It is the era of the Internet, and transferring and receiving money over the Internet has never been easier. You are a freelancer, online seller, or businessman/woman; you need a secure payment gateway. PayPal is a very popular and secure online payment gateway all over the world. But Pakistanis wonder: Can we use PayPal here? How do we open an account?
Let’s discover all you’d like to know regarding the use of PayPal in Pakistan.
What is PayPal?
PayPal is an online payment system where you can pay and receive payments online, shop online, and even receive payments for freelancing without revealing your bank information. It was established in 1998 and has become operational in more than 200 countries.
Why is PayPal so popular?
- Instant Money Transfer: Money transfers are carried out within seconds.
- Safe: It uses top-level encryption to safeguard your data and money.
- Global acceptance: Online businesses, firms, and services running into millions accept PayPal.
- Freelancer employees and remote employees: Websites Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr are PayPal-friendly.
Is PayPal Available in Pakistan?
Unfortunately, PayPal is not officially supported by the government in Pakistan. That is, you cannot enroll in PayPal using your Pakistani CNIC or phone number.
The Pakistani government has tried to bring PayPal to the nation, but the company has not agreed as yet. There are a number of reasons, like financial regulations, fraud risk, and lack of adequate legal protection for online businesses.
How to Open a PayPal Account in Pakistan (2025 Guide)
Even though PayPal is not available in Pakistan, most freelancers and businessmen use it by taking some indirect routes. Some steps and a guide for opening or using a PayPal account from Pakistan are explained below:
Method 1: Use a Reliable Overseas Relative or Friend
If you have a family member or friend who lives in a country where PayPal is active (for example, in the USA, UK, UAE, or Canada), you can ask them to help you open an account.
Steps:
- Have them sign up for a PayPal account in their region using their telephone number and address.
- Add your email address to your PayPal account as an alternate email.
- Use this email to receive payments from websites or clients.
- You can be paid, and your friend can transfer it to you through bank transfer, Western Union, or even cryptocurrency.
Warning: This is not completely risk-free. Make sure the person is trustworthy.
Method 2: Use a Virtual Bank Account and VPN
Fewer freelancers use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access PayPal in Pakistan.
Steps:
- Download a VPN and connect to a country like the US or the UK.
- Open a virtual account in the country with services like Payoneer or Wise.
- Use your virtual address and bank information to register for PayPal.
- Pay with PayPal for online shopping or for payment reception.
Note: This practice is feasible but contravenes PayPal’s policies and can lead to suspension of the account.
Method 3: Use Payoneer as an Indirect Alternative
Payoneer is another global payment service, and it is legally in operation in Pakistan. Some websites, like Fiverr, allow direct withdrawal to Payoneer.
This is how you can use it:
- Sign up for Payoneer (with a Pakistani ID and bank).
- Get your Payoneer USD bank account details.
- Take advantage of these PayPal/Payoneer accepting website facts.
- Withdraw the funds to your domestic bank account.
Method 4: Open a Company in a PayPal-Supported Country
Another way to get a PayPal account is to open a business in a country where PayPal is allowed, such as the USA, UK, or UAE. There are certain websites on the internet where you can legally open a business (an LLC in the US, say) even if you are not living there. Once you have opened your business, you can open a business bank account and use it to get a PayPal Business Account.
Steps:
- Start a business in a country supported by PayPal through online services (e.g., Stripe Atlas, Doola, Firstbase, etc.).
- Open a business bank account in that nation.
- Create a PayPal Business Account using your business information.
- Link your business account to PayPal and start using it.
This is a more formal and sure method, but it has initial costs and needs proper documentation.
Method 5: Buy a Verified PayPal Account (Be Careful)
Certain people in Pakistan buy verified PayPal accounts from online vendors. They are already set up with foreign information and are functional. This is possible to achieve, but that is risky and not something to be recommended.
Things to Know:
- These accounts may be frozen at any time if PayPal notices suspicious activity.
- You have no legal right to the account.
- You could lose the money if the account is closed.
If this is your kind of thing, ensure that you get it from a trusted source, and do not use it for large transactions.
PayPal Alternatives in Pakistan
As PayPal is not available, most Pakistanis opt for other services to get paid. Below are some popular alternatives:
1. Payoneer
Payoneer is one of the best alternatives to PayPal for Pakistanis, especially freelancers. You can use it to receive payments from sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer. After registering, Payoneer gives you virtual bank accounts (like US or UK banking details), which you can use to receive payments from abroad. You can then transfer the money to your bank in Pakistan.
2. Wise (TransferWise)
Wise, formerly TransferWise, is another excellent option. You can send and receive cross-border payments with very low fees and real exchange rates. You can have multiple currencies and withdraw to your Pakistani bank account without hassle. It’s an excellent option for people who need regular international payments.
3. Skrill
Skrill is an e-wallet service via which money is transferred from one country to another. It is used by gamers, traders, and online consumers. Skrill can be opened from Pakistan, and it allows you to get foreign money. Not every freelancing website supports Skrill like Payoneer or PayPal.
4. JazzCash and EasyPaisa
JazzCash and EasyPaisa are popular mobile wallet applications in Pakistan. They are utilized for local money transfer, bill payment, and mobile top-up. They do not support direct international payments, but you may transfer money from your bank (after a bank withdrawal from Payoneer or similar) to your JazzCash or EasyPaisa account for your convenience.
Final Thoughts
PayPal is so a handy method of web transactions, but unfortunately, not yet available in Pakistan. However, with a little creativity, Pakistani freelancers and entrepreneurs can still make use of PayPal by employing relatives living overseas, virtual accounts, or agencies like Payoneer.
Though we wish for PayPal to make its official entry in Pakistan sooner, meanwhile, you can make do with alternatives like Payoneer, Wise, or Skrill to meet your online payment needs.
Just ensure to use always trustworthy methods and not scams, and your online profits will be secure.
FAQs
Why PayPal does not work in Pakistan?
There are several reasons
- Regulatory and legal concerns: Pakistani bank regulations are not entirely compliant with PayPal’s international standards.
- High cyber fraud risk: PayPal avoids entering countries with weak digital security laws.
- Business considerations: PayPal may not see enough profit in expanding to Pakistan yet.
How to withdraw money from PayPal in Pakistan?
If you have access to a PayPal account:
You can have your friend or relative abroad cash it and send it to you via:
- Western Union
- Bank wire
- Cryptocurrency
- Transfer to Payoneer (if connected)
If you use a virtual method, cash out to a connected virtual bank account such as Payoneer, and then transfer to your Pakistani bank.
Be vigilant with PayPal policies so as not to have your account suspended.
Can I transfer money from PayPal to EasyPaisa or JazzCash?
No, we cannot connect PayPal directly to EasyPaisa or JazzCash. They are mere local transfer facilities and lack international payment systems such as PayPal.
But after you receive the money from PayPal through a third party or service provider like Payoneer, you can then send it manually to EasyPaisa or JazzCash through your local bank account.