Best Payment Solution for Pakistani Freelancers in 2026

How to Receive International Payments in Pakistan as a Freelancer Using NayaPay in 2026

If you’re doing remote jobs online like me, or just starting your career with online earning/freelancing, you’ve likely faced the problem of how to receive money from international clients into your local account.

If you’re a freelancer in Pakistan earning from clients abroad, this problem can be even more frustrating. PayPal isn’t available in Pakistan. Bank transfers are very slow. Remittance companies charge hefty fees. And international payment platforms create additional complications with Pakistani banks.

All of this leads to the same result: talented Pakistani freelancers don’t reach their full earnings.

But the good news is this. In 2026, there’s finally a solution that really works for Pakistani freelancers, remote workers, and online entrepreneurs—NayaPay.

In this guide, I’ll explain in simple terms how to use NayaPay to receive payments from international clients without losing half your earnings in fees and without waiting for weeks.

Whether you’re new to freelancing or are frustrated with payment methods—this article will solve your biggest problem.

What Exactly Is NayaPay?

NayaPay is Pakistan’s first officially licensed digital wallet and financial services company, approved by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) as an Electronic Money Institution since 2021.

In simple terms, it’s like a “bank in your pocket”—but the difference is that it actually works for international payments and online business.

Launched with the backing of strong investors, NayaPay has also become globally recognized. Today, more than 2.5 million Pakistani users use it.

The company also underwent a major rebrand in 2025 to make the app and services more modern, easy, and tailored to the real needs of freelancers.

Why Is NayaPay Different From Other Payment Methods?

Here are the reasons that make NayaPay different and better for Pakistani freelancers:

It’s Completely Legal and Regulated Many people use shortcuts or tricky methods to receive payments, which are risky. NayaPay is 100% legal and compliant with SBP regulations.

This means your earnings are secure, your account is safe, and Pakistani banks won’t reject your transfers.

Many freelancers’ money gets blocked or delayed simply because some platforms violate SBP regulations. With NayaPay, there’s no such tension.

You Get It Set Up in Minutes What happens with normal banks? Branch visits, lines, forms, and then back again.

NayaPay is set up on your smartphone in just 5 minutes.

All you need is:

• Your CNIC
• A selfie

That’s it. And really, that’s all it takes.

Zero Fees for Most Things First of all, the best part: almost everything here is free.

No account opening fees, no monthly service charges. Your virtual Visa card is completely free. The first 5 ATM withdrawals per month are free through partner banks.

Comparing this to traditional banks, which charge you just to maintain an account, it’s clear why freelancers are shifting to NayaPay.

International Payments Become Simple This is the most important point. Receiving money from overseas clients becomes really simple with NayaPay.

You simply share your NayaPay IBAN with the client or remittance service, and the money is transferred directly to your digital wallet, usually within 3–5 working days—and even instant with some partners.

NayaPay has connections with over 60 international remittance partners, such as Remitly, Wise, ACE, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Ria.

The advantage is that the client uses the service of their choice, and you receive the money directly into their NayaPay account in Pakistani rupees.

You Can Use It For Facebook and Google Ads Many freelancers and digital marketers need to run Facebook and Google Ads, whether for clients or for their own businesses.

NayaPay’s Visa card works perfectly with Facebook and Google Ads.

Your virtual card is issued instantly, so there’s no need to wait for a physical card. Meaning, you can start campaigns immediately, without any delay.

How to Create Your NayaPay Account (Step-by-Step)

Creating a NayaPay account takes less time than scrolling through social media. Below, I’ll explain in simple steps exactly what you need to do:

Step 1: Download the App If you use Android, go to the Google Play Store, or if you have an iPhone, open the Apple App Store. Search for “NayaPay” and download the official NayaPay (SMC-Private) Limited app.

Step 2: Tap Register and Enter Your Basic Information Open the app and tap “Register” or “Get Started.” Enter your:

• First name
• Last name
• Personal email address
• Phone number

Step 3: Verify Your Phone Number With OTP You will now receive a 6-digit OTP via SMS on your phone. Enter that code into the app. This confirms that the number is yours.

Step 4: Choose Your Service Provider Now select which mobile network you use—Jazz, Zong, Warid, or Ufone. This is important for the next verification.

Step 5: Create Your NayaPay ID and Password Now choose a unique username, which will become your NayaPay ID. Then set a strong password (a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols). You will use this ID and password for every login.

Step 6: Create Your Wallet and Upload Documents Tap “Create Wallet.” The app will ask you for your home address and city. After that, you need to upload the following:

• A clear selfie (face clearly visible, lighting good)
• CNIC photo (both front and back)

Make sure the images are clear and the CNIC is not expired. Blurry photos slow down verification.

Step 7: Verify Your Email Check your email inbox. NayaPay will send a verification link. Click on that link to confirm the email.

Step 8: Set Up Your 6-Digit Mobile PIN Now set a 6-digit PIN (this is not the phone’s PIN). You will use this PIN for transactions and app access. Create a PIN that you remember but is difficult for others to guess.

Step 9: Choose a Security Question Now choose a security question, such as:

• What is your favorite color?
• Where were you born? Set the answer to that question as well. This will help if you forget your password in the future.

Step 10: Make Your First Deposit The first deposit of approximately 300 PKR is required to activate the wallet (multiple methods are available). As soon as the deposit is made, your virtual Visa card is instantly generated.

That’s it. Now you have both a fully functioning digital wallet and Visa card.

Getting Your Free Visa Card

One of the best things about NayaPay is that you get two types of Visa cards:

Your Virtual Visa Card (Instant) As soon as the wallet is activated, the virtual Visa card immediately appears in the app. You can use this card immediately:

• For international online shopping
• For running Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads
• For international subscriptions

Card details are stored within the app, and online payments are possible within seconds.

Your Physical Visa Card (Free, Delivered Home) You can also order a free physical NayaPay Visa debit card, which is delivered to your home address within 7–10 working days. The card design is orange and numberless—card numbers are only visible in the app for added security.

With a physical card, you can:

• Withdraw cash from any ATM in Pakistan (5 free withdrawals per month)
• Pay at shops, restaurants, and stores
• Use international ATMs while traveling
• Store money safely without carrying cash

How to Receive International Payments in Your NayaPay Account

NayaPay actually solves a real problem for Pakistani freelancers. Understand how to receive money from international clients in the simple steps below:

Step 1: Get Your NayaPay IBAN The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is the key to receiving international payments. To view your IBAN, open the NayaPay app and follow this path: Home → Your Wallet → Account Details → IBAN You will find a 24-digit number here. Take note of it. This is your unique international bank account number that works globally.

Step 2: Share Your IBAN With Your Client Now share your IBAN with the international client, or add it to your freelance profile (such as Fiverr, Upwork, or wherever you work). Inform the client that they can send money via a remittance service like Remitly, Wise, ACE, Western Union, MoneyGram, or Ria.

Step 3: Money Arrives in 3–5 Days The client initiates the transfer using their preferred remittance service, and the money arrives directly into your NayaPay wallet. Typically, transfers are completed within 3–5 working days, with some services even faster.

Step 4: Convert and Withdraw As soon as money enters your wallet, it is automatically converted into Pakistani rupees at the current market rate. After that, you can:

• Store the money in your wallet and spend it anywhere Visa is accepted.
• Withdraw from any ATM using the NayaPay physical card.
• Transfer it to another Pakistani bank account if desired.
• Or use it for instant purchases.

Why NayaPay Beats Other Methods for Pakistani Freelancers

Now, let’s be honest about why other options aren’t as effective:

Payoneer (Popular but Complicated) Payoneer is popular, but the issue is that it no longer works directly with Pakistani banks. Often, you have to link JazzCash or EasyPaisa first, which adds extra time and complications. On top of that, there are transaction fees, which add up significantly when receiving multiple payments.

Wise (Good Rates, But Limited) Wise offers good exchange rates, but the problem is that due to certain SBP restrictions, Wise cards can’t be used everywhere or for every purpose. This means you can’t rely on Wise for every freelance need.

Traditional Bank Transfers (Slow and Expensive) Direct SWIFT transfers go to Pakistani bank accounts, but banks charge heavy fees—often 30–50 USD per transfer. If you’re a freelancer receiving payments of 50–100 USD, these fees can almost wipe out your earnings.

NayaPay (Fast, Cheap, and Made for This) NayaPay is specifically designed for Pakistani users who receive international money. No unnecessary middlemen, no hidden charges that can eat away at earnings. Money comes directly from the client to your NayaPay IBAN—simple, fast, and tension-free.

Security: Is Your Money Safe in NayaPay?

This is probably your biggest concern—and it’s absolutely valid. You want to confirm whether your hard-earned money is safe or not.

NayaPay has top-level security certifications:

• PCI-DSS Certified — This is the same security standard used by Visa, MasterCard, and almost all legitimate payment processors.
• ISO 27001 Certified — Meaning their data protection meets international standards.
• Biometric Verification — The account is locked with your fingerprint or face recognition.
• Multi-layer fraud detection — Every transaction is monitored in real-time so suspicious activity can be detected immediately.
• Zero-breach history — No security breach has been reported since launch.

Your money is held in a trust account, which is separate from NayaPay’s own operational funds. This means that even if NayaPay faces financial issues, your money remains protected.

Read More: Best Payment Method For Freelancers in Pakistan

Read More: How to Find High-Paying Remote Copywriting Jobs from Home

Important Things to Know Before You Start

Monthly Limits on Local Transfers Money transfers between NayaPay users are completely free, and there is no limit. However, if you transfer to a Pakistani bank account, there is a free limit of 25,000 PKR per month. After this limit, a small fee of only 0.1% is applied on the excess amount.

International Money Arrives in PKR Whenever you receive an international payment, it is automatically converted to PKR. The exchange rate is fair and transparent; just like with every currency conversion, there is a small margin.

You Need to Keep Your Phone Number Updated Your phone number is very important for account recovery. If you change your SIM or number, update it immediately in the app. Otherwise, account access issues may arise in the future.

ATM Withdrawal Limits Every ATM withdrawal has a per-transaction limit (usually around 50,000 PKR). The first 5 withdrawals per month are free; after that, a small fee applies.

Tips to Maximize Your NayaPay Account

Tip 1: Use Both Virtual and Physical Cards Be sure to order a free physical card and keep it as a backup. Use a virtual card for online payments and ads. This way, you have complete flexibility.

Tip 2: Check Exchange Rates Before Converting If you’re holding USD and need to convert to PKR, check the rate first. NayaPay displays the exact rate before conversion. Some people even wait for a better rate.

Tip 3: Link Your Bank Account Link your Pakistani bank account with NayaPay. This makes transfers easy whenever you want (a small fee may apply after the monthly free limit).

Tip 4: Use Raast for Local Transfers Raast is Pakistan’s instant transfer system. NayaPay supports Raast, so local transfers are fast and mostly free.

Tip 5: Keep Screenshots of Transactions Keep a screenshot or download of every transaction for tax and record-keeping purposes. This is very useful for freelancers when filing taxes.

If you’re earning from Fiverr, Upwork, YouTube AdSense, and direct clients, all your money can come into a single NayaPay IBAN. The wallet consolidates everything in one place.

Running Facebook and Google Ads If you manage clients’ ad accounts or run your own ads, the NayaPay Visa card works instantly. No waiting for approvals, no drama of payment rejections.

Sending Money to Team Members If you hire other freelancers or virtual assistants, you can send instant payments using NayaPay (they must also have NayaPay). This feature is very useful for scaling Pakistani teams.

Keeping Business and Personal Separate NayaPay lets you create multiple wallets/accounts. This keeps business earnings and personal spending separate, making it easier for both accounting and tax purposes.

Common Questions Pakistani Freelancers Ask

Q: Is NayaPay safe for large amounts? A: NayaPay is designed for more cash-flow management, not long-term savings. It’s safe to keep 1–2 months’ worth of earnings, but for large amounts, it’s better to move small amounts of money into a bank account. Usually, the maximum wallet balance is around 1 million PKR.

Q: What if I live outside Pakistan? A: Currently, the physical card is only delivered to addresses within Pakistan. Overseas Pakistanis can use a virtual card and store money in their wallet.

Q: What if I forget my password? A: Account recovery is done through the security question set during registration. It’s crucial to keep my email and phone number updated.

Q: Will the client know I’m using NayaPay? A: No. The client only sees the IBAN number—a normal international account number. They won’t know which platform you’re using.

Q: Can it be used for a full-time remote job? A: Absolutely. If you’re a full-time remote employee with an international company, you can receive your salary in your NayaPay IBAN. Many people in Pakistan are already doing this.

The Future of Freelancing in Pakistan

In fact, 2026 is the best year for Pakistani freelancers to earn internationally. Five years ago, all this seemed almost impossible. Today, all it takes is downloading an app.

Naypay is a major shift in Pakistan’s fintech system. The State Bank is supporting digital services. International payment systems are also becoming more Pakistan-friendly.

The friction that previously made earning money online difficult is slowly disappearing. If payments were the reason you weren’t starting freelancing, that’s no longer an excuse. And if you are still struggling with payment methods, you now have a better option.