You’ve registered your company, got your NTN, now you need somewhere to actually put the money. Here’s the simple breakdown of what you need and how it works, based on how banks in Pakistan actually operate in 2026.
What you need, by business type
| Business Type | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship / Freelancer | CNIC, NTN, proof of income (invoices or freelance profile), business declaration or letterhead |
| Partnership | Partnership deed, CNICs of all partners, NTN certificate, registered firm certificate |
| Private Limited Company | Certificate of Incorporation, MOA & AOA, CNICs of all directors, company NTN, board resolution authorizing the account |
The step-by-step
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Get your Certificate of Incorporation from SECP (if you’re a company) |
| 2 | Get your Manual Certified True Copies (CTCs) of your incorporation documents from SECP’s physical office |
| 3 | Get your NTN from FBR |
| 4 | Prepare your company letterhead and stamp |
| 5 | Draft a board resolution authorizing who can open and operate the account |
| 6 | Visit the bank with all documents + all directors present |
| 7 | Bank sends a representative to verify your business address (they take photos, confirm it’s real) |
| 8 | Account is opened — checkbook and account details issued within about a week |
The mistake that trips almost everyone up
SECP gives you two kinds of certified copies of your documents, and only one works for a bank account.
| Type | Where you get it | Works for bank account? |
|---|---|---|
| Digital CTC | Downloaded instantly from SECP’s older eServices portal | No — often explicitly marked “not for bank account opening” |
| Manual CTC | Physically stamped at a SECP office | Yes — this is what banks require |
People waste days going back and forth with their bank because they showed up with the wrong copies. Get the Manual CTC from the start.
How long it actually takes
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Getting Manual CTCs from SECP | A few days, in person |
| Bank processing your application | 2–7 working days |
| Bank’s physical office verification visit | Usually within the same window |
| Total, start to finish | About 1–2 weeks if everything’s in order |
A few things worth knowing before you walk in
- You need a real business address. SECP doesn’t require proof of a physical office, but banks do — they’ll send someone to verify it exists before approving your account. A residential address can work if you have a utility bill or rent agreement in the business’s name.
- All directors usually need to be present at the bank visit for a private limited company, or at minimum provide notarized authorization if they can’t attend.
- Freelancers and sole proprietors have more flexibility. Some banks will open an account with just an NTN and proof of income — you don’t necessarily need a shop or office.
- “Digital onboarding” exists but isn’t fully digital. Most banks now offer to start the process online, but you’ll almost always still need one in-person visit for biometric verification.
Useful links
- SECP eServices Portal (for CTCs & incorporation documents): eservices.secp.gov.pk
- FBR IRIS Portal (for your NTN): iris.fbr.gov.pk
