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Yes. Under a State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) framework issued on April 1, 2026, resident Pakistanis aged 13 to 18 can open an account or wallet in their own name, individually or jointly. It can be opened in person or remotely, but “independent” does not mean without adult involvement: a parent or guardian must complete applicable due diligence, provide an indemnity accepting legal responsibility for actions related to the account, and declare the source of funds. SBP BPRD Circular No. 01 of 2026.
Who can open a teenager account?
The framework is for resident Pakistani teenagers aged 13 to 18. It applies to banks, microfinance banks (MFBs), and electronic money institutions (EMIs). The account or wallet is opened in the teenager’s name, either individually or jointly. It does not establish this route for every minor or for non-resident teenagers. SBP BPRD Circular No. 01 of 2026.
SBP says existing instructions for opening accounts for minors remain applicable. This teenager framework is a separate route for its stated age and residency group, not a blanket change to every minor-account arrangement.
Can a teenager open an account without a parent or guardian?
No—not under this framework’s stated requirements. The account can be individually held in the teenager’s name, but the parent or guardian still has to complete applicable customer due diligence, provide an indemnity accepting full legal responsibility for actions related to the account, and declare the source of funds. These requirements apply whether the account is opened in person or remotely. Other applicable customer due diligence, name screening, risk profiling, and transaction monitoring rules continue to apply.
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The teenager must undergo biometric verification where applicable, or an alternate identity-verification mechanism from NADRA. The circular does not set out one universal document checklist for every provider and applicant, so confirm the required process with the institution you choose.
How the account works
| Feature | SBP framework |
|---|---|
| Ownership | In the teenager’s name, individually or jointly |
| Currency | PKR only; it may receive the PKR equivalent of foreign remittances |
| Default account type | Savings, unless the applicant requests otherwise |
| Opening channel | In person or remotely through digital means |
| Access | Physical and/or virtual debit card(s), plus online and internet/app-enabled banking |
| Not allowed | Cheque books and other negotiable instruments; credit and overdraft facilities |
| Conversion at adulthood | The same account converts to a regular account or wallet after the relevant regulatory requirements are fulfilled |
SBP does not set one universal transaction limit in the circular. Fees, minimum balance, profit or return terms, card delivery and use, and provider-specific limits must be checked with the chosen bank, MFB, or EMI.
How long opening should take
SBP says the account or wallet should be opened instantly once all requirements are complete, and the process may not exceed two working days. The provider must give the applicant a tracking number for status updates. The clock is tied to completing the requirements; it is not a promise that an application with missing information will be approved within two days.
How to choose a provider
The circular applies across banks, MFBs, and EMIs, but it does not identify which providers have launched a teen product or publish their application links, fees, limits, or exact procedures. Check the following directly before applying:
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- Whether the provider currently offers an account under the teen framework and can verify the teenager’s residency and identity circumstances.
- Whether opening is available remotely or requires a branch visit, and how NADRA verification is handled.
- Fees, minimum-balance requirements, savings profit or return terms, and transaction limits.
- Whether the debit card is physical, virtual, or both; delivery arrangements and usage conditions.
- Which app and online-banking services are available, and how support or complaints are handled.
How this differs from a minor’s Roshan Digital Account
A Roshan Digital Account (RDA) for a minor is a separate arrangement from the resident teen framework. SBP’s RDA FAQ says a minor may open an RDA jointly with a parent or guardian, subject to legal formalities and the selected bank’s policy. That guidance should not be treated as an alternative way to bypass the parent or guardian requirements for a teenager account. SBP Roshan Digital Account FAQs.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why SBP introduced the framework
In its April 1, 2026 launch release, SBP said the framework was intended to help build a financially savvy young generation and described the accounts as enabling teenagers to independently own and operate bank accounts and digital wallets. SBP cited approximately 26 million Pakistanis aged 13–18 and said adult account ownership had reached 67%. The release does not specify the reference date or underlying dataset for either figure. SBP press release, April 1, 2026.
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