Pakistan (PK)

Attend a security briefing and set up emergency protocols

Pakistan's security environment requires all expats to receive a proper security briefing. Your employer or organisation should provide this. Topics include: safe areas by city, security checkpoints, travel restrictions, communication protocols, emergency contacts, and no-go zones. Register with your employer's security officer and your embassy.

Get your polio vaccination certificate before leaving Pakistan

Under WHO International Health Regulations, anyone who has stayed in Pakistan for 4 weeks or longer must show a valid polio vaccination certificate (oral or injectable polio vaccine) when leaving the country — a temporary recommendation that remains in force because Pakistan is still a polio-endemic country. The dose must be given between 4 weeks and 12 months before travel, and the certificate is valid for 1 year from vaccination. Visitors staying under 4 weeks are exempt. NADRA issues the certificate online, linked to your passport, for a nominal PKR 100 fee payable via card, JazzCash, EasyPaisa or an e-Sahulat franchise.

Register as a foreigner at National Registration & Visa Office (NADRA/FIA)

All foreigners staying in Pakistan for more than 30 days must register with the FIA Immigration Wing or NADRA within 30 days of arrival. You receive a Registration Certificate (RC) which is your official proof of legal residence. This is required for opening a bank account, renting accommodation, and most government interactions.

Register your imported phone with PTA within 60 days

Pakistan blocks unregistered imported phones. Under the PTA Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), any phone you bring from abroad must have its IMEI registered — online at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs or at the Customs kiosk in international airports — within 60 days of using a Pakistani SIM, or it is blocked on all local networks. Registration involves paying the applicable device tax for full compliant status; overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals may get one tax-exempt registration per year, and individuals may bring up to 5 devices per year. Dial *#06# to read your IMEI.

Obtain a National Tax Number (NTN) from FBR

The National Tax Number (NTN) is Pakistan's tax identification number — required for filing income tax returns, property transactions, and significant financial dealings. Foreign nationals working in Pakistan with taxable income must register with the FBR and file annual income tax returns. Register online at the FBR e-Portal (iris.fbr.gov.pk).

File annual income tax return with FBR (deadline: September 30)

Foreign nationals working in Pakistan with an NTN must file an annual income tax return by September 30 (Pakistan's tax year runs July 1 – June 30). Your employer deducts withholding tax monthly. The annual return reconciles actual tax liability. Being on the Active Taxpayer List (ATL) provides lower withholding tax rates across many transactions.

Register a baby born in Pakistan within 180 days

A child born in Pakistan is first registered at the local Union Council, Cantonment Board or TMA office, which issues the Child Registration Certificate (CRC) through NADRA's database — the foundational birth record, later used for the computerised NADRA birth certificate needed for passports and visas. Standard registration closes 180 days after birth; after that it becomes late registration requiring a sworn affidavit, supporting evidence and Deputy Commissioner approval before the Union Council can issue the certificate.

Obtain a work permit / No Objection Certificate (NOC) before starting employment

Foreign nationals require a Work Permit (also called a NOC — No Objection Certificate) before commencing paid employment in Pakistan. The sponsoring employer applies on your behalf to the Board of Investment or the relevant ministry. The permit is tied to a specific employer and must be renewed annually. Without it, you are working illegally regardless of your visa status.

Get comprehensive vehicle insurance

Vehicle insurance in Pakistan is legally required (third-party minimum) under the Motor Vehicles Act. Comprehensive insurance is strongly recommended given road conditions and accident risk. Adamjee and EFU are the largest and most reliable general insurers in Pakistan. Include theft cover — vehicle theft is a significant risk in urban areas.

Complete tenant registration with the police

Tenant registration with the local police is mandatory in Punjab (Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Act 2015) and Sindh — landlords, tenants and property dealers must report tenancy information. Punjab and Islamabad police run online Tenant Registration Systems, so registration, verification and printing no longer require a police station visit; the process is free and verification typically takes 15–20 minutes. Required paperwork includes identity documents of owner and tenant, photographs and a copy of the rent agreement. When you vacate, request cancellation and the NOC from the same station or system.

Arrange your pet's import permit and vaccinations

Dogs and cats entering Pakistan need an import permit obtained in advance from the Animal Quarantine Department (AQD), an ISO microchip, and rabies vaccination administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry — no rabies titer test is required. A licensed vet must complete the health certificate within 7 days of entry, endorsed by a government veterinarian. Dogs also need distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations; cats need feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and calicivirus. With compliant paperwork there is no quarantine.

Register your vehicle with the Excise & Taxation Department

Vehicle registration in Pakistan is handled by the provincial Excise & Taxation Department under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965 and Motor Vehicle Tax Act 1958 — not the same office as your driving licence. Visit the Excise office in your province with your CNIC/passport, sale invoice or import/customs documents; pay the registration fee and applicable motor vehicle tax, get the vehicle inspected if required, and collect your registration certificate and number plate. Since late January 2026, registration and transfer transactions require biometric verification through the PAK IDENTITY App.

Get a Pakistani SIM card (Jazz or Telenor recommended)

A Pakistani SIM card is essential for OTPs, navigation, local calls, and mobile payments. Jazz (Mobilink) has the largest network nationally. Telenor has good coverage in cities and rural Punjab. Zong has excellent 4G in major cities. Foreigners can register a SIM using their passport — a maximum of 5 SIMs per person.

Arrange comprehensive international health insurance

Health insurance is critical for expats in Pakistan. Public hospitals have very limited capacity; quality private healthcare is available but expensive without insurance. Most multinational employers and international organisations provide group health insurance — verify coverage limits. Consider supplementing with an international policy for medical evacuation and global coverage.

Open a bank account at HBL or Standard Chartered

Open a Pakistani bank account to receive your salary, pay rent, and manage daily expenses. HBL is Pakistan's largest bank with the widest network. Standard Chartered is the preferred choice for expats due to international services, English-language banking, and global card support. UBL and MCB are also reliable. A Registration Certificate and work permit are typically required.

Enrol children in an international or accredited school

Enrol your children in a recognised international school. In Islamabad: American Embassy School, Islamabad International School, Roots IVY (IGCSE). In Karachi: Karachi American School, Aga Khan Academy, City School (Cambridge). In Lahore: Lahore Grammar School, Beaconhouse. Application 3–6 months in advance is advisable as places fill quickly.

Notify home country pension provider of Pakistan address

If you receive a pension from your home country, notify your pension provider of your Pakistan address. Ensure your pension is paid to an accessible international account. Consider the tax implications — Pakistan has Double Tax Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) with several countries.

Get a Pakistani Driving Licence or verify IDP validity

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid in Pakistan for up to 3 months from arrival. For longer stays, exchange your home country licence at the local Driving Licence Authority. In Islamabad: National Highway and Motorway Police Headquarters. In Karachi: Motor Licensing Authority (MLA). In Lahore: TETP office in Gulberg.

Apostille or attest your documents through MOFA

Pakistan joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2022, and since 9 March 2023 foreign apostilles from member states are accepted without further MOFA or embassy attestation — and MOFA issues apostilles on Pakistani documents for use abroad. Documents first need pre-verification by the relevant authority: HEC/IBCC for educational documents, NADRA for personal ones, a notary for legal papers and the Chamber of Commerce for commercial ones, after which MOFA applies the apostille. Classic MOFA attestation still exists for non-Hague destinations.

Use the Transfer of Residence scheme for your household goods

Pakistan Customs' Transfer of Residence (TR) scheme lets a foreign national coming to Pakistan for at least 2 years bring used household goods — furniture, crockery, kitchenware, clothing — duty-free, with an automatic duty-free allowance assessed at around $2,500. Electrical appliances are excluded from the duty-free allowance whether new or used. Your goods must ship from the origin port/airport within 15 days of your arrival in Pakistan to qualify, so coordinate your shipment timing with your travel dates in advance rather than after you land.

Set up JazzCash or Easypaisa mobile wallet

JazzCash and Easypaisa are Pakistan's dominant mobile payment platforms — used for utility bills, mobile top-ups, peer transfers, and increasingly merchant payments. Link to your Pakistani bank account for transfers. Essential for daily life even if you also use a bank card.

Set up home fibre internet (PTCL, Nayatel or StormFiber)

Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) internet is the standard for reliable home connectivity in Pakistan's major cities, delivering 10–100+ Mbps depending on plan. PTCL has the widest national coverage including smaller cities; Nayatel focuses on Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Lahore with a strong reputation for stability and fast support; StormFiber covers Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. Entry unlimited plans start from roughly PKR 1,750–2,225/month, scaling up to PKR 14,000+ for high-speed packages.

Join the expat and diplomatic community in your city

Pakistan has well-established expat communities in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. Islamabad has a particularly cohesive diplomatic community with regular social events. The International School network, various embassies, and international NGOs host regular gatherings. InterNations has an Islamabad chapter.

Register your teen for Cambridge O Level/A Level exams via the British Council

If your teenager follows a British/Cambridge curriculum rather than Pakistan's national system, the British Council administers Cambridge International GCSE, O Level and A/AS Level exams through its online School Registration System (SRS). Register and pay online (credit/debit card, ATM/IBFT to an assigned virtual account, or bank deposit at a designated Standard Chartered branch) — applications aren't processed until payment clears. This works whether your child attends a British Council partner school directly or sits exams as a private candidate.

Know your maternity and paternity leave rights

The Maternity and Paternity Leave Act 2023 grants generous fully-paid leave: 180 days of maternity leave for the first birth, 120 for the second and 90 for the third, plus 30 days of paternity leave for fathers. The Act applies to establishments under the federal government and Islamabad Capital Territory — in the provinces, provincial labour laws set the entitlements (often less generous), so check which regime covers your employer. Many multinationals apply the better standard nationwide by policy.

Hire domestic staff (driver, cook, maid) properly

Domestic staff — drivers, cooks, cleaners and nannies — are widely employed by expat households in Pakistan; a full-time driver typically costs PKR 35,000–60,000/month, very affordable given the country's demanding urban traffic. Nigeria-style formal exemptions aside, Pakistan's 2026 minimum wage (PKR 40,000/month in Punjab, Sindh, KP and ICT; PKR 37,000 in Balochistan) is the general benchmark most households use even though enforcement for individual domestic employers is inconsistent. Written terms covering pay, hours, duties and leave protect both sides and are good practice regardless of formal enforcement.

Check your provincial Employees' Social Security (PESSI/SESSI/KP-ESSI) coverage

Each Pakistani province runs its own Employees' Social Security Institution — PESSI in Punjab, SESSI in Sindh, ESSI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and an equivalent in Balochistan — funded by an employer-only contribution (typically around 6% of wages) and providing medical care, sickness allowance and maternity benefits to registered workers and their dependants, on top of (not instead of) EOBI's old-age pension. Employers must remit contributions by the 15th of the following month; ask HR to confirm your registration and which provincial scheme applies to your workplace.

Open a foreign currency account (FCVA/FCA)

A foreign currency account lets you hold USD, GBP, Euro or other major currencies in Pakistan rather than converting everything to rupees — useful given rupee volatility. In March 2026 the State Bank of Pakistan substantially relaxed the rules: almost all non-resident individuals and companies (as defined under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001) can now open and operate a Foreign Currency Value Account (FCVA), Non-Resident Rupee Value Account (NRVA) or business equivalents, and account holders can also invest the funds in Pakistani stocks, government debt securities, mutual/pension funds and real estate.

Understand the rules for sending money out of Pakistan

The State Bank of Pakistan places no limit on incoming foreign remittances, but outward remittance (sending money abroad from Pakistan) is more tightly controlled and depends on the purpose and method — card-based transactions carry an annual ceiling of USD 30,000 (or equivalent) in 2026. For amounts or purposes above the standard permissible limits, you can apply through your bank to the SBP's Foreign Exchange Operations Department (FEOD) via the banks' Foreign Exchange Portal, which grants permission within 10 working days once the transaction's bona fide nature is confirmed.

Register with a private hospital near your home

Find a reputable private hospital near your home and register as a patient. In Karachi: Aga Khan University Hospital is the gold standard. In Islamabad: Shifa International Hospital and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. In Lahore: Shaukat Khanum, Doctors Hospital. Register in advance — do not wait until an emergency.

Secure accommodation in a vetted expat-friendly area

Finding safe, appropriate accommodation is the top priority for expats. In Islamabad: F-6, F-7, F-8, and the diplomatic enclave (G-5) are the preferred expat areas. In Karachi: Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Clifton, and Gulshan-e-Iqbal. In Lahore: DHA, Gulberg, and Model Town. Gated communities with security are strongly recommended.

Set up backup power for load-shedding (UPS, generator or solar)

Load-shedding (scheduled and unscheduled power cuts) remains a fact of life in Pakistan, with officially planned outages of roughly 2.25 hours/day under the 2026 Peak Relief Strategy, but many residential areas — particularly in Karachi and lower-recovery feeders — see 8–12 hours of outages in reality. A basic UPS covers a short cut (fans, lights, a few hours) but not air conditioning. A complete 5–6kW hybrid solar system with lithium battery storage, covering most household needs including several hours of AC during an outage, runs roughly PKR 900,000–1,300,000 installed, typically saving PKR 6,000–12,000/month versus running everything off-grid.

Arrange safe drinking water (RO filtration or bottled water)

Only about 47% of Pakistan's population has access to safe drinking water, and tap water in Karachi, Lahore and (to a lesser extent) Islamabad is generally not safe to drink untreated — Karachi has some of the country's highest total dissolved solids (TDS) readings alongside confirmed microbial contamination, and arsenic contamination is documented across multiple Punjab districts. Boiling kills bacteria but does not reduce TDS or remove arsenic; a household reverse-osmosis (RO) filtration system is the standard solution, alongside or instead of buying bottled water.

Get home contents insurance

Home/property insurance in Pakistan is offered by major insurers including Jubilee, EFU and Adamjee, generally covering fire, smoke, natural disasters, vandalism and electrical accidents, with basic plans starting around PKR 2,000/year. Coverage varies meaningfully by provider and policy — notably, Adamjee's standard home insurance excludes burglary/housebreaking and mysterious disappearance, along with jewellery, precious metals, cellphones, cash and similar high-value items, so if theft cover matters to you, confirm it explicitly rather than assuming it's included.

Learn basic Urdu for daily life

Urdu is Pakistan's national language and learning even basic phrases dramatically improves daily life, builds relationships, and is deeply appreciated. English is widely spoken in professional and educated circles in major cities, but Urdu is essential for navigating markets, giving directions to drivers, and interacting with service staff.

Register with your home country embassy

Register your presence in Pakistan with your home country's embassy or high commission. Pakistan has a complex security environment — embassy registration ensures you receive security advisories, travel warnings, and emergency assistance. Essential for evacuation coordination.

Register for provincial sales tax on services if you cross the threshold

Sales tax on services in Pakistan is provincial, not federal — administered by PRA in Punjab, SRB in Sindh, KPRA in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and BRA in Balochistan, with Sindh's general rate at 15% (19.5% for telecom) and Punjab's varying by service type (roughly 13–16%). Freelancers and salaried individuals are not automatically required to register — but once your annual taxable services turnover exceeds PKR 3,600,000 (about PKR 300,000/month) in Punjab or Sindh, registration becomes mandatory. Below the threshold, voluntary registration is available and sometimes chosen anyway to issue compliant invoices to corporate clients.

Set up InDrive or Yango for daily transport

Pakistan's ride-hailing market has changed significantly: both Careem and Uber withdrew from the country (Careem in July 2025, Uber in May 2024), leaving InDrive and Yango as the dominant apps in 2026 — InDrive alone reportedly holds around 60% of the market, with Yango around 30%. Bykea and Liftee are smaller local alternatives, useful for motorbike rides. InDrive's distinguishing feature is a negotiated-fare model: you propose a price and nearby drivers can accept, counter, or decline.

Check your EOBI enrolment and what it is worth to you

The Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) is mandatory for establishments with 5 or more workers: the employer pays 5% and the employee 1% — calculated on the statutory minimum wage, not your actual salary (2026: PKR 40,000 minimum wage in Punjab, Sindh, KP and ICT, so PKR 2,000 + 400 per month; Baluchistan still uses PKR 37,000). Benefits include an old-age pension (minimum PKR 10,000/month in 2026) at 60 for men / 55 for women — but only after 15 years of insurable employment, plus invalidity and survivor pensions. For most expats the honest value is invalidity/survivor cover, not the pension.