Cheapest way to send money from the UK to Pakistan

FXMetrics editorial team · Updated · How we calculate

UK high-street banks typically add a fixed fee and a markup to international payments. Below: what your recipient actually gets for 500 GBP, at today's mid-market rate.

Loading today's mid-market rate…

ProviderRecipient getsTotal costSpeedSite

Mid-market rates from the European Central Bank (via the Frankfurter API); currencies the ECB does not cover use ExchangeRate-API. Provider fees and markups are estimates from public pricing; always check the final quote. Methodology · Share this result

Payout options
Bank accounts (IBAN), mobile wallets such as JazzCash and Easypaisa, and cash pickup
Typical speed
Minutes to 2 business days (digital); 2–5 business days (bank wire)
Regulation in the UK
FCA authorised or registered
Rate benchmark
ExchangeRate-API (not published by the ECB)

Who sends money from the UK to Pakistan

Common senders: NHS and care workers, students, and families supporting relatives.

About this corridor

British Pakistanis in Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester and London send money home for family support, weddings and property. Sending through a licensed provider to a bank that participates in the Pakistan Remittance Initiative usually means same-day credit, and it keeps a clean record if the funds are later used for property.

Worked example: sending 500 GBP

Using the ExchangeRate-API rate on 2026-10-08, 1 GBP = 366.26 PKR, our estimate model gives these results for sending 500 GBP:

ProviderEst. feeEst. receivedTotal cost vs mid-market
Wise3.76 GBP181,754 PKR1,375.87 PKR
Revolut1.50 GBP181,668 PKR1,462.29 PKR
Remitly0.00 GBP180,932 PKR2,197.56 PKR
Western Union3.78 GBP178,110 PKR5,020.35 PKR
Bank wire (typical)15.13 GBP173,148 PKR9,981.56 PKR

In this example Wise delivers roughly 8,605.69 PKR more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.

Sending to Pakistan: what to know

  • Payout options: bank accounts (IBAN), mobile wallets such as JazzCash and Easypaisa, and cash pickup.
  • Banks that take part in the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) usually credit home remittances the same day.
  • Overseas Pakistanis can also open a Roshan Digital Account to save or invest in Pakistan from abroad.

Rules and limits

In the UK: Money transfer firms must be authorised or registered by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); check the FCA Register. Payment institutions must safeguard customer funds.

In Pakistan: The State Bank of Pakistan and the Pakistan Remittance Initiative promote transfers through formal banking channels; hawala and hundi transfers are illegal.

How to pick the cheapest option

  1. Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
  2. Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
  3. Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to send money from the UK to Pakistan?

It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much PKR each provider delivers for 500 GBP; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.

How much more does a bank wire cost for 500 GBP?

Using the reference rate on 2026-10-08, our model puts the gap at about 8,605.69 PKR versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.

How can my recipient in Pakistan receive the money?

Common payout options are bank accounts (IBAN), mobile wallets such as JazzCash and Easypaisa, and cash pickup. Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.

How long does it take?

Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.

Sources

Official pages checked on