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Pakistan · Relocation guide

Moving to Pakistan: a practical relocation guide

Pakistan’s online work visa depends on employer and government supporting documents; it is not an open job-seeking residence route. Registration and security requirements can vary by nationality and location.

Content updated 12 September 2026. Individual source-check dates are listed below.

Use the purpose-specific online visa

Local employment uses the work/general visa with employer and government supporting documents. Business and investor visas do not automatically authorise ordinary payroll employment.

Apply only through Pakistan Online Visa and confirm whether the serving mission or security review requires extra material.

Use the purpose-specific online visa
PlanRoute to examineBoundary
Local employmentWork - General VisaEmployer and competent-government recommendation support the application.
Investment or company activityBusiness Investor VisaKeep investment and work authorisation questions separate.
StudyStudent VisaUse recognised admission and confirm any work rights.

Confirm foreigner registration and local permissions

Keep the visa grant, entry stamp, employer letters and address details. Ask the Ministry of Interior, local police or sponsor whether nationality-specific foreigner registration applies.

Requirements and movement permissions can differ in restricted or sensitive areas; do not assume a national visa permits unrestricted access.

Verify the employer and lease

Do not start outside the approved employer and visa purpose. Obtain payroll and social-security confirmation and preserve the government recommendation used for the visa.

Verify ownership or authority to rent, use a written tenancy and understand local police or building registration before paying a long deposit.

Obtain tax identity and robust health cover

Register with the Federal Board of Revenue where required and separate tax residence from immigration. Keep records of foreign income and days present.

Public and private medical capacity varies sharply. Arrange insurance including evacuation and confirm the employer’s medical benefits for dependants.

Prepare dependants, school and banking

A family-visit visa is not an automatic dependant residence or work permission. Confirm the correct status and renewals for every family member.

Bring civil and school records and compare school security and transport. Banks need identity, visa, address, tax and source-of-funds evidence.

Recheck regional advice and renew early

FCDO advises against travel to specified border, province and district areas. Check the exact home, work site and road route, not only the city name.

Calendar visa, passport and work documents; confirm exit and re-entry while renewal is pending and check driving-licence rules locally.

Your moving checklist

Tick off the tasks that apply to you. The timing is a planning order, not a substitute for the deadlines on your permission or an official instruction.

0 of 12 tasks completed

Before you move
On arrival
Your first month
Later and before renewal

Sources and checks

The linked authorities set the rules. VisaAtlas explains how the steps fit together; planning suggestions are not a decision on your immigration status, tax residence or entitlement to services.

Plan your next step