How to Open a Roshan Digital Account: Documents Checklist and Steps
Roshan Digital Account (RDA) lets overseas Pakistanis bank and invest in Pakistan without visiting a branch. The whole application is online. Most delays come from one thing: the wrong or unclear documents.
This guide is the checklist. It covers what to scan, what counts as proof, the steps, and the special cases. If you still need to choose a bank, start with our RDA bank comparison, then come back here.
Check first: can you open one?
SBP says these people can open an RDA:
- Non-resident Pakistanis with a Pakistani passport, NICOP, POC or NIC. This includes people who are employed, self-employed, unemployed, homemakers, students, children and pensioners.
- Foreign nationals and foreign companies.
- Federal or provincial government employees posted abroad. SBP treats them as non-resident for RDA.
- Resident Pakistanis who declared foreign assets in their latest FBR wealth statement. But only for a foreign currency RDA, and they apply at a branch (see below).
Who counts as "non-resident"?
SBP uses the meaning in Pakistan's income tax law, section 82 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. The tax year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Under the law as amended up to 30 June 2026, you are a resident for a tax year if:
- you are in Pakistan for 183 days or more in that tax year, or
- you are a Pakistani citizen who is not in any other country for more than 182 days in the tax year, or who is not a resident taxpayer of any other country.
If neither applies, you are normally non-resident. Government officials posted abroad are the exception noted above.
Old rule still quoted. SBP's RDA FAQ and some bank FAQs still describe a "120 days in Pakistan plus 365 days in the past four years" test. That test was removed from the law by the Finance Act 2021. The citizen rule above was added in 2022. If your situation is borderline, ask your bank how it applies the current rule before you apply.
Documents checklist
SBP publishes one standard list that applies at every participating bank. Here it is, with examples of what people usually upload:
| Document | Who needs it | What to upload |
|---|---|---|
| Identity card | All Pakistanis | CNIC, NICOP or POC. Scan front and back. Foreign nationals upload a valid ID instead. |
| Passport | If you have one | Pakistani and/or foreign passport. Faysal Bank asks for the first two pages. |
| Proof of non-resident status | Non-resident Pakistanis | Something that shows you live abroad. Faysal Bank gives POC, visa and entry/exit stamps as examples. JS Bank also accepts an iqama or work permit. |
| Proof of profession and income | Everyone | See the table below. |
| IRS FATCA forms | Only customers in the US | The bank's FATCA form. Some banks also show W-8BEN or W-9. |
| Constituent documents | Companies only | Registration and ownership papers. |
A bank may ask some customers for more, based on their risk profile. If you think a bank is asking for far too much, SBP asks you to email RDASupport@sbp.org.pk with your details and the bank's name.
Proof of profession and income: what fits you
SBP's rule is "any one" document for salaried people and business people. Banks' FAQs give more examples for other groups. Use this as a guide, not a fixed list:
| You are | Examples of proof | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried | Any one: employment letter, salary slip or bank statement | SBP |
| Business owner | Any one: business registration document, business letterhead or bank statement | SBP |
| Self-employed or freelancer | Proof of the work (e.g. contract or payment receipts), bank statement or tax return | JS Bank FAQ |
| Retired | Retirement letter, pension book or proof of terminal benefits | JS Bank FAQ |
| Homemaker | A declaration, plus details of the person who provides the funds | JS Bank FAQ |
| Student | Student ID or a letter from your institution, plus details of who funds you | JS Bank FAQ |
JS Bank also says one letter that shows both your profession and your source of funds can be enough.
Step by step
- Pick a bank. Fifteen banks offer RDA. Fees, currencies and apps differ. Our bank comparison lists them.
- Open the bank's RDA form on its official website. Do not use links from social media messages.
- Choose the account type. A foreign currency account (FCVA) or a rupee account (NRVA), or both. Choose current or savings, and conventional or Islamic where the bank offers it.
- Fill in your details exactly as they appear on your CNIC/NICOP and passport.
- Upload the scans from the checklist above. Make sure every corner is visible and nothing is blurred.
- Take the live photo. The form takes it at the time you apply. Some banks also take an electronic signature.
- Wait for confirmation. SBP's target is 48 hours for individuals and 5 days for companies. SBP's FAQ says "2 working days" after correct documents.
- Fund the account by sending money from abroad through a bank. You cannot deposit cash or local money into it.
After the account opens
- Card and cheque book. SBP says these can be couriered to your address abroad or in Pakistan, or collected from a branch. Charges depend on the bank. JS Bank's FAQ gives about 15 days on average for card delivery.
- What money can go in. Only money from abroad through banks, plus profit on your RDA investments.
- What you can do. Pay bills, send money inside Pakistan, buy Naya Pakistan Certificates and other investments.
- Sending it back. Funds can be repatriated without SBP approval. JS Bank says only to your own overseas account that you gave when you opened the RDA.
To send money home to family who do not bank, see our guide to sending money to JazzCash or Easypaisa.
Special cases
| Situation | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Joint account | Allowed with resident or non-resident Pakistanis. The account is treated as non-resident. |
| Account for a child | A minor can have an RDA jointly with a parent or guardian. |
| Resident with foreign assets | Foreign currency RDA only. Visit a branch. Bring normal KYC papers plus your latest wealth statement showing the foreign assets, or a signed affidavit of the value declared. Joint only with another resident. |
| Already have a Pakistani bank account | It cannot be converted. You must open a new RDA. |
| Want more than one RDA | Allowed, at the same bank or different banks. Faysal Bank says finish one request before starting the next. |
| Account went dormant | Banks must offer a way to reactivate it digitally. They can use NADRA Verisys instead of biometrics. |
| Moving back to Pakistan for good | You can keep the RDA, but no new rupee RDA investments and no local deposits. Or convert it to a resident account. |
| Account holder dies | The balance goes to the legal heirs under Pakistani law. |
Common reasons applications get stuck
- Expired passport. Faysal Bank says a valid passport is needed to activate the account.
- Names do not match across your CNIC/NICOP, passport and the form.
- No clear proof you live abroad. A visa or residence permit page usually solves this.
- Income proof does not match your job. For example, a business letterhead for someone who says they are salaried.
- Unreadable scans or only one side of the ID card.
Faysal Bank says there is no minimum amount to open. Other banks may differ, so check before you apply.
What we could not confirm
- How banks apply today's residency rule. SBP's own pages still quote the 2020 wording. We could not find SBP guidance on the 2022 citizen rule.
- Real opening times. 48 hours is SBP's target. We cannot confirm every bank meets it.
- Extra documents per bank. Each of the 15 banks may ask for more. Only two banks' examples are shown above.
- Minimum balance, currencies and card fees. These are set by each bank. Check its schedule of charges.
- Passport needs. Whether every bank needs a valid passport, and whether a CNIC/NICOP-only applicant is accepted everywhere.
SBP's live RDA pages now redirect to its general homepage. We read the same SBP pages on SBP's archive site. If your bank tells you something different, follow your bank and let us know.
Related: Roshan Digital Account bank comparison · Naya Pakistan Certificates 2026 · AED, SAR and GBP to PKR rates · Cash limits at Pakistan airports
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to open a Roshan Digital Account?
SBP's standard list is: CNIC, NICOP or POC; passport (Pakistani and/or foreign) if you have one; proof of non-resident status; proof of profession and source of income; and IRS FATCA forms if you live in the US. A bank may ask for more based on your risk profile.
What counts as proof of non-resident status?
Something that shows you live abroad. Faysal Bank lists POC, visa and entry/exit stamps as examples, and JS Bank accepts an iqama or work permit. Ask your bank if you are unsure.
How long does it take to open a Roshan Digital Account?
SBP's target is confirmation within 48 hours for individuals and 5 days for companies, once correct documents are submitted.
Do I need to visit Pakistan or an embassy to open an RDA?
No, not if you live abroad. The form, document upload and live photo are all online. Residents with declared foreign assets must visit a branch.
Can I convert my existing Pakistani bank account into a Roshan Digital Account?
No. SBP says an existing account cannot be converted. You need to open a new RDA.
Can I open a Roshan Digital Account for my child?
Yes. A minor can have an RDA jointly with a parent or guardian.
Sources
- SBP — Roshan Digital Account: eligibility, steps and document list Standard document list for all banks, 7 steps, 48 hours/5 days, RDASupport@sbp.org.pk (SBP archive host; live page redirects) Official
- SBP — Roshan Digital Account FAQs Eligibility, 2 working days, joint/minor accounts, no conversion, cards, dormant accounts, returning home, more than one RDA Official
- SBP — Foreign Currency Value Account for resident Pakistanis Residents with declared foreign assets: branch visit, wealth statement or affidavit, joint with residents only Official
- SBP — FE Circular No. 01 of 2020 (NRP Rupee Value Account) Resident/non-resident as per income tax law; govt officials posted abroad treated as non-resident; digital dormant reactivation Official
- SBP — FE Circular No. 02 of 2020 (Foreign Currency Value Account) FCVA rules; residents must declare assets abroad incl. latest wealth statement Official
- SBP — BPRD Circular Letter No. 32 of 2020 NADRA Verisys may replace biometrics, including for dormant account activation Official
- FBR — Income Tax Ordinance 2001, amended up to 30 June 2026 (section 82) Resident individual: 183 days; govt officials abroad; citizen rule (d) added 2022; 120-day test omitted 2021 Official
- Faysal Bank — Roshan Digital Account FAQs Bank example: minimum documents, proof of NRP status, valid passport needed, no minimum amount Official
- JS Bank — Roshan Digital Account FAQs (2021) Bank example: proof of profession and income by customer type, card delivery time, repatriation to own account Official
Estimate and information only, not legal or tax advice. Customs and FBR make the final decision. Spotted a rule change? Tell us.