Send Money from the UK to Pakistan: Cheapest Ways (2026)

The cheapest way to send money from the UK to Pakistan is usually a regulated transfer app such as Remitly or Wise, paid for by bank transfer. On £1,000, both cost well under 1% in total when we checked. Remitly can also pay straight into JazzCash or Easypaisa wallets, which Wise can’t, so it’s often the better fit for family support.

Below: real quotes, which delivery method to choose, how Pakistan’s free-remittance scheme and Roshan Digital Accounts work, and the scams to watch for.

The quick answer

What it actually costs: a worked example

Every transfer has two costs: the upfront fee and the exchange-rate markup, the gap between the real mid-market rate and the rate you’re given. The markup is the one people miss, because it’s hidden inside the rate.

Worked example: sending £1,000 to a Pakistani bank account (quotes checked 5 November 2026)

The mid-market rate was about Rs 371.95 per £1, so £1,000 was “worth” roughly Rs 3,71,950.

The bank line is illustrative. Banks rarely publish their margin, so the only reliable way to check is to ask how many rupees will arrive and compare that with the mid-market rate. Our transfer cost calculator does the sum for you.

Other things from our quotes:

• Small transfers. On £100, Remitly charged £2.99 for bank deposit or cash pickup but only £0.99 to a mobile wallet. From £250 upwards, it charged no fee in our checks.
• Card payments cost more. Wise’s fee on £1,000 rose from £6.60 to £9.73 with a debit card. Pay by bank transfer where possible.

Our pick: For family support, Remitly is hard to beat on Pakistan: competitive rates, no fee on mid-sized transfers in our checks, and payout to JazzCash, Easypaisa, bank or cash. For larger sums to your own account, compare it with Wise.

The main providers compared

Remitly

Remitly pays out to bank accounts at more than 40 Pakistani banks and providers, including HBL, UBL, MCB, Meezan, Allied, Bank Alfalah and Bank Al Habib, plus JazzCash and Easypaisa wallets and cash pickup. New customers get a promotional rate on the first £500 (paid by “Easy bank transfer”) and no fees on the first four transfers (checked November 2026; one per customer, limited time). Remitly says it refunds its fee if a transfer arrives later than promised.

Wise

Wise uses the mid-market rate and shows its fee upfront. It pays into personal Pakistani bank accounts only, using the recipient’s 24-character IBAN (starting “PK”). Its Pakistan page warns that some account types can’t receive Wise transfers, naming Meezan Bank Express and Allied Bank Express accounts, and says Asaan accounts with a Rs 5,00,000 limit may reject payments. The per-transfer limit is Rs 3.5 crore (checked November 2026). It’s a good route for larger sums, but not for wallets.

WorldRemit

WorldRemit offers bank deposit, cash pickup and mobile money to Pakistan. Its fee depends on the delivery method rather than the amount, and new customers get a first-transfer enhanced rate on selected routes. It says around 90% of transfers reach its Pakistani partners within minutes. Get a quote and compare the rupees received.

Western Union

Western Union has wide cash-pickup coverage in Pakistan, which matters for relatives outside the big cities or without bank accounts. Its pricing varies with the amount, how you pay and how the money is collected, and its rate is often less generous than the apps above. More detail in our Post Office and Western Union guide.

Revolut

Revolut can send to Pakistani bank accounts. Standard-plan customers get fee-free exchange up to £1,000 a month, then a 1% fair-usage fee, plus an extra markup at weekends (checked November 2026). There may also be a transfer fee, which the app shows before you confirm.

Corridor specialists

Pakistan-focused firms such as ACE Money Transfer are popular with the UK community and can be competitive. Check they’re on the FCA register, then compare their quote on the same basis.

Your UK bank

Banks such as HSBC and Barclays can send to Pakistan via SWIFT. That is convenient for very large, documented payments, but the exchange-rate margin and possible intermediary charges usually make it the dearest option for regular support.

Choosing a delivery method

Bank deposit. Best for regular or larger amounts. You’ll need the recipient’s full name as on the account and their IBAN. Check the account type can receive international remittances (see the Wise restrictions above).

Mobile wallet (JazzCash, Easypaisa). Quick and practical for family support, especially outside big cities. You need the recipient’s registered mobile number and their name exactly as on the wallet. Wallets have account-level limits that depend on how fully the recipient’s account is verified, so large sums may bounce. Ask the recipient to check their limit in the app.

Cash pickup. Useful when the recipient has no account. They’ll need their CNIC and the transfer reference. Expect a less generous rate or higher fee on some services.

Pakistan-side rules worth knowing

The free-remittance scheme and the Pakistan Remittance Initiative

The Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) is a joint State Bank of Pakistan, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis programme to move remittances into formal banking channels.

Separately, under the SBP’s free-remittance arrangements, eligible home remittances of USD 200 or more sent through participating banks and exchange companies are meant to carry no transfer charges for the sender or the beneficiary. In July 2026 the SBP stopped reimbursing banks for these costs, but reports say it told them to keep offering the service free of charge (checked November 2026). In practice this covers charges on the Pakistani side. Your UK provider still sets its own fee and exchange rate, so the full quote is what matters.

Roshan Digital Account (RDA)

If you’re a non-resident Pakistani (or hold a NICOP or POC), you can open a Roshan Digital Account with a participating Pakistani bank entirely online, without visiting a branch or embassy. Key points from the SBP’s description:

• Available in rupees and in foreign currencies (banks commonly offer USD, GBP and EUR).
• Funds, including returns on investments, can be sent back abroad without prior SBP approval.
• Can be used for investments such as Naya Pakistan Certificates, as well as property and other approved options. Both conventional and Islamic accounts are offered.

An RDA is useful if you want to save or invest in Pakistan, or pay bills there yourself. For simply supporting family, sending straight to their account or wallet is easier. If you hold Naya Pakistan Certificates or earn returns in Pakistan and you are UK tax resident, that income is generally reportable to HMRC. Take tax advice if the amounts are significant.

UK inheritance tax on gifts

Regular gifts to family from your surplus income, and up to £3,000 a year under the annual exemption, are normally outside UK inheritance tax. Large one-off gifts may count towards your estate if you die within seven years. See GOV.UK’s guidance on gifts.

How to send money to Pakistan from the UK: step by step

1. Decide where it’s going. Bank account (get the IBAN), wallet (get the JazzCash or Easypaisa mobile number) or cash pickup (get the recipient’s name exactly as on their CNIC).
2. Compare quotes. Put the same amount into Remitly and Wise, and WorldRemit if you like. Compare rupees received.
3. Verify your identity early. New users upload ID and sometimes proof of address. Do it before the money is urgently needed.
4. Enter the recipient’s details carefully. Names must match the account or CNIC, or the transfer may be held or returned.
5. Pay by bank transfer. Usually the cheapest way to fund it.
6. Send the tracking reference. For cash pickup, the recipient needs the reference number and their CNIC.

Safety and scam warnings

• Use FCA-regulated providers only. Check any unfamiliar firm on the FCA Firm Checker. Remitly, Wise, WorldRemit, Western Union and Revolut are all regulated in the UK.
• Avoid hundi and hawala. Informal dealers may offer a “better rate”, but there’s no protection if the money vanishes, and these channels are associated with money laundering.
• Fake “relative” messages. Scammers pose as family on WhatsApp with a “new number” and an urgent request. Call the person on a number you already have.
• Fake prize or government-scheme messages. Recipients in Pakistan are often sent SMS messages asking for wallet PINs or OTPs. Tell family never to share a PIN or one-time code with anyone.
• Never forward money for strangers. “Receive and pass on payments for commission” offers are money-mule recruitment, which the FCA warns is a serious criminal offence.

If you think you’ve been scammed, call your provider or bank immediately, then contact Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) on 0300 123 2040.

Bottom line

For UK-to-Pakistan transfers, compare Remitly and Wise, pay by bank transfer and choose the delivery method your family actually uses. Remitly’s wallet payouts make it the most practical everyday choice. Wise is a solid option for bank-to-bank transfers. For more general tips, see our best way to send money abroad guide. If you care about Shariah-compliant banking at either end, our Islamic finance guide is a good starting point.