Can I pay for qurbani abroad instead of locally?

Why it's allowed

Qurbani can be done through an agent (wakil). Scholars of all four schools accept appointing someone to slaughter for you, and the Prophet ﷺ himself had others help with the sacrifices during his Hajj. When you pay a charity, you're appointing it as your agent. Your intention plus their slaughter, done properly in the right days, completes the act. If you're new to the topic, start with What is qurbani and do I have to do it?

Abroad or local: pros and cons

• Abroad, pro: a share often costs a fraction of the local price, and the meat goes to families who may eat meat only a few times a year.
• Abroad, con: you can't see it, eat from it or share it with your neighbors, and you depend on the charity's honesty.
• Local, pro: you can eat from it and share it with friends, family and neighbors, which is a Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said about the sacrifice: "Eat of it and feed of it to others and store of it" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5569).
• Local, con: it's usually more expensive, and in Western countries it must go through a licensed slaughterhouse.

Some scholars prefer local qurbani because you can follow the Sunnah of eating from it and seeing it done. Others prefer abroad when the need there is greater. Many families do both: one share locally and one or more abroad.

How to choose a charity

• Check they're registered with the Charity Commission (UK), as a 501(c)(3) (USA) or the equivalent where you live.
• Ask about timing: the animal must be slaughtered after the Eid prayer in that country, within the days of Eid.
• Look for reports: good charities send photos, a confirmation, or a report on where the meat went.
• Read the small print: know the animal type, the country, and what the price includes.

The same checks used for zakat apply here. See How do I choose a trustworthy charity for my zakat? and Should I give zakat locally or abroad?

A note on hair and nails

Even if your qurbani is done abroad, you're still the one offering it. Many scholars say you should avoid cutting your hair and nails from the start of Dhul Hijjah until it's done, and the time zone of the slaughter decides when that is.