Global payments platform Payoneer has introduced a new 3% withdrawal fee for users in Pakistan, drawing widespread concern from freelancers and digital entrepreneurs who rely on the service for international transactions.
The revised fee structure, which came into effect this week with minimal public notice, sharply increases the cost of moving funds out of Payoneer accounts. Pakistani users withdrawing funds to foreign currency bank accounts—such as those in US dollars, euros, or British pounds—are now subject to a flat 3% fee. This is a 50% increase from previous rates, where some transactions were exempt or charged at lower rates.
The change extends to third-party bank transfers, which were once partially free, and now also carry the same 3% charge regardless of the currency involved. Internal transfers between Payoneer users have been affected too: amounts above 500 units in USD, EUR, or GBP attract a 0.60% fee, while smaller transactions are hit with a flat fee of 3.00 in the corresponding currency.
In another shift, receiving money on Payoneer is no longer cost-free. Transfers under $100 now incur a $1 charge, while those above $100 are subject to a 1% fee. Similar charges have been introduced for other major currencies including GBP, EUR, CAD, AED, and AUD. These charges are in addition to Payoneer’s existing currency conversion fees, compounding the total cost of cross-border transactions.
The added fees are proving burdensome for Pakistan’s growing freelancer and digital services sector, which is already navigating an inflationary economic climate and volatile currency markets. For many, every dollar earned abroad counts, and the higher fees are seen as a setback for small-scale operators.
Compounding the frustration is the lack of transparency. Many users were unaware of the changes until they took effect, prompting criticism across online freelancer forums. Some have called for greater clarity from Payoneer, encouraging others to examine the ‘Fees’ section of their accounts for full details.
So far, Payoneer has not issued a formal response to the backlash or clarified the rationale behind the changes, leaving many users uncertain about the platform’s direction.
