Best Ways to Send Money to Pakistan from the UK in 2025

Pakistan receives over $30 billion in annual remittances, with the UK consistently ranking in the top five source countries. The average UK-based Pakistani sends money home monthly, and even small differences in exchange rate margins can add up to hundreds of pounds per year. On a £1,000 transfer, the difference between the best and worst services can be over 5,000 PKR — that is roughly £15-20 that could stay with your family.

### 1. Wise (formerly TransferWise) **Exchange rate:** Mid-market rate (the real rate you see on Google) **Fee:** £3.99-£7.99 depending on amount **Speed:** 1-2 business days (sometimes same day for larger banks) **Delivery:** Bank transfer to recipient's account **Pros:** - Transparent mid-market rate — no hidden margin - Regulated by the FCA in the UK - Easy to use mobile app - Holds £1,000+ for future transfers **Cons:** - Slower than cash pickup services - Recipient needs a bank account - Not ideal for very small transfers (minimum fee eats into savings) **Best for:** Regular bank-to-bank transfers where you want the absolute best rate. ### 2. Remitly **Exchange rate:** Slightly below mid-market (typically 0.5-1.5 PKR less per GBP) **Fee:** £2.99-£3.99 for economy; £1.99-£3.99 for express **Speed:** Economy 3-5 days; Express within minutes **Delivery:** Bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet **Pros:** - Fast express delivery (minutes) - Cash pickup available across Pakistan (JazzCash, Easypaisa, Meezan, HBL) - First transfer promotions - Good mobile app **Cons:** - Exchange rate margin is higher than Wise - Economy speed is slow - Fees can vary by amount **Best for:** Urgent transfers or when the recipient needs cash pickup. ### 3. Western Union **Exchange rate:** 2-5 PKR below mid-market per GBP **Fee:** £4.99-£9.99 depending on amount and method **Speed:** Minutes for cash pickup; 1-3 days for bank deposit **Delivery:** Cash pickup at 10,000+ agent locations in Pakistan, bank deposit **Pros:** - Massive agent network across Pakistan - Instant cash pickup - Recipient does not need a bank account - Trusted brand for older recipients **Cons:** - Significant exchange rate margin - Higher fees for smaller amounts - Website can be confusing with promotional rates **Best for:** Emergency transfers when the recipient needs cash immediately and has no bank account. ### 4. Bank Transfer (Direct from UK Bank) **Exchange rate:** 3-8 PKR below mid-market per GBP **Fee:** £15-£25 wire fee + receiving bank charges in Pakistan **Speed:** 3-5 business days **Delivery:** Bank-to-bank SWIFT transfer **Pros:** - No need to register with a new service - Suitable for very large transfers (£5,000+) **Cons:** - Poor exchange rates - High fees - Slow - Receiving bank may charge additional fees **Best for:** Large transfers only when convenience outweighs cost. ### 5. WorldRemit **Exchange rate:** 1-3 PKR below mid-market per GBP **Fee:** £1.99-£3.99 **Speed:** 1-3 business days for bank; minutes for cash pickup **Delivery:** Bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile money (JazzCash, Easypaisa) **Pros:** - Competitive for mid-size transfers - Mobile wallet delivery available - Good app experience **Cons:** - Not always the cheapest rate - Customer service can be slow **Best for:** Transfers to mobile wallets (JazzCash, Easypaisa).

| Service | Rate (GBP→PKR) | Fee | Recipient Gets | Speed | |--------|----------------|-----|---------------|-------| | Wise | ~353 (mid-market) | £3.99 | ~349,800 PKR | 1-2 days | | Remitly Express | ~351 | £3.99 | ~347,500 PKR | Minutes | | Western Union | ~348 | £5.99 | ~342,000 PKR | Minutes | | WorldRemit | ~350 | £2.99 | ~346,000 PKR | 1-3 days | | Bank Transfer | ~345 | £20+ | ~325,000 PKR | 3-5 days | *Rates are indicative and change throughout the day. Check our [Remittance Optimizer](/remittance) for live comparisons.*

### Using Wise 1. Sign up at wise.com with your UK details 2. Verify your identity (passport or driving licence) 3. Enter recipient's bank details (IBAN or account number) 4. Enter the amount in GBP 5. Pay via bank transfer or debit card 6. Track your transfer in the app ### Using Remitly 1. Download the Remitly app or visit remitly.com 2. Create an account with your UK details 3. Add recipient (bank account or cash pickup location) 4. Choose economy or express delivery 5. Pay via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer 6. Share the tracking link with your recipient

1. **Compare before every transfer** — rates change throughout the day. Use our [Remittance Optimizer](/remittance) for live comparisons. 2. **Send larger amounts less frequently** — fixed fees hurt small transfers more. 3. **Use Wise for bank-to-bank** — their mid-market rate is hard to beat. 4. **Use Remitly for speed** — when the family needs money urgently. 5. **Avoid bank transfers for small amounts** — the fees and rate margin make them the most expensive option. 6. **Time your transfers** — GBP/PKR tends to be stronger early in the week.

- Remittances from the UK to Pakistan are **not taxable** in the UK — you have already paid tax on this income. - There is **no gift tax** in the UK for sending money to family. - If you are sending over £10,000, your bank may ask for the purpose under anti-money laundering regulations — this is normal. - In Pakistan, remittances received through official channels are **tax-exempt**.

**How much does it cost to send £1,000 to Pakistan?** The total cost depends on the service. With Wise, you pay around £3.99 in fees and get the mid-market rate. With Western Union, you pay £5.99 in fees plus a rate margin, meaning the recipient gets about 5,000-8,000 PKR less. **What is the fastest way to send money to Pakistan from the UK?** Remitly Express and Western Union both offer delivery within minutes, but Remitly is typically cheaper for the same speed. **Is it safe to send money online to Pakistan?** Yes. All the services listed above are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and use bank-level encryption. Always send through official channels to ensure your money arrives safely. **Can I send money to JazzCash or Easypaisa?** Yes. Remitly, WorldRemit, and Western Union all support mobile wallet delivery to JazzCash and Easypaisa accounts in Pakistan. --- **Ready to send?** [Compare live remittance rates now →](/remittance) **Also read:** [10 Ways to Save on Remittances to Pakistan](/blog/10-ways-to-save-on-remittances)