A Roshan Digital Account (RDA) is a State Bank of Pakistan scheme that lets non-resident Pakistanis open a Pakistani bank account online from abroad, in rupees or foreign currency, and use it to send money home, invest in Naya Pakistan Certificates, shares, mutual funds and property, and send the money back abroad without prior approval. By end-September 2026, overseas Pakistanis had opened 975,602 accounts and sent in $14.16 billion.
This guide covers who can open a Roshan Digital Account, the 14 banks that offer it, the documents and steps, current Naya Pakistan Certificate rates with worked examples, the special tax regime, repatriation rules and the mistakes that trip people up. It is the overseas companion to our guide to the best investment in Pakistan, and every rule here comes from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the FBR or the banks themselves.
Last updated: 5 November 2026 by Ahmed.
Roshan Digital Account at a Glance
| Feature | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Run by | State Bank of Pakistan, through 14 commercial banks |
| Who can open | Non-resident Pakistanis (CNIC or NICOP), Pakistan Origin Card holders, government employees posted abroad, and resident Pakistanis who declared foreign assets to the FBR (foreign currency account only) |
| Account types | Foreign Currency Value Account (FCVA) and NRP Rupee Value Account (NRVA); current or savings; conventional or Islamic |
| Currencies (FCVA) | USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, CAD, AED, SAR, CNY, CHF and TRY |
| Opening time | Within 2 working days once the form and documents are complete |
| Funding | Only with money sent from abroad through banking channels, plus returns from investments made through the account |
| Sending money back | Any time, without prior approval from the bank or SBP |
| Tax on account profit | Exempt for non-resident Pakistanis |
| Zakat | No compulsory Zakat deduction |
Source: SBP: Roshan Digital Account FAQs.
Who Can Open a Roshan Digital Account?
You are eligible if you fall into one of these groups:
- Non-resident Pakistanis with a CNIC or NICOP.
- Pakistan Origin Card (POC) holders who live abroad, including foreign nationals of Pakistani origin.
- Federal or provincial government employees posted abroad.
- Resident Pakistanis with foreign assets declared in their latest FBR wealth statement. They can open only the foreign currency account (FCVA), cannot open the rupee account (NRVA), and must visit a branch because digital onboarding is not yet offered to them.
“Non-resident” follows the Income Tax Ordinance. You count as resident for a tax year (July to June) if you spend 183 days or more in Pakistan, or 120 days or more under certain conditions linked to the previous four years. If you are below those limits, you are non-resident for RDA purposes.
A few practical points from the SBP rules: you can open a joint account with another resident or non-resident Pakistani (it is treated as a non-resident account), a minor can be added jointly with a parent or guardian, and you can hold more than one Roshan Digital Account at the same or different banks. If you already bank in Pakistan, you still need to open a new RDA.
Roshan Digital Account Banks: The 14 Banks That Offer It
According to the SBP, these banks offer the Roshan Digital Account:
| Bank | Bank | Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Bank | Bank Alfalah | Bank Al Habib |
| Bank of Punjab | Dubai Islamic Bank | Faysal Bank |
| Habib Bank (HBL) | HabibMetro | JS Bank |
| MCB Bank | Meezan Bank | Samba Bank |
| Standard Chartered | United Bank (UBL) |
Meezan Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank are fully Islamic banks, and the SBP says both conventional and Islamic RDAs are available across the scheme. When choosing, compare four things rather than the logo: whether the bank has an Islamic option you are comfortable with, how good its app and online portal are, its card and transfer charges, and whether it has branches near your family in case they ever need to visit one on your behalf. For a wider comparison of lenders, see our guide to banks in Pakistan.
Documents Required for a Roshan Digital Account
- CNIC, NICOP or Pakistan Origin Card (make sure it is not expired)
- Passport (Pakistani and/or foreign)
- Proof of non-resident status, such as a visa, residence permit or entry and exit stamps
- Proof of profession and income: an employment letter, salary slip or bank statement if you are salaried; business registration, letterhead or bank statement if you run a business
- FATCA forms if you are a US person
- A live photo and a signature specimen, which most banks capture in the online form
Banks may ask for more based on your risk profile. If you think a bank is asking for documents beyond the rules, the SBP says you can raise it with the SBP directly.
How to Open a Roshan Digital Account: Step by Step
- Pick a bank from the list above and open its Roshan Digital Account page or app.
- Choose the account: FCVA (foreign currency), NRVA (rupees) or both; current or savings; conventional or Islamic.
- Fill in the online form and upload clear scans of your documents. Take the live photo when asked.
- Confirm with the one-time password (OTP) sent to your phone or email. The bank may call you to clarify details.
- Receive your account details, usually within 2 working days of a complete application.
- Fund the account by sending money from your own account abroad through a bank or licensed money transfer service. Local cash or transfers from other Pakistani accounts are not allowed.
- Set up internet banking, then add investments such as Naya Pakistan Certificates or a Roshan Equity Investment (PSX) account from the same portal.
If you want help with the paperwork, our team offers Roshan Digital Account opening guidance.
FCVA vs NRVA: Which Roshan Digital Account Do You Need?
| FCVA (foreign currency) | NRVA (rupee) | |
|---|---|---|
| Holds | USD, GBP, EUR and other listed currencies | Pakistani rupees |
| Can invest in | Foreign currency Naya Pakistan Certificates (USD, GBP, EUR and others) and foreign currency deposits | Rupee Naya Pakistan Certificates, T-bills, PIBs, Sukuk, prize bonds, PSX shares, mutual funds, property and rupee deposits |
| Who can open | All eligible groups, including residents with declared foreign assets | Non-residents, POC holders and government employees posted abroad |
| Best for | Keeping savings in a hard currency | Spending in Pakistan and investing in rupee assets |
Most people open both. Moving money from FCVA to NRVA at the same bank is allowed and uses the bank’s buying rate; moving it back uses the selling rate, so you lose the spread each time you switch.
Where You Can Invest Through a Roshan Digital Account
| Option | Account | Risk | Shariah option | Tax for non-residents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naya Pakistan Certificates (conventional) | FCVA or NRVA | Low (government-issued) | No | 10% final |
| Islamic Naya Pakistan Certificates | FCVA or NRVA | Low (government-backed Mudarabah) | Yes | 10% final |
| PSX shares (Roshan Equity Investment) | NRVA | High | Yes, if you pick Shariah-compliant shares | 15% on gains and most dividends, final |
| Open-ended mutual funds | NRVA | Low to high, by fund type | Yes, Islamic funds | 15% on gains, final |
| T-bills, PIBs, Sukuk, prize bonds | NRVA | Low | Sukuk only | Depends on product |
| Property (cash or Roshan Apna Ghar) | NRVA | Medium | Islamic financing available | 1% on purchase + 1% on sale, final |
| Car for family (Roshan Apni Car) | NRVA | Not an investment | Islamic financing available | Not applicable |
Tax and product rules: SBP RDA FAQs. Risk ratings are our own plain-English summary.
Naya Pakistan Certificate Rates 2026
Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPCs) are government certificates sold only through Roshan Digital Accounts. The rates below apply to conventional NPCs issued from 1 June 2026 and are gross yearly returns before the 10% tax.
| Currency | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months | 3 years | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PKR | 11.75% | 12.00% | 12.25% | 12.50% | 12.75% |
| USD | 6.75% | 7.00% | 7.25% | 7.50% | 7.75% |
| GBP | 6.75% | 7.25% | 7.50% | 7.75% | 8.00% |
| EUR | 4.75% | 5.25% | 5.50% | 6.00% | 6.25% |
| SAR | 6.50% | 6.75% | 7.00% | 7.25% | 7.50% |
| AED | 6.50% | 6.75% | 7.00% | 7.25% | 7.50% |
Source: Bank AL Habib: Naya Pakistan Certificate and Dawn, 2 June 2026. Saudi riyal and UAE dirham certificates were added in June 2026.
- Minimum: Rs 10,000 (then multiples of Rs 1,000) for PKR; 1,000 units (then multiples of 500) for foreign currency.
- Profit payment: at maturity for 3, 6 and 12 months; every six months for 3 and 5 years. Profit and principal go back to your RDA.
- Early encashment: no profit if you encash in the first 3 months; after that, profit is paid at the rate of the last completed shorter tenor (a 12-month NPC encashed in month 8 earns the 6-month rate).
- Repatriation: fully repatriable. NPCs are not transferable.
Islamic Naya Pakistan Certificates
Islamic NPCs work on Mudarabah: you are the capital provider and INPC Company Limited manages the money, with the SBP as custodian. Banks publish expected profit rates each month, and the final profit depends on actual earnings, so the rate is not fixed in advance. Overseas Pakistanis clearly prefer them: by end-September 2026, $1,375 million sat in Islamic NPCs against $740 million in conventional ones. Check your bank’s current expected-rate sheet, for example Meezan Bank’s INPC page, before you book.
Worked Examples: What a Naya Pakistan Certificate Actually Pays
All four examples use the June 2026 conventional rates and the 10% final tax.
| Investment | Rate | Gross profit | Tax (10%) | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 10,00,000 for 12 months (PKR) | 12.25% | Rs 1,22,500 | Rs 12,250 | Rs 1,10,250 at maturity |
| Rs 10,00,000 for 5 years (PKR) | 12.75% | Rs 63,750 every 6 months | Rs 6,375 | Rs 57,375 every 6 months (Rs 1,14,750 a year) |
| $10,000 for 12 months (USD) | 7.25% | $725 | $72.50 | $652.50 at maturity |
| $10,000 for 5 years (USD) | 7.75% | $387.50 every 6 months | $38.75 | $348.75 every 6 months ($697.50 a year) |
PKR or USD Naya Pakistan Certificate?
The rupee certificate pays about 5 percentage points more, but your money is exposed to the rupee. After tax, a 12-month PKR NPC returns 11.03% and a 12-month USD NPC returns 6.53%. If you will eventually convert back to dollars, the PKR certificate comes out ahead only if the rupee loses less than about 4.2% against the dollar over that year (before conversion spreads). If you plan to spend the money in Pakistan, the rupee certificate is the simpler choice; if you are saving to take money back abroad, the USD certificate removes the currency risk.
Roshan Equity Investment: Buying PSX Shares
Roshan Equity Investment (REI) lets you trade shares on the Pakistan Stock Exchange from your RDA. The SBP describes four steps:
- Open a Roshan Digital Account (or use your existing one).
- Select a brokerage firm from your bank’s REI list.
- Accept the terms that let your bank share your details with the broker and capital market bodies. The Central Depository Company (CDC) then opens your broker trading account, a CDC custody account and a unique identification number from NCCPL.
- Move funds into your RDA brokerage account and start investing.
Dividends and sale proceeds can be sent back abroad without prior approval. Capital gains on shares and mutual funds held through the RDA are taxed at a final 15%. Shares can fall sharply, so only money you will not need for five years or more belongs here. Our step-by-step guide on how to buy shares in Pakistan online explains brokers, orders and costs.
Mutual Funds
Your rupee account (NRVA) can buy units of open-ended mutual funds, from low-risk money market funds to equity funds, in conventional or Islamic versions. This is often the easiest route for someone who wants market exposure without picking shares. See how to invest in mutual funds in Pakistan for fund types and how to compare them.
Property and Roshan Apna Ghar
You can buy residential or commercial property in Pakistan through your RDA, paying in a lump sum or in instalments, in your own name or jointly with close family. If you want bank financing, Roshan Apna Ghar is the RDA home finance product:
| Feature | With lien on RDA balance | Without lien |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase or construction | Up to 99% of property value | Up to 85% |
| Renovation | Up to 40% | Up to 30% |
| Pricing | 1-year KIBOR (variable) or 5-year PKRV (fixed) | KIBOR + 1.5% or 5-year PKRV + 1.5% |
| Tenor | 3 to 25 years | 3 to 25 years |
Source: SBP: Roshan Apna Ghar. Property bought this way carries a 1% final tax on purchase and 1% on sale. For local home loans, see our guide to house financing in Pakistan.
Roshan Apni Car
Roshan Apni Car lets RDA holders finance up to three cars for family members in Pakistan, conventional or Islamic, over 2 to 7 years, with approval within about 4 days. Pricing is linked to benchmarks such as the SBP floor rate + 1% (with a lien on your deposit) or 6-month KIBOR + 1% (without a lien) (SBP: Roshan Apni Car). If you prefer Islamic leasing, read our guide to Meezan Car Ijarah through a Roshan Digital Account.
Roshan Digital Account Tax: What Overseas Pakistanis Pay
Non-resident Pakistanis investing through a Roshan Digital Account get a simplified, mostly full and final tax regime. That means the tax deducted at source settles your Pakistani tax on that income, and you do not need to file a return for it. The table compares it with what a resident filer pays on similar income in 2026-27.
| Income | Through an RDA (non-resident) | Resident filer, for comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Profit on RDA deposits | Exempt | 20% on bank profit |
| Naya Pakistan Certificate profit | 10%, final | Not available to residents without declared foreign assets |
| Capital gains on shares and mutual funds | 15%, final | 15% on shares bought after 1 July 2024 |
| Dividends | 15% (7.5% for power producers, 25% for tax-exempt companies), final | 15% on most dividends |
| Property | 1% on purchase + 1% on sale, final | 1.25% advance tax on purchase, 2.75% on sale, plus capital gains tax |
| Cash withdrawals and transfers | No withholding tax | No withholding tax for filers |
| Zakat | No compulsory deduction | Deducted on savings accounts unless a CZ-50 declaration is filed |
Sources: SBP RDA FAQs, FBR on the 10% final tax on NPC profit, and our guide to tax on investments in Pakistan for the resident rates.
One caution: Pakistan’s final tax does not decide what your country of residence charges. The UK, US, Canada and many other countries tax residents on worldwide income, so declare RDA profit there if your local rules require it, and keep your bank’s tax certificates. Gulf countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia generally do not tax personal investment income, which is one reason NPCs are popular there.
Sending Money Back: Roshan Digital Account Repatriation Rules
- Any time, no approval: balances, profits, dividends and sale proceeds can be sent abroad without asking the bank or the SBP.
- Exchange rate: money sent home into the NRVA converts at the bank’s buying rate; money sent back from the NRVA converts at the selling rate.
- Property: if you sell within three years of buying, you can send back the original amount at any time; capital gains can be sent back only after three years. For instalment purchases, the last instalment date counts as the investment date.
- What cannot go in: rent or sale money from property you bought outside the RDA cannot be deposited. Rent and gains from property bought through the RDA can be deposited and repatriated.
What Happens if You Move Back to Pakistan?
Once you become resident again, the SBP gives you two choices. Option A: keep the RDA. Existing balances and investments stay; your foreign currency RDA can be funded from declared foreign assets or income under resident rules; your rupee RDA cannot take new investments, although redemption proceeds can still come in. Option B: close the RDA and open a normal resident account in rupees or foreign currency. Either way, the special non-resident tax regime no longer fits your situation, so speak to a tax adviser and read how to become a filer in Pakistan.
Roshan Digital Account in Numbers
| SBP data | End-June 2026 | End-September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Total inflows since launch | $13.37 billion | $14.16 billion |
| Registered accounts | Not reported | 975,602 |
| Conventional NPCs | $642 million | $740 million |
| Islamic NPCs | $1,259 million | $1,375 million |
| Roshan Equity Investment | $145 million | $153 million |
| Used locally (spent or invested in Pakistan) | $8.44 billion | Not reported |
| Repatriated abroad | $2.09 billion | Not reported |
Sources: APP, 14 October 2026 and Profit, 10 July 2026, both citing SBP data. Most of the money is spent or invested locally; only a small share has gone into the stock market.
Pros and Cons of a Roshan Digital Account
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Opened fully online from abroad in about 2 working days | Can only be funded from abroad, not from local accounts |
| Money can be repatriated any time without approval | Exchange-rate spreads every time you convert |
| Low, final tax and no return filing for RDA income | Islamic NPC profit is expected, not fixed |
| Access to NPCs, PSX, mutual funds, property and car finance in one place | PKR investments carry rupee depreciation risk |
| No compulsory Zakat deduction; Islamic options for accounts, NPCs, funds and financing | Residents can use only the foreign currency account, via a branch |
Common Roshan Digital Account Mistakes
- Funding from the wrong source. Money must come from abroad through banking channels. A transfer from a relative’s Pakistani account will not be accepted.
- Applying with an expired CNIC or NICOP. Renew it first; it is one of the most common reasons applications stall.
- Encashing an NPC in the first 3 months. You get your principal back but no profit at all.
- Comparing PKR and USD rates directly. The higher rupee rate is partly payment for rupee risk; run the break-even sum above before choosing.
- Treating an Islamic NPC expected rate as fixed. It is a Mudarabah estimate and the final profit can differ.
- Assuming “final tax” means tax-free everywhere. Your country of residence may still tax the income.
- Depositing rent from old property. Rent or sale money from property not bought through the RDA cannot go into the account.
- Forgetting to update your status after moving back. Tell your bank and choose Option A or B so your account and taxes stay correct.
Related guides: Read our guides on PSX listed companies, sectors at PSX, banks in Pakistan, and use our remittance calculator to compare ways of sending money home.
Roshan Digital Account FAQs
Who can open a Roshan Digital Account?
Non-resident Pakistanis with a CNIC or NICOP, Pakistan Origin Card holders, government employees posted abroad, and resident Pakistanis who have declared foreign assets in their latest FBR wealth statement. Residents can open only the foreign currency account and must visit a branch.
How long does it take to open a Roshan Digital Account?
The SBP says accounts are opened within 2 working days once the online form is complete and the correct documents are uploaded. The bank may contact you if anything needs clarifying.
What is the profit rate on Naya Pakistan Certificates in 2026?
For conventional certificates issued from 1 June 2026, PKR rates run from 11.75% for 3 months to 12.75% for 5 years, and USD rates from 6.75% to 7.75%. Profit is taxed at a final 10%.
Is Roshan Digital Account profit taxable?
For non-resident Pakistanis, profit on RDA deposits is tax exempt. Naya Pakistan Certificate profit is taxed at a final 10%, capital gains on shares and mutual funds at a final 15%, and property at 1% on purchase and 1% on sale. No return filing is needed for this income.
Can I send money back from my Roshan Digital Account?
Yes. Balances, profits and investment proceeds can be sent abroad at any time without prior approval from the bank or the SBP. Capital gains on property can be repatriated only after three years.
Is there an Islamic Roshan Digital Account?
Yes. Islamic RDAs are available, Meezan Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank are fully Islamic banks, and Islamic Naya Pakistan Certificates work on Mudarabah with expected rather than fixed profit rates.
This guide is for general information only and is not financial or tax advice. Rates and rules change; confirm current terms with your bank and the SBP before investing, and speak to a tax adviser about your own case, including tax in your country of residence.
Free tool: work out your monthly and yearly profit, before and after tax, with our bank profit calculator.
Related Guides
- Best investment in Pakistan 2026: 12 options compared
- Tax on investments in Pakistan 2026-27
- Meezan Car Ijarah for overseas Pakistanis
- How to buy shares in Pakistan online
- How to invest in mutual funds in Pakistan
- National Savings Certificates in Pakistan
- Government bonds and T-bills in Pakistan
- Banks in Pakistan
Sources
- State Bank of Pakistan: Roshan Digital Account FAQs
- State Bank of Pakistan: Roshan Equity Investment
- State Bank of Pakistan: Roshan Apna Ghar
- State Bank of Pakistan: Roshan Apni Car
- Bank AL Habib: Naya Pakistan Certificate rates (from 1 June 2026)
- Meezan Bank: Islamic Naya Pakistan Certificate
- FBR: clarification on 10% final tax on Naya Pakistan Certificates
- Dawn: SBP launches riyal and dirham Naya Pakistan Certificates (2 June 2026)
- APP: RDA inflows rise to $14.157 billion in September 2026
- Profit: RDA gross inflows reach $13.37 billion by June 2026