Pakistan has experienced quite an impressive economic boom in recent years and may become a major Asian investment centre shortly. Karachi is the most prosperous city in Pakistan and the financial centre of the country. Thanks to the presence of many foreign companies Karachi offers excellent career prospects for expats. Islamabad is the place where expats are most likely to be based as the capital and diplomatic centre of Pakistan.

Foreigners will be pleased to know that wages will provide a good standard of living as the cost of living in Pakistan is incredibly low. Expats will need the correct visa and permit to work in Pakistan and will not be eligible for these documents unless a job has been obtained from a local employer.

Types of work visas in Pakistan

Pakistan has various categories of work visas, including:

• Tourist;

• Tourist visa on arrival;

• Family visit;

• Business;

• Business visa on arrival;

• Student;

• Working;

• Diplomatic;

• Journalistic.

All foreign workers will need work visas to live and work in Pakistan legally. They must have a job offer and meet certain requirements to apply for a visa. All work visas are issued for one year and are valid for multiple entries into Pakistan. Foreigners can also renew their permits annually after receiving approval.

Pakistan Work Visa Requirements

There are several requirements for obtaining a work visa or permit in Pakistan. Some of the required documents include:

• The passport;

• Photo;

• Company registration letter;

• Letter of recommendation for renewal;

• Contact details;

• Commitment on company letterhead

• Transmittal letter;

• Contract of employment.

Before sending the forms to the embassy the applicant will need to make four identical copies of the application, the first two pages of the passport, and four copies of the letter of guarantee that the applicant works for the company. They must complete all forms in English, regardless of their country of origin.

Visa Processing Time

Getting a work visa in Pakistan can take three to four months which means a lengthy application process. The General Directorate of Immigration and Passports of the Department of the Interior recommends that all applicants apply to the jurisdiction of the consular services to find a suitable consulate in their state. After submitting the documents listed above applicants must pay the application fee by the Pakistan Visa Tariff via money order or cashier's check. Each nationality has different visa fee requirements, so it is important to pay the correct fee.

At this stage, applicants must fill in all fields of the application. Pakistan will not accept incomplete application forms with insufficient entries.

Once the application has been submitted the Board of Investment (BOI) will process it. The Visa Committee and the BOI Chairman then approve the work visa and make their recommendations to the Ministry of the Interior. The Ministry makes the final decision and will use the BOI's recommendations to determine its response. If they approve the permit will be sent to the regional passport offices for final processing and visa issuance.

Most of the Pakistan work visa application process is done online. People with a valid Pakistani visa residing in the country can also renew their visa online - the renewal is valid for one year and will require the re-submission of business documents. Under certain circumstances, the Home Office may grant a longer extension.

Any move to another country is accompanied not only by the issuance of a visa but also by insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances. Visit World can help you get insurance which will select the appropriate insurance option for the client's criteria because it is much easier to travel with high-quality insurance.