OPF Apply For FERC Foreign Exchange Remittance Card : Overseas Pakistanis Foundation

Organisation Name : Overseas Pakistanis Foundation
Facility Name : Apply For Foreign Exchange Remittance Card (FERC)
Country : Pakistan
Website : https://www.opf.org.pk/

OPF Apply For FERC

Remittances by Overseas Pakistanis, through normal banking channels, are a vital source of balance of payments support for the country. Funds channeled through Hundi or other means bypass legal conduits and deprive the country of much needed support.

Related / Similar Service : OPF Foreign Employment Dues/Compensation

Cognizant of the problem of diminishing home remittances the government has initiated concerted program to facilitate those Overseas Pakistanis who remit money through normal banking channels.

Towards this end, a special package of Foreign Exchange Remittance Card (FERC) has been introduced by the Ministry of Finance in September 2001 to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis community. OPF has been nominated as the implementation authority.

Incentives

Overseas Pakistanis remitting foreign currency equivalent to US$2500 to US$ 50,000 per annum are entitled to the following incentives;

** Five categories of remittance cards as per amount remitted.
** Free Issuance and Renewal of passport on urgent basis.

** Separate Counters for special handling at arrival and departure lounges at all International Airports in Pakistan.

** Duty credit can also be utilized for seven items with fixed duty i.e., television, deep freezer, refrigerator, microwave oven, cooking range, washing machine and air conditioner.

** Duty Credit in Pak. Rupees as per category of remittance card.

Admissibility

** The duty credit is admissible to a Pakistani national holding Foreign Exchange Remittance Card (FERC) once during validity of card.
** The duty credit can be utilized for the accompanied, unaccompanied baggage or any purchase from any duty free shop.

** The duty credit under this scheme is not utilizable on import of vehicles.
** Utilization of duty credit is endorsed by the Customs on the passport of an FERC holder.

** The Incentives are available for one year from the date of issuance of remittance cards.

Eligibility Criteria

** Remittance to be made through legitimate channel, minimum amount equivalent to US$ 2500 within one year from the date of application.
** Remitted amount to be credited to Pak Rupee account in bank in self account or beneficiaries account.
** Name of Remitter to be clearly mentioned on remittance receipt (s) issued by the Remitter’s Bank / Exchange Company.

** In case Remitter or Beneficiary is maintaining the Foreign Currency Account in Pakistan and the amount is acceptable for issuance of FERC, which was converted into Pak Rupee account. Documentary evidence must be provided by the applicant from the concerned bank branch on letter head pad duly sign / stamp.

** Amount (s) encashed from Foreign currency account through bank (s) and encashment certificate (s) on the prescribed format of State Bank of Pakistan must be provided with sign and stamp of the concerned bank.

** FERC will not be issued in case foreign currency encashed through Money Exchange (s) in Pakistan.
** FERC will not be issued on basis of self or beneficiaries account (s) statement (s) of Pakistani bank (s).

** FERC will not be issued on ATM receipt (s) on which name of Remitter is not reflecting on the receipt (s).
** Remittance receipts for period of last one year is acceptable from the date of application.

** FERC will not be issued / changed before the expiry date mentioned on the card.

** Applications received through Pak Missions, Online Portal and directly sent from abroad, FERC will be dispatched to Pak Mission through diplomatic Bag according to the notified schedule of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cards can also be sent on local address only in Pakistan through Postal Services.

** FERC will be handed over to the representative of Overseas Pakistanis on his written request from applicant along with copy of CNIC of receiving person.

** Duplicate FERC will be issued on written application duly attested by the concerned Pak Mission and same will be sent to the Pak Mission.

Following are not eligible for FERC :
** Infant, Minors and persons below the age of 18 year are not entitled for FERC.
** Student is not entitled for FERC.

** Amount remitted in Foreign Currency Account in Pakistan and not converted/encashed into Pak Rupee Account through the bank.
** Receipts of amount exchanged from Money Exchange Companies are not acceptable.

** ATM Receipts without the identification of the Remitter’s name.

How to Apply?

Steps :
Step 1 : The application form can be obtained from OPF website, Pakistan Missions abroad, OPF Head Office Islamabad and through Regional Offices located at Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar and Mirpur (AJ&K).

Step 2 : The Pakistan Mission dispatch the application form to OPF Head Office Islamabad for issuance of FER Card after proper verification.
Step 3 : OPF issues the card and dispatch to concerned Pakistan Mission for onward deliverance to the applicants.

Step 4 : Card will not be dispatched to the applicant abroad.
Step 5 : One year back receipts of remitted amount will be accepted from the date of application for issuance of FER Card.

Delivery of Cards

** OPF would return the prepared Remittance Cards to the concerned Pak Mission through diplomatic bag. Applicant have to collect his/her card from the Pak Mission by himself /herself.

** FERC would be dispatched to the given address in Pakistan on the request of the applicant in writing.
** Swift delivery of Foreign Exchange Remittance Card (FERC) at door step through DHL (payment will be made by the applicant).