Just yesterday we told you that Pakistan ranks in top five nations with freelancers. To be more precise, Pakistan stands 4th on Elance.com and fifth on oDesk for all the freelance work that is done on these websites.
Top 10 Freelancers Countries (elance.com)
Pakistanis’ presence isn’t limited to these two platforms only, in fact they manage to out-shine at all sorts of online markets. We recently reported about a Pakistani who managed to make over a million dollar out of just one theme that he sells on Themeforest, a marketplace for WordPress themes. And that’s one tiny example out of countless other un-told stories about the freelancers in Pakistan.
Then there are bloggers, social media experts, and countless other professionals who choose to conveniently work from their homes.
Freelancers, bloggers and entrepreneurs — who work from home — are denied by Pakistani banks the provision of credit cards because they don’t have offices.
All these freelancers, bloggers and entrepreneurs, that help the national economy by bringing millions of dollars of foreign currency into Pakistan each month, are denied by Pakistani banks the provision of credit cards.
Not to mention, we bloggers, freelancers badly need these credit cards for buying things (hosting/services) online that help us doing our businesses. Or let me put this in other words, freelancers and bloggers can’t do their businesses without these services that they buy online with credit cards.
Banks argue that one must have an office address and a home address to be able to comply with credit card issuance policy. They tell us that State Bank of Pakistan asks them to do so.
If government wants the freelancers to get them the top dollar without payment gateway, without credit cards then its a pity.
Who ever the responsible is or who ever is just overlooking this very serious issue, ultimately its the freelancers and bloggers who suffer. Not to mention, not every freelancer is resourceful (especially in the start) to have payment solutions in place without having the credit cards. I have personally shared my credit card with countless fellow bloggers to get them hosting accounts or domain renewals.
Now if Pakistan — I am talking about the government — wants us to help the economy then we should be provided with the tools that help us achieve our targets. If they want the freelancers to get them the top dollar without payment gateway, without credit cards then its a pity, its a shame for the government, or the banks or our financial system.
I just don’t know who will end this current policy, but it has to end and there should be a revision in policy for issuing credit cards.
Please note: Yes we know that Standard Chartered debit cards work online, but they fail to get the reimbursed funds, in case of refund. Moreover, there are certain services that accept just credit cards and not the debit cards just because of this very problem.
This is not correct, at least not for all banks in Pakistan.
If you have a NTN and a permanent address, you can open a bank account even if you do not work full time.
The apparent reason for a bank to deny credit card / loan could be a lack of credit history. So, if you can assure the bank that you will not default on the credit, either by having enough funds in your bank account or providing a collateral of some sort, the bank has no reason to deny credit to you.
Alternatively, you can always go for a debit card. Banks like Standard Chartered Pakistan offer a Visa Debit Card which can be used for online transactions.
Opening bank account is one thing, I am more talking about credit card.
Debit cards for online payment is not the solution. Refunds are not accepted through debit cards.
Totally agree with you aamir
i dont know why people criticising aamir, instead he should be appreciated for this move, because banks dont even open your account if u say that you are freelance or blogger and u have to show any other business , what ever it is ?
I wish any concern person from statebank read this and take appropriate action…
I have commented above; refunds work on debit cards and I have experienced it with SCB and UBL Wiz debit cards since 2010. Even, I created a PayPal account with fake UAE address which was blocked and after some time PayPal allowed me to get my funds from the account. I withdrew those funds to my UBL Debit card (not Wiz). There may be limitation for some vendor with whom you may be working. I remember, I tried to buy a php script and none of my debit or credit card was accepted on that website. So, I am still unable to buy it.
Many vendors & credit card payment gateways have disabled partial or full support for cards issued in Pakistan due to high risk of cyber frauds. All we need to address is the issues with cyber security in our country; or otherwise we’ll be facing similar issues for long.
How to widthdraw funds to Debit card from Paypal?, there is only One option to widthdraw to Bank account.
@aamir7:disqus Give a chance to mcb lite ;) i got several successful refunds from google and aliexpress! :)
I am just waiting this card to arrive after applying. To verify my skrill account. How long it takes to arrive?
I found mcb lite, good solution for online payments internationally, credit card lene se jaan chutti bhai bank wale 100 kisam ki verifications mangty hein.
Incorrect, I have an NTN and a permanent address, and Standard Chartered and Summit Bank denied my request to open a bank account with them. Reason: they required salary-slips and permanent employment. I was offered a student account but I declined. (I have a bank account in BAHL from my previous employment so I wasn’t desperate for one, just wanted the branch to be closer and the ability to do online transactions with my debit card)
The government needs to address this issue as soon as possible. Freelancers can contribute a huge amount to the country’s GDP. Government endorsement would not only increase that figure, but also encourage more people to take up freelancing part-time or full-time (thus contributing even more to the GDP).
I do not have a full time job. Yet, I opened an account with a bank that also offered me a debit card.
Issuing credit is a separate matter but a bank can not deny opening an account if you fulfill the basic requirements (NTN, permanent address, income proof etc). You can always complaint to SBP and the Banking Ombudsman if you have such complaints.
Kashif is correct. I am a student in germany , and my bank WILL NOT give me a credit card because 1) i am a student 2) i dont have salary coming into my account. They informed me that if i am getting some money in my account , only then they will offer the credit card for me.. So i generally use Debit card!
Ask for a basic banking account and if they do not open one for you, just send an application to Banking Muhtasib.
Once I applied for scb credit card and they rejected me because I work from home, even I was having around 2lac/month bank statement :(
Bank called me for credit card being govt. Officer but i refused.. no need yet and revenge for all guys rejected by banks
…lol
hahaha thanks bro
I disagree with you Kashif. This happened with me personally when couple of banks refused to give credit card.
how is that possible? banks are dying to give credit card ..
her roze aa jatay hain bank k rep credit card k liya ….
your credit history was not good then. If you have income no matter from which source and you will be issued credit card..plus permanent and ntn bla bla things are mandatory. however some banks need good credit history and minimum of 30 to 60 k income.
Banks LIKE standard chartered have blocked in-app purchase from play store for visa debit card. Rather than criticizing the post, I believe a little research would have been best.
what? SCB debit cards work online? have been a long time customer of SCB and nobody told me this! even RMs have told me to get a credit card issued if I needed to use it online!!1
you are right man. Banks issue credit card if they see income. I have credit card from Bank Al falah, they offered me coz rent of my house is deposited there every month which is 30k plus and they offered me the card. They won’t ask for salary but income and credit card will be issued. Credit history matters alot. this Aamir know nothing
This is disgusting.The Banks are only thinking about their own interests & advantages.Even the government is not realizing about the webmasters/freelancers
I am doing freelancing for 2 years now. I am web and software developer. I agree, I needed to buy a domain from godaddy and I was just stuck with no options to pay. Fortunately, my client came into rescue and bought me domain without asking me to pay anything that too with annual registration from his CC.
Even when i was looking to have a bank account i facedvlot of difficulties. They dont even consider odesk earning certificate. Lastly, I created bank account as a student.
Paypal is much needed but that is not looking reality in next 10 years.
Interestingly, still we are on top in freelancing despite 99% sufferings.
I fail to understand why do you need a credit card for paying online (like paying for services or hosting/domains)? Most of the banks are offering Visa/Mastercard debit cards that can be used easily online. banks offer BBA (Basic Banking Accounts), that can be opened instantly and has no minimum balance requirement. So, I don’t think it’s hard to get a Visa/Mastercard debit card in Pakistan. Secondly, many banks are offering prepaid Visa/Mastercard cards that do not require even a bank account. MCB and UBL are two banks I know that offer these prepaid cards. I have got a UBL Wiz card and have used it many times online without any problem.
These debit cards are not accepted by Google to register as Android Developers.
I don’t think Google (or any other company) can know if you are using debit card or credit card. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any difference between credit card issued by UBL or debit card issued by UBL. If debit card of UBL is not working, the UBL credit card will also won’t work.
I tried. UBL credit card works, Wiz card is rejected :p
Its true. Even I tried my self.
Dude Wiz Cards works, you need to either get the specific Internet Wiz Card or activate a session by calling helpline but it does work.
Unfortunately, they DO know. It is possible for payment processors to know what kind of card is used.
agaya bhagoray wapis. boht lamba arsaa bhag gaye thay. i remember last time kisi fake id sy comments ker rahay thay and kisi 12 years k bachay sy izzat kerwa li thi.
i tried soneribank visa debit card and it worked on google play store,
Just for your information none of the bank offer visa debit card that you can use online. Only prepaid visa cards work like mcb lite and ubl wiz cards.
Once i was also the victim of this online shopping solutions but after lot of work i found few ways.
I fully agreed with you, these two services UBL Wiz and MCB Lite are good for online shopping, UBL Wiz is excellent for online usage without any yearly charges as compare to MCB Lite.
i have 200-300 k earning per month and i am a free lancer and UBL and SC are not even giving me account without Job Certificates , Credit Card is still miles away.
Off the topic but just curious to know… Hope you don’t mind sharing.
Brother, do you declare all your income honestly pay Income Tax?
You can get UBL Internet Wiz card. I have been using it since September 2012, very affordable and easy to use, already activated. You need to load funds via Bank or Internet Banking account.
Moreover there is no tax charged nor any annual fee. You can get it for just Rs.120. With first time mendatory load of Rs. 500. You can also get Without UBL account.
It works on every site with Visa logo. Tried and tested.
Dear i am unable to purchase android developer account with ubl internet wiz card
Man, I used that card every where VISA logo is present. You need to ask UBL for this issue. I have seen only you complaining this.
Sorry to say man. Uzair is right. Just try to purchase android developer account with ubl internet wiz card and you will be with us.
which card is best to buy android developer account?
can you please tell me which bank is suitable for purchasing android developers accouint?
Ever heard of payoneer?
Using for PayPal. Wonderful.
mama mama, they don’t give me credit card :(
mama: beta they need you to have a taxable income source, or a regular income coming through a registered source in their bank to get a cc, plus you don’t need a cc for domain or hosting, debit card works pretty well, grow up kid
didn’t expect such a post from this reputed blog at least
We pay taxes, but banks won’t accept even the tax returns. Go and check it please.
As mentioned before, Debit Cards are not solution. For example, hotels can’t block money on debit card — similarly, refunds are not possible with debit cards.
Aamir, it would be great if you share some specific examples here rather than generalizing. If a bank refused to open an account while you’re providing the basic requirements (NTN, tax return, income proof etc) then please name the bank and also mention what exactly they told you (sharing the email / written correspondence will be great).
Also, have you launched complaint with SBP / Banking Ombudsman?
The banks in Pakistan, like other brick and mortar businesses, still live in the 90s. They are not aware of the new generation of self-employed professionals who are generating more than the corporate slaves, while working from their homes. I agree that it is their fault but rather than blaming them for everything, we have to educate them about our presence and how to accept us in the mainstream.
Sir i am talking about credit card. Not bank account.
SC, Bank Alfalah, UBL, HBL, Soneri all rejected my requests for Credit Card.
what was the exact reason provided by their managers when you talked to them?
I don’t have office and they can’t offer me CC without an office address.
I think Tax question should also answer in post.
did you talk to the manager / finance manager? what did they say?
I’ll try to check the banks i can regarding this though
plus the debit cards work fine on most issues, as discussed in the group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepakistaniprobloggers/permalink/722683991135835/
make your home office of propakistani or get into plan9
So I should change my business model to have a CC? That’s a no deal.
I think you’d get in touch with SCB again. They do offer a lien credit card. Where you put a certain amount in your bank account on hold, vs them issuing credit worth 75% of that amount to you.
Rs. 75000 for you letting bank hold Rs. 100,000. This amount will remain unusable but visible in your account details.
Why don’t you rent a room somewhere for a few months as your office?
I am not talking about myself, I have friends who can lend me offices forever. But why not solve this for masses, for common freelancers.
Mr. Aamir yes banks in pakistan do not easily issue credit cards in Pakistan which is good for us because international banks earned over 10$ billion dlolars in minimum fees from those to who they issued the credit so we are protected from interest by their rejection second of all i myself have applied for chargebacks to UBL from Microsoft and after 45 days today i recieved the refund so you do get a refund and have less chances and delay
i Agree , same thing happen to me as well when i applied for the credit card even though my earnings are in between $1500 ot $3000 per month ,, i provide my online bank statement to bank as well, still rejected !!
Who cares? Those who are paid to care have their own sugar mills, factories, nepotism going on? Not they’re affected, but our community.
You are spot-on with this post. Not exactly freelancing but i have been employeed by an American organization for years in past (working from home) as I did web programing for them. I had steady income coming right to my account for more than 4 years when i had applied for the credit card of HBL that too on advise of a person sitting at desk after he had generated my statement I had needed. They had told me as i had hbl account with salary transferring into it steadily so will be easy to get a card.
Later on all verification gone well. Person visited at home and told me you will have to show one portion as office and one as home. I argued and told that I can even supply a letter but later had to comply with what he had told. But later on they rejected the application for office home address issue.
BTW, now a MCB Lite card is working well for now. Thanks to ProPakistani from where I had first heard about it :-). Session is active for life time and I get money loaded when I need to make payments. Its bit inconvenient though as I need to always visit mcb to load money as I don’t have MCB bank account. Now however my credit card is also in process as now working with a local organization.
This personally happened with me. I have a credit card which was created when I was previously working in a company. I resigned and now working as freelancer. I went to Standard Chartered F-7 Branch for my credit card Limit enhance. They refused saying that I’m just a blogger. I requested them to look into my credit history etc. They kept asking for source of income document. I explained everything that now I’m earning 10 times more comparing to my left job When they gave me credit card. But they refused.
Why don’t they see the money which we bring from abroad to our country.? :( I was disheartened on my way back to home. You would laugh but I said to myself that I’ll buy this bank one day :)
On a lighter note though, bankers are merely jealous of bloggers or freelancers. Doesn’t help either to prepare income statements 10 x more than what they earn.
Banker : what do you do?
X: im a freelance blogger
Banker: what is that?
X: I write about my interests and things
Banker: Okay i understand that , but what is your job?
X: I am a writer
Banker: Writer lol. No you cannot pay your dues . No credit card sorry.
Moral : You dont deserve a credit card unless you are a doctor,engineer, CA, or banker
Thanks for summing up the whole article in a very nice way!
Thanks for summing up the whole article in a very nice way!
Pleasure
Pleasure
hahaha, you put it very effectively….talking with bankers about freelancing and blogging is like bhains k samnay been bajana
yeah true that
Love your thoughts.. on the other hand.. i was called by my hbl for obtaining credit card but i refused as i had no use…( i m govt. Officer)
This is the irony. They give credit cards to people who even dont want to use them. While people who want them and deserve so are judged on the basis of their profession.
They call it ” Risk minmization”. ;)
They can mitigate the risk . Like for example for every freelancer given a credit card , 3 bankers/CA/doctors be given a credit card. how about that?
Branchless banking has expanded the limits…similarly i hope this issue would also be resolved… actually the problem arises for future cash flows and calculation of risk about default in case of uncertain source of income. It is done on individual bases rather combined…hope u got my point
This article is reporting a WRONG INFORMATION. Totally bullshit, you can have credit card if your account is not empty. You need to show your sources of income to get the credit card. They need proof that you can pay back the amount.
Okay get me a credit card. We have bank accounts with sizeable transactions for past 6 years, and tax returns too.
Na bana tu apni saza bhi choose lar lain app :)
@aamir7:disqus It’s possible. I just have 1-2 lacs monthly transaction & I have Faysal bank credit card with good limit :)
I am offered cards through references, with very good limit. I am talking about masses, not about some specific cases.
Of course banks need proof to give loan (credit card) so that they can safe their side in case card holder run away. Credit card means they are offering you loan & you know that how bank issue loans & how much verification they do before issuing loan.
You can apply for credit card on your bank statement base & I got my first credit card in 2008 without any reference but just based on my account history.
You can’t — if you don’t have office address.
It’s up to banker how he takes it. But yes, bank always give much more preference to businesses in office instead of home based business. Home based businesses are just not considered as business but just home user.
yehi tu rona hay sir, a fleet that is making this country millions of dollars is considered a home-user.
But the point is why a small freelancer needs credit card? Especially when debit cards are working online and also prepaid credit cards are available quite easily
Have you even read the comments and the article?
Baba Fooka, I read the article, but prepaid credit cards & debit cards are available which works online for buying anything. Credit card is like loan, Do you really think that banks issue loans that easily?
Mudassar Mian, the real life is much tougher than the one painted in your messages. You are insistent about your statement that with prepaid (debit) cards one can buy “anything”. You can check with UBL (111-825-888) that their Wiz Card doesn’t work on amazon.com which means one cannot purchase AWS storage service. Similarly, it doesn’t work on google.com which means that one cannot purchase Google Apps for Work. There are many more relevant examples. Please get real as Aamir has highlighted a genuine issue.
@Reality_check: Unfortunately, you didn’t get me.
First you should know the difference between prepaid credit/debit cards & Credit Card. There is absolutely difference in usage. Credit cards give you facility to lend money from bank while prepaid & debit cards you can only use that amount whatever is in your bank/account.
Regarding Amazon/Google, yes they don’t accept, it’s not credit card problem, it’s Google/Amazon which takes Pakistan (India, Bangladesh, Iran etc) as high risk country & refuse attempt automatically.
I have a credit card & Standard chartered debit card (SCB debit card works online without any issue), Google refused to accept & rejected transaction automatically, after writing to Google & after some manual verification Google approved my SCB debit card & I am making payments from SCB debit card to Google & a lot of other place like Softlayer, Google, Software Companies, Web Scripts, Skrll without any issue.
Hope this clears everything. Thanks
@Reality_check: Unfortunately, you didn’t get me.
First you should know the difference between prepaid credit/debit cards & Credit Card. There is absolutely difference in usage. Credit cards give you facility to lend money from bank while prepaid & debit cards you can only use that amount whatever is in your bank/account.
Regarding Amazon/Google, yes they don’t accept, it’s not credit card problem, it’s Google/Amazon which takes Pakistan (India, Bangladesh, Iran etc) as high risk country & refuse attempt automatically.
I have a credit card & Standard chartered debit card (SCB debit card works online without any issue), Google refused to accept & rejected transaction automatically, after writing to Google & after some manual verification Google approved my SCB debit card & I am making payments from SCB debit card to Google & a lot of other place like Softlayer, Google, Software Companies, Web Scripts, Skrll without any issue.
Hope this clears everything. Thanks
Mudassar Mian, I don’t know if I should get offended by your condescending reply or just ignore your commend that I “should know the difference between prepaid credit/debit cards & Credit Card”. Like many of us in this forum, I have tried to use various financial products to make and receive payments (and refunds) from abroad and online with varying degree of success. I do know that the SCB debit card works online. But many of the prepaid, debit, and credit cards issued by other banks in Pakistan are not usable (in the true sense of the word) for online transactions.
Case in point: For the last few years UBL (prepaid) Wiz Card and UBL debit cards are not working on many online sites. I guess that you are not in the know of these things. There was a time when the UBL Wiz Card was acceptable by amazon.com. Later the way the transaction approval mechanism is set between the merchant (amazon), issuer bank (UBL), and VISA was changed. Moreover, there is an issue of using or not using CVV for verification as well.
Please note that there are some websites that do not accept payment from prepaid, or debit cards. They only accept credit cards. Moreover, in case of dispute or dissatisfaction with the product it is easier to get refunds on credit cards. Thus, there is a consensus of sorts that credit cards are a better solution for making online transactions. Aamir’s rightful and genuine plea was about freelancers being denied credit cards. The solution is not in using this bank’s debit card or that bank’s prepaid card which could, indeed, be a solution for an individual. For the most of us — think collectively! — as earning members of Pakistan’s labourforce a fully-functional credit card is what we need.
BTW I do have a credit card (since 2010) which I obtained without any biradari connections, safarish from someone well-connected, or depositing collateral money. But it took me many, many years. When I applied for a credit card the first time in 2007, the representative from a certain bank (which will remain unnamed) who visited my home-office kept asking me why I worked “free” when I tried to explain that I worked as a freelancer :-)
MCB and UBL offer prepaid credit cards which can serve this purpose. I have been using MCB lite and it meets the purpose since it basically acts like a debit card and I don’t have to worry about paying for bills later
One day banks will be begging us (freelancers) to get their cards.
I have been using UBL WIZ card for payments. Now I have Payoneer card.
We will somehow adjust ourselves but banks will be losing a good profit and then they will turn around and ask us to PLEASE get their card.
One day banks will be begging us (freelancers) to get their cards.
I don’t see the relevance. Credit is a liability and banks will make sure people have steady income coming in every month so that they keep paying their liabilities. This is why only people working for good companies (companies on the banks panel) and meeting minimum salary requirements are issued credit cards. Even business owners at times are denied credit cards.
As far as your issues are concerned. You can perfectly buy/use services through a good banks debit card. For instance I’ve used standard chartereds debit card all around the world and online too and jt has never been declined. Why do you need a credit card to pay for these things in the first place? A bank is going to cover their grounds first then issue you a credit card. Unfortunately freelancers/bloggers don’t have a steady income therefore they are high risk.
well one thing for sure..,,.
ppl are earning a lot of money.. from freelancing or work from home.,, :p
thats envy me
About 5 years ago I’d gotten my credit card from Citibank after keeping 50K with them as a security deposit. I don’t know if they do it now or not but you can give it a shot by asking SCB or any other bank of this offer.
SCB offered me same deal two years ago because my salary was below their minimum for the card I wanted.
It’s very odd and strange because I have had one SCB credit card since 2004 and every month made transactions between 5 and 20k and paid it off in full all the time and even got credit level increase. Yet in 2012 they tell me I am not eligible for a different card.
SCB offered me same deal two years ago because my salary was below their minimum for the card I wanted.
It’s very odd and strange because I have had one SCB credit card since 2004 and every month made transactions between 5 and 20k and paid it off in full all the time and even got credit level increase. Yet in 2012 they tell me I am not eligible for a different card.
YES I AGREE!! It is impossible to get bank account and credit card based on internet earning. In our society people still think it is impossible to earn through internet. 5 Years back I opened my account as a ‘student account’ and still receiving money in my account and using debit card for internet purchases
YES I AGREE!! It is impossible to get bank account and credit card based on internet earning. In our society people still think it is impossible to earn through internet. 5 Years back I opened my account as a ‘student account’ and still receiving money in my account and using debit card for internet purchases
YES I AGREE!! It is impossible to get bank account and credit card based on internet earning. In our society people still think it is impossible to earn through internet. 5 Years back I opened my account as a ‘student account’ and still receiving money in my account and using debit card for internet purchases
I am a freelancer.. but yes, they issued Credit Card for me (I have no office address, no NTN etc). I am using Credit Card since couple of years. It was issued by HBL. I have also SCB account, they even forced me for CC.. but I denied…
may be I was lucky :D
easy if banks want to get their heads out of their ……
introduce prepay credit cards, just like an account give a full functional credit card with certain amount limit which is obviously paid already with a service charge monthly/annually.
then it will called prepaid debit card instead of credit card
dumb comment.
dumb comment !
Banks have very strict SOP in place for issuing credit cards. Even, if someone is working full time job in reputed company, and that company is not their panel, they will not issue credit card.
Example, I am working in Wateen Telecom and my application was rejected by Standard Chartered because Wateen is not on their panel.
So, every bank have different policies and nothing to do with SBP.
Best thing is get a supplementary credit card, from your best friend of family, for time being.
Standard Chartered debit cards can get refunds as well. I have been a loyal user of SCB debit as well as credit cards since 2010. UBL Wiz Card gets refunds faster than SCB because I am also using it since it was launched.
Why credit cards to receipt payments. There are certain ways to get the payment from overseas by giving full account details lke, iban, swift code etc.
I think Samba and Barclays allows reimbursed funding process.
good move
Give home address if not office address! Why this nation has problem in following rules!
Give home address if not office address! Why this nation has problem in following rules!
Give home address if not office address! Why this nation has problem in following rules!
Some 4 years back I faced much trouble even for opening a current account, tried almost all the banks but they were not ready to open an account for me because I was working in a virtual environment and they don’t consider it as a job/business.
I am so sorry that you got my point offensive, I didn’t mean that.
comparison was for those only who don’t know the difference & think that credit card is all the way to go.
You should try Standard Chartered Debit Card & Any credit card, both will work on any site & in case some one doesn’t accept SCB debit card, it will not accept credit card either. It because of location as Pakistan falls in high risk country.
It’s on banks that what they offer to their customers. Try International banks like SCB etc & you will be happy.
Regarding Govt, what can you expect? You know that most are shafarishees, mamay chachay, bhanjy, bhateejay there. I don’t think none of them need to do freelancing or online work, so they cannot even think about any revolutionary change in IT sector.
Banks can not risk their MONEY for someone not earning a regular income & off course that does not include Freelancing and/or blogging. This practice is not only in Pakistan, I’m currently staying in Uganda, the same rules apply here, Banks can not issue credit cards to someone who doesn’t have a job with some good income, the bank account in the same bank is not necessary.
The same thing was Practiced in UAE during 2008-2009 the time I worked there. The Banks there also make sure that you have a job with any company and good salary too, just to make sure you’ll not default their credit.
DEBIT CARD has had no issues with online payments (at least with me & I’m using VISA DEBIT for all types of online payments, airline ticketing, voip services, hotel booking, purchasing softwares, domain, hosting from godaddy, etc etc), unless if you have not informed the bank that you want to use it for online payments etc. For me I’m not a big fan of credit cards, why should someone waste their money in monthly/annually fees and interest charges when debit cards can works just fine & YES I got some refund too & it took only 3 days.
For process of opening a bank account in Pakistan is painful with most of the banks, (HBL & Dubai Islamic Bank I found friendly atleast with Non Resident Pakistani).This is the matter which should be resolved asap.
how many of the free lancers pay income tax??? guys if you wake government in that case you will be in hot water for sure.
I am also facing problem in getting remittances for my online teaching services through Western Union and Moneygram they are blocking my payments which are very minimal but the number of transaction per month is about 10 transaction/month. they said State Bank of Pakistan has ordered them to block payments for those who are receiving payments from different ego locations of the world. When every one in the world is enjoying a payment tool like paypal we are facing the problem in receiving our remittance through exchange companies Just because of the policies of State Bank of Pakistan.
There is no facility in pakistan for those who work online
There are so many things which are not properly working for IT people.
However, if you are earning in thousands of dollars, it is still better to form a company, even if you work free lance. I once used to work freelance but formed a company even if it was only me in the company.
Helped in a lot of things like leasing, credit card etc.
Freelancers live in their own shell and do not like to get involved in stuff like NTN and banks as they feel that they will be charged income tax on their remittance and other legalities.
Govt once said that software exports are tax exempted, so any payment coming thru banks from abroad can be declared software exports and tax exempted. You just need to get your work around it.
Also, it is better to tell the people in bank, govt etc that you are an IT professional and not someone who work FREE Lance. As free lance do not go well with the people.
On another note, I run a hosting company selling hosting services in pakistan while my servers are abroad and i pay in US$ thru credit card. MY lawyer is still not sure what is my work type and how do i may payment abroad, and why it is necessary to make payment thru credit card and not thru other banking channels.
This is something i have managed thru the years and have tried to work around things.
Getting payoneer debit card is fruitful, and you can get payment in your payoneer card thru US payment services option, which is fast and effecient and lesser transaction cost.
However, what i really dont feel good about is withdrawing my hard eanred US$ thru payoneer debit card in PAK rs and getting a exchange rates of RS 3 less than the local market.
UBL wiz card can be used as a credit card. I personally use it to buy web hosting and others things online.
Dear you are right but the issue is are you paying Income Tax on your monthly income or yearly income? Where is it?
That is why they force you to have or belong to any business because when you belong to business then the business will ofcourse pay some income tax and other taxes.
However this would be due to some security reasons and secondly You can create a fake letter head and get your account opened with the bank. Aren’t you?
**IMPORTANT** I have been using SCB Debit Visa card for quite some time for my online transaction. For all of you who are unable to use SCB visa debit for online transaction or having problem using it. Below is a solution.
When signing up for the first time at a shopping website, the online forum asks you to enter all Visa card information including CVV2 Number and the first purchase is made. However, for any subsequent purchases, it shows an error and says your bank refused the transaction. This error occurs because most of the major Foreign online stores do not send CVV2 number to Banks while processing transactions. Therefore, SCB in Pakistan declines the transaction. To work around this error, you need to click ALTERNATE payment option at the website, it will bring up another forum and ask you to enter all Visa card info including CVV2 Number this time. Once done, it will smoothly process the transaction. Unfortunately you need to do it every time making a purchase, unless Either SCB in Pakistan starts processing transaction without CVV2 Number or Major online merchants starts sending CVV2 Numbers to Banks while processing transactions.
Regards,
Muhammad Asim
The culmination of all the ragtag discussion on this topic. I have just one thing to say, Pakistan Government is group of incompitable and low-level humans who don’t understand the term freelancer or how could someone earn money by using Internet type of ideas that pop in those jahil’s head.. banks are equally the same. I mean this Country is good for nothing in any sense. I wish I wasn’t born a Pakistani
I have a credit card through bank alfalah and i am not on permanent job. They just ask me for my salary slip. Second i have bank account in UBL only for UBL Teen Internet Card so i can load my card when needed through my account. UBL Teen Internet Card is my favorite card as I used it on aliexpress godaddy app purchase pay fee for test in dubai and visa fee etc. It is my favorite product all the time by any bank in Pakistan. Thank u so much UBL Teen Internet Card
You are right, I have opened my UBL business account with a lot of troubles and also SCB bank denies to give me bank account as I do not have local office, they said we need a real letterhead with stamp to start your registration process.