Payoneer has introduced a sharp rise in transaction fees for its Pakistani users, triggering alarm among freelancers and small businesses who depend on the platform for international payments. The new fee structure, effective immediately, raises the withdrawal fee to 3% for transfers to foreign bank accounts, up from the previous 2%.
The increase also applies to other services, including a newly introduced 3% charge on transfers to third-party bank accounts, which were previously free. Internal transfers between Payoneer accounts, both domestic and international, will now carry additional fees, alongside changes in payment receiving charges for smaller transactions.
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Pakistan’s freelancing community, one of the largest in the world, stands to be significantly affected. With over 3.8 million freelancers contributing to a billion-dollar industry, the new costs could reduce profit margins and force users to seek alternative payment platforms such as Wise or Skrill.
Payoneer has not provided specific reasons for targeting Pakistan with these adjustments, though rising global transaction costs are likely a factor. Many digital professionals fear the move could hurt the country’s growing digital economy and dampen cross-border business activity.
