--- title: "Moving to Pakistan 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Hunza Valley and river seen from Eagle's Nest viewpoint # Moving to Pakistan 12 ways to move to Pakistan in our guide: 5 investor routes, 1 business / startup route, 3 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 route by nationality or ancestry, 1 spouse visa. No digital nomad visa. Smallest investment: [Investor visa · company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-company/), $50k+. Tax for newcomers: [Foreign-source salary of residents exempt if foreign tax is paid](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/tax/), Tax relief. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Smallest investment needed:** **$50k+** Investor visa · company **Longest first stay:** **2 years** Student visa **Tax angle:** **Tax relief** Foreign-source salary of residents exempt if foreign tax is paid Pakistan offers a range of visa routes for foreigners who want to invest, do business, work or study. The main investor routes are built around a minimum investment or a recommendation from the Board of Investment, while business and work visas depend on an invitation or a job offer from a Pakistani company. Investors with capital to place in a Pakistani business, property or foreign currency account Businesspeople with an invitation or chamber recommendation Professionals with a job offer from a registered Pakistani employer Students admitted to a Pakistani higher education institution Foreign spouses of Pakistani citizens or origin ## Investing · 5 ### Investor visa - [deposit Needs savings of $50k+](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-deposit/) - [company Needs an investment of $50k+](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-company/) - [other Needs an investment of $50k+](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-other/) - [property Needs an investment of $100k+](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-property/) ### [SIFC investor visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/sifc-investor-visa/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/sifc-investor-visa/) ## Business / Startup · 1 ### [SIFC business visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/sifc-business-visa/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/sifc-business-visa/) ## Work · 3 ### [Business visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-visa/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-visa/) ### [CPEC work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/cpec-work-visa/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/cpec-work-visa/) ### [Work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/work-visa/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/work-visa/) ## Student · 1 ### [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/study-visa/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Needs money in the bank [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/study-visa/) ## For your nationality or ancestry · 1 Open only to citizens of certain countries or to people with family roots here. Unlike free movement, each needs an application. ### [Pakistan Origin Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/origin-card/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/origin-card/) ## Spouse visas · 1 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Pakistan Origin Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/spouse-of-citizen/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/spouse-of-citizen/) ## Tax Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed on Pakistan-source income. Residence is based on days present in the tax year, not on your visa. If you are resident only because of employment in Pakistan and present for no more than the allowed period, foreign-source income can be exempt. Foreign-source salary of residents is exempt if foreign-source income tax has been paid on it, including tax withheld by the employer. Standard rules ### [Personal income tax: residents taxed on worldwide income, up to 35% on salary and 45% on other income, no surcharge on salary from tax year 2027](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/tax/#tax-pk-pit-ordinary) Progressive rates **Details** - Limit: PKR 600k/yr ≈ $2,170 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. Non-residents pay on Pakistan-source income. #### Taxed on Taxable income of residents from all sources (salary, property, business, capital gains, other sources) and Pakistan-source income of non-residents. #### Who it applies to - An individual is resident if present in Pakistan for 183 days or more in the tax year, if an employee or official of the federal or a provincial government posted abroad, or if a Pakistani citizen who is not present in another country for more than 182 days and is not a tax resident of another country. - Individuals whose salary is more than 75% of taxable income use the salaried table, others use the general table. - Salaried table: 0% to PKR 600,000 (≈ $2,170); 1% to PKR 1,200,000 (≈ $4,330); 11% to PKR 2,200,000 (≈ $7,940); 20% to PKR 3,200,000 (≈ $11,600); 25% to PKR 4,100,000 (≈ $14,800); 29% to PKR 5,600,000 (≈ $20,200); 32% to PKR 7,000,000 (≈ $25,300); 35% above. - General table: 0% to PKR 600,000 (≈ $2,170); 15% to PKR 1,200,000 (≈ $4,330); 20% to PKR 1,600,000 (≈ $5,780); 30% to PKR 3,200,000 (≈ $11,600); 40% to PKR 5,600,000 (≈ $20,200); 45% above. - Surcharge (section 4AB): individuals and associations of persons with taxable income above PKR 10 million (≈ $36,100) pay a 10% surcharge on the income tax, but no surcharge is payable by an individual deriving income chargeable under the head Salary; the Finance Act 2026, in force from 1 July 2026, removed the 9% surcharge that applied to salaried individuals, so salaried individuals pay no surcharge in tax year 2027. #### Exclusions - Non-residents are taxed only on Pakistan-source income such as salary for work done in Pakistan, dividends from Pakistani companies and rent from Pakistani property. #### Limits - PKR 600,000 a year (≈ $2,170) · Taxable income up to which the rate is 0% in both tables - PKR 7,000,000 a year (≈ $25,300) · Salaried individuals: taxable income above which the top rate of 35% applies - PKR 5,600,000 a year (≈ $20,200) · Other individuals: taxable income above which the top rate of 45% applies #### Days in the country - At least 183 days in tax year · An individual present in Pakistan for 183 days or more in the tax year is a resident individual. #### Tax residence Residence is tested on days present in Pakistan in the tax year, not on visa status. #### Visas Immigration status does not decide tax residence; a work or business visa holder who spends 183 days or more in Pakistan in a tax year is resident. #### Other taxes Foreign tax credit is available under section 103; super tax on high earning persons under section 4C is charged separately. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/tax/) Special regime ### [Foreign-source income of short-term resident employees exempt for up to three years](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/tax/#tax-pk-short-term-resident-foreign-income) 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 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/tax/) Special regime ### [Foreign-source salary of residents exempt if foreign tax is paid](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/tax/#tax-pk-foreign-salary-exemption) Tax relief **Details** - Who: Foreign-source income tax has been paid on the salary Foreign-source salary received by a resident individual is exempt from Pakistani tax if foreign-source income tax has been paid on it, including tax withheld by the employer. #### Taxed on Foreign-source salary of resident individuals. #### Who it applies to - Foreign-source income tax has been paid on the salary, or the employer withheld tax and paid it to the revenue authority of the country where the employment was exercised. #### Exclusions - Foreign-source income other than salary is taxed in Pakistan with a credit for foreign tax paid, under section 103. #### Tax residence Applies to individuals who are resident in Pakistan for the tax year under the 183-day test. #### Visas Not tied to any visa. #### Other taxes Foreign-source income that is not salary is taxed in Pakistan with a foreign tax credit limited by the Ordinance. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/tax/) Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **No digital nomad visa in Pakistan.** Remote workers usually look at [Investor visa · deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-deposit/), [Investor visa · company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-company/), [Investor visa · other](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-other/), or [nomad visas elsewhere](https://settleanywhere.com/visas/digital-nomad/). **Shorter stays · 1** Business / Startup ### [Investor visa · short term](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-short-term/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-short-term/) **Switch to later · 1** Spouse visas ### [Citizenship by marriage](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/citizenship-by-marriage/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/citizenship-by-marriage/) ## Arriving in Pakistan: first steps 1. Apply online through the Pakistan Online Visa System, or through the SIFC e-visa page if your route uses it. 2. Arrange health cover for your stay; the records do not list a specific requirement, so treat this as practical cover. 3. Keep proof of a residential address in Pakistan, as you may need it for banking and registration. 4. Open a local bank account if your route involves a foreign currency balance or local investment. 5. Register with the relevant authority if your route requires it, such as NADRA for the Pakistan Origin Card. ## Questions people ask ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Pakistan? Pakistan has 5 investor routes. [Investor visa · deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-deposit/) asks for savings of at least $50,000. [Investor visa · company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-company/) asks for an investment of at least $50,000. [Investor visa · other](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-investor-other/) asks for an investment of at least $50,000. ### Can I move to Pakistan by starting a business? Pakistan has 1 business or startup route. It is [SIFC business visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/sifc-business-visa/). ### What work visas does Pakistan offer foreigners? Pakistan has 3 work visas. There is also [Business visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/business-visa/), [CPEC work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/cpec-work-visa/) and [Work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/work-visa/). ### How do I get a student visa for Pakistan? Pakistan has 1 student visa. [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/study-visa/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### Can my nationality or ancestry give me residence in Pakistan? Yes. Pakistan has 1 route by nationality or ancestry. It is [Pakistan Origin Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/origin-card/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Pakistan? Yes. Pakistan has 1 spouse visa. It is [Pakistan Origin Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/spouse-of-citizen/). ### Does Pakistan have a special tax regime for new residents? Yes: [Foreign-source salary of residents exempt if foreign tax is paid](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/pakistan/tax/). Foreign-source salary received by a resident individual is exempt from Pakistani tax if foreign-source income tax has been paid on it, including tax withheld by the employer. It is separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Compare with [🇹🇭 Thailand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/) [🇯🇵 Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/) [🇮🇩 Indonesia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/) [🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/) [🇸🇬 Singapore](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/) [🇲🇾 Malaysia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/) [🇻🇳 Vietnam](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/vietnam/) [🇰🇷 South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.