Payoneer imposes 3% withdrawal fee on Pakistani users, raising concerns among freelancers

Payoneer, the global financial services platform widely used by freelancers and digital professionals, has introduced a 3% withdrawal fee for users in Pakistan—prompting widespread concern among the country’s burgeoning online workforce.

The updated fee structure, which quietly came into effect this week, marks a significant shift in the cost of doing business for tens of thousands of Pakistani freelancers and small businesses who rely on the service for cross-border transactions. The move comes as Pakistan continues to expand its digital economy, with a growing number of individuals earning foreign income through remote and freelance work.

Under the new pricing structure, withdrawals from Payoneer accounts to non-local currency bank accounts—such as USD, EUR, or GBP—are now subject to a flat 3% fee, representing a 50% hike from previous rates. Previously, certain transactions were either exempt or incurred lower charges.

Third-party bank transfers, once partially free, now carry the same 3% flat fee regardless of currency. Internal transfers between Payoneer accounts are also affected: payments in USD, EUR, or GBP now incur a 0.60% fee for amounts exceeding 500 units, and a flat charge of 3.00 in the respective currency for smaller transfers.

In a further blow, receiving payments is no longer free. Dollar transfers under $100 now come with a $1 charge, while those over $100 attract a 1% fee. Similar fee tiers have been applied across several currencies, including GBP, EUR, CAD, AED, and AUD.

Although the company has retained its existing currency conversion charges, these new transaction fees are additional and applied separately.

For many Pakistani freelancers—who often depend on each dollar earned abroad—the increase in service costs comes at a time of economic uncertainty and currency volatility. Online communities have expressed frustration over the lack of prior notification and transparency around the decision.

Digital professionals are being urged to consult the ‘Fees’ section of their Payoneer account to assess how the new charges affect their specific transaction patterns. The updated fee structure applies to all Pakistani account holders, including individuals, sole proprietors, and registered firms.

Payoneer has not yet issued a formal statement addressing the fee changes or the concerns raised by its user base in Pakistan.