Pakistan · Work
Pakistan CPEC work visa
CPEC Work Visa for Chinese nationals
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
CPEC work visa is a work route for Pakistan. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
Time and long term
RenewalRenewable
An entry visa and an extension can each be granted for up to two years.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Pakistan
- Only for passports from China
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- The applicant is a citizen of China with a valid job offer for a CPEC project and is sponsored by the employer.
Documents4
- The SECP registration letter of the company and the sponsor's contact details.
- An undertaking on company letterhead, or for a government-approved project a letter from the concerned department or ministry.
- The applicant's CV, the employment agreement, a covering letter, the company profile and the company's FBR NTN certificate.
- A recommendation letter from the BOI, mandatory for an extension.
Steps1
- Processing takes 48 hours (working days) for a first visa and four weeks for an extension.
After you arrive1
- An extension of up to two years is available while holding a valid visa and living in Pakistan.
What happens at day 183
How Pakistan decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in a tax yearAn individual present in Pakistan for 183 days or more in the tax year is a resident individual.
- Foreign-source income
Resident individuals pay income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates: 0% up to PKR 600,000, (≈ $2,170) rising to 35% on salaried income above PKR 7,000,000 (≈ $25,300) and 45% on other income above PKR 5,600,000 (≈ $20,200); from tax year 2027 salaried individuals pay no surcharge.
- Regime tied to this route
Foreign-source income of short-term resident employees exempt · Tax relief
Foreign-source income of an individual who is resident only because of employment in Pakistan and is present for no more than three years is exempt from Pakistani tax.
All tax rules for Pakistan Tax records checked
Full official text
Work visa for Chinese citizens employed on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, granted for up to two years. 1 2
Requirements
- The applicant is a citizen of China with a valid job offer for a CPEC project and is sponsored by the employer. 1
- The SECP registration letter of the company and the sponsor's contact details. 1
- An undertaking on company letterhead, or for a government-approved project a letter from the concerned department or ministry. 1
- The applicant's CV, the employment agreement, a covering letter, the company profile and the company's FBR NTN certificate. 1
- A recommendation letter from the BOI, mandatory for an extension. 1
- Processing takes 48 hours (working days) for a first visa and four weeks for an extension. 1
- An extension of up to two years is available while holding a valid visa and living in Pakistan. 1
Stay
- An entry visa and an extension can each be granted for up to two years, single or multiple entry.
- Visa validity: 24 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Citizens of China only. Open to: China.
Work
Employment on the CPEC project of the sponsoring employer.
Family
Each accompanying family member files a separate application; listing a family member in the application does not grant them a visa.
Official sources
- CPEC - Work Visa · Pakistan Online Visa System, Ministry of Interior (NADRA) · checked 2026-10-12
- Frequently asked questions · Pakistan Online Visa System, Ministry of Interior (NADRA) · checked 2026-10-12
CPEC work visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPEC work visa | – | – | – |
| Business visa | – | – | – |
| Work visa | – | – | – |
| LTR · Highly Skilled Thailand | Needs income of $80k+ a year | 5 yr, renewable | – |
| Engineer/Specialist visa Japan | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
Questions people ask
How long can I stay on the CPEC work visa?
An entry visa and an extension can each be granted for up to two years, single or multiple entry.
Can I work on the CPEC work visa?
Employment on the CPEC project of the sponsoring employer.
Can I bring my family on the CPEC work visa?
Each accompanying family member files a separate application; listing a family member in the application does not grant them a visa.
Who can apply for the CPEC work visa?
Citizens of China only. Open to: China.
Is there a tax break for CPEC work visa holders in Pakistan?
Foreign-source income of short-term resident employees exempt for up to three years: Foreign-source income of an individual who is resident only because of employment in Pakistan and is present for no more than three years is exempt from Pakistani tax. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Foreign-source income of short-term resident employees exempt for up to three years
Tax relief
Details
Foreign-source income of an individual who is resident only because of employment in Pakistan and is present for no more than three years is exempt from Pakistani tax.
Taxed on
Foreign-source income of a resident individual whose residence arises solely from employment.
Who it applies to
- The individual is a resident individual solely by reason of employment.
- The individual is present in Pakistan for a period or periods not exceeding three years.
Exclusions
- Income derived from a business of the person established in Pakistan is not exempt.
- Foreign-source income brought into or received in Pakistan is not exempt.
Tax residence
Applies to individuals resident for the tax year solely through employment; presence is limited to three years.
Visas
Relevant to work visa holders such as the employer-sponsored general and CPEC work visas.
Other taxes
Other taxes on Pakistan-source income apply normally.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in Pakistan
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 2 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- CPEC - Work Visa · Pakistan Online Visa System, Ministry of Interior (NADRA) · checked 2026-10-12
- Frequently asked questions · Pakistan Online Visa System, Ministry of Interior (NADRA) · checked 2026-10-12
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.