How create stripe account in pakistan

As of now, Stripe is not officially supported in Pakistan, meaning individuals and businesses based in the country cannot create a Stripe account using a Pakistani address or bank account. However, many freelancers, startups, and e-commerce business owners in Pakistan still need Stripe to accept international payments. Fortunately, there are legal and practical workarounds that allow you to use Stripe by setting up your presence in a supported country.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and use a Stripe account from Pakistan:

🔒 Understanding the Challenge

Stripe is a popular online payment processor used for businesses and services worldwide. It supports countries like the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, and many more — but Pakistan is not on that list.

This means you can’t use a Pakistani bank account or address to open a Stripe account. However, Stripe does not require you to be physically present in the country where the account is based, as long as the business is legally registered there.

✅ Legal Workaround: Registering a Business in a Supported Country

Here’s how many Pakistani entrepreneurs set up a Stripe account legally:

🔹 Step 1: Choose a Supported Country

The easiest countries for Pakistani residents to register a business in are:

United States (LLC registration)

United Kingdom

United Arab Emirates

The U.S. is the most common choice due to easy registration and Stripe support.

🔹 Step 2: Register a Company (U.S. LLC)

You can set up a U.S. LLC (Limited Liability Company) remotely through services like:

Firstbase

Stripe Atlas

Doola

Incfile

These services typically provide:

U.S. company formation (usually in Wyoming or Delaware)

Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS

A U.S. business address

Access to a U.S. bank account or virtual bank (like Mercury or Wise)

🔹 Step 3: Get a U.S. Bank Account

You will need a U.S.-based bank account to receive payments from Stripe.

Common options for international founders:

Mercury Bank (highly recommended)

Wise Business Account

Relay Financial

These can be opened remotely once your U.S. company and EIN are ready.

🔹 Step 4: Create a Stripe Account

Once you have:

A U.S. business entity

EIN number

U.S. bank account

U.S. business address

You can now go to stripe.com and:

Click "Start Now".

Choose the United States as your business country.

Fill in your business details, including your EIN and business address.

Link your U.S. bank account.

Verify your identity with a valid passport or CNIC (Stripe accepts international documents).

Complete the setup and test your account.

Once verified, you can start accepting payments through Stripe and use it for your freelancing, SaaS, or e-commerce business.

🔹 Step 5: Withdraw Earnings to Pakistan

You cannot directly link a Pakistani bank to Stripe, but you can:

Withdraw funds from Stripe to your U.S. bank (e.g., Mercury).

Transfer money from your U.S. bank to a Pakistani bank using Wise, Payoneer, or SWIFT wire transfer.

🚫 What Not to Do

Never fake your location or use fake documents. This can get your Stripe account banned permanently.

Do not use third-party or black-market Stripe accounts. They’re risky and illegal.

💡 Tips

Use your Stripe account with a proper invoice or website, as Stripe often requests verification.

Keep your tax documents organized if you’re doing business in the U.S.

Stay compliant with local laws for foreign income if you’re transferring money to Pakistan.

✅ Conclusion

While Stripe doesn’t operate in Pakistan officially, setting up a U.S. LLC and getting a U.S. bank account is a legal and widely-used solution. It may require some upfront cost (usually $300–$600), but it opens the door to powerful global payment solutions. For serious entrepreneurs, freelancers, and SaaS developers in Pakistan, it’s a worthy investment.

Would you like help choosing between Firstbase or Stripe Atlas, or a walkthrough of how to open a Mercury bank account?