ACE Money Transfer
ACE Money Transfer
09 Oct 2024
Non-resident Pakistanis in the UK can now open a Pakistani bank account without booking a flight or visiting bank branches in person. This guide covers the full process, from eligibility and documents to funding and everyday use.
UK residents and overseas Pakistanis can open a digital account in Pakistan fully online through the Roshan Digital Account programme, facilitated by the State Bank of Pakistan. The entire application process takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and account opening confirmation is provided within 48 hours.
Non-resident Pakistanis (NRPs) and Pakistan Origin Card (POC) holders can complete digital account opening 100% online from a UK address. Foreign nationals without Pakistani nationality face restrictions and usually cannot use the fully remote process.
Account holders can choose to hold funds in Pakistani Rupees or foreign currencies. The Roshan Digital Account offers multi-currency options including PKR, USD, and GBP, plus EUR, AED, and SAR depending on the bank.
Roshan Digital Accounts can be opened in PKR or as a foreign currency value account in your preferred denomination.
Once funded, the account supports local fund transfers, bill payments, investments in Naya Pakistan Certificates, and issuance of a Pakistani debit card and cheque book.
Overseas Pakistanis can open a bank account in Pakistan online through the digital portal of participating banks without ever needing to travel.
The State Bank of Pakistan sets the eligibility rules for Roshan Digital Account opening from abroad. Eligibility requires being a non-resident Pakistani or holder of a Pakistan Origin Card.
Non-resident Pakistanis with CNIC/NICOP: any Pakistani citizen living in the UK with a valid Computerized National Identity Card or NICOP qualifies. You need a valid ID document like CNIC to proceed.
POC holders: foreign nationals of Pakistani origin holding a Pakistan Origin Card can open a Roshan Digital Account from the UK.
Pakistani government or federal or provincial governments posted abroad: officials on foreign posting are eligible under SBP rules.
Resident Pakistanis with declared assets abroad: those temporarily in the UK who have filed a latest wealth statement disclosing foreign assets may also qualify for certain foreign currency account products.
UK citizens with no Pakistani connection: these individuals usually cannot use the fully remote digital account opening process. They would need to visit a bank branch in Pakistan and complete in-person verification.
Both single and joint accounts are available for non-residents. Each joint account holder must individually meet eligibility, pass KYC, and complete anti-money-laundering checks.
Applicants must be 18 or older, hold a valid passport, and the UK is accepted as a supported residency country by all major participating banks.
Several digital account types exist under the Roshan Digital Account programme and through individual banks' digital banking solutions. Account types split along currency, banking model, and ownership structure.
PKR accounts (NRVA)
A pak rupee account, classified as a Non-Resident Rupee Value Account, suits day-to-day PKR expenses: utility bills, domestic funds transfers, school fees. Available as both current and savings accounts.
Foreign currency accounts (FCVA)
A foreign currency value account lets you hold GBP, USD, EUR, AED, or SAR without converting to PKR until you choose to. Foreign currency accounts include USD, GBP, EUR, SAR, and AED. These also allow investment in foreign-currency-denominated debt securities such as Naya Pakistan Certificates.
Conventional vs Islamic
Accounts can be conventional or Shariah-compliant. Islamic banking options are available under the RDA, with profit-sharing structures replacing interest. Major banks offering the RDA include HBL, Meezan Bank, UBL, and Standard Chartered Bank, and each provides both variants.
Individual vs joint
Joint account holders set operating instructions as "either or survivor" (any one holder transacts) or "jointly" (all must approve). For HBL, the first cheque book of 25 leaves is free for NRPs. Some foreign currency accounts do not issue a debit card directly linked to the FCY balance; check the bank's schedule of charges before applying.
For most UK-based NRPs, starting with one PKR digital account plus at least one GBP or USD multi currency account covers both remittance and local spending needs.
The account opening form is digital, but you must upload scanned documents during the application. Required documents include identification and proof of profession and income. All files should be clear, in JPEG or PDF format.
Identity: valid Pakistani CNIC or NICOP (both sides scanned), valid passport (personal details page). POC holders upload a copy of their Pakistan Origin Card.
Proof of non-resident status: proof of non-resident status typically includes a valid UK visa or residence permit. A recent utility bill, council tax bill, bank account statement, tenancy agreement, or HMRC letter issued within the last 3 months showing your UK address and name also works.
Income / source of funds: latest salary slip, employment letter, business registration document, tax return, or pension statement. Business persons can provide a business letter head or registration certificate. Self-employed applicants submit tax returns or client contracts.
Joint accounts: each joint account holder must provide the same set of documents. All holders pass KYC individually.
FATCA/CRS: FATCA status confirmation is mandatory for account opening. Banks ask about UK tax residency, National Insurance Number, and whether you are a US person. Complete all FATCA/CRS declaration forms during the digital process.
Digital photograph: a digital live photograph is often required during the application process, captured through your device's camera at the video KYC stage.
Language: all documents should be in English or Urdu. If in another language, a certified English translation is needed.
The process is similar across major banks (HBL, UBL, Meezan, Bank Alfalah, Standard Chartered). Applications can be made through the digital portal of participating banks, and the Roshan Digital Account can be opened completely digitally. Plan for about 15 to 20 minutes of active screen time.
Choose the bank and account type. Compare Roshan Digital Account options across banks. Decide between conventional or Islamic banking variant, and whether you want PKR only, a foreign currency account, or both. Consider which permissible investment avenues (Naya Pakistan Certificates, Pakistan stock market, mutual funds) matter to you.
Start the online account opening form. Visit the bank's official digital onboarding portal and select "Open Roshan Digital Account." Enter basic data: name, registered email address, mobile number, country of residence, and preferred currency.
Email and OTP verification. An OTP is sent to your email or phone, typically valid for about 5 minutes. Enter it to verify your identity. Some banks send a second OTP at final submission.
Fill in personal and tax details. Enter passport/CNIC/NICOP numbers, date of birth, UK address, Pakistani permanent address (if any), occupation, employer details, business address if self-employed, and tax residency information under FATCA/CRS.
Upload documents. Upload clear images or PDFs of every required document. Check file size limits on the portal. Blurred or low-resolution scans cause delays.
Video KYC or recorded call. Many banks require a scheduled video call with a bank representative. Pick a slot that works for UK time. All joint account holders must attend simultaneously.
Review and submit. Use "Back" buttons to correct data. Double-check name spellings against your CNIC, account type, and currency choices before hitting submit.
Wait for approval. Processing time for the digital account application is generally 24 to 48 hours. Account opening confirmation is sent within 48 hours via email, along with your account number and IBAN.
Many NRPs in the UK open a joint account with spouses, parents, or adult children in Pakistan. The digital channels for joint applications mirror the single-applicant process, with additional screens for each holder.
The account opening form asks whether the account is single or joint. Selecting "joint" triggers separate data entry screens for each holder.
Each joint holder uploads the same documents required for the primary account holder: ID, passport, proof of address (UK or Pakistani), and income evidence if applicable.
The bank's centralized KYC team reviews all holders together. The account activates only after every joint holder is fully verified.
Email confirmations go to a designated primary email. Video KYC calls require all joint holders present on the call at the agreed time.
Mandates can be "either or survivor" (any one holder can do transfers, overseas payments, and bill payments alone) or "jointly" (all must approve each transaction).
If the portal closes mid-application, most banks auto-save partial data. You can resume the joint application later using your email or application ID without losing what has already been entered.
Once the digital account is opened, it must be funded before the bank dispatches a debit card and cheque book. The account can be funded via foreign remittances originating from a bank account abroad. Funds can be transferred into the account only from abroad; domestic funds from a resident account in Pakistan cannot credit an RDA directly.
SWIFT transfer: use your UK bank's international transfer feature. Enter the IBAN and SWIFT/BIC code provided by the Pakistani bank. Correspondent bank charges vary; check your UK bank's fee schedule.
Funding a foreign currency value account in GBP: remit GBP from your UK account into a GBP FCVA. Convert to PKR within the bank at the interbank or bank-quoted rate when needed, avoiding repeated foreign inward remittances conversions.
Repatriation: funds can be remitted back from Pakistan without bank approval. RDA balances are fully repatriable to the UK under existing foreign exchange regulations, subject to standard banking channels procedures.
Charges: expect bank charges and FX spreads when converting foreign currency into PKR. HBL, for example, charges US$12 for certain FCVA debit cards, though first-year waivers apply for some card types.
Timelines: international transfers from the UK to Pakistan typically take 1 to 3 working days. Transfers received by the Pakistani bank before 5:00 PM PKT are credited the same day; after that, next business day.
Once a minimum balance is met, the bank dispatches the debit card and cheque book to your registered address in Pakistan or, if the bank offers it, via overseas delivery to the UK.
A digital account from Pakistan can be managed entirely through mobile apps and internet banking from the UK. RDA holders can access funds via mobile app or internet banking at any time. Banks like HBL, UBL, and Meezan provide digital banking solutions that cover transfers, investments, and account management.
Setup: after account opening, the bank sends login credentials or activation links. Create your user ID, password, and transaction PIN. Enable two-factor authentication where available.
Debit card usage: cards carry Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay branding. Activate via the bank's helpline or at an ATM in Pakistan. The card works in the UK for purchases and GBP cash withdrawals, though foreign transaction fees apply.
Day-to-day services: local fund transfers within Pakistan via IBFT or RTGS, bill payments for utility bills (electricity, gas, water), mobile top-ups, school fees, and charity donations are all accessible from the UK through online banking.
Investments: Roshan Digital Accounts also allow investments in Naya Pakistan Certificates, Pakistan stock exchange listed shares, mutual funds, and further investments through bank-specific schemes (Roshan Apna Ghar for property, Roshan Apna Car). These are part of the permissible investment avenues. You can undertake banking and investment activities through the same digital portal.
Security: mandatory OTPs for sensitive transactions, SMS/email transaction alerts, and device registration requirements protect the account. Enable all available security features.
Digital accounts opened from the UK must comply with Pakistani, UK, and international tax and anti-money-laundering regulations. The income tax ordinance and existing RDA investments rules govern the Pakistani side; UK self-assessment governs the British side.
FATCA/CRS: during account opening you declare your tax residency (UK), provide tax identification numbers, and confirm whether you are a US person. This step is non-optional.
Profit on RDA deposits is tax exempt for non-resident Pakistanis NRPs under Pakistani law. No withholding tax applies on cash withdrawals by NRPs from Roshan Digital Accounts. RDA deposits profit earned in savings accounts carries a 0% withholding rate for NRPs.
Naya Pakistan Certificates: 10% tax on profit from Naya Pakistan Certificates applies for NRPs.
Capital gains: 15% tax on capital gains from shares and mutual funds applies. NRPs do not need to file tax returns in Pakistan for these capital gains.
UK tax obligations: profit, interest, or capital gains earned in a Pakistani account may still need to be declared on your UK self-assessment. The Pakistan-UK double taxation treaty may reduce liability, but consult a qualified UK tax adviser for your specific situation.
Transaction monitoring: banks apply anti-money-laundering screening. Unusually large or frequent transfers between the UK and Pakistan may trigger requests for additional source-of-funds documentation tied to your wealth statement.
Note: regulations in this area change. The refund rules and withholding tax rates described here reflect rules in effect as of September 2026. Provincial governments posted abroad and federal government employees should check whether additional exemptions apply to their status under current SBP circulars.
This section covers common friction points and answers the questions UK-based applicants ask most often.
Avoiding application errors
Match your name spelling exactly to your CNIC and passport. A single letter mismatch delays or rejects the application.
Use an updated browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) with cache cleared. Some bank portals fail on older browsers or with ad blockers enabled.
Scan documents at high resolution; blurred images are the top reason for rework.
Time-zone coordination
Pakistan Standard Time is UTC+5; the UK is UTC+0 (winter) or UTC+1 (summer). Bank video KYC slots run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PKT, which translates to roughly 4:00 AM to 12:00 PM GMT. Ask the bank whether evening or weekend slots are available before booking.
How long is the OTP valid? Approximately 5 minutes across most banks.
How long does approval take? Account opening confirmation is provided within 48 hours for most individual applicants.
Can existing Pakistani bank customers also open an RDA? Yes. An existing investment or resident account does not prevent you from opening a separate Roshan Digital Account. You cannot convert an existing account; you open a fresh one.
Can I hold both PKR and foreign currency? Yes. You can maintain a PKR account and one or more foreign currency value accounts simultaneously under the same RDA relationship.
PKR-only vs FCVA? If your income arrives in GBP or USD, a foreign currency account reduces repeated conversions and FX spread costs. A PKR account is better for everyday Pakistan-based spending and bill payments.
Record keeping
Keep copies of all submitted documents, bank confirmation emails, and FATCA/CRS declarations. These records make future updates, limit enhancements, and additional product applications (credit cards, new FCVAs, existing RDA investments changes) faster and smoother. They also help if you need to provide a bank account statement for UK mortgage or visa applications later.
