- Who can open one
- The rule most people miss: only funds from abroad go in
- What you'll need
- How to open it, step by step
- What you can do with the account
- Foreign currency, rupees or both?
- Charges and choosing a bank
- Questions SBP will answer
- Stay safe while you apply
- After approval: your first deposit
- Is it worth it?
- Frequently asked questions
To open a Roshan Digital Account, pick one of the participating Pakistani banks, start the online application on its website or app from wherever you live, upload your ID documents and complete the bank's digital checks. You don't need to visit a branch, an embassy or a consulate.
The State Bank of Pakistan set the scheme up with commercial banks so Pakistanis living abroad can bank, pay and invest in Pakistan without travelling. SBP says banks have been asked to finish their customer checks within 48 hours for individuals and 5 days for businesses.
Who can open one
According to SBP's Roshan Digital Account page, these groups are eligible:
- Non-resident Pakistanis holding a Pakistani passport, NICOP, POC or NIC.
- People of any working status: employed, self-employed, unemployed, homemakers, students, children and pensioners.
- Foreign nationals and foreign companies.
- Resident Pakistanis with foreign assets declared in their tax returns, as the SBP Governor's message on the same page explains.
The rule most people miss: only funds from abroad go in
SBP's page is clear on this. Funds can only be sent into a Roshan Digital Account from abroad. Income earned on investments made through the account, such as rent or profit, can be added too. But nobody can deposit funds into it locally from inside Pakistan.
That restriction is what makes the account repatriable. SBP says funds in the account can be sent back out of Pakistan without approval from the bank or from SBP. If you were planning to have a relative top it up from a Pakistani account, it won't work. Use a normal local account for that.
What you'll need
| Item | Why it's asked for |
|---|---|
| Pakistani passport, NICOP, POC or NIC (or a foreign passport for foreign nationals) | Identity and eligibility |
| An email address and a phone number you can receive codes on | For the online application and security codes |
| Income or employment details, if your bank asks | The bank's own customer checks |
SBP describes the documents as a basic set of information. The exact list differs a little between banks, so check the bank's own RDA page before you start.
How to open it, step by step
- Choose a participating bank. SBP's page lists them, including Allied Bank, Bank Alfalah, Bank AL Habib, Bank of Punjab, Dubai Islamic Bank, Faysal Bank, HBL, JS Bank, MCB, Meezan Bank, Samba, Standard Chartered, UBL, Askari Bank and HabibMetro.
- Open that bank's Roshan Digital Account page or app and start the online application.
- Pick your account type: foreign currency, Pakistani rupee or both; single or joint; current or savings; conventional or Shariah-compliant.
- Fill in your personal and income details and upload your documents.
- Complete any video or biometric check the bank asks for.
- Wait for the bank's approval, then send your first deposit from an account abroad.
Bank screens change over time. If a step looks different, follow the bank's on-screen prompts, which are the version that counts.
What you can do with the account
- Pay bills and fees in Pakistan and shop online, with full digital banking.
- Invest in Naya Pakistan Certificates, which SBP describes as government-issued certificates in several currencies.
- Buy shares and mutual fund units, or invest in property in Pakistan.
- Use Roshan Apni Car to buy a car for family at home, and Roshan Samaaji Khidmat for charity payments.
SBP adds that foreign currency and rupee accounts are interoperable, with real-time conversion between them.
Foreign currency, rupees or both?
SBP lets you hold a foreign currency account, a rupee account, or both, and switch between them in real time. If you're saving towards something priced in rupees, like property or family expenses, a rupee account keeps it simple. If you'd rather keep your savings in the currency you earn, a foreign currency account avoids converting until you need to. Many people open both and move funds across as needed, since SBP says the two are interoperable.
You also choose between conventional and Shariah-compliant versions of each, and between single and joint accounts. A joint account is worth thinking about if a spouse or parent will manage spending in Pakistan, but remember the no-local-deposits rule still applies to everyone on the account.
Charges and choosing a bank
SBP says account holders may pay charges on things like debit cards and cheque books, and these vary from bank to bank. The page links each bank's schedule of charges. Transfer charges are set by the bank sending the funds from abroad. I'd compare two or three banks' schedules before you choose, especially if you'll send small amounts often.
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Questions SBP will answer
If your bank can't help, SBP takes questions about the scheme at [email protected]. It also publishes a brochure in English and Urdu on the same page.
Stay safe while you apply
Only start an application from the bank's own website or official app. Be wary of anyone on social media offering to open the account for you in return for a fee: the whole point of the scheme is that you can do it yourself online. Your bank will never ask for your full card PIN or a one-time code over a phone call.
If you're overseas and earning from freelancing or remote work, my guides on banking tools for global entrepreneurs and applying for US remote jobs from abroad pair well with this.
After approval: your first deposit
Once the bank confirms your account, send a small first transfer from your account abroad and check it arrives before sending anything larger. Use the account number and IBAN exactly as the bank gives them, and ask your bank whether it has a preferred route or code for incoming transfers, since SBP notes that sending banks set the transfer charges. Then set up the bank's app and turn on transaction alerts so you see every movement.
Is it worth it?
For anyone abroad who supports family, invests or plans to buy property in Pakistan, yes. The fully online opening is the real draw, and being able to send funds back out without approval removes the biggest worry people used to have. The trade-off is the no-local-deposits rule, so keep a normal Pakistani account alongside it if you need one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a Roshan Digital Account without visiting Pakistan?
Yes. SBP says the account can be opened fully digitally, without visiting a bank, embassy or consulate.
Can family in Pakistan deposit into my Roshan Digital Account?
No. SBP says funds can only come in from abroad, plus income from investments made through the account.
How long does the bank take to approve it?
SBP has asked banks to complete their checks within 48 hours for individuals and 5 days for entities.
Can foreigners open a Roshan Digital Account?
Yes. SBP lists foreign nationals and foreign companies as eligible.
