Pakistan
PAKPakistan is the world's fifth most populous country, a nation of striking geographic contrasts that range from the Arabian Sea coastline to some of the world's highest mountain ranges including K2 and the Karakoram. Karachi is South Asia's largest city and a major commercial hub, while Lahore is celebrated for its Mughal-era architecture, food culture, and literary heritage. Pakistan permits dual citizenship with select countries including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia, allowing the large overseas diaspora to maintain formal ties to their homeland.
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Islamabad
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 230,000,000
- Cost-of-living
- 16 /100
Passport Rank
#95
Visa-Free
29
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Pakistan passport has visa-free access to 29 destinations. See the full Pakistan passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Pakistan without a prior visa (9)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Pakistan
Current IRCC processing times for Pakistan nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 71 days |
| Super visa | 101 days |
| Study permit | 7 weeks |
| Work permit | 8 weeks |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: 1 month / refugee: 16 months |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-10-07 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Islamabad
- Currency
- Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
- Languages
- Urdu, English, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto
- Population
- 230,000,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Arid / Semi-arid / Subtropical
- English Proficiency Rank
- #64
- GDP per capita
- $1,596
- Life expectancy
- 67.8 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.56%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
16
Safety
34
Healthcare
42
Quality of Life
108
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 7 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad | $380 | $230 | $180 | $55 | $15 |
| Lahore | $280 | $170 | $165 | $50 | $12 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Islamabad
Rainfall range: 10–290 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Lahore
Rainfall range: 5–165 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist eVisa
- Business eVisa
- Work
- Student
- Family
- Diplomatic
- Long-stay
- Authority
- Directorate General of Immigration & Passports
- Official Portal
- www.dgip.gov.pk
- Phone
- +92 51 9215989
- dgip@interior.gov.pk
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 5
- Language Test
- No
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $100
- Processing
- ~24 months
Real Estate
- Avg price/sqm (capital)
- $1,200
- Transaction taxes
- 6%
Foreign buyers: Foreign nationals with valid Pakistani visas may purchase property in designated areas; Overseas Pakistanis (holding NICOP cards) have broader rights equivalent to residents. Prices quoted in marla (272 sq ft) or kanal: Lahore DHA and Bahria Town PKR 200,000-400,000/marla ($850-1,700/sqm equivalent). Islamabad F-series sectors and DHA command premiums. Currency depreciation (PKR lost ~50% vs USD 2022-23) creates instability. Repatriation of sale proceeds possible but requires State Bank of Pakistan approval.
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Islamabad | Islamabad | US + IB | $10,000–$20,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
20 Mbps median
15% fibre coverage
eSIM: Jazz (Veon), Zong (China Mobile), Ufone (PTCL), Telenor Pakistan
Driving
IDP required
Local licence required after 12 months
Exchange eligible: Drives on the LEFT. IDP valid for foreign visitors. Expatriate residents must obtain Pakistani driving licence from local traffic authority. No bilateral exchange agreements; local test required after residency established.
Pet Relocation
Quarantine: none
Rabies titre required
EU pet passport: not accepted
Safety
GPI Rank
#150
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠overcharging rickshaw and taxi drivers in Lahore and Karachi
- ⚠"helpful stranger" hotel scams at major bus terminals
- ⚠counterfeit currency in informal money exchange
- ⚠phishing via WhatsApp targeting overseas Pakistanis' bank accounts
Examples of areas to avoid: Lyari district (Karachi) — criminal gangs; avoid entirely, Parts of Peshawar near tribal areas after dark, FATA/KP border regions (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) — security risk; check FCO/State Dept advisories, Balochistan outside major cities
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- #166
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Common
Sample Citizenship Test Questions
Q1. In which year was Pakistan created as an independent nation following the partition of British India?
Answer: 1947
Source: NADRA — Pakistan Citizenship
Q2. What is the name of Pakistan's national language?
Answer: Urdu
Source: NADRA — Pakistan Citizenship
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Pakistan, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Pakistan Bar Council
PBCRegulates advocates at the national level in Pakistan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration status is handled through Ministry of Interior visa systems and related government authorities.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Pakistan, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Short-term / business
Business Visa
Short-term / businessPakistan business route for qualifying business visitors, with multiple-entry validity possible up to five years.
Tourist/Visit Visa
Short-term / businessPakistan visitor route for tourism, with online entry applications and in-country extensions for eligible applicants.
Work (sponsored)
Work - General Visa
Work (sponsored)Pakistan work route for foreign citizens with a valid job offer who meet the official requirements.
Family
Family Visit Visa
FamilyPakistan family route for foreign citizens of Pakistani origin and their spouses visiting and staying with family members.
Study
Student Visa
StudyPakistan route for prospective students pursuing higher education in Pakistan.
Investor
Business Investor Visa
InvestorPakistan investor route for foreign citizens intending to do business or invest in Pakistan.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-10-15. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified