Work permit for hiring expats via EOR in Pakistan

Expanding into Pakistan means managing detailed work authorisation, visa sponsorship, and compliance processes. These requirements are documentation-heavy, time-sensitive, and subject to both federal rules and sector-specific conditions. Errors can lead to delays, added costs, or even refusal of entry for key personnel.

Acumen International delivers business immigration support as part of our Global Employer of Record (EOR) solution in Pakistan. We become the legal employer for your expatriate hires, sponsor their work permits, manage applications, and ensure full compliance with immigration and labour law without the need for you to set up a local entity.

This page outlines the main challenges of moving talent into Pakistan, the documents and timelines involved, and how our approach keeps every assignment compliant from start to finish.

Global Mobility and Business Immigration Challenges in Pakistan

Relocating foreign staff into Pakistan involves multiple government bodies and layered approvals. Even straightforward assignments require navigating:

• Directorate General of Immigration & Passports — the federal authority that issues work visas and oversees immigration compliance.
• Board of Investment (BOI) — the government agency that must approve most foreign hires and issue a formal recommendation before a work visa can be granted.
• Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) — the corporate registry that issues the company incorporation certificate, which is often required as part of a visa application.
• Sector-specific ministries — certain industries, such as infrastructure projects under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), require additional ministry-level clearances.

For companies without a legal entity in Pakistan, acting as the official sponsor is not possible under local law. Setting up an entity can take months, which is why many employers use a compliant Employer of Record to provide sponsorship and handle the entire process.

The documentation is extensive and often needs multiple attestations. Typical requirements include an employment agreement that meets Pakistani labour law, a company profile, and supporting corporate records. In some sectors, ministry-issued project approvals are mandatory.

Processing times vary. Initial work permit approval often takes three to four weeks, followed by another two to four weeks before the employee can legally start work. Policy changes are frequent, and criteria can tighten without public notice, especially for certain nationalities or industries.

In this environment, sequencing, completeness, and timing of applications are critical. A single missing document or incorrect format can push a start date back by months.

Guided Support for Business Immigration in Pakistan

The work permit process in Pakistan is not simply a matter of filling out a form — it is a sequence of dependent steps where the order and quality of each submission affects the outcome.

Acumen International manages the process end-to-end under our Employer of Record solution, which allows us to act as the legal sponsor for your expatriate hires. Our role includes:

• Initial case assessment – confirming whether the role and candidate meet Pakistan’s eligibility criteria before any applications are submitted.
• Document preparation – compiling the required corporate and personal records, including company incorporation certificates, tax registration, employment agreements compliant with local law, candidate CVs, and passport copies. Where originals must be attested, we coordinate with the relevant notaries and embassies.
• Application sequencing – ensuring that Board of Investment (BOI) approvals are secured before submission to the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports, avoiding stalled or rejected cases.
• Progress tracking and liaison – maintaining active contact with the relevant government offices to monitor progress, address queries, and keep the timeline on track.
• Post-approval onboarding – ensuring that the employee is registered for payroll, social security, and any sector-specific compliance requirements before work begins.

By managing every step in sequence and in compliance with current rules, we reduce the risk of costly delays and keep your relocation timelines predictable.

Business and Work Visa Routes in Pakistan

1. Business Visa

Issued to foreign nationals engaging in commercial activities, attending meetings, or exploring investment opportunities.

• Eligibility – Available to citizens of countries listed in Pakistan’s Business Visa List. Other nationals may apply but face longer processing and stricter checks.
• Validity – Up to 5 years, multiple entry, with individual stays typically limited to 30–90 days.
• Typical processing time – 48 hours for first-time entry for eligible nationalities; up to 4 weeks for non-listed countries.
• Key documents –
  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
  • Passport-sized photographs
  • Invitation letter from a Pakistani business entity
  • Company profile and incorporation documents of the host company
  • For investors: proof of investment plans or existing business ties

2. Work Visa (Standard)

For foreign nationals taking up employment in Pakistan.

• Eligibility – Must have a confirmed job offer from a locally registered company and a role aligned with BOI’s criteria for foreign hiring.
• Initial validity – 1 year, renewable.
• Typical processing time – 3–4 weeks for approval, plus 2–4 weeks for entry clearance and final work permit issuance.
• Key documents –
  • Passport and photographs
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Employment agreement compliant with Pakistani labour law
  • Company incorporation certificate (SECP letter)
  • Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tax registration certificate
  • Board of Investment (BOI) recommendation letter
  • Company profile and organisational chart

3. Special Project Work Visa

For assignments under government-approved or strategic projects, such as the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

• Eligibility – Must be tied to a government-registered project with ministry-level clearance.
• Validity – Matches project duration, often issued for 1–3 years with renewal possible.
• Processing time – Can be faster (2–3 weeks) if pre-approved project documentation is complete.
• Key documents – All standard work visa documents plus project approval letters from the relevant ministry.

4. Dependant Visa

For immediate family members of foreign nationals holding valid work visas in Pakistan.

• Eligibility – Spouse and dependent children.
• Validity – Matches the principal visa holder’s permit duration.
• Key documents
  • Passports of dependants
  • Marriage certificate (for spouse) and/or birth certificates (for children)
  • Attested proof of relationship (must be certified by relevant authorities)
  • Copy of the principal visa and work permit.

Timelines Overview

• Business visa: 48 hours to 4 weeks, depending on nationality and route.
• Standard work visa: 5–8 weeks total from submission to work start.
• Dependant visa: Usually processed alongside or shortly after the principal visa.
• Special project visas: 2–3 weeks if project is already registered and cleared.

Business and Work Visa Routes in Pakistan

Foreign nationals working in Pakistan must hold the correct visa and work authorisation before starting employment. Acumen International provides this as part of our Global Employer of Record (EOR) service, acting as the legal employer and sponsor where the client has no local entity.

Main routes we handle for clients include:

• Business visas for short-term commercial visits or investment-related travel, typically processed in a few days for eligible nationalities and valid for multiple entries.
• Work visas for expatriate employees with confirmed roles in Pakistan, usually valid for one year and renewable, with a total processing time of around 5–8 weeks.
• Special project work visas for government-approved initiatives such as CPEC, often on accelerated timelines where project approvals are in place.
• Dependant visas for immediate family members of expatriate employees, linked to the principal visa holder’s permit.

Why this matters for employers: The process involves multiple authorities, strict sequencing, and evolving eligibility rules. Without a local entity, you cannot act as the official sponsor, and timelines can extend significantly. Our Global Employer of Record talent engagement model allows us to take on sponsorship, manage the process, and ensure every hire starts work legally and on schedule.