What Is the Allied Freelancer Account?
The Allied Freelancer Account is a current or savings account designed for individuals who earn from international clients — whether through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr or through direct client arrangements. The account accepts inward foreign remittances, requires no minimum balance and comes with a free UnionPay and PayPak Classic Debit Card at no issuance cost.
What sets it apart from a standard savings or current account is the linked foreign currency facility and the documentation framework that recognises freelance income as a legitimate, documented source of funds. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) explicitly allows freelancers to receive foreign remittances and retain a portion in foreign currency the Allied Freelancer Account is structured to make that straightforward.
The account is available in both current and savings variants. The savings variant pays profit on a bi-annual basis. Cash deposits are not permitted the account is funded exclusively through foreign remittances.
Documents Required to Open an Allied Freelancer Account
For the Main Account (Current or Savings)
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| CNIC / SNIC / NICOP | Valid, unexpired |
| Self-declaration / undertaking | States that the source of funds is freelance activity |
| Platform or work evidence | Website used, nature of services, client correspondence or contract |
| Sales Tax NTN Certificate | Required only if available — not mandatory for all |
It should cover:
- The freelancing platform or channel (Upwork, Fiverr, direct clients, etc.)
- The nature of services provided
- The approximate scope or volume of work
Supporting evidence — a client email, a platform profile screenshot, a contract — strengthens the application but is not always mandatory under current policy. Confirm requirements at your branch.
Eligibility for the Exporters’ Special Foreign Currency Account is limited to freelancers and IT exporters registered with PSEB or P@SHA. Required documents include everything above, plus proof of PSEB or P@SHA registration.
How to Open the Account
The Allied Freelancer Account can be opened through three channels:
Branch opening is the most common route for first-time applicants, particularly where ESFCA registration is involved, as the documentation review is more thorough.
Once the account is active, obtain your IBAN from the myABL app, WhatsApp Banking on 0300-1225225, or by asking your branch. Use the IBAN generator directly on the ABL website.
You will need this IBAN to link Payoneer and other payment platforms.
Linking Payoneer to Your Allied Bank Account
Payoneer does not have a direct in-app integration with Allied Bank in the way it does with certain other Pakistani banks. However, Payoneer's standard withdrawal method — which transfers funds to any Pakistani bank account via IBAN works fully with Allied Bank accounts.
How to Add Allied Bank as Your Withdrawal Bank on Payoneer
Once verified, you can initiate a withdrawal from your Payoneer balance to your Allied Bank account at any time. Standard withdrawal processing takes one to three business days. The daily exchange rate applied to PKR conversions is declared by Allied Bank and varies daily — check the myABL app for the current rate or contact your branch.
Payoneer requires the account holder’s name to match exactly across all records. If your CNIC name and bank account name differ — even by a single letter or middle name variation — the withdrawal will fail. Confirm the exact name on your bank account before registering it on Payoneer.
The Linked ESFCA: Keeping Part of Your Earnings in USD
Freelancers and IT exporters who are registered with PSEB or P@SHA can open a linked Exporters’ Special Foreign Currency Account alongside their Allied Freelancer Account. This account lets you retain up to 50% of your foreign exchange earnings in USD — either up to USD 5,000 per month or 50% of export proceeds, whichever is higher.
The ESFCA is useful if you invoice clients in USD and prefer to hold funds in foreign currency for future payments to international suppliers or for personal foreign currency needs. You can also use it to make international business payments directly.
Cash deposits are not permitted in the ESFCA either. Funds flow in only through inward remittances.
How Freelancer Tax Works in Pakistan
Who Must Register and File
Under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, Pakistani residents earning income above PKR 600,000 annually — including freelance income from international clients — are required to register with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and obtain a National Tax Number (NTN). Registration is done through the FBR IRIS portal at iris.fbr.gov.pk. For individual freelancers, your NTN is typically linked to your CNIC, making registration straightforward.
Tax Rates for Freelancers
| Scenario | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Local client income | Non-salaried individual tax slabs apply |
| Foreign client income (general) | 1% withholding on remittances above PKR 600,000 |
| PSEB-registered IT exporters | 0.25% on export income |
| Section 65F — IT export exemption | Fully exempt (confirm current status with FBR) |
Freelancers whose income qualifies as IT export income — software development, digital services, content, design and related work — benefit from significantly reduced tax rates compared to standard income tax slabs. PSEB registration unlocks the 0.25% rate. Confirm your eligibility directly with FBR or a tax professional, as rates are revised in each annual budget.
How Remittances Are Handled at the Bank
When a foreign remittance arrives in your Allied Freelancer Account, the bank deducts withholding tax at source as required by FBR. This deduction appears in your Withholding Tax Certificate, which you can access through the myABL app or request at your branch. You will need this certificate when filing your annual return on FBR IRIS.
Declared business expenses — internet costs, hardware, software subscriptions, platform fees — can be deducted from taxable income. Keep records throughout the year.
Managing Your Account With myABL
Once your Allied Freelancer Account is active, the myABL app gives you full account access: balance checks, mini statements, fund transfers and e-statements. E-statements are free and can be downloaded at any time — useful when you need income documentation for visa applications or client contracts.
myABL WhatsApp Banking on 0300-1225225 handles balance inquiries, mini statements and basic transactions around the clock without logging into the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I open an Allied Freelancer Account without PSEB registration?
Yes. PSEB registration is only required for the linked ESFCA (foreign currency retention account). The main PKR freelancer account — current or savings — is open to any Pakistan-resident individual providing online services to international clients, regardless of PSEB status.
Q. How long does a Payoneer withdrawal to Allied Bank take?
Standard Payoneer-to-bank withdrawals typically process within one to three business days. There is no direct real-time integration between Payoneer and Allied Bank currently, so processing follows the standard inter-bank transfer timeline.
Q. Is a cash deposit allowed in the Allied Freelancer Account?
No. The account is funded exclusively through inward foreign remittances. Cash deposits are not permitted under the account's terms.
Q. Do I need an NTN to open the account?
An NTN is not required to open the account, but it is required to file your annual tax return with FBR. If you earn above PKR 600,000 per year from freelancing, you are legally required to obtain one and file. NTN registration is free through the FBR IRIS portal.
Q. Can I convert my existing Allied Bank account to a Freelancer Account?
No. Account conversion is not permitted under the terms of the Allied Freelancer Account. If you want to switch, you will need to open a new account. You can open an Allied Freelancer Account at any Allied Bank branch or through the myABL app. Once open, use the IBAN generator on the ABL website to retrieve your IBAN and add it as a withdrawal destination on Payoneer and any other platforms you work with.