Southern Asia · Immigration

Pakistan

37 immigration routes

Pakistan sits in Southern Asia. Its immigration system runs 37 distinct routes — led by short stays and visits, work and culture, faith and volunteering, each set out in official law. 36 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

1 further route is recorded for Pakistan but not shown here — its details are still under review.

Immigration routes
37across 12 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
36 of 37cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Short stays and visits10 of the 37 routes — see them under Short stays and visits below
Region
Southern Asia
Capital
Islamabad
Population
255,219,554
Official language
English, Urdu
Currency
PKR
Time zone
UTC+05:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 37 routes, grouped by purpose — 36 of 37 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.

Work

5 routes

Foreign domestic workers are eligible to apply for this visa under the sponsorship of their employer.

Report facts: 1
Official government source: mofa.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

If the journalist is not on negative list, Mission will grant 03 months validity and stay(multiple) visa for Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

Pakistan Missions abroad are authorized to grant visa to the journalists accredited and based in Pakistan for duration of assignment.

Eligibility: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

Citizens of foreign countries who have a valid job offer and meet the requirements are eligible to apply for this visa.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: invest.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

Once work visa granted for 3 months, the applicant can seek extension up to 2 years with multiple entries.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 2
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Investment

1 route

A Commonwealth citizen or British protected person who transfers PKR 5,000,000 of foreign exchange to Pakistan through normal banking channels may apply on Form R under Section 20 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 for registration as a citizen. It is a citizenship-by-registration route, not a residence visa, and is unrelated to the Pakistan Origin Card.

Investment from PKR 5,000,000
Eligibility: 3
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-08-03

Starting a business

3 routes

The Regional Passport Offices at Islamabad as well as at Provincial capitals have been empowered to allow one year extension in business visa.

Eligibility: 3Process & costs: 2Report facts: 1
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Study

2 routes

Study Entry Visa / Extension will be issued for 2 years after due clearance by security agencies.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 1
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Family

3 routes

Culture, faith and volunteering

4 routes

Christians Missionaries can apply for this visa to carry out missionary work in Pakistan.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: mofa.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

All NGO/ INGO officials, staff and their family members are eligible to apply for this visa.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: mofa.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

Muslim citizens of foreign countries who wish to participate in Tabligh activities can apply for this visa.

Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: mofa.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

Short stays and visits

10 routes

Pakistan Missions abroad are authorized to grant Visit/Tourist Visa for three months validity and stay with double entry to foreigners of List-A.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 2
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Visa on Arrival facility to all Qatari Passport holders including Diplomatic, Special and Ordinary Passports, free of charge.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Humanitarian protection

0 of 1 source-cited
1 route

Ancestry and return

2 routes

Medical treatment

2 routes

Pak Missions abroad will issue Short Term Medical Visa to cater emergencies.

Report facts: 2
Official government source: dgip.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Sport

1 route

Special cases

3 routes

Foreign Diplomats can apply for a GRATIS Visa for the diplomatic assignment.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: mofa.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Foreign Nationals of all countries who are assigned to perform official duties in Pakistan are eligible to apply for this visa.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 1
Official government source: mofa.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Officials/ persons deputed to work for or on behalf of the UN and International Organization (IO) in Pakistan can apply.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: mofa.gov.pk · checked 2026-07-27

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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