Pakistan's diaspora sends over $30 billion in remittances every year — yet most Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs) have historically struggled to invest back home. Banking restrictions, the need for a local presence, and complex paperwork kept overseas Pakistanis out of most investment opportunities.
The Roshan Digital Account (RDA), launched by the State Bank of Pakistan in September 2020, changed this completely. It allows overseas Pakistanis to open a fully functional bank account and investment account in Pakistan entirely online, from anywhere in the world, without setting foot in a branch.
An RDA is a foreign-currency or PKR bank account specifically designed for Non-Resident Pakistanis. It is operated under the State Bank of Pakistan's regulatory framework and is available through all major Pakistani commercial banks. Once opened, an RDA gives you access to:
You are eligible for an RDA if you are a Pakistani national (holding a valid Pakistani CNIC or NICOP) living abroad. You do not need to be a dual citizen. Pakistani-origin individuals who hold a foreign nationality but have a valid NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) are also eligible.
Each bank has its own RDA portal. Meezan Bank is the preferred choice for investors seeking a fully Islamic (Shariah-compliant) RDA, as it offers profit-sharing accounts rather than interest-based accounts.
Each bank has a dedicated RDA page on their website. For example: HBL RDA, Meezan Bank RDA, or Bank Alfalah RDA. Look for the "Roshan Digital Account" or "RDA" section.
Fill in your personal details, current country of residence, and source of funds. You'll need your CNIC or NICOP number, a passport-size photo, a copy of your passport, and proof of overseas residence (a utility bill or bank statement from your current country).
Most banks now offer video-based KYC verification — a short video call where a bank representative verifies your identity by looking at your CNIC/NICOP and passport. This typically takes 10–15 minutes and can be scheduled at a time convenient for your time zone.
After successful KYC, your account is activated. You'll receive your account number and login credentials for the bank's online portal. You can hold funds in USD, GBP, EUR, or PKR.
Transfer foreign currency from your overseas bank account via SWIFT or the bank's remittance channel. Many banks offer preferential exchange rates for RDA remittances to encourage inflows.
Government-backed certificates available in USD, GBP, EUR, and PKR. These offer some of the highest sovereign bond yields in the world. Returns are guaranteed by the Government of Pakistan and fully repatriable. Tenors range from 3 months to 5 years. NPCs are available directly through your RDA bank portal.
Open an RDA-linked brokerage account with any PSX-licensed broker. You can buy and sell KSE-100 shares and receive dividends credited to your RDA. The entire process is online — no need to visit Pakistan. Dividends and sale proceeds can be repatriated.
Invest in SECP-regulated mutual funds through your RDA. Most major AMCs — including Al Meezan, NBP Funds, and JS Investments — accept RDA investors. You can invest in Islamic or conventional funds and redeem your units at any time, with proceeds credited to your RDA.
Some banks offer Shariah-compliant home financing for overseas Pakistanis through the RDA channel, allowing NRPs to buy property in Pakistan without being physically present for the initial application.
The Government of Pakistan has provided several tax incentives for RDA investors to encourage remittances:
All RDA accounts are held at regulated Pakistani commercial banks supervised by the State Bank of Pakistan. The Deposit Protection Corporation (DPC) provides insurance coverage on PKR deposits up to PKR 500,000 per depositor per bank. Foreign-currency deposits in RDAs are not covered by the DPC but are held at fully licensed, Basel-compliant Pakistani banks. Naya Pakistan Certificates are directly backed by the Government of Pakistan.