Roshan Digital Account 2026: The Overseas Pakistani Guide
Open a Pakistani bank account from anywhere in the world, with no branch visit, and invest back home in minutes.
The Roshan Digital Account (RDA) is a fully remote bank account for overseas Pakistanis and holders of a Pakistan Origin Card. Introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan in September 2020, it lets non-resident Pakistanis open an account online, without ever visiting a branch, and then bank, invest, and send money home directly from their phone. For the millions of Pakistanis living abroad, it removed the single biggest barrier to investing back home: physical presence.
For decades, an overseas Pakistani who wanted to open a local account, buy property, or invest in government savings had to fly home, queue at a branch, and navigate paperwork in person. The RDA collapsed that entire process into a digital application that can be completed from a living room in Dubai, London, or Toronto. The account is opened in partnership with a Pakistani bank, verified against your national identity records, and funded in foreign currency. Once it is live, it becomes a gateway to the wider National Savings and capital market ecosystem.
Who can open a Roshan Digital Account
The RDA is designed for Pakistanis who live outside the country. You are eligible if you fall into any of these groups:
- Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs) holding a valid CNIC or NICOP.
- Holders of a Pakistan Origin Card (POC).
- Resident Pakistanis who have declared assets abroad (under the relevant category).
What you can do with it
An RDA is far more than a savings account. Once verified, it connects you to a range of products that were previously hard to reach from abroad:
Naya Pakistan Certificates
Government-backed investment certificates available in both Pakistani rupees and foreign currency, with fixed tenors. Profit rates are set by the State Bank and revised from time to time, so always check the current rate on your bank portal or the official site before investing. They are aimed at savers who want a predictable return without market risk.
Everyday banking and remittances
A conventional or Islamic current account you can use to pay bills, send money to family, and hold both local and foreign currency. Funds are freely repatriable, meaning you can move your money back out of Pakistan whenever you choose, which is a core promise of the scheme.
Stocks, property and more
Many RDA providers let you invest in the Pakistan Stock Exchange and in approved real estate and housing projects directly from the account. This makes the RDA a single hub for the three things overseas Pakistanis most often want: a place to save, a way to invest, and a channel to support family at home.
How to open one, step by step
The application is entirely online and is usually approved within a couple of working days.
- Choose a participating bank from the State Bank list and open its RDA application page.
- Enter your personal and identity details (CNIC, NICOP or POC) and your overseas address.
- Upload the required documents, typically your identity document and proof of overseas status.
- Complete a short video or selfie verification when prompted.
- Once approved, fund the account in foreign currency through a bank transfer, and you are ready to invest.
Tax and what to keep in mind
Returns on RDA investments are generally subject to a final withholding tax, and the rate often differs for those on the Active Taxpayer List. The structure can change with each federal budget, so treat the headline rate as a starting point and confirm the current position before you invest. Our guide to tax on prize bond winnings explains how the filer and non-filer system works in practice, and the same logic applies broadly across National Savings products.
The bottom line
The Roshan Digital Account turned investing back home from a once-a-year, in-person chore into a few taps on a phone. If you are an overseas Pakistani who wants to keep a foothold in the local economy, support family, or earn a government-backed return in rupees, it is the natural first step. For a wider view of your options, read our guide on how overseas Pakistanis can invest back home, and if you also hold physical prize bonds, you can check them against every draw in seconds.