To send money from the UK to Pakistan, use a licensed bank, money transfer operator, or a specialist currency broker for larger amounts. Remittances sent through formal channels reach the recipient’s Pakistani bank account in rupees, usually with no Pakistani-side charges deducted. For a larger GBP transfer, a specialist broker offers a sharper rate and guidance through the documents. Sending through a formal channel — not the informal hawala market — is what keeps the money legal, traceable, and on the record.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for anyone moving money from the UK to Pakistan — people supporting family, members of the Pakistani diaspora sending regular remittances, and overseas Pakistanis funding their own account or investing back home. It also covers larger one-off transfers, such as buying property, paying for a wedding, or moving the proceeds of a UK sale.
What are your options for sending money to Pakistan?
There are three main routes from the UK, and they suit different amounts. Apps and money transfer operators are built for smaller, frequent rupee payouts; a specialist currency broker is built for larger GBP transfers where the rate and the paperwork matter; banks sit in between, usually at the highest cost.
| High-street bank | Specialist currency broker | Money transfer operator / app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Existing customers | Larger GBP transfers, property, investment | Smaller, regular family remittances |
| Payout in Pakistan | PKR or foreign-currency account | GBP/USD to an FCY account, or PKR | PKR to a bank account or wallet |
| Exchange rate | Widest margins | Competitive, with a named dealer | Market-reflective |
| How it’s completed | Branch or online banking | By phone with a dedicated specialist | App or website |
| Typical cost | Highest | Margin built into the rate | Low fee; recipient usually pays nothing |
For smaller everyday support payments, a licensed money transfer operator is usually the practical choice. For larger sums — property, investment, or funding a foreign-currency account — a specialist broker rather than a bank typically gives a better rate and human guidance through the compliance steps.
What documents do you need to send money to Pakistan?
The documents fall into two parts: what you provide in the UK as the sender, and what your recipient needs in Pakistan.
On the UK side (the sender), you’ll typically need:
- Proof of identity and address — a passport or driving licence for standard know-your-customer (KYC) checks.
- Source-of-funds evidence for larger transfers — for high-value amounts, a UK-regulated provider must verify where the money came from, such as a payslip record, a property completion statement, or a sale agreement. See our guidance on proof of funds for large international transfers.
On the Pakistan side (the recipient), you’ll usually need:
- A Pakistani bank account, with the recipient’s CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card) on file.
- The account’s IBAN for a bank transfer, plus the SWIFT/BIC code if you’re sending foreign currency into a foreign-currency account.
- The recipient’s full name exactly as it appears on the account — a mismatch is the most common cause of delay.
UK providers carry out the sender-side checks under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. The receiving framework is set by the State Bank of Pakistan.
What is a Roshan Digital Account?
A Roshan Digital Account (RDA) is a bank account that overseas Pakistanis can open remotely from abroad — without visiting a branch — to send, hold, and invest money in Pakistan in either rupees or foreign currency. It is a State Bank of Pakistan initiative aimed at Non-Resident Pakistanis.
An RDA matters for this corridor in two ways. First, it lets you receive and hold GBP, USD or EUR in a foreign-currency value account rather than converting straight to rupees — useful if you want to protect value against rupee movements. Second, it gives access to government investments such as Naya Pakistan Certificates. Most Pakistani banks charge nothing on incoming remittances into an RDA, though your UK or correspondent bank may apply its own fee. An RDA is for your own account; sending to a family member is a standard remittance to their account.
Costs, exchange rates and what to watch for
In mid-June 2026, GBP/PKR traded around ₨372–374 to the pound in the interbank market, within a 12-month range of roughly ₨367 to ₨390. The open-market rate available to retail customers differs slightly from the interbank rate, so the figure your recipient receives depends on the channel you use.
Three things to watch:
- The rate, not just the fee. The exchange-rate margin is usually the larger cost. A “zero fee” offer can hide a poor rate, so compare the all-in rupee figure your recipient actually receives. Our guide to international money transfer costs explains what to look for.
- Formal channels are usually free to the recipient. Home remittances sent through banks and licensed operators typically reach the recipient with no Pakistani-side deduction, and at a market-reflective rate. The informal hawala/hundi market is illegal, unprotected, and carries real fraud risk — it is not a safe route for a transfer of any size.
- Currency direction. If your recipient is saving rather than spending, holding value in a foreign-currency account may matter more than the rupee rate on the day. Anthony Bull, CEO of Cambridge Currencies, notes: “For everyday support, speed and a fair rate are what count. For a larger sum — a property purchase or an investment — it’s worth taking ten minutes on the phone to get the rate and the paperwork right, because on six figures the margin is where the real money is.”
Timing, safety and avoiding fraud
Pakistan is one of the world’s largest remittance markets, receiving tens of billions of dollars a year, with the UK among its biggest sources (World Bank data). That volume attracts scammers. Protect every transfer by:
- Sending only through a bank, a licensed money transfer operator, or an established broker working with FCA-authorised partners. If you’re unsure about a provider, here’s how to verify it is legitimate.
- Confirming the recipient’s account details directly with them, by phone or in person — never acting on details sent only by email or message.
- Reading our wider guidance on how to send money abroad safely before a first large transfer. Sending the other way? See our guide on how to send money from Pakistan to the UK.
Why a specialist broker matters for larger Pakistan transfers
For a few hundred pounds to family, an app does the job well. But for larger GBP transfers — a property purchase, a wedding, an investment, or funding a foreign-currency account — a specialist broker earns its place. At Cambridge Currencies, a dedicated specialist talks you through the rate, the documents, and the route by phone, and completes every transfer with a named dealer rather than an anonymous app. The minimum transfer is £5,000.
Cambridge Currencies is a UK specialist currency broker founded in 2023. It is not itself an FCA-authorised firm; it arranges transfers through its FCA-authorised partners, Currencycloud (FRN 900199) and ScioPay (FRN 927951), whose regulated infrastructure safeguards client funds. You can read about how client funds are safeguarded, how we work, and whether currency brokers are safe. For the full process on bigger sums, see our guidance on large international money transfers, or how a SWIFT transfer reaches a foreign-currency account.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to send money from the UK to Pakistan?
In the UK you’ll need proof of identity and address, plus source-of-funds evidence for larger amounts. In Pakistan, your recipient needs a bank account with their CNIC on file, and the account’s IBAN (plus the SWIFT/BIC code for a foreign-currency transfer). The recipient’s name must match the account exactly.
Does my recipient in Pakistan pay any charges to receive the money?
Usually not. Home remittances sent through banks and licensed money transfer operators typically reach the recipient with no Pakistani-side deduction. Your UK bank or a correspondent bank may apply its own fee, so check the all-in cost before you send.
What is the exchange rate from pounds to Pakistani rupees?
In mid-June 2026, GBP/PKR traded around ₨372–374 to the pound in the interbank market, within a 12-month range of roughly ₨367 to ₨390. The rate moves daily and the retail rate differs from the interbank rate, so check the live figure before you send.
What is a Roshan Digital Account and do I need one?
A Roshan Digital Account is a bank account overseas Pakistanis can open remotely to send, hold, and invest money in Pakistan in rupees or foreign currency. You need one only if you want to hold funds or invest in your own name; sending to a family member is a standard remittance to their account.
Is it safe to use hawala for a better rate?
No. The informal hawala/hundi market is illegal in the regulated sense, offers no protection if something goes wrong, and carries real fraud risk. Sending through a bank, licensed operator, or established broker gives you a traceable, market-reflective rate.
What is the best way to send a large amount to Pakistan?
For a large GBP transfer — property, investment, or funding a foreign-currency account — a specialist currency broker usually offers a sharper rate and guidance through the documents than a bank or app. For smaller, regular support payments, a licensed money transfer operator is more practical.
How long does a transfer to Pakistan take?
Money sent through an operator or app often arrives within minutes to a day. A bank-to-bank transfer typically takes one to a few working days, depending on the banks and any compliance checks.
Do I need to prove where my money came from?
For larger transfers, yes. UK-regulated providers must verify your source of funds under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 before releasing a high-value payment. Preparing that evidence in advance keeps the transfer moving.
Sending a larger sum to Pakistan?
If you’re making a larger GBP transfer to Pakistan — a property purchase, an investment, or funding a foreign-currency account — speak to a Cambridge Currencies specialist about your rate and the documents you’ll need. Every transfer is completed by phone with a dedicated dealer. Request a quote or call +44 (0)1223 608232.
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