Pakistan · Skilled Worker Visa

Work Visa

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)

✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-24 · Our methodology

5.5/10 diff

Challenging

Requirements verified against the official government source.

Min income

—

Processing

28+ days

Path to PR

Job offer

Required

Not legal advice. This content is for educational and decision-support purposes only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always verify requirements with the relevant official authority before making decisions.

At a Glance

Visa Duration

24 months

Processing Time

28+ days

Min Income

—

Path to PR

Difficulty

5/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age Range	18–65
Job Offer Required	Yes
Sponsorship Required	Yes
Health Insurance Required	No

Application Timeline

Document Collection & Job Securing

30–90 days

Secure job offer, gather educational certificates, obtain police clearance, medical exam

Blocker: Employer sponsorship required; credential recognition may take time

Visa Application Submission

5–14 days

Submit online application, pay fees, schedule biometrics appointment

Blocker: All documents must be complete and verified

Government Processing

30–45 days

Background checks, employer verification, BOI recommendation review

Blocker: Security clearance delays; BOI processing time

Arrival & Registration

1–7 days

Enter Pakistan, register with local authorities, obtain residence permit

Blocker: Must arrive within visa validity period

Family & Rights

Right	Details
Path to Permanent Residency	No

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Karachi

Single (monthly)€700

Family (monthly)€1,750

Rent 1BR (center)€400

Groceries€180

Transport pass€60

Lahore

Single (monthly)€650

Family (monthly)€1,625

Rent 1BR (center)€380

Groceries€160

Transport pass€55

Islamabad

Single (monthly)€800

Family (monthly)€2,000

Rent 1BR (center)€480

Groceries€200

Transport pass€60

Rawalpindi

Single (monthly)€600

Family (monthly)€1,500

Rent 1BR (center)€350

Groceries€150

Transport pass€50

Faisalabad

Single (monthly)€550

Family (monthly)€1,375

Rent 1BR (center)€300

Groceries€140

Transport pass€45

Peshawar

Single (monthly)€500

Family (monthly)€1,250

Rent 1BR (center)€280

Groceries€130

Transport pass€40

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Work Visa?

The Work Visa is an immigration pathway offered by Pakistan. It falls under the Skilled Worker Visa category.

Can the Work Visa lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

Are there alternative pathways to Pakistan?

Yes. Pakistan offers 6 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Pakistan country page.

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. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

invest.gov.pk

Data last verified: 2026-06-24 · See our methodology

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