How to Create a PayPal Account in Pakistan in 2025
PayPal has become a global standard for online payments, offering a safe, convenient, and widely accepted way to send and receive money internationally. For freelancers, entrepreneurs, online shoppers, and businesses, PayPal is often the go-to payment platform worldwide. However, Pakistan is one of the countries where PayPal’s services are not officially supported, creating challenges for people who want to use PayPal for international transactions.
If you are living in Pakistan in 2025 and want to create a PayPal account, this comprehensive guide is for you. We will explain the current situation, the challenges faced by Pakistani users, step-by-step instructions to create and verify a PayPal account, useful workarounds, alternative platforms, and tips for safe and legitimate use.
Why is PayPal Important for Pakistan?
The increasing trend of freelancing, online businesses, and digital entrepreneurship in Pakistan has highlighted the importance of reliable online payment methods. PayPal is favored for several reasons:
- International Reach: PayPal is accepted on millions of websites and by freelance marketplaces like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
- Security: PayPal offers secure payment gateways, fraud protection, and buyer/seller dispute resolution.
- Ease of Use: Sending and receiving money is fast and can be done with just an email address.
- Currency Conversion: PayPal handles currency conversions smoothly for cross-border transactions.
- Trusted Platform: Global clients and businesses often prefer PayPal because of its brand trust.
Due to these benefits, many Pakistanis seek ways to use PayPal despite the lack of official support in the country.
The PayPal Pakistan Dilemma: What You Need to Know in 2025
What Does “Not Supported” Mean?
When a country is “not supported” by PayPal, it means:
- Users cannot open PayPal accounts registered to that country.
- Linking local bank accounts or debit/credit cards issued by Pakistani banks is not allowed.
- Withdrawals of funds to Pakistani bank accounts are blocked.
- PayPal may restrict or suspend accounts linked to unsupported countries.
Why Doesn’t PayPal Support Pakistan?
Several reasons contribute to this situation:
- Regulatory and Compliance Issues: PayPal requires specific licensing and compliance with local financial regulations, which it has not fully established in Pakistan.
- Financial Infrastructure: The integration of local banking and payment systems is limited.
- Risk and Fraud Management: Certain risk assessments affect PayPal’s decision to operate in some countries.
Has This Changed in 2025?
While there have been hopeful signs and discussions about PayPal entering Pakistan officially, as of 2025, PayPal still does not offer full services in Pakistan. The good news is that people have found practical workarounds, and the growing fintech ecosystem offers alternatives.
How to Create a PayPal Account in Pakistan — Step by Step
Despite these limitations, you can create a PayPal account from Pakistan with some important caveats and steps.
Step 1: Visit PayPal’s Official Website
Go to PayPal.com and click on the Sign Up button to begin.
Step 2: Select the Right Account Type
You will be prompted to choose between:
- Personal Account: Ideal for individuals who want to shop online or send money.
- Business Account: Suitable for freelancers, businesses, and those who want to receive payments or send invoices.
For most Pakistan-based freelancers or sellers, the Business Account is recommended.
Step 3: Choose a Supported Country
Here’s the key workaround: Since Pakistan is not supported, you must select a country where PayPal operates officially. Common options include:
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
United States (USA)
United Kingdom (UK)
Canada
Important: Only select a country where you have legal residency, a postal address, or business registration. Using false information violates PayPal’s terms and risks account suspension.
Step 4: Provide Personal and Contact Information
Fill in the required personal details including:
- Full name (should match your identification documents)
- Email address (use a professional and frequently accessed email)
- Phone number (preferably with the country code of your selected country)
- Residential/business address in the supported country
If you don’t have a physical address in the chosen country, some people use the address of a relative, friend, or virtual office service.
Step 5: Link a Payment Method
To fully use your PayPal account, especially for withdrawals, you must link a valid payment method:
- International Credit or Debit Card: Cards from Visa, MasterCard, or American Express issued by banks in the selected supported country.
- Virtual Cards: Some fintech companies offer virtual cards that work internationally and can be linked to PayPal.
- Bank Account: You may link a bank account from the supported country if you have one.
Note: Pakistani debit or credit cards typically don’t work for linking to PayPal due to geographic restrictions.
Step 6: Verify Your Account
PayPal will charge a small refundable amount (usually under $2) to your linked card or bank account. This transaction comes with a unique code that you must enter in PayPal to verify ownership.
Verifying your account will:
- Remove withdrawal and sending limits
- Confirm your identity
- Increase account security
Step 7: Start Using Your PayPal Account
Once verified, you can:
- Send payments globally
- Receive payments from clients or customers (depending on account setup)
- Shop online on websites accepting PayPal
How to Withdraw Money from PayPal in Pakistan?
Here’s where the biggest challenge lies: PayPal does not allow direct withdrawal of funds to Pakistani bank accounts.
Common Workarounds for Withdrawals
1. Use Payoneer as a Bridge
Payoneer is a widely used financial service that enables you to receive international payments and withdraw money locally. The process is:
- Link your PayPal account to Payoneer (only possible if Payoneer provides you with a US bank account).
- Transfer funds from PayPal to Payoneer.
- Withdraw funds from Payoneer to your Pakistani bank account.
This is a legal and popular method among freelancers and businesses in Pakistan.
2. Use International Bank Accounts or Cards
If you have a bank account or card in the selected supported country, you can withdraw funds there and then transfer the money to Pakistan through legal banking channels or money transfer services.
3. Use Currency Exchange Platforms
Some users use online currency exchange platforms or digital wallets to move money from PayPal to local accounts. Exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of such services.
Alternatives to PayPal in Pakistan
Since PayPal access is limited, here are some reliable alternatives:
1. Payoneer
- Widely accepted in freelancing and e-commerce.
- Provides you with a prepaid Mastercard and a US bank account number.
- Allows local currency withdrawals.
2. Skrill
- Supports Pakistan for sending and receiving money.
- Good for online gambling sites and trading platforms.
3. JazzCash & Easypaisa
- Local mobile wallets in Pakistan.
- Some international payment gateways are integrating these wallets.
4. Local Bank Wire Transfers
- Banks like HBL, UBL, and MCB offer international wire transfer services.
- Typically slower and higher fees but secure.
Important Tips for Pakistani PayPal Users in 2025
- Never provide false information: Using fake addresses or identities can result in permanent bans.
- Use trusted payment methods: Avoid prepaid cards from unreliable sources.
- Keep your account information updated: This helps prevent account freezes.
- Watch out for scams: Many fake PayPal services promise easy account setups but are fraudulent.
- Stay updated: PayPal’s policies may change. Follow official PayPal news for Pakistan developments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I use PayPal in Pakistan to shop online?
Yes, if you create a verified PayPal account linked with an international card, you can shop on websites accepting PayPal.
Q2: Can I send money from Pakistan to other countries via PayPal?
Yes, sending money is generally possible once your account is set up and verified.
Q3: Can I receive payments on PayPal in Pakistan?
Receiving payments is possible but withdrawing those funds to local banks requires workarounds like Payoneer.
Q4: Is it legal to create a PayPal account with another country’s address?
It’s legal if you have a valid connection to that country (residency, business). Using false information violates PayPal policies.
Q5: When will PayPal officially launch in Pakistan?
There is no official timeline yet, but negotiations and regulatory discussions continue.
Conclusion
PayPal remains a highly desirable payment platform for Pakistanis involved in global freelancing, e-commerce, and online business. Although official support is still not available in Pakistan as of 2025, you can create and use a PayPal account by selecting a supported country and linking international payment methods.
For withdrawals, using Payoneer or international bank accounts provides practical solutions. Remember to always follow legal and ethical guidelines to avoid account restrictions or closures.
As Pakistan’s fintech ecosystem grows, more convenient options may become available in the near future, so keep yourself informed.
If you found this guide helpful, please share it with your network and subscribe for more updates on online payment solutions in Pakistan! Feel free to leave your questions and experiences in the comments below.
#PayPalPakistan #FreelancersInPakistan #OnlinePayments #PayPalGuide #FreelancingInPakistan #PakistanFreelancers #OnlineIncomePakistan #PayPalAlternatives #PaymentMethods #InternationalPayment #DigitalPayments
