PayPal account in Pakistan: Your full guide

PayPal is a popular name when it comes to sending money around the globe. It was one of the leaders in international money transfers online with wallet-to-wallet transfers. But it is currently not available in all countries. And can be more expensive than other online options out there.

Read on to learn more about PayPal in Pakistan and if its partner service, Xoom, can be an option to send or receive money locally. Plus, learn about alternatives that can help you receive money in Pakistan.

Check out Wise Web/Android/ iOS app for low-cost transfers directly to a bank account in Pakistan.

Learn more about Wise 🚀

Is PayPal available in Pakistan?

No, PayPal is not available in Pakistan. Merchant services or money transfers are not possible for Pakistani residents. But if you are outside of Pakistan and have a PayPal account, you can use Xoom to send money to bank accounts in Pakistan. ¹

Xoom PayPal in Pakistan

Xoom is an online global money transfer service from PayPal. Senders from outside of Pakistan can transfer money directly to local Pakistani bank accounts with Xoom online. It allows for transfers to almost all Pakistani banks including:

• UBL
• Bank Alfalah
• MCB
• Allied Bank

Xoom also allows for transfers to Pakistan for cash pickups through local bank branches. Most transfers with Xoom arrive within a few minutes or the same day as long as the transaction is complete before 4:30 pm PKT.

So if you are residing outside of Pakistan, you can use your PayPal account to pay for a transfer, or sign up brand new to send money with Xoom with a bank account or debit/credit card.

How to create PayPal account in Pakistan

It is not possible to open a PayPal account if you are in Pakistan. But if you are outside of Pakistan, you can send money for cash pickup or directly to a bank account locally with Xoom.

Here is how to send money with Xoom:

1. Head to the Xoom website
2. Log in with your PayPal sign-in, or click on Sign Up to register with your name and email address
3. Enter how much you would like to send to Pakistan
4. Input your recipient’s details
5. Choose if your recipient should receive the funds in cash or through a bank transfer
6. Pay for the transaction with your PayPal account, bank account or credit or debit card
7. Submit your transaction

You can track your transaction to Pakistan through the Xoom app or by logging into the website. ²

How to withdraw money from PayPal in Pakistan

PayPal does not offer resident Pakistanis to hold a PayPal wallet to withdraw money. But resident Pakistanis can receive money through Xoom directly into a bank account or by picking up a cash transfer at a local bank.

When a sender transfers money from abroad using Xoom, they will be required to input the recipient’s mobile or phone number. The recipient will be notified when a cash pickup is ready, or when the funds have been transferred to their local Pakistani bank account. With transfers directly to a bank account, the recipient will not have to take additional action to receive the funds.

PayPal fees in Pakistan

There are no fees to receive money in Pakistan with the Xoom service from PayPal. But high fees can mean that recipients receive less with Xoom.

The first fee is the transaction fee. This is a standard fee for completing the service from Xoom. The second fee is the exchange rate fee. This is a hidden fee that is tucked away in the exchange rate.

Xoom uses an exchange rate that is weaker than the mid-market rate, which is the exchange rate seen on Google. In the difference between the rate Xoom gives users and the mid-market rate, the company is able to sneak in a fee on every dollar or Euro that is converted. And although this can seem small, it can add up quickly.

Here is a quick breakdown of how much sending money to a bank account in Pakistan can be with Xoom versus sending money at the mid-market exchange rate with Wise:

All sources checked as of 8 September, 2022

Simply by using Wise to send money to Pakistan, your recipient can receive close to Rs. 3,000 more in the transfer when compared to Xoom.

PayPal alternatives in Pakistan

There are other options available in Pakistan to send and receive money from abroad. Here are a few alternatives to PayPal for Pakistanis:

• Wise
• Payoneer
• SimSim
• EasyPay

Let’s break down each one for recipients in Pakistan. Keep in mind that fees, convenience, and time it takes can differ between each, so find the one that best suits your transfer needs.

Wise

Wise is an online money transfer service that has over 12 million users. It is free and easy to receive transfers in Pakistan with Wise from senders abroad. Senders can sign up for free and send money from their mobile or computer, wherever they are.

With a low transfer fee and real mid-market exchange rate on every transfer, recipients can lose less in fees and receive more in their bank accounts with Wise. And although cash pickup is not available with Wise transfers, you can receive money in your bank account within seconds from popular routes abroad.

Payoneer

Payoneer is an online service that helps freelancers and online small businesses receive payments globally. Popular freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr use Payoneer to facilitate payments to Pakistan. But Payoneer has fees for payments from marketplaces and directly from clients, and additional fees for withdrawals. ³

Payoneer has recently partnered with HBL bank in Pakistan for real-time payouts into your bank account using the HBL app. ⁴

SimSim

SimSim and Finca Microfinance Bank allow for international transfers from abroad into their mobile wallet. They have partnered with ExpressMoney so Pakistanis abroad can send money to the Finca bank accounts in Pakistan.

From the Finca bank account, you can then transfer the money to your SimSim wallet, keep it in your bank account or withdraw cash through an ATM. But to do this, you will first have to visit a Finca bank branch to verify your identity.

EasyPaisa

EasyPaisa is a mobile bank account for resident Pakistanis to receive, transfer, and shop. You can add funds from a bank account or receive transfers with EasyPaisa and send money domestically.

One of the benefits of EasyPaisa is that it can be opened for free with a mobile number and a valid CNIC. There are fees associated with receiving money into an EasyPaisa account.