How foreigners can pay easily in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, foreigners can easily make payments in several ways:

1. cash payment

• wide acceptance: Cash is the most common form of payment in Pakistan, especially in small shops, markets and rural areas.
• currency exchange: Foreigners can exchange foreign currency into Pakistani Rupees (PKR) at airports, banks or authorised currency exchange points.

2. card payment

• Credit/debit cards: Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted in large shopping centres, hotels and restaurants. American Express is also accepted in some locations.
• ATM cash withdrawal: Foreign bank cards can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs in Pakistan, but a fee may be charged.

3. mobile wallet

• JazzCash: A popular mobile wallet in Pakistan that supports money transfers, bill payments and online shopping. Foreigners can register with their local mobile phone numbers.
• EasyPaisa: Another commonly used mobile wallet with features similar to JazzCash.

4. bank transfer

• International remittances: Receive money transfers from abroad through services such as Western Union or MoneyGram.
• Local bank accounts: Foreigners with permanent residence may open local bank accounts for transfers and payments.

5.

Alipay and WeChat are less popular and are mainly used by Chinese tourists or merchants with Chinese background. It is recommended to use local mainstream e-wallets such as JazzCash/EasyPaisa.

caveat

• Some remote areas may only accept cash
• Additional 3%-5% handling fee may be charged for POS card swipes.
• JazzCash requires registration with a local mobile phone number (temporary SIM cards can be purchased)
• The daily limit for ATM withdrawals is usually Rs 200,000 (about $700)

For short-term travellers, it is advisable to carry a reasonable amount of US dollars for cash exchange and a credit card (Visa/Mastercard) with no cross-border fees. Businessmen or long-term residents are advised to open local e-wallets and bank accounts.

6. Online payments (e-commerce & services)

E-commerce platforms in Pakistan (such as Daraz, Foodpanda, Careem, etc.) support the following payment methods:

• Credit/debit cards(Visa/Mastercard)
• Local bank transfers(e.g. HBL, UBL, MCB, etc.)
• mobile wallet(JazzCash, EasyPaisa)

⚠️ take note of: Some international payment methods (e.g. PayPal, Stripe) are restricted in Pakistan and local alternatives are recommended.

7. Best way to send money across the border to Pakistan

If a foreigner needs to send money from abroad to Pakistan, the following channels are recommended:

8. SIM Card & JazzCash/EasyPaisa Registration Guide

(1) SIM card purchase

Foreigners can buy local SIM cards at the airport or regular shops, which are required:

• 📄Original passport
• 📝 Copy of visa
• 🏨 Proof of hotel/address

📌 Recommended Operators: Jazz (for JazzCash), Telenor (EasyPaisa), Zong.

(2) JazzCash Registration Process

1. 📱Insert the Jazz SIM card and download the app
2. 🔄 Send an SMS to activate the mobile wallet feature
3. 🆔 Offline verification: bring your passport to a Jazz business office to complete KYC verification
4. 💰Recharge: Cash recharge through agent point or bank card binding

9. Frequently Asked Questions about POS Card Swiping

❓ "Why do merchants charge extra processing fees?"
→ Visa/Mastercard transaction fees are usually borne by the merchant, but may be passed on to the customer by smaller merchants (approx. 3%-5%). It is advisable to enquire in advance.

❓ "What if my international credit card is declined?"
→ ✅ Try to get a new chip card (magnetic stripe cards are less compatible)
→ ✅Confirmation of "Cross Border Transaction" privilege

10. [Ultimate Lazy Pack] Recommended Payment Methods for Different Scenarios

✅ Daily Shopping → in cash or JazzCash
✅Cabs/takeaways → Careem/Foodpanda App Credit Card Tying
✅Hotel Booking → International Credit Card Pre-Authorisation
✅ Payment of school fees/rent → bank transfer

💡Pro Tip: ✈️ Priority Redemption on Arrival100-200 cash for emergencies and a local SIM to register for an e-wallet!