Pakistan, in the numbers that decide it
What life costs
high confidence- One-bed flat, city
- €180/mo
- Three-bed home
- €320/mo
- Groceries, one person
- €80/mo
- Utilities
- €35/mo
- What a local salary buys
- 30/100
Ways in
- Lowest income floor of any route
- €218/mo
How long it takes
- Fastest route on paper
- Business Visa — 1 days
- Routes that publish a wait
- 8 of 13 tracked
Moving with family
- Family & reunification routes
- 1
- Routes through marriage
- 1
- Healthcare system
- mixed
Day-to-day life
high confidence- Healthcare
- 18/100
- Climate
- 67/100
- English in daily life
- Low (EF EPI 52)
- Internet speed
- 8 Mbps
- Overall quality-of-life score
- 98
Tax, in practice
high confidence- Real rate at €90k
- 25.0%
- Take-home per month at €90k
- €6,400
- VAT
- 18%
- How it is structured
- progressive
Pakistan offers 11 distinct visa pathways for skilled workers and migrants in 2026. Located in Southern Asia, processing times range from 1–4 months. The country scores a quality of life index of 7.1/10 and a safety score of 6.4/10. Monthly living costs for a single person range from €500–€800 depending on the city. The primary language is Urdu. Permanent residency timelines range from 3 to 5 years depending on the visa stream. Top-scoring professions for immigration include Cybersecurity Specialist (6.6/10), Data Scientist (6.6/10), Software Developer (6.5/10). Overall migration friendliness is rated 7.8/10. Figures as of H2 2026 (official sources, last re-check).
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income | Min Savings | Language | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Aide Visa | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Family Visit Visa | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Foreign Ladies Married to Pakistani Nationals | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Journalist Visa | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Missionary Work Visa | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| NGO's Visa | — | — | — | 9 weeks | — | — |
| Persons holding Naturalization Certificate | — | — | — | — | — | 4 years |
| SIFC Visa | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Study Visa | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Work Visa | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Work Visa/CPEC Projects | — | — | — | 9 weeks | — | — |
Financial Requirements
No fixed income or savings threshold is published for the pathways currently tracked for this country.
Cost of Living
Top Professions for Emigrating
| Profession | Score | Est. Net Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity Specialist | 6.6/10 | €1,300/mo |
| Data Scientist | 6.6/10 | €1,400/mo |
| Software Developer | 6.5/10 | €1,200/mo |
| Project Manager | 6.5/10 | €1,200/mo |
| Product Manager | 6.5/10 | €1,200/mo |
| IT Specialist | 6.4/10 | €1,100/mo |
| Engineer | 6.3/10 | €1,000/mo |
| Data Analyst | 6.3/10 | €950/mo |
| Business Analyst | 6.3/10 | €950/mo |
| Accountant | 6.2/10 | €850/mo |
Downloadable Data
Explore More: Pakistan
- Visa Comparison for Pakistan (2026)
- Pakistan for Accountant (2026)
- Pakistan for Nurse (2026)
- Pakistan for Teacher (2026)
- Business Investor Visa — Pakistan
- Digital Nomad Via Business — Pakistan
- Family Reunification — Pakistan
- Freelancer Via Business — Pakistan
- Investor Residency — Pakistan
- Professional Skilled Worker — Pakistan
- Startup Founder — Pakistan
- Work Visa — Pakistan
- Pakistan for Civil Engineer (2026)
- Pakistan for Software Engineer (2026)
Official sources
Pakistan
- Domestic Aide Visa — visa.nadra.gov.pk — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- NGO's Visa — dgip.gov.pk — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Work Visa/CPEC Projects — visa.nadra.gov.pk — last re-checked 2026-06-24
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many immigration pathways does Pakistan have?
Pakistan: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) has 11 active immigration pathways in 2026, including business investor, skilled worker, family reunion, residence routes. Each pathway has different requirements for income, qualifications, and experience.
What is the cost of living in Pakistan?
Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Karachi: €700/mo; Lahore: €650/mo; Islamabad: €800/mo; Rawalpindi: €600/mo; Faisalabad: €550/mo; Peshawar: €500/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.
Can I get permanent residency in Pakistan?
Permanent residency may be available depending on the visa stream; specific timelines are not published for the pathways currently tracked.
What are the best professions for emigrating to Pakistan?
The highest-scoring professions for Pakistan are: Cybersecurity Specialist, Data Scientist, Software Developer. Scores consider visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, and quality of life.
What types of visas does Pakistan offer?
Pakistan: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) offers the following visa categories: Business Investor: Commonwealth Citizens who Transfer Rs.5/- Million worth of Foreign Exchange, SIFC Visa; Skilled Worker: Domestic Aide Visa, NGO's Visa, Work Visa, Work Visa/CPEC Projects; Family: Family Visit Visa; Residence: Foreign Ladies Married to Pakistani Nationals; Journalist: Journalist Visa; Religious Worker: Missionary Work Visa.
Can I bring my family to Pakistan?
Yes. 11 pathways allow family members. Options include: Commonwealth Citizens who Transfer Rs.5/- Million worth of Foreign Exchange, Domestic Aide Visa, Family Visit Visa. Spouses may also be eligible to work depending on the visa type.
Does Pakistan have a digital nomad or freelance visa?
Yes. Pakistan offers: Digital Nomad / Remote Work (via Business Visa). These are designed for remote workers and self-employed professionals with income from outside the country.
How long does visa processing take in Pakistan?
Processing times vary by pathway: Commonwealth Citizens who Transfer Rs.5/- Million worth of Foreign Exchange: ~180 days; Domestic Aide Visa: ~30 days; Family Visit Visa: ~30 days; Foreign Ladies Married to Pakistani Nationals: ~180 days; Journalist Visa: ~30 days; Missionary Work Visa: ~180 days. Times may vary based on application volume.
What are the financial requirements to emigrate to Pakistan?
Most pathways currently tracked do not publish a fixed income or savings threshold; requirements depend on the visa type.
What is the quality of life like in Pakistan?
Pakistan scores quality of life: 7.1/10, safety: 6.4/10, healthcare: 7.2/10. These ratings consider healthcare access, public safety, infrastructure, and overall living standards for expatriates.
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