I am a freelance graphic designer. Most of my clients are in the United States. For two years, I struggled to receive payments. Then a client asked me to send a refund. I had no idea how to send money from Pakistan to USA. I learned the hard way. Now I am an expert in how to send money from Pakistan to USA for both receiving and sending. Here is my complete guide.

Why You Might Need to Send Money from Pakistan to USA

Most people think about receiving dollars, not sending them. But there are many reasons to send money from Pakistan to USA. You might be paying for a child's tuition. You might be buying software or services from an American company. You might need to refund a client. You might be sending money to family living in America. I needed to send money from Pakistan to USA when a client overpaid me by five hundred dollars.

The Problem with Banks When You Send Money from Pakistan to USA

My bank charged me a flat fee of two thousand five hundred rupees to send money from Pakistan to USA. On top of that, they took seven days. My American client was confused. In America, bank transfers take hours. He thought I was lying about sending the refund. I also lost money on the exchange rate. When you send money from Pakistan to USA, the bank converts your rupees to dollars at a rate that is lower than the market rate.

Better Ways to Send Money from Pakistan to USA

After that bad experience, I researched how to send money from Pakistan to USA using other methods. I found three options. First, online money transfer services. These are companies that specialize in international transfers. They allow you to send money from Pakistan to USA in two to three days with lower fees. Second, some exchange companies in Pakistan have partnerships with American banks. You can send money from Pakistan to USA through them in twenty four hours. Third, if you have a dollar account in Pakistan, you can do a wire transfer directly.

Step by Step Guide on How to Send Money from Pakistan to USA

Here is the method I now use to send money from Pakistan to USA. First, I register with an online money transfer service that operates in Pakistan. I provide my Computerized National Identity Card and a proof of address. Second, I add my American client's bank details including their routing number and account number. Third, I enter the amount in Pakistani rupees. The website shows me exactly how many US dollars my client will receive. Fourth, I transfer rupees from my local bank account to the transfer service's local account. Fifth, the transfer service sends the dollars to my client.

Cost of Sending Money from Pakistan to USA

The fees for sending money from Pakistan to USA vary. The online transfer service I use charges a flat fee of one thousand rupees per transfer up to one thousand dollars. For larger amounts, they charge a percentage. The exchange rate is very close to the market rate. Compared to my bank, I save about sixty percent in fees when I send money from Pakistan to USA. Some services also offer free transfers for first time users.

Red Flags When Trying to Send Money from Pakistan to USA

Be very careful of anyone who promises to send money from Pakistan to USA instantly with no documentation. That is illegal. The money will likely travel through unofficial channels and could be seized. Also, avoid any service that asks for your online banking password. A legitimate way to send money from Pakistan to USA will only ask for your account number, not your password. Always get a receipt with a transaction ID.

Final Advice for Freelancers

If you work with American clients, learn how to send money from Pakistan to USA before you need to. Open accounts with two different transfer services. Keep your documents ready. And always ask your client to use a method that allows refunds easily. I now include a clause in my contracts that refunds will be sent within five business days using a specific transfer service. Sending money from Pakistan to USA does not have to be stressful.