Best Credit Cards in Pakistan For Freelancers


Pakistan is 4th largest country harboring a great majority of freelancers. In the past few years, they have helped the country strengthen its economic condition by considerable revenue generation.

With so many potential freelancers in Pakistan, the government has taken several initiatives to facilitate them. Hand in hand with private banks, they have recently taken concrete steps to expand the facilities to freelancers and freelancer account holders.

In this article, I will discuss the credit card service and other banking facilities for freelancers in Pakistan.

10 Best Credit Cards in Pakistan For Freelancers

1. HBL Freelancer Digital Account and Credit Card

With a simple opening, HBL is providing financial flexibility and comfort with its freelance digital account. There is also the Exporter’s special foreign currency account available to retain 50% of your foreign earnings.

Key Features:

  • Simple and self-serving account.
  • It is a current account for individuals 18 years or more.
  • It will be opened in Pak rupee linked to Exporter’s special foreign currency account.
  • No minimum monthly balance is required.
  • Free PayPak debit card for the first year. charges will be applied in subsequent years.
  • Free basic banking services.

HBL Freelancer Credit Card

HBL, a top bank in Pakistan provides freedom, flexibility, and round-the-clock convenience through HBL credit card.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Age: 21-65 years
  • Experience: Minimum 6-Month Experience as a Freelancer
  • Average Account Balance:
    • Platinum Credit Card: PKR 750,000
    • Gold Credit Card: PKR 300,000
    • Green Credit Card: PKR 60,000

Eligibility is based on internal policy checks, 40% DBR assessment along income assessment.

Documents Required:

New to HBL/Already an Account Holder:

  • CNIC
  • Bank Statement for last 6 Months.
  • Applicant ID Form from Approved Freelancing Sites
  • Proprietor Letter or Partnership Deed (in case of company account)

2. UBL Freelancer Account

It is a current variety of accounts for Pakistani freelancers who are 18+ and Pakistani residents. Along with financial empowerment, it also provides freedom, flexibility, and convenience to make your remote earning journey problem-free.

Key Features:

  • Availability of Credit Card: Freelancers with UBL can apply for the credit card as per the bank instructions. The SOC will be applied accordingly.
  • Minimum Average Balance of 250,000 or Above.
  • Free Checkbook
  • Free Debit Card
  • No ATM Charges
  • No IBFT Charges
  • Easy Loan Grant with Minimum Interest Rates
  • Preferential Conversion Rates from Foreign Currency to PKR.
  • Free Basic Banking Services

3. Meezan Freelancer Account

It is a rupee and foreign currency-based current and saving account. It is a personal account designed for freelancers to receive their payments and remittances directly.

Key Features:

  • Free Checkbook
  • Unlimited Withdrawal
  • Debit Card.
  • Attractive Conversion Rate.
  • Tax Facilitation Services.
  • Ability to pay bills and other bank transactions.
  • Free basic banking services.

To get detailed information on it, click here.

4. Askari Freelancer Digital Account

Key Features:

  • Current Account
  • PKR and FCY (USD, AED, GBP, EUR) Currency
  • Approx. $5000 or Equivalent Monthly Credit Limit
  • Approx. $5000 or Equivalent Monthly Debit Limit
  • Free Checkbook (First)
  • Free UnionPay Debit Card Issuance (in PKR only)
  • Free Accidental Insurance on Monthly PKR 100,000 Maintenance.
  • Free Basic Banking Services.

5. Al-Falah Islamic Freelancer Digital Current Account

For freelancers in Pakistan, the bank Alfalah provides the freelancer digital account in both PKR and USD. It is of both current and saving variants.

To open it, you are required to submit your CNIC and income source through the bank’s rapid portal.

Key Features:

  • No Initial Deposits
  • Free First Checkbook
  • Free E-Statement
  • VISA Debit/ATM Card
  • Free Online Banking Nationwide
  • Accidental Death and Permanent Disability Insurance.
  • Free Basic Banking Services

To get additional information, visit here.

6. Allied Freelancer Freedom

The allied freelancer account named allied freelancer freedom is designed especially to meet the financial demands of freelancers.

Key Features:

  • Current or Savings Account
  • No Minimum Balance Requirement
  • Free Access to E-Statement
  • Free Basic Banking Services
  • Bi-Annual Profit Payout on a Saving Account
  • Issuance of PKR Debit Card (charges applied according to SOC)
  • The Conversion of an Existing Account into Another Category is not Allowed.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Adults or minors with valid CNIC numbers
  • Freelancer providing services through recognized online platforms.
  • All individuals involved in providing IT-related services.

ABL has introduced a USD retention account to receive internal payments for freelancers in Pakistan.

Through the Exporter’s Special financial foreign currency Account, you can credit 50% of your export proceed into it for FCY retention.

7. Faysal Islami Burraq Digital Freelancer Account

Faysal Bank Limited is offering a full-fledged account to freelancers residing in Pakistan without any PMD (Pakistan MNP Database) verification.

Key Features:

  • Free E-Statement
  • Free Checkbook
  • Free Virtual Card
  • Free Pay Order
  • Unlimited Transaction
  • Free Basic Banking Services
  • Retention Account for International Payments
  • Debit Card for Retention Account
  • A Digital Account Opening from Anywhere
  • This Account is Based on Qard (Loan on Demand).

8. JS Freelancer Current Account

To empower the freelancing journey of many, JS Bank is providing freelance current accounts to help manage their finances better.

Key Features:

⦁ Free atm or over-the-counter cash withdrawal of PKR up to 50,000RS.
⦁ Free e-statement
⦁ No IBFT charges
⦁ Free ERCP (electronic proceed realization certificate.
⦁ Free basic banking services.
⦁ Maintenance of monthly average balance of PKR 50,000.
⦁ Online e-commerce transactions are free up to Rs. 5000.
⦁ Free basic banking services.

9. BOP Freelance Digital Account

Bank of Punjab is facilitating a freelance current account to the Pakistani freelancer earning through the recognized online platforms and receiving payments per task/project.

Key Features:

  • Account Currency: PKR
  • An ESCFA account can be opened with a primary PKR account.
  • Retain Up To $5000 or 50% of Export Proceeds
  • ESCFA to PKR Conversion
  • No Initial Balance Requirement
  • Unlimited Transaction
  • Checkbook (charges applied)
  • Debit Card (charges applied)
  • Free Basic Banking Services

10. Standard Charted Freelancer Account

To open a bank account anywhere anytime with a zero minimum account balance, a Standard Charted Freelancer Digital Account is among the best available choices.

Key Features:

  • Both conventional and Saadiq variant
  • Cash withdrawal of Rs.500,000 or equivalent
  • Monthly debit card limit of $5000 or equivalent
  • Currency: USD, PKR, GBP, and EUR

Key Factors while selecting a Credit Card

  • Low annual Fees
  • Minimum Interest Rate
  • Reward Programs
  • Good Customer Service
  • Sign-Up Cash Back and Bonuses

Open a US Account for Free

Good news for freelancers in Pakistan! Elevate backed by Combinator has designed a platform to empower Pakistani freelancers.

Through a strategic partnership with a reputed US-financial institution, Bangor Savings Bank, the Pakistani freelancer can open a US account without any cost now.

Conclusion

Pakistan is 4th largest country outsourcing online services in the world.

Sadly, the financing opportunities for freelancers are still limited.

Many banks are taking the initiative to provide the best services for Pakistani freelancers to enjoy more financial freedom and flexibility.