Pakistan work visa

Foreign citizens with a valid job offer who meet the requirements can apply. The Board of Investment, which handles work visa recommendations, says that companies employing expatriates submit the application on the online visa system. Other work sub-categories cover CPEC projects, the Reko Diq project, domestic aides and drivers of ECO countries, who can use the six-month multiple-entry Transit/Transport work visa.

Employed by a company: passport, photograph, an employment letter from an SECP-registered company stating salary and duration of the assignment (or a sponsorship or guarantee letter from the company), and the recommendation of the Board of Investment or the concerned ministry. Working for a business owned by one person: passport, photograph, an employment letter or agreement with salary and duration (or a guarantee letter), the employer’s tax certificate and the employer’s CNIC or passport, plus the recommendation.

The Board of Investment may ask for more: a company cover letter, passport copies, sponsor details, the employee’s CV, previous visa pages, company registration and profile, the employment agreement, SECP and FBR NTN certificates and a guarantee letter on company letterhead.

The portal's calculator sets the fee for a general work entry visa, for multiple entry up to one year or for more than one year, for the family sub-category and for extensions, according to the country you apply from. It does not offer a single-entry general work visa. Check the calculator for your country before applying.

Entry and extension applications both take four weeks. The visa is granted for two years with multiple entries and must first be used within six months of issue. If officials send the application back for review, you have seven days to resubmit or it is cancelled, and the processing time starts again from resubmission.

While residing in Pakistan on a valid visa, you can apply online for an extension of two years with multiple entries, uploading the visa and entry stamp under "Other". The same employment documents and recommendation apply.