Yes, you can send money from PayPal to Pakistan, but the process and costs depend on which PayPal service you use

PayPal does let you transfer money to bank accounts in Pakistan, but it is not as straightforward as sending money within the United States. The main route is PayPal's international transfer service, which moves money from your PayPal balance or linked bank account directly to a Pakistani bank. However, the fees are higher than domestic transfers, the exchange rate is not always the best available, and the receiving bank must be one that PayPal has partnered with.

A second option is to send money to someone with a PayPal account in Pakistan, who can then withdraw it to their local bank — but this only works if you know the person and they have already set up a Pakistani PayPal account, which is itself restricted in Pakistan.

The fastest and cheapest route for most people is often a dedicated money transfer service like Wise, Remitly, or MoneyGram, which specializes in Pakistan transfers and usually offers better rates and lower fees than PayPal.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal's international transfer service sends money directly to Pakistani bank accounts, but charges a percentage fee plus a fixed amount, and the exchange rate includes a markup.
  • Not all Pakistani banks accept PayPal transfers — you need to confirm your bank is on PayPal's partner list before you send money.
  • The transfer usually takes three to five business days, and the receiving bank may add its own processing fee.
  • Money transfer services like Wise and Remitly often have lower fees and better exchange rates for Pakistan transfers than PayPal does.
  • If you are sending to someone with a PayPal account in Pakistan, they can withdraw to their bank, but Pakistani PayPal accounts have restrictions on what they can do.

How PayPal's international transfer to Pakistan works

To send money from PayPal to a Pakistani bank account, you log into your PayPal account, go to the "Send Money" or "Transfer" section, and select the international transfer option. You will enter the recipient's name, bank account number, and bank routing information. PayPal will then show you the exchange rate it is offering, the fee (usually 1.5% to 2% of the amount plus a fixed amount in dollars), and the amount the recipient will receive in Pakistani rupees.

The money comes from your PayPal balance if you have one, or from a linked bank account or card. PayPal deducts the fee from your side before converting the currency, so the recipient gets less than you might expect. The transfer itself usually takes three to five business days, though the receiving bank in Pakistan may take an additional day or two to post the money to the account.

One important catch: PayPal does not work with every Pakistani bank. Before you send, you need to confirm that the recipient's bank is on PayPal's list of partner banks. If it is not, the transfer will be rejected and your money will be returned to your PayPal account — a process that can take another week or more.

What information you need from the recipient

To send money via PayPal, you will need the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account, their complete bank account number, and their bank's routing code (also called SWIFT code or BIC code). In Pakistan, this is usually a four-letter code like HABMPKKA for Habib Bank or SCBLPKKA for Standard Chartered Bank.

Ask the recipient to provide this information from their bank statement or by logging into their online banking. Do not guess or abbreviate — if the name or account number does not match exactly, the transfer will fail. Some Pakistani banks also require a branch code in addition to the routing code, so confirm with the recipient what their bank needs.

Fees and exchange rates you will actually pay

PayPal charges a percentage fee (usually between 1.5% and 2%) plus a fixed fee that varies by the amount you are sending. For example, sending $100 might cost $2.50 to $3.00 in fees, while sending $1,000 might cost $20 to $25. These fees are deducted from the money you send, not added on top.

On top of the fee, PayPal's exchange rate includes a markup — meaning you get fewer Pakistani rupees per dollar than the real market rate. The markup is typically 2% to 3%, though it varies by day. This means if the real exchange rate is 280 rupees per dollar, PayPal might give you 272 rupees per dollar after the markup.

The receiving bank in Pakistan may also charge a fee to receive the transfer, usually 500 to 1,500 rupees (roughly $2 to $5). This fee is deducted from the amount the recipient receives, and you will not know about it until after the transfer is sent.

When a dedicated money transfer service is cheaper

Services like Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, and MoneyGram often have lower fees and better exchange rates for Pakistan transfers than PayPal. Wise, for example, uses the real mid-market exchange rate with no markup, and charges a flat fee (usually $1 to $3 for smaller amounts). Remitly charges a percentage fee but typically lower than PayPal, and offers cash pickup at thousands of locations in Pakistan if the recipient does not have a bank account.

To compare, send yourself a test quote on each service with the exact amount you plan to transfer. Write down the fee, the exchange rate, and the amount the recipient will receive. The difference can be significant — sometimes $10 to $20 on a $200 transfer.

The trade-off is that these services may take longer to set up if you are a new user (they often require identity verification), and they may not work with every bank in Pakistan. But for regular transfers or larger amounts, they are usually worth the extra step.

Sending to someone with a PayPal account in Pakistan

If the person you are sending to already has a PayPal account in Pakistan, you can send money directly to their PayPal account instead of their bank. This is faster — the money arrives in their PayPal account within minutes — and the fee is lower (usually 1% or less).

However, Pakistani PayPal accounts have restrictions. The account holder cannot receive money from outside Pakistan using a credit or debit card, and they may not be able to withdraw money directly to a Pakistani bank account without additional verification. They can hold the money in PayPal and use it to pay for goods or services, or they can ask PayPal to transfer it to their bank (which takes the same three to five days as a direct transfer).

This option only works if you know the person's PayPal email address and they have already set up a Pakistani account. If they do not have one, they would need to create it first, which requires a Pakistani phone number and may require additional documentation.

What to do if the transfer fails or is delayed

If PayPal rejects your transfer because the recipient's bank is not on the partner list, the money will be returned to your PayPal account within five to seven business days. You will receive a notification explaining why it failed. At that point, you can either try a different bank (if the recipient has access to multiple accounts) or use a different money transfer service.

If the transfer goes through but the recipient does not see the money after five business days, contact PayPal's customer service with the transaction ID (a reference number PayPal gives you when you send the money). They can check the status with the Pakistani bank. Sometimes the money is held by the receiving bank for additional verification, especially for larger amounts.

Keep the transaction ID and any confirmation emails PayPal sends you. If there is a dispute about whether the money arrived, you will need these to prove you sent it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PayPal available in Pakistan?

PayPal accounts cannot be created in Pakistan, but people in Pakistan can receive money through PayPal transfers to their bank accounts. If you are trying to send to someone in Pakistan, they do not need a PayPal account — you just need their bank details.

Can I send money from PayPal to a Pakistani mobile wallet like JazzCash or Easypaisa?

PayPal does not directly support mobile wallets in Pakistan. You can only send to a bank account. However, the recipient can withdraw the money to their bank account and then transfer it to a mobile wallet themselves.

What is the minimum and maximum amount I can send?

PayPal's limits vary by account type and history. Most accounts can send between $1 and $10,000 per transfer, but new accounts may have lower limits. Check your account settings or contact PayPal to see your specific limit.

Do I need to report this transfer to the government?

If you are sending money from the United States, transfers over $10,000 in a single transaction are reported to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). For amounts under $10,000, you do not need to report it, but keep records in case you are asked. Rules differ by country — check your local tax authority if you are outside the US.

Can I send money to Pakistan if I do not have a bank account linked to PayPal?

You can send from your PayPal balance if you have money in it, but you cannot add money to PayPal without a bank account or card. If you do not have either, you would need to set those up first or use a different money transfer service.