Key Takeaways

  • Foreign nationals require a valid Employment Visa and, for long-term stays, a Residence Permit from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) before commencing paid employment in Pakistan.
  • The employer must be registered with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and must obtain approval from the Board of Investment (BOI) for companies in designated sectors.
  • Pakistan’s technology and IT export sector, manufacturing zones (including Special Economic Zones), and energy sectors are the primary areas where foreign workers are employed.

Pakistan is a South Asian nation with a population exceeding 230 million, bordered by India, Afghanistan, Iran, and China, with a coastline on the Arabian Sea. Islamabad is the federal capital; Karachi is the main commercial and financial hub; Lahore is the second-largest city and cultural centre. Pakistan’s economy is one of South Asia’s largest, driven by textiles and apparel exports, agriculture, remittances, construction, and a rapidly growing information technology sector. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) administers visas; NADRA issues the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and Alien Registration Cards. The Board of Investment (BOI) coordinates foreign investment approvals.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Pakistan?

Any foreign national intending to engage in paid employment in Pakistan must hold a valid Employment Visa. Additionally, those intending to reside for more than 30 days must obtain an Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) from the local Foreigners Registration Office. The requirement applies to:

  • Employees of Pakistan-registered companies or their subsidiaries
  • Intra-company transferees to Pakistan-based operations
  • Technical specialists, engineers, and consultants on assignments exceeding 30 days
  • Foreign directors and key executives of Pakistan-registered entities
  • Special Economic Zone (SEZ) workers under approved enterprise contracts

Types of Pakistan Work Visas and Permits

Employment Visa

The Employment Visa is the primary authorisation for foreign nationals taking up paid employment in Pakistan. It is sponsored by a Pakistan-registered employer and issued by a Pakistani diplomatic mission abroad. The visa is issued for one to two years and is renewable. The employer must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant ministry for regulated sectors.

Business Visa

The Business Visa permits short-term commercial activities — meetings, due diligence, training, and inspections — for up to 90 days per visit. It does not authorise paid employment. Multiple-entry Business Visas valid for one to five years are available for frequent business travellers. Nationals of several countries may obtain an e-Visa or visa on arrival for business purposes.

Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Work Permit

Workers employed in companies operating in Pakistan’s designated Special Economic Zones benefit from streamlined permit procedures under the Special Economic Zones Act 2012. The SEZ Authority coordinates with the DGIP for faster processing, and SEZ employees are eligible for duty-free import of personal effects.

Alien Registration Certificate (ARC)

All foreign nationals residing in Pakistan for more than 30 days must register with the local Foreigners Registration Office and obtain an ARC. The ARC is not a work authorisation itself but is required alongside the Employment Visa as proof of lawful residence. It must be renewed annually.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Pakistan

1

Employer Prepares Sponsorship Documents

The employer compiles: company SECP registration certificate; FBR registration (NTN); a NOC from the relevant ministry if required; and a signed employment contract specifying the role, salary, duration, and accommodation arrangements. For BOI-registered companies, proof of BOI approval must be included.

2

Apply for the Employment Visa

The foreign national applies at the nearest Pakistan diplomatic mission. Required documents: valid passport (12 months minimum validity); employer’s invitation and sponsorship letter; signed employment contract; certified qualifications and CV; police clearance certificate; medical certificate; and passport-sized photographs.

3

Enter Pakistan

On arrival in Pakistan, immigration officers verify the Employment Visa at the port of entry. Most international arrivals are through Islamabad, Karachi, or Lahore airports. The employer should have a representative meet the worker on arrival if possible.

4

Register for the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC)

Within 30 days of arrival, the foreign national must register with the nearest Foreigners Registration Office (under the Special Branch of the police or Civil Administration) to obtain the ARC. Required: passport, employment visa, employment contract, two passport photographs, and proof of accommodation.

5

Register with EOBI and SESSI/PESSI

The employer must register the foreign worker with the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) before the first payroll. Provincial social security institutions (SESSI in Sindh, PESSI in Punjab) require employer registration for workplace health cover. Contributions are mandatory.

6

Annual Renewal

The Employment Visa and ARC must be renewed annually. The employer submits the renewal application to DGIP, accompanied by updated employment confirmation, tax compliance certificates, and the worker’s current passport. Renewals should be initiated at least 45 days before expiry.

Pakistan Work Permit Costs and Fees

Pakistan visa fees are denominated in USD for embassy applications and PKR for some in-country fees:

Item
Cost / Contribution
Employment Visa
USD 100–300 depending on nationality (reciprocal fee schedule applies)
ARC Registration
PKR 5,000–15,000 per year
EOBI Contributions
Employer: 5% of minimum wage monthly; Employee: 1% of minimum wage monthly

Professional service fees add USD 400–1,200. Total first-year employer costs typically range from USD 700 to USD 2,000.

Pakistan Work Visa Sponsorship

Pakistan’s Employment Visa is employer-tied. Changes of employer require a new Employment Visa application and employer NOC. Employers must notify the DGIP within 15 days if the employment relationship ends before the visa expires.

Employers must comply with the Industrial Relations Act, Factories Act, EOBI Act, and applicable provincial employment laws. All workers, including foreign nationals, are subject to Pakistani labour law.

For international companies without a Pakistan entity, an EOR registered in Pakistan can act as the sponsoring employer, manage the visa and ARC process, EOBI registration, payroll in PKR, and full labour law compliance.

Work in Pakistan with Confidence

Pakistan’s growing technology and manufacturing sectors, combined with significant improvements to the BOI’s investor facilitation services, are making it an increasingly accessible market for international employers. Advance planning for the NOC and ARC registration steps is the main requirement.

RemotePeople’s South Asia team provides end-to-end work permit management in Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant ministry or regulatory authority is required for foreign workers in regulated sectors including oil and gas, defence-related industries, telecommunications, and some financial services roles. The employer must obtain the NOC before the Employment Visa application is submitted. NOC processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.

The Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) administers Pakistan's mandatory contributory pension and survivor benefit scheme. Employers contribute 5% and employees 1% of the minimum wage monthly per enrolled worker. All employers with five or more employees must register, and all employees — including foreign nationals — must be enrolled.

Pakistan has extended visa-on-arrival and e-Visa facilities to nationals of approximately 100 countries for tourism and short business visits, though the list changes periodically. Employment Visas must generally be obtained from a Pakistani diplomatic mission before travel. Employers should check the current DGIP policy for the specific nationality of the intended hire.

Yes. Spouses and dependent children of Employment Visa holders may obtain Dependent Visas. Dependants must also register for an ARC if staying more than 30 days. Children of school age may attend international schools in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. Dependants do not have automatic work rights.

Yes. An EOR registered in Pakistan with valid SECP, FBR, and EOBI registration can act as the sponsoring employer, manage the Employment Visa and ARC process, payroll in PKR, EOBI contributions, and full Pakistani labour law compliance on behalf of an international company without a local entity.

Relocate to Pakistan

RemotePeople provides EOR services in Pakistan and across South Asia. We manage Employment Visa applications, ARC registration, EOBI enrollment, payroll in PKR, and full Pakistani labour law compliance.

Contact RemotePeople to start hiring in Pakistan today.

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