FAQs

FREQUENT ANSWERS & QUESTIONS

1. Can I send money to a bank without having a bank account in Pakistan?

• Yes you can. The beneficiary will receive the remittance in cash form.

2. Is it important to declare the purpose of the funds being sent to Pakistan?

• Each overseas entity has its own KYC (Know your customer) / AML (Anti-Money Laundering) requirements and the transactions have to be as per the permissible modes and purposes. Please contact our nearest certified bank for further assistance, if you provide me your city, I can assist you in locating the nearest branch/exchange company {Go to locator to provide the nearest location}

3. Where can I obtain the information on KYC and AML?

• You can visit the following websites to get more information.

1. KYC: www.sbp.org.pk
   /bpd/2003/c10.htm
2. AML: www.sbp.org.pk/about/act/AML-Ordinance-2009.pdf

4. Can you assist me to find out how much funds were remitted from xxxx country to Pakistan in the last year?

•  The availability of such information can be obtained from SBP website  www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/index2.asp or PRI website www.pri.gov.pk under home remittance section.

5. I want to know about the rules & regulation for remittances in Pakistan?

•  You can obtain details and information through SBP via email (info@sbp.org.pk) or from SBP website www.sbp.org.pk
  /fe_manual/chapters/chapter10.htm

6. I have a remitting business, how can I engage with banks in Pakistan?

•  Sure, if you provide me your details, I can have someone give you a call back with this regards

1.  Name
2. Company Name / Business Name
3. Location
4. Contact Number
5. Best time to call
6. Email address:

7. What is the difference between Money Exchange and Banks?

•  There is no difference between the two as long as they are both certified. If you provide me your city, I can assist you in locating the nearest branch or exchange.

8. How many foreign accounts are available in Pakistan?

•  Currently Pakistan Banks are offering 4 foreign currency accounts.

1.  USD
2. GBP
3. EURO
4. YEN

9. Can I send money from India to Pakistan?

•  Yes you may, but you will need to contact the local Indian Banks directly as we are not affiliated yet with any Banks in India.

10. I am a foreign national, can I send money to Pakistan?

•  Yes, you can.

11. I want to invest in Pakistan, can you guide me?

•  You can obtain details and information through SBP via email (info@sbp.org.pk) or from SBP website www.sbp.org.pk. You can also contact at info@pri.gov.pk.

12. Why disclaimer states that PRI do not guarantee any information provided to the customer?

•  Please note our legal department handles this matter. If you have any queries regarding the disclaimer you can email them at info@pri.gov.pk for assistance.

13. Is Western Union affiliated with PRI?

•  No, at this time Western Union is not affiliated with PRI.

14. What is PRI address?

•  PRI Remittance Initiative, Camp Office, 4^th Floor, Main Building State Bank of Pakistan, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi 74000, Pakistan

15. Does the PRI come under the laws of State Bank or Government?

•  It is a joint initiative of 3 entities; State Bank of Pakistan, Ministry of overseas Pakistanis and Ministry of Finance.

16. Can the business transactions from company to company be made through PRI?

•  Commercial transactions are not entertained through PRI.

17. If the beneficiary is expired, who can collect the remittance on his/her behalf?

•  In this scenario relatives of the beneficiary will contact the beneficiary bank.

18. If the sender is sending the remittance in cash to cash mode, can the beneficiary collect the remittance from any other bank besides the beneficiary bank?

•  No, in cash to cash mode, beneficiary can only collect the remittance from the beneficiary bank.

19. Are there any taxes on Remittance?

•  No, there are no taxes.

20. What is the turnaround time (TAT) to receive remittance in Pakistan?

•  Cash to Cash: As low as 10 min
  Account to Account: Minimum 24 Hours to maximum 48 Hours

21. Are there any penalties if the remittance is delayed?

•  Yes, the penalty will be 65 paisa per Rs.1000/- per day and the penalty will be bear by the beneficiary bank.

22. What conversion rates will be applied on remittance?

•  The same conversion rates will be applied at the time of sending the remittance. Sender needs to confirm the rates with the affiliated bank or Exchange Company at the time of sending the remittance

23. What is CRC (Child Registration Certificate)?

•  The purpose of issuing of Children Registration Certificate is to register all children with Pakistani citizenship and who are below the age of 18 years at the time of application for registration regardless of their stay inland or abroad. This data would be a source of verification for the subsequent request for *NICOP/CNIC upon the attainment of 18 years of age.

24. What are the charges for sending the remittance?

•  If you are remitting below $100 their will be charges which the sender entity will confirm you at the time of remittance. If sending entity is on free send model then and sending remittance equals to or above $100 then it is free of cost. Otherwise charges will be informed by the sending entity.

25. SBP Link where information regarding workers remittance is available?

•  http://www.sbp.org.pk
  /ecodata/Homeremit_Arch.xls (Home Remittance Archive)