Pakistan — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
241,499,431 people · Capital: Islamabad · Southern Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Pakistan is located in Southern Asia, with a population of 241,499,431. Its currency is the Pakistani rupee. Our database tracks 13 visa pathways for Pakistan, each linked to a named source.
See also: Pakistan country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (13)
Sponsored Employment (4)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Aide Visa | — | — | 24 mo | 28d |
| NGO's Visa | €1,308/mo | €87 | 1 mo | 48d |
| Work Visa | — | — | 24 mo | 28d |
| Work Visa/CPEC Projects | — | — | 24 mo | 48d |
Investment / Golden Visa (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Citizens who Transfer Rs.5/- Million worth of Foreign Exchange | — | €1 | — | — |
| SIFC Visa | €2,179/mo | €1,308 | 60 mo | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study Visa | €218/mo | €131 | 24 mo | 30d |
Spouse & Partner (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Ladies Married to Pakistani Nationals | — | €1 | — | — |
Naturalisation & Citizenship (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persons holding Naturalization Certificate | — | €1 | — | — |
Religious Workers (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missionary Work Visa | €2,179/mo | €87 | 12 mo | — |
Media & Journalists (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journalist Visa | — | €44 | 3 mo | 30d |
Business Visit (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Visa | €697/mo | €87 | 60 mo | 1d |
Tourism & Short Stay (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Visit Visa | — | €87 | 12 mo | 10d |
Cost of Living
| Item | Pakistan | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €180 | €1,200 | -85% |
| Rent (3BR) | €320 | €2,000 | -84% |
| Groceries | €80 | €350 | -77% |
| Transport | €15 | €80 | -81% |
| Utilities | €35 | €150 | -77% |
| Dining (meal) | €4 | €15 | -73% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €5,500 |
| Education | €4,000 |
| Engineering | €12,500 |
| Finance | €11,000 |
| Healthcare | €4,000 |
| Hospitality | €3,500 |
| IT | €6,000 |
| Retail | €2,500 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Engineers (IT)
- Doctors (Healthcare)
- Nurses (Healthcare)
- Civil Engineers (Engineering)
- Accountants (Finance)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences | 651 | 42 | €2,800 |
| National University of Sciences and Technology | 801 | 38 | €2,500 |
| University of Engineering and Technology Lahore | — | 35 | €2,200 |
| Lahore University of Management Sciences | — | 52 | €8,500 |
| COMSATS University Islamabad | — | 45 | €4,200 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 12 of the 12 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 3 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- dgip.gov.pk · 6 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- dgip.gov.pk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-10
- invest.gov.pk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- visa.nadra.gov.pk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- visa.nadra.gov.pk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- dgip.gov.pk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- visa.nadra.gov.pk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Foreign Ladies Married to Pakistani Nationals · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “5yr aggregate stay in PK req; fee Rs.200; PCA 1951 s.10(2); dgip.gov.pk 2025” — dgip.gov.pk
SIFC Visa · 1 verified requirement
Minimum investment: “SIFC hasn't announced any investment threshold to be eligible; applicants are only required to provide their identification details, business intentions in Pakistan, and pay administrative visa fees. [Direct automated fetch of the official_url was blocked (HTTP 403) in this…” — visa.nadra.gov.pk, 2026-07-07
Persons holding Naturalization Certificate · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Fee Rs.400; cert under Naturalization Act 1926 + oath req; PCA 1951 s.9; dgip 2025” — dgip.gov.pk
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Pakistan have?
Our database tracks 13 visa pathways for Pakistan across 9 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Investment / Golden Visa, Study. Each entry links directly to an official government source.
What is the minimum income for the NGO's Visa?
The NGO's Visa lists a minimum income of EUR 1,308 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-24).
What is the average salary in Pakistan?
The average gross salary in Pakistan is EUR 82 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 122 per month.
How much does rent cost in Pakistan?
A one-bedroom apartment in Pakistan averages EUR 180 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 320 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Pakistan?
The top personal income tax rate in Pakistan is 35%. The standard VAT rate is 18%.
How long does it take to qualify for citizenship in Pakistan?
Among the pathways we track, the Persons holding Naturalization Certificate lists 4 years to citizenship. Timelines vary by route and personal circumstances — check the official source for your case.
Start Preparing for Pakistan
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