Living in Pakistan

Introduction

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Pakistani authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

This guide setsincludes outlinks essentialto information provided by the Pakistani authorities, but not all relevant information is available online. You may be able to get more specific information by checking with contacts in Pakistan.

Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

If you are a dual British national residingliving or travelling in Pakistan,the includingcountry adviceof onyour health,other education,nationality, benefits,we residencewould requirementsnot normally support you or get involved in dealings between you and more.that Wecountry’s areauthorities.

Read unablegeneral guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to providedate: anyfollow guidanceUK in Pakistan on generalFacebook lifestyleand enquiriesTwitter.

Read apartabout fromhow theour High Commission in Islamabad and Deputy High Commission in Karachi can help.

Before you go

See our travel advice for Pakistan and sign up to email alerts for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and linkscustoms, listedsafety below.and emergencies.

See our Overseas Business Risk guide for Pakistan for information on whatissues UK businesses may face when operating in Pakistan.

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Pakistan in our consulartravel staffadvice.

You can enter Pakistan visa free and cannotremain there for an unlimited period of stay if you hold a valid National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or Smart National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (SNICOP). For more information visit the website of the High Commission for Pakistan in London.

If you’re travelling to Pakistan on a British passport and do not have a NICOP, you will need to get a visa before you travel. See how to apply for a visa to enter Pakistan.  If you have a valid visa, you can apply for Britisha nationals.visa Thisextension when you are in Pakistan.

See the website of the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports for further information supplementson visa categories and visa extensions.

Dual Nationality

The UK and Pakistan recognise dual nationality.

The National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and Smart National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (SNICOP) are issued to citizens of Pakistan who are not resident in Pakistan. If you hold a NICOP or SNICOP, you will be recognised as a citizen of Pakistan. You can use the card as proof of identity and of Pakistani citizenship.

If you are a dual British and Pakistani national living or travelling in the country of your other nationality, we would not normally support you or get involved in dealings between you and that country’s authorities. Read more about who the FCDO can support abroad, including information for dual nationals.

Passports and travel

You advicecan apply for or renew your British passport from Pakistan. You can also use this tool to check processing times. It is your responsibility to keep your documents up to date and you should allow enough time for processing.

The British High Commission has no involvement in passport applications.

Check the Pakistan travel advice for passport validity requirements.

HealthHealthcare in Pakistan

Pakistan and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements.

You shouldmust ensure that you have adequatecomprehensive medicalprivate insurancehealthcare ascover for Pakistan. Pakistan has extremely limited free medical care and, whilst costs are generally lower than private treatment in the UK, they can rise steeply. Immediate cash payment could be required for any medical service. You should contact your insurance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment

Medical facilities are good in major cities,cities but limited in rural areas. ThereSee areour somelist endemicof diseasesmedical facilities in Pakistan,Pakistan.

UK includingTravel malariainsurance andproviders denguewill innot lowgenerally lyingcover areas.your healthcare costs if you live overseas.

Medicine

If you needare emergencyon medicala assistance,prescription dialfor 15any andmedication askyou forshould anensure ambulance.you Immediatehave cashadequate paymentsupplies couldor are able to obtain it when in Pakistan. Certain medicines may not be requiredavailable for(including anymajor medicalbrands service.readily available in the UK) and you may be prohibited from bringing them into Pakistan. You should contactconsult your insurance/medicalGP assistancebefore companytravelling promptlyto ifPakistan youto arefind referredout toabout aany alternative medication.

Shortages of medicines occur frequently. Restrictions on imported goods periodically occur and may include medical facilitysupplies. forYou treatment.should Theplan Britishfor Highthis Commissionand maintainskeep aan listadequate supply of Englishany speakingmedicine hospitalsyou andneed.

Read doctorsthe guidance if you need to travel with medicines.. 

If you have run out of medication,medication goyou toshould aseek localadvice pharmacyfrom fora advice.local Somepharmacy. pharmacies Some arepharmacies, open 24/7, particularly in cities and inhospitals, hospitals.are open 24/7. If your usual medication is not available or you need a prescription, visit a local doctor or speak to your UK doctor for advice on alternative medication that may be available overseas.in Pakistan.

Working in Pakistan

NICOP holders have the same working rights as any other citizen of Pakistan.

If you do not have Pakistani citizenship, you must have an appropriate visa to work. You shouldmust alsomeet speakall visa requirements before you travel. See how to yourget travela insurancevisa.

Most companyBritish forqualifications advice.will be recognised in Pakistan.

CoronavirusStudying in Pakistan

ForNICOP informationholders onhave vaccinesthe abroad,same seeaccess ourto COVID-19education travelas guidance.any other citizen of Pakistan.

TheMost Pakistaniexpatriates authoritieswho havechoose announcedto educate their children in Pakistan send them to private schools. There are a helplinerange (onof phoneInternational, numberAmerican 1166)and forBritish peopleschools whoin haveIslamabad, COVID-19Lahore symptoms.and IfKarachi. you’reGovernment worriedrun aboutschools theare virusavailable, either free of charge or suspectfor a nominal fee.

If you mayplan to study in Pakistan and do not have contractedPakistani it,citizenship, callyou themust helplinemeet andall followvisa therequirements guidancebefore givenyou bytravel. theSee authorities.how Youto canget alsoa checkvisa.

Contact the officialrelevant Governmenthigher ofeducation provider in Pakistan websiteto oncheck Covid-19.what fees you may have to pay.

EducationTax

ThereThe areUK governmenthas runa double schoolstaxation areagreement availablewith eitherPakistan so freethat ofyou chargedo (innot Punjab)pay ortax foron athe nominalsame fee.income However,in mostboth expatriatescountries. whoAsk choosethe torelevant educatetax theirauthority childrenyour questions about double taxation relief.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Pakistan. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Pakistan.

Read (andguidance manyon:

• tax don’tif dueyou toleave the securityUK situation),to sendlive themabroad
• tax toon privateyour schools.UK Thereincome areif ayou rangelive ofabroad
• tax International,if Americanyou get a pension and Britishlive schoolsabroad
• paying inNational Islamabad,Insurance Lahorewhile abroad to protect your State Pension and Karachi.
  entitlement to other benefits and allowances

EmploymentBenefits

Check andwhich recognisedUK qualificationsbenefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

MostMany Britishincome-related qualificationsbenefits willsuch as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be recognisedpaid inif Pakistanyou’re andabroad for more than 4 weeks.

There are no local state benefits available to British nationals mayin workPakistan.

Pensions

Read State inPension Pakistanguidance if theyyou have anlived appropriatein visaAustralia, Canada or New Zealand and workyou permit.are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

Entry

If andyou residenceretire requirements

BritishLife nationalscertificates intendingfor toUK resideState inPensions

If Pakistanyou get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be insuspended possessionif you do not.

Money and banking

If you hold a NICOP, you can show this as evidence of thePakistani necessarycitizenship visawhen oropening a Nationalbank Identityaccount.

There Cardare accounts specifically for Overseascitizens Pakistanisliving (NICOP)outside issuedPakistan, byMore information is available from the NationalState DatabaseBank andof RegistrationPakistan. AuthorityYou (NADRA)may need to visit the bank in Pakistan.person Furtherif information,your includingaccount contacthas details,not canbeen beused foundrecently. atIf Directorateyou Generalhold one of Immigrationthese &accounts Passports and Nationalmove Databaseto andPakistan, Registrationyou Authority.should inform the bank.

Benefits

ThereResidents can open an account at most banks in Pakistan, but there may be more restrictions if you are nonot statea benefitsPakistani availablecitizen.

You will need valid ID to Britishopen nationalsan inaccount. Pakistan.You Britishshould nationalscheck other requirements with the bank. These requirements may finddepend moreon informationthe here.type of account and your source of income. You should check fees before opening an account.

Cards from UK banks can be used to make payments and withdraw cash from ATMs. Card payments are generally less widely accepted than in the UK.

FinancialAccommodation Assistanceand buying property

See furtherbuying informationa hereproperty abroad.

You onshould optionsseek independent legal advice before entering into any agreement over the ownership or use of property or other assets.

You will need to considerpay ifannual property tax on property that you needown. financialYou helpshould whilstseek abroad.legal advice on property tax.

Driving

You licencesmay need to attend court in person to buy or sell property, or resolve issues around inheritance. You should consider your safety and vehicles

PakistanIf drivesyou onare involved in a dispute related to property in Punjab, you can contact the left.Overseas UKPakistani orCell internationalof drivingthe licencesLahore High Court. They deal with legal cases involving Pakistani citizens living outside Pakistan.

NICOP holders have the same property ownership rights as any other citizen of Pakistan. If you are validnot fora drivingPakistani citizen, there may be more restrictions on buying or owning property.

Disputes over property ownership are common in Pakistan forand sixhave monthsbeen followingknown arrivalto become violent.

The British High Commission cannot intervene in theproperty country.disputes. AfterIf thatyou periodare involved in a property dispute you willshould seek legal advice. Consular staff are not legally trained and cannot give legal advice. You may need to beengage a lawyer to act on your behalf or take action through the courts. See our list of English-speaking lawyers in possessionPakistan.

If you are concerned about your safety, you should contact the police. You may also wish to use the services of aa private security company.

Driving in Pakistan

Read the guidance on driving licence.abroad.

If Toyou’re arrangeasked for a drivingletter test,authenticating, youcertifying willor needvalidating toyour contactUK thedriving trafficlicence, policeyou officeshould incontact your provinceUK ofissuing residence.office (eg the DVLA).

Road conditions and driving standards in Pakistan can be challenging. VehiclesRead areguidance oftenfor travelling by road in aPakistan.

If pooryou conditionwish andto cantake beyour foundvehicle drivingwith you, see guidance on thetaking wrongvehicles sideout of the road,UK. reversingYou andshould makingalso u-turnssee unexpectedly.guidance Carefrom the Federal Board of Revenue on taking vehicles into Pakistan,

UK and patienceinternational isdriving requiredlicences toare navigatevalid safely.for Atdriving in Pakistan for 6 months after you arrive in the scenecountry. ofAfter anthat accidentperiod, crowdsyou canwill gatherneed quicklya andPakistani tempersdriving canlicence. fray,To potentiallycheck leadingthe torequirements violentand confrontation.arrange Iffor involveda indriving antest, accidentyou callwill need to contact the traffic police immediatelyoffice andin remainthe calm.province Vehiclewhere you are resident.

Third party liability insurance is notcompulsory mandatoryin underPakistan, Pakistanbut law;many adrivers factare thatuninsured. You should bemake bornesure inthat mindyou shouldhave adequate insurance for your needs.

Disabled drivers

If you behave involveda UK Blue Badge and live in anPakistan, accident.you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

FinanceVoting

ResidentsYou can openonly anvote accountin atPakistani mostelections banksif you are a citizen of Pakistan and are resident in Pakistan. ValidThis IDincludes isNICOP necessary.holders Theresident bankin mayPakistan who have additionalregistered requirementsto dependingvote.

You onmay yourbe residenceable status,to typevote ofin account,some business/incomeUK sourceelections. etc.You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter

PropertyBirths, deaths, marriage and Propertycivil Disputespartnership

Births

YouIf your child is born in Pakistan you should takeregister legalthe advicebirth beforewith enteringthe intolocal anyauthorities. agreementYou overcan then register with the ownershipUK orauthorities useand ofapply propertyfor ora otherUK assets.birth registration certificate.

DisputesIf overyour propertychild ownershiphas areBritish commonnationality, you indo Pakistan.not However,need theseto areregister civilthe mattersbirth andwith the UK authorities to apply for a British Highpassport.   

Deaths

If Commissiona cannotBritish intervenenational dies in thesePakistan matters.read Consularour Staffguidance areon:

• what notto legallydo trainedif andsomeone cannot,dies therefore,abroad
• bereavement offerguidance legalfor advice.Pakistan
• English-speaking Iffuneral directors in Pakistan

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you arecan unableget tomarried reachor anget amicablea solutioncivil topartnership theabroad. situation,The youBritish mayHigh wishCommission tohas considerno takingrole legalin advicemarriages andin engagingPakistan.

Pets

If ayou lawyerare planning to acttake your pet to Pakistan, see information on taking your behalf.pet Itabroad.

You maywill beneed necessaryto apply to takethe legalMinistry actionof throughFood, theAgriculture courtsand Livestock in orderPakistan tofor achievean import permit. There are no strict quarantine regulations but you should contact a lastingclearing resolutionagent tofor thehelp disagreement.and advice.

Safety in PakistanEmergencies

If you are concerned about your safety in Pakistan,Pakistan you should contact the police.police by dialling 15. Fire or ambulance services are available by calling 1122. Services may vary and will be more limited outside major cities.

The British High Commission cannot offer any guarantees for the personal safety or security of British nationals.nationals, Thisthis is athe matterresponsibility forof the localPakistani authorities,authorities in the same way that British authorities are responsible for the security of all people in the UK. YouIf mayyou alsohave concerns about your safety or security you may wish to considerengage engaging the services of a a private security company.

ForIf legalyou’re advicethe youvictim mayof wisha tocrime engageyou ashould lawyerreport this to actthe onlocal yourpolice. behalf.If Theyou Britishhave Highbeen Commissionarrested, maintainsor detailsare ofaffected lawyersby practisinga incrisis, you Pakistan.

Leavingcan Pakistan

contact the British nationalsHigh willCommission beIslamabad preventedor fromthe departingBritish PakistanDeputy ifHigh notCommission inKarachi.

If possessionyou ofhave abeen validthe visa/entryvictim stampof a rape or asexual validassault Nationalin IdentityPakistan, Cardread guidance for Overseasvictims Pakistanisof (NICOP)rape issuedand bysexual theassault Nationalin DatabasePakistan.  andSee Registrationalso Authoritygeneral (NADRA)guidance infor Pakistan.victims Furtherof information,rape includingand contactsexual details,assault canabroad.

Read bethe foundguidance aton Directorateinternational Generalparental ofchild Immigrationabduction &if Passportsyour andchild Nationalmay Databasebe andat Registrationrisk Authority.of this.

DisclaimerReturning to the UK

ThisRead informationthe isguidance providedon returning asto athe UK permanently which generalincludes guideinformation andon isbringing basedfamily uponmembers, informationtax providedand access to theservices.

You embassyshould byensure thethat relevantyou localand authoritiesyour andfamily mayhave bethe subjectcorrect documents to changereturn atto anythe timeUK.

If withany littlemembers orof noyour notice.family Thehave Foreign,indefinite Commonwealthleave &to Developmentremain Office(ILR) andin the BritishUK, Embassyyou willshould notcheck bethat liableit forhas anynot inaccuracieslapsed inand thisthat information.they Britishcan nationalsprove wishingtheir tostatus. obtainSee anyHome furtherOffice informationguidance muston contact the relevant local authority.ILR.