Using a credit card in Pakistan

Visa and Mastercard are most likely to be accepted, although more high-end establishments might also accept American Express cards.

Which credit card issuers are accepted in Pakistan?

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in the large cities in Pakistan; American Express cards are accepted, but only in high-end hotels and restaurants. Merchants don’t accept Discover cards yet. But if you’re looking to make a cash withdrawal, Discover uses Citibank ATMs while Amex has no ATMs in the country as of February 2019.

	Merchant acceptance	ATM acceptance
Visa	High	High
Mastercard	High	High
American Express	Low	Not accepted
Discover	Not accepted	Low

Potential credit card fees in Pakistan

You could potentially pay two kinds of fees using a credit card in Pakistan:

• Foreign transaction fees. Depending on your card, you could incur a fee of up to 3% on every transaction made. That’s $30 for every $1,000 spent.
• Currency conversion fees. If you pay a merchant with US dollars, you’ll incur a dynamic currency conversion. This comes with extra fees as the conversion rate is usually worse than what you’d find at your own bank.

Can I incur both fees?

Yes. To avoid this, get a credit card without foreign transaction fees or pay with local currency when you can.

Compare travel cards for use in Pakistan

A credit card without foreign transaction fees can save you money on every transaction made abroad.

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Name	Product	Foreign transaction fee	Annual fee	Purchase APR	Filter values
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card		None	$95	15.99% to 22.99% variable		Earn a signup bonus worth $1,000 plus up to $50 statement credit towards groceries with this popular travel card.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® Gold Card		None	$250	See Pay Over Time APR		Rose Gold is back Earn up to 4x points on select purchases, a bevy of travel perks, and a welcome offer worth up to $600 based on our valuation with this upper-mid tier travel card. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Platinum Card® from American Express		None	$550	See Pay Over Time APR		One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $4,500 based on Finder's valuation, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Chip and PIN credit cards

Most merchants and ATMs use chip and PIN cards. All ATMs in the country require a four-digit PIN to make a cash withdrawal. If you don’t have one, call your bank before you leave and ask them to provide you with a PIN for your card.

Is it safe to use my credit card in Pakistan?

There have been reports of credit card fraud in Pakistan, mainly for card cloning. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use your card safely. Be cautious and follow a few simple safety tips:

• Select ATMs with care. ATMs attached to a bank are generally safer, and you can more easily retrieve your card should it get stuck in the machine.
• Take two cards. If you lose your primary card or if it’s blocked, a backup card is a handy solution.
• Keep your card in sight. This way you’ll avoid card cloning or card misuse.

How to prepare before traveling to Pakistan

• Get a credit card without foreign transaction fees. This can save you money on every transaction made abroad.
• Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. Especially in large urban areas. Amex and Discover cards are not the best cards to have in Pakistan.
• Notify your bank before you travel. This will prevent your bank from blocking your card.
• Get your bank’s phone number. This is helpful to resolve credit-card-related issues.
• Get a backup card. This will make your life easier in case something happens to your primary card.
• Get some cash. You’ll need cash to fully enjoy Pakistan. If needed, make an ATM cash withdrawal.

Should I use my credit card to get cash in Pakistan?

Pakistan remains a cash-based society, so it’s recommended to have enough rupees to cover your back at all times. This is especially necessary for smaller establishments, or in lesser-known towns across the country.

You’ll get the best exchange rate making cash withdrawals at ATMs. But using a credit card instead of a debit card means you’re taking a cash advance and pay an APR on that money.

Bottom line

In Pakistan, cash is king. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use your credit card. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in the large cities, but not by every merchant.

Make a cash withdrawal using a debit card if you need cash. For all other purchases, use a travel credit card without foreign transaction fees. You could also try a prepaid SIM card in Pakistan.
See more guides on using a credit card in other countries.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I send money to Pakistan?

  For the best rates and the fastest transfer, check out our money transfer page.

• Which currency is used in Pakistan?

  Pakistan uses the rupee with a currency code PKR and a symbol Rs.

  Their banknotes come in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 denominations.

• What is the US dollar to Pakistani rupee exchange rate?

• What is the most commonly used credit card network in Pakistan?

  Visa card or Mastercard are the most common credit cards in Pakistan.