As of 2025, PayPal remains not fully functional in Pakistan. Yet, demand for PayPal among freelancers, online shop owners, digital marketers, and entrepreneurs in Pakistan is high. Whether you are a Fiverr freelancer, Shopify store owner, or one selling digital goods online, getting paid through PayPal is usually necessary. Although there is no such thing as PayPal Pakistan officially, there are valid workarounds through which you can bypass the ban and use PayPal services securely.
In this full human-composed guide, we will demonstrate how to open a PayPal account in Pakistan in 2025, the secure ways that people are opting for, alternative options to look at, and the dangers to steer clear of.
Why PayPal Matters in Pakistan
PayPal is among the world’s most trusted online payment platforms. Below are the reasons why experts in Pakistan need access to it:
International acceptance: PayPal is used in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Freelance websites: Upwork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour favor PayPal.
eCommerce: eBay, Shopify, and Etsy customers like to pay using PayPal.
Affiliate programs: Most affiliate websites only make payments through PayPal.
Security: PayPal has a buyer and seller protection program.
Can You Open a PayPal Account in Pakistan in 2025?
Officially, No.
PayPal is not yet available in Pakistan as of 2025. Although there have been intense negotiations between PayPal and the Pakistani government, PayPal has not yet made its presence felt in the country because of regulatory, tax, and compliance issues.
However, there are circumventive and lawful ways many Pakistanis are using to gain access to PayPal services. Let’s see them.
Step-by-Step Steps to Open a PayPal Account in Pakistan (2025)
Method 1: Access a PayPal Account Through a Reputed Relative Abroad
If you have a close family member who resides in a country where PayPal is available (such as UAE, UK, USA, Canada, or Australia), you can:
Step-by-Step:
Request your relative to create a PayPal account in their name and local address.
Connect their international bank account or debit/credit card.
You both have access (login details).
Utilize the account for money receipt and transfer.
Withdraw funds using services like Wise (TransferWise) or Payoneer, which can convert funds to your Pakistani bank account.
Important: Always get consent from the person who owns the account, and never impersonate them for legal or tax reasons.
Method 2: Open a PayPal Account via UAE (Most Popular Way in 2025)
As UAE is proximate to Pakistan and there is a sizeable Pakistani population in UAE, most freelancers and entrepreneurs establish a PayPal account with UAE credentials.
What you require:
UAE phone number (can be virtual or through relatives/friends).
UAE address (for verification purposes).
UAE bank account or international card such as Payoneer or Wise debit card.
Steps:
Go to www.paypal.com/ae and sign up as a UAE user.
Use a UAE phone number and address.
Add a Payoneer debit card or Wise account.
Activate the email and connect the card.
Receive payments.
Tip: This is a semi-legal method. You should not pretend to be of a different nationality, but PayPal doesn’t yet block UAE-based Pakistanis from using their services.
Method 3: Payoneer as an Alternative to PayPal
If the above is too dodgy or complex, the safest legal substitute is Payoneer, which is widely accepted and officially available in Pakistan.
Benefits:
Supports sites such as Fiverr, Upwork, Amazon, and eBay.
Free USD, GBP, EUR receiving accounts.
Withdraw to Pakistani bank accounts.
Offering a MasterCard which you can use anywhere in the world.
Using Payoneer for PayPal:
You can even connect your Payoneer debit card with PayPal (in case you’re working with a UAE or US PayPal account), and withdraw PayPal money to Payoneer.
Tips to Use PayPal Safely in Pakistan
Use your own name and actual documents when referring to Payoneer or Wise.- Don’t use VPNs with US IPs all the time – it can cause suspension of PayPal account.
- Don’t use fake documents or fake addresses. PayPal will permanently ban you.
- Log in regularly from the same device and location.
- Make low-risk transactions – don’t make suspicious or huge one-time payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can you legally open a PayPal account in another nation?
Helping a family member or opening with foreign residence is not technically illegal, but you should not forge documents or pretend to be someone else. That can get you into legal difficulties.
Q2: Can you use PayPal with a Pakistani bank account?
No. You can’t withdraw PayPal money into a Pakistani bank directly, but you withdraw into Payoneer or Wise and then withdraw to your Pakistani account.
Q3: What if PayPal finds I’m accessing PayPal from Pakistan?
They may limit or suspend your account. Always make sure your login method is secure and associated with the country where you signed up from.
