needs that can’t wait for payday.

At launch, SNPL is available to LemFi’s two million-plus users, offering an alternative to traditional remittance methods that demand upfront cash. Instead, LemFi integrates a revolving credit line into the transfer process. Approved customers receive credit limits ranging from £300 to £1,000 and can choose the SNPL option at checkout. LemFi then funds the transfer immediately, setting up a deferred repayment plan for the sender.

Powered by LemFi’s proprietary AI decisioning system, Ensemble, the feature combines multiple data sources from national credit bureaus and open banking feeds to LemFi’s own remittance records and international credit data. This adaptive system adjusts to each user’s data availability, enabling more inclusive access to credit while maintaining responsible lending standards.

“Buy Now, Pay Later transformed how people purchase goods around their cash flow,” said Ridwan Olalere, LemFi’s co-founder and CEO. “But remittances, one of the most important financial lifelines for immigrants have never had that flexibility. SNPL integrates credit directly into the remittance experience so support isn’t delayed by timing.”

To access SNPL, users must first complete LemFi Credit onboarding, which uses open banking to assess eligibility and determine personalised limits. Customers can then send money to over 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. LemFi’s real-time and same-day payment rails enable faster transfers than traditional banks, helping families receive funds when they’re needed most.

LemFi positions SNPL as both a convenience feature and a financial inclusion tool. Around five million people in the UK are considered “credit invisible”, with immigrants disproportionately affected. Research shows that nine in ten immigrants say access to credit has become more difficult in recent years, while 13% of migrants report being excluded from banking services compared with 3% of the general population.

By leveraging alternative data and cross-border credit histories, LemFi believes SNPL can serve as a bridge to mainstream finance, helping newcomers build stronger UK credit profiles over time.

Following the UK rollout, LemFi plans to expand SNPL to the United States, Canada, and Europe, strengthening its growing international footprint. Since launching, the company has amassed more than two million users across dozens of markets. In January 2025, LemFi raised $53 million in Series B funding, bringing its total investment to over $86 million from investors including Highland Europe, LeftLane Capital, Endeavor Capital, and Y Combinator.

As with all credit products, LemFi stresses responsible usage. The company says its data-driven approach and migrant-focused underwriting will make emergency financial support faster, fairer, and more accessible.

If successful, SNPL could redefine the remittance industry, offering millions of immigrants a new way to support loved ones without resorting to high-cost loans, a breakthrough that combines timing, trust, and dignity.