The Pocket Handbook - Pocket Money

Introduction

Welcome to the Pocket Handbook — the single place where we answer everything we get asked about Pocket Money. Whether you’re brand new to the app or you’ve been with us since beta, this is the source of truth for how Pocket Money works in 2026.

If you don’t find your question here, message us — we’ll answer it and add it to the handbook.

About Pocket Money
Getting Started
Verification (KYC)
Receiving USD
Cashing Out to PKR
Fees, Limits & Tax
Trust, Safety & Regulation
Pocket Card (Visa Signature)
Payment Links
Stablecoins & On-chain
Send & Receive Within Pocket
Business Accounts
Other Currencies & Countries
Account Issues & App Help
Bonuses & Referrals
What Pocket Money Is NOT

1. About Pocket Money

What is Pocket Money?

Pocket Money is a fintech app for Pakistanis that gives you a personal US Dollar account. Use it to receive USD from international clients, platforms, or family abroad — then cash out to any Pakistani bank account in PKR, or spend with the Pocket Card.

Who is Pocket Money for?

Pocket Money is built for anyone in Pakistan who earns or receives US Dollars overseas and wants to cash out to Rupees for daily use, including:

Freelancers receiving USD from clients abroad
Remote workers paid in USD by foreign employers
Pakistanis receiving remittances from family overseas
Digital product sellers and online business owners

What can I do with Pocket Money today?

Receive USD via ACH, Wire, or SWIFT to your own named US virtual account
Hold USD in your Pocket balance
Cash out to any Pakistani bank in PKR (free standard, 1% instant)
Send USD to other Pocket users for free using their Pocket Tag

What’s coming soon?

Pocket Card (Visa Signature) — rolling out to early users now
Payment Links — Q3 2026
Stablecoins (USDC/USDT) receive & on-chain transfer — pending PVARA approval
GBP and EUR receive accounts — in development with bank partner
USD outbound to external USD accounts
Referral program — launching this week (we’ll share details soon)

Is Pocket Money available outside Pakistan?

Currently, Pocket Money is available to anyone with a Pakistan CNIC. We may expand to other countries in the future.

2. Getting Started

Download the Pocket Money app:
- iOS: apps.apple.com/app/id6759075000
- Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=money.pocket.app
Open the app and follow the sign-up flow
Complete identity verification (CNIC photo + selfie)
Once approved, your USD account is activated

Yes — signing up is free. No monthly fees, no hidden charges.

No. You can sign up if you receive USD from any source — clients, family abroad, online platforms, or remote employers.

What documents do I need?

A clear photo of your CNIC (front and back, all four corners visible, placed on a dark surface)
A selfie for identity verification

The name on your Pocket account must match the name on your CNIC. If your CNIC only shows your first name, we may ask for your passport as well.

3. Verification (KYC)

How long does verification take?

Identity verification inside the app: about 2 minutes
Bank partner approval: currently up to 24–48 hours

We’re actively working to speed this up.

Why is my verification taking so long?

The most common reasons:

Bank partner needs more time for review
Selfie or CNIC photo wasn’t clear enough
CNIC photo looks like a scan/copy rather than an actual picture
Name mismatch between CNIC and submitted info

If you’ve waited more than 48 hours, message support and we’ll escalate.

Tips for a clean CNIC photo

Place CNIC on a hard surface with a dark background
Capture all four corners of the card
Take an actual photo — not a screenshot or copy of a scan
Make sure the text is sharp and well-lit

Can I use my passport instead of my CNIC?

If your CNIC only shows your first name, we may ask for your passport for full-name verification. CNIC remains our primary requirement.

Can I change the name on my account?

The name on your Pocket account must match the name on your CNIC. If you legally change your CNIC name, send us the updated document and we’ll update your account.

Do I need to verify again to use stablecoins only?

No. If you only want stablecoin functionality (and not a US bank account), we can skip the bank partner verification step.

4. Receiving USD

How do I receive USD into my Pocket account?

You get your own named US virtual bank account with a unique routing and account number. In the app, tap Receive → Bank Transfer to see your wire/ACH/SWIFT details. Share them with anyone sending you USD.

Whose name is on my US account?

The account is in your personal legal name (matching your CNIC).

What’s the minimum deposit?

There is no maximum on incoming deposits, but deposits at or above $10,000 may trigger additional documentation requests from our bank partner (such as a bank statement for proof of address or source of funds).

Which platforms can I use to receive USD?

Pocket Money works with any platform that lets you enter US bank account details. Verified platforms include:

✅ Upwork (guide)
✅ MoneyGram (guide)
✅ Deel
✅ PayPal (guide)
✅ Wise
✅ Payoneer (guide)
✅ eBay
✅ Stripe
✅ Amazon

If a platform asks for a US bank routing and account number, your Pocket account should work.

How long does an incoming deposit take to land?

It depends on the sender’s speed:

ACH from US banks: 1–3 business days
Wire transfers: usually same day or next business day
Upwork direct-to-bank: 1–3 business days (per Upwork’s own timing)

Timing is set by the sending platform, not by Pocket Money.

My client wants to use my business name as the beneficiary. Is that possible?

For personal Pocket accounts, the beneficiary name on incoming ACH or wire must match your personal name (CNIC). Your client can put your business name in the “description” or “reference” field of the transfer.

Business accounts (in your company name) aren’t available yet — see Business Accounts for the latest status.

Can I receive payments from someone in (country)?

Yes — anyone in any country can send USD to your Pocket account, as long as their bank or platform supports international ACH, wire, or SWIFT to a US bank account.

Do you charge fees for receiving USD?

No. ACH, Wire, and SWIFT deposits are all free on our end. Your sender’s bank may charge their own fees, which we don’t control.

Please review our limits. The below is not a fee, but for example, if someone ACHs you under $2 it will not be received. Same for Wires under $25, and SWIFTs under $40.

My deposit was rejected. Why?

The most common reason: the beneficiary name on the incoming transfer didn’t match your name on file. Make sure whoever is sending money uses your full legal name (matching your CNIC) as the beneficiary.

5. Cashing Out to PKR

How do I cash out USD to PKR?

Link your Pakistani bank account in the app (any bank or IBAN)
Tap Cash Out
Enter the amount and choose your speed:
- Standard (free, 2–3 business days)
- Instant (1% fee, lands in minutes)

Which Pakistani banks can I link?

You can link any Pakistani bank account or IBAN — there’s no restriction by bank.

What exchange rate do you use?

We use a market-based daily rate within ~1% of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reference rate. No hidden FX markup.

How fast does standard cash-out arrive?

2–3 business days. Delivered through our local partner Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan.

How fast does instant cash-out arrive?

Minutes. Instant lands in your linked Pakistani account in real time, for a 1% fee.

Why is “Instant” sometimes unavailable?

When you enter a cash-out amount, we generate a quote and reserve it for a short amount of time. If the quote expires before you confirm, the instant option may briefly show unavailable. Try again or re-enter the amount for instant to refresh.

Is there a minimum cash-out amount?

Yes — the minimum is $1 per cash-out.

Is there a maximum cash-out amount?

By default, the rolling 30-day cash-out limit is $7,500. There’s no fee tied to the limit — it’s just a safety measure. Need a higher limit? Message support.

Can I cash out to someone else’s bank account?

The linked Pakistani bank account must be in your name (matching your CNIC). To send PKR to someone else, cash out to your own account first.

6. Fees, Limits & Tax

Full fee schedule

You can view our up-to-date fee and limit schedules in the app: Settings → Banking → See minimum and limits.

What about freelancer tax (PSEB)?

Cash-outs to PKR go through Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan and are subject to standard Pakistani withholding tax.

Default rate: 1% withholding for the freelancer purpose code
With PSEB certificate: 0.25% withholding
Home remittance purpose code (9471): PRC-eligible, tax-exempt up to PKR 5 million per tax year (per FBR Pakistan)

We’re rolling out an in-app option to upload your PSEB certificate and select different purpose codes so the correct withholding is applied automatically.

We are not tax advisors — please consult a qualified PK tax professional for your specific situation.

Will the instant cash-out fee ever be capped?

We’re actively reviewing this — capping the maximum fee for large instant cash-outs is something the team is discussing.

7. Trust, Safety & Regulation

Is Pocket Money regulated?

Yes — on both sides.

United States: Pocket Money is a registered Money Services Business with FinCEN (U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). Registration number: 31000309673027. This subjects us to US federal oversight, recordkeeping, and reporting obligations for money transmission.
Pakistan: We operate with Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) approval for our USD-to-PKR cash-out service.

Read the official press coverage:

SBP clears DIB Pakistan + Pocket Money tie-up
DIB Pakistan + Pocket Money official announcement (PDF)

Where is my USD actually held?

Your USD sits in a virtual bank account in your name at our regulated US bank partner. It is not pooled or held by Pocket Money directly.

Is Pocket Money safe to use?

Yes. We are FinCEN-registered, work with a US bank partner that issues your USD account, and our PKR cash-outs run through a State Bank of Pakistan–approved local banking partner.

What if my Payoneer account got blocked? Will Pocket Money block me too?

Every financial service provider is required to follow all laws applicable to them, but Pocket Money is built specifically for the Pakistani freelancer and remittance use case, with a direct PK banking partner and SBP approval. The Payoneer account closures many of our customers experienced were tied to factors that don’t apply the same way here.

Is my money insured?

Funds held in your US virtual account are with our regulated US bank partner. Specific deposit insurance coverage depends on the bank partner — please contact support for the most up-to-date details.

8. Pocket Card (Visa Signature)

Is the Pocket Card available now?

We are actively giving the Pocket Card to early users in small batches. We’re still in beta but cards are now being issued to real customers, not just internal testers.

How do I get a Pocket Card?

Make sure your Pocket account is fully verified
Receive at least one deposit into your Pocket balance
Message support to request early access, or wait for an invite

We prioritize giving the card to users who have a balance to spend.

What kind of card is it?

A Visa Signature card, issued in the United States. We’re launching with the virtual card; physical cards are coming soon.

What are the Pocket Card fees?

No fees from us for using the card
No FX fees on spending in Pakistan or internationally (excluding non-US Visa network fees)
Visa’s exchange rate is 1–2% of the mid-market rate on any given day. This rate is set by Visa, not by Pocket.

Will the card work on Apple Pay / Google Pay?

Message us on WhatsApp (+1 737 732 3032) for more information on this.

What can I use the Pocket Card for?

Online SaaS subscriptions (Adobe, Spotify, Netflix, ChatGPT, Claude, etc.)
Online shopping (Amazon, eBay, etc.)
Travel bookings and Airbnb
Anywhere Visa is accepted

Can I receive payments to my Pocket Card?

No. The Pocket Card can be used to spend your Pocket USD balance — it is not a receiving account.

9. Payment Links

What are payment links?

Payment links will let you send a link to a client (anywhere in the world) so they can pay you in USD directly to your Pocket Money account — without needing to sign up themselves.

Are payment links live now?

Not yet. We’re targeting a launch in Q3 2026. Card demand has been higher, so we’ve prioritized that first.

How do I get on the payment links waitlist?

Message us in the app or DM us on Instagram and we’ll add you.

Will clients be able to pay with their credit card?

That’s the goal — to support Stripe-style payment via credit/debit card. Final details will be confirmed at launch.

10. Stablecoins & On-chain

Can I receive stablecoins (USDC/USDT)?

Stablecoin functionality is in active development. We’re waiting on official approval from PVARA (Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority) before going live broadly. Some users have already been turned on for stablecoin receive — message support if you’d like access.

Which stablecoins will be supported?

We’re starting with USDC and USDT.

Can I send stablecoins from Pocket Money?

On-chain transfer (sending USDC/USDT directly into or out of your Pocket balance) is being tested with select customers and will be generally available pending regulatory approval.

Will I need to verify my identity again to use stablecoins?

If you only want stablecoin functionality (no US bank account), we can skip the bank partner verification step.

11. Send & Receive Within Pocket

Can I send USD to my friends on Pocket?

Yes. If your friend is also on Pocket, tap Send and enter their Pocket Tag (their unique username) to send USD instantly, for free. No minimum, no maximum.

What’s a Pocket Tag?

Your Pocket Tag is your unique username in the Pocket ecosystem. Other Pocket users can send money to you using your tag.

Can I send money to someone outside Pocket?

Currently, you can:

✅ Send USD to other Pocket users (free, instant)
✅ Cash out to your own Pakistani bank in PKR
❌ USD outbound to external USD accounts — coming soon

Sending USD directly to someone else’s external bank account is not yet supported.

12. Business Accounts

Can I open a business account on Pocket Money?

Not yet. All Pocket accounts today are issued in your personal legal name (matching your CNIC). Business accounts are in active development with our bank partner — we’re starting with Pakistani Sole Proprietors, then plan to add US-registered LLCs after that.

When will business accounts launch?

We’re targeting roughly 8 weeks from late May 2026, but no firm date yet. Message support and we’ll add you to the interested-parties list.

Can I receive payments to my business name on my personal account?

No — the beneficiary name on incoming ACH or wire transfers must match your personal name (CNIC). If a client sends a payment using your business name as the beneficiary, our bank partner will likely reject it.

What you can do today: ask your client to use your personal name as the Account Holder / Beneficiary, and put the business name in the “description” or “reference” field of the transfer.

What if my deposit gets rejected because the sender used my business name?

Contact your client and confirm what name they entered as beneficiary. Have them re-send using your personal name on file. We can help troubleshoot — send us a screenshot of the rejected transfer and we’ll guide you. The money will be returned in full.

ACH: 1 business day
Wire: 5 business days

Can my team or employees have access?

Multi-user team access is on our roadmap, but not currently available.

13. Other Currencies & Countries

Can I receive GBP (British Pounds)?

GBP and EUR receive accounts are in development with our bank partner.

Important note: when GBP/EUR support launches, incoming funds will be automatically converted to USD at the mid-market rate (no FX fee) before landing in your Pocket balance. You’ll receive in GBP/EUR but hold in USD.

Can I receive EUR (Euros)?

Same as GBP — actively in development, will convert to USD on arrival.

Can I receive AED, SAR, INR or other currencies?

Currently no. Our bank partner doesn’t support Gulf or South Asian currencies for receive accounts.

Can I open an account if I’m in Morocco / India / Bangladesh / another country?

Pocket Money is available to Pakistanis with a valid CNIC.

14. Account Issues & App Help

I can’t log in. What’s happening?

Most login issues are resolved by:

Requesting a fresh OTP and trying again
Making sure you’re on the latest app version
Restarting the app

If we’ve recently migrated systems, your session may have been reset — log in again with OTP. Still stuck? Contact support.

Send a screenshot of the error to support chat — it dramatically speeds up diagnosis.

My app is stuck / crashing / showing a bug.

Try these in order:

Force-close the app and re-open
Make sure you’re on the latest version (App Store / Play Store)
Restart your phone
Send a screenshot or screen recording to support

Can I uninstall the app and still get my money?

Yes, as long as you have your ACH Bank details.

15. Bonuses & Referrals

Coming soon — don’t tell your friends about Pocket Money… yet.

16. What Pocket Money Is NOT

To save you time — Pocket Money is not:

❌ A loan service or buy-now-pay-later app
❌ A cash assistance or financial aid program
❌ An investment broker (though Pocket can be a step in your investment journey — you can hold USD)
❌ A money-making scheme or “earn from home” app
❌ A way to receive USD without a CNIC

We’re a Pakistani fintech focused exclusively on helping you receive, hold, spend, and cash out US Dollars — safely, transparently, and at low cost.

Still Have Questions?

WhatsApp: +1 737 732 3032
Instagram: @pocketmoney.global
LinkedIn: Pocket Money

Say “Yes” to Pocket Money — iOS | Google Play

Last updated: June 3, 2026