How businesses in Pakistan get paid by overseas clients

In this article

1. Why getting paid from abroad is tricky
2. Option 1: a named account in your client’s currency
3. Option 2: marketplace and store payouts
4. How marketplace payouts work
5. Tips for marketplace payouts
6. Choosing the right mix
7. Ask your clients what is easiest
8. Offer more than one currency
9. Think about how you will use the money
10. Practical habits that help
11. Frequently asked questions

Your business has won the client, shipped the order or delivered the project. Now comes the part that can be surprisingly hard: getting paid from abroad without delays, confusion or a long back-and-forth with the client’s finance team.

Exporters, agencies, software companies and online sellers in Pakistan all face the same question: how do we make it easy for overseas clients and marketplaces to pay us, and how do we get that money home?

This guide walks through the main ways businesses get paid by overseas clients, how to choose between them, and the habits that keep payments flowing smoothly.

Why getting paid from abroad is tricky

Most payment problems come down to one thing: your client’s financial system and yours do not speak the same language. A company in the US is used to paying suppliers by ACH; a business in Europe expects to pay to an IBAN by SEPA. Asking them to send an international transfer to an unfamiliar bank adds steps, questions and sometimes delays.

The aim is to make paying your business as easy as paying any other supplier, while keeping things simple and transparent for you.

Option 1: a named account in your client’s currency

A named account gives your business local bank details in another currency. With Vav, USD, EUR and GBP accounts are opened in your business’s name by a licensed partner, so clients pay you like a local supplier.

• USD accounts can receive via ACH, Fedwire and SWIFT.
• EUR accounts can receive via SEPA.
• GBP accounts can receive via Faster Payments.

For your client, it feels like paying any other supplier. For you, the money arrives in an account under your company’s name, which keeps payments and records clear. You can hold it as it arrives, and cash out when you choose.

Our guide to what a virtual bank account is explains this option in more depth.

Option 2: marketplace and store payouts

If your business sells through online marketplaces or stores, the platform usually collects from customers and pays out to your business on its own schedule.

How marketplace payouts work

Marketplaces such as Amazon, Shopify and Etsy pay out by bank transfer to the account details you provide, where they support that currency and country. Each platform has its own list of payout methods and its own rules, so check what yours supports before you add new details.

Vav has no integration or partnership with these marketplaces. You add your business’s account details to the platform as you would with any bank account, if the platform supports it.

Tips for marketplace payouts

• Make sure the business name on your seller account matches the name on your account.
• Add your details well before your next payout, in case the platform runs checks.
• Keep a record of each payout for reconciliation and bookkeeping.

Choosing the right mix

There is no single best answer. The right choice depends on who pays your business and how.

Ask your clients what is easiest

A quick question at the start of a contract, such as “How do you usually pay international suppliers?”, can save weeks of friction. Larger companies often have fixed supplier payment processes, so giving them details that fit those processes helps.

Offer more than one currency

If your clients are spread across the US, Europe and the UK, holding USD, EUR and GBP account details lets each client pay in the currency they already use.

Think about how you will use the money

If your costs are mainly in Pakistan, look at how easily you can cash out. With Vav, you can cash out to PKR, sent to bank accounts, Raast and mobile wallets in Pakistan, usually within minutes. USD payouts are also available. Fees are shown in the Vav app before you confirm.

If you also pay for software, ads or suppliers abroad, you can spend from the same balance. Our guide to using a virtual card for subscriptions and ads shows how.

Practical habits that help

A few simple habits make getting paid far smoother.

• Send clear invoices. Include your business’s registered name, the amount, the currency, the due date and exactly how to pay.
• Share details in writing. Never rely on payment details read out over a call.
• Watch for scams. If someone says your client’s or your own payment details have changed, confirm through a channel you already trust. Vav will never ask for your password or one-time codes.
• Get verified early. Accounts are not available without verification, so complete business verification before your first invoice. Our guide to KYC and KYB explains what is involved.

Vav is launching in Pakistan first, including US-registered LLCs owned by founders in Pakistan, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Singapore next. Availability varies by country, account type and partner. To see what Vav offers businesses, visit our business page, or explore virtual accounts in more detail.

Frequently asked questions about getting paid by overseas clients#

Which currencies can my business receive in?

Vav offers named accounts in USD, EUR and GBP, opened in your business's name by a licensed partner.

Can marketplace payouts go into a Vav business account?

Marketplaces such as Amazon, Shopify and Etsy pay out by bank transfer to the account details you provide, where they support that currency and country. Vav has no integration or partnership with these marketplaces, so check what payout methods yours supports.

How does the money reach our bank account in Pakistan?

You can cash out to PKR, sent to bank accounts, Raast and mobile wallets in Pakistan, usually within minutes. Fees are shown in the Vav app before you confirm.

Can a US-registered LLC owned by founders in Pakistan use Vav?

Yes. Vav is launching in Pakistan first, including US-registered LLCs owned by founders in Pakistan. Availability varies by country, account type and partner, and every business must complete verification.

Is Vav a bank?

No. Vav is a technology platform and does not hold customer money. Accounts, payments, cards and conversion are provided by licensed third-party partners.

This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Vav is not a bank. Vav services are provided together with third-party providers; availability, eligibility, supported currencies, payment rails and features vary by country, account type and provider, and all accounts are subject to verification. Currency conversion carries risk — read our Risk Disclosure. See our Terms of Service and FAQ for more.

Vav Editorial Team

Editorial team at Vav

The Vav Editorial Team writes plain-language guides to global accounts and virtual cards for businesses that get paid and pay suppliers across borders. Every guide is checked against how the Vav app actually works, and we update articles when products change.

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