Pakistan · Work
Pakistan Work visa
Work Visa (General)
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Work visa is a work route for Pakistan. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
Time and long term
RenewalRenewable
The visa is valid for two years and can be extended for two years with multiple entries.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Pakistan
What you'll need
Who can apply2
- The applicant has a valid job offer and the employer sponsors the application.
- The employer is a company registered with the SECP, or a person-owned business with tax certification.
Documents5
- An employment letter from the SECP-registered company showing salary and duration of the assignment, or a sponsorship or guarantee letter from the company.
- A recommendation of the Board of Investment or the concerned administrative authority.
- For a person-owned business: the employment agreement, the employer's tax certification and the employer's CNIC or passport.
- A passport and a photograph.
- Proof of legal residence when applying from a third country.
Steps2
- Apply online on the Pakistan Online Visa System, from the country of residence or from Pakistan when extending.
- The employer applies through the portal and processing takes four weeks for a new visa or an extension.
After you arrive1
- Extension is available for up to two years with multiple entries while the holder is 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
Employer-sponsored work visa for foreigners with a job offer from a Pakistani company, valid for two years with multiple entries and extendable. 1 2 3 4
Requirements
- The applicant has a valid job offer and the employer sponsors the application. 1 2
- The employer is a company registered with the SECP, or a person-owned business with tax certification. 1 2
- An employment letter from the SECP-registered company showing salary and duration of the assignment, or a sponsorship or guarantee letter from the company. 1 2
- A recommendation of the Board of Investment or the concerned administrative authority. 1
- For a person-owned business: the employment agreement, the employer's tax certification and the employer's CNIC or passport. 1 2
- A passport and a photograph. 1
- Proof of legal residence when applying from a third country. 1
- Apply online on the Pakistan Online Visa System, from the country of residence or from Pakistan when extending. 4
- The employer applies through the portal and processing takes four weeks for a new visa or an extension. 1 2
- Extension is available for up to two years with multiple entries while the holder is living in Pakistan. 1
Stay
- Two years with multiple entries on entry or extension.
- 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 foreign countries with a valid job offer; the visa is granted at the government's discretion.
Work
Employment with 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
- Work - General Visa · Pakistan Online Visa System, Ministry of Interior (NADRA) · checked 2026-10-12
- Work Visa · Board of Investment, Government of Pakistan · checked 2026-10-11
- Visa categories · Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, Ministry of Interior · checked 2026-10-11
- Frequently asked questions · Pakistan Online Visa System, Ministry of Interior (NADRA) · checked 2026-10-12
Work visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work visa | – | – | – |
| Business visa | – | – | – |
| CPEC 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 Work visa?
Two years with multiple entries on entry or extension.
Can I work on the Work visa?
Employment with the sponsoring employer.
Can I bring my family on the Work visa?
Each accompanying family member files a separate application; listing a family member in the application does not grant them a visa.
Is there a tax break for 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 4 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.
- Work - General Visa · Pakistan Online Visa System, Ministry of Interior (NADRA) · checked 2026-10-12
- Work Visa · Board of Investment, Government of Pakistan · checked 2026-10-11
- Visa categories · Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, Ministry of Interior · checked 2026-10-11
- 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.