Getting

This helpinformation withis livingprovided inas Pakistan

Helpa guide only. You should get definitive information from the Pakistani government

Forauthorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any questionsinaccuracies aboutin movingthis information.

This guide includes links to orinformation livingprovided inby Pakistan,the youPakistani authorities, but not all relevant information is available online. You may be able to get helpmore fromspecific the:information by checking with contacts in Pakistan.

• Pakistan

  Support Highfor CommissionBritish inNationals LondonAbroad: A Guide

• Directorate Generalsets ofout Immigrationhow andBritish Passports

Thenationals UKcan governmentstay safe abroad and how the BritishFCDO Highcan Commissionhelp inif Islamabadyou cannotdo giveget personalisedinto advicedifficulty.

If onyou movingare to,a dual British national living or retiringtravelling in Pakistan.

Professionalthe helpcountry inof Pakistan

Youyour canother alsonationality, getwe helpwould fromnot English-speakingnormally professionalssupport you or get involved in Pakistan,dealings including:between you and that country’s authorities.

• lawyers
• translators
• funeral

  Read directors

general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

Help

To fromstay theup to date: follow UK government

in Pakistan on Facebook and Twitter.

Read theabout travelhow adviceour forHigh PakistanCommission in Islamabad and toDeputy understandHigh theCommission risksin Karachi can help.

Before you maygo

See faceour iftravel youadvice livefor inPakistan and orsign visitup Pakistan.to Thisemail includesalerts thefor latestup-to-date information on:

• visason and entry requirements
• requirements, local laws and customs
• customs, safety and security

emergencies.

ReadSee our guidanceOverseas onBusiness moving,Risk livingguide orfor retiring abroad.Pakistan

Get helpfor frominformation theon issues UK governmentbusinesses abroad,may includingface inwhen anoperating emergency.in Pakistan.

Visas,Visas residency and citizenshipresidency

MakeCheck sure you meet the entry requirements for Pakistan beforein youour travel.travel advice.

Visas

CheckYou whichcan enter Pakistan visa categoryfree youand needremain tothere livefor inan Pakistan.unlimited  

Youperiod canof getstay if you hold a visavalid to:

• work
• study
• volunteerNational Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or doSmart charityNational work
• Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (SNICOP). For more information visit family
• investthe orwebsite doof businessthe High inCommission for Pakistan

in London.

If you’re travelling to Pakistan on a British passport and do not have a NICOP, you wantwill need to extendget youra visa:

• readvisa guidancebefore onyou travel. See how to apply for a visa extensionto inenter Pakistan
• contact. the If Pakistanyou Highhave Commissiona invalid Londonvisa, oryou can apply for a visa extension when you are in Pakistan.

  See the website of the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports

You for dofurther notinformation needon avisa categories and visa ifextensions.

Dual youNationality

The haveUK aand Pakistan recognise dual nationality.

The National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)(NICOP) orand Smart National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (SNICOP).

Registering(SNICOP) asare aissued foreigner

Onceto youcitizens arrive,of youPakistan maywho needare tonot registerresident within thePakistan. policeIf inyou Pakistan.hold  

Permanenta residency

YouNICOP mayor beSNICOP, ableyou towill applybe forrecognised as a Pakistancitizen Originof CardPakistan. ifYou youcan haveuse familythe linkscard toas Pakistan.proof of identity and of Pakistani citizenship.

ThisAs allowsa dual national, you tohave the same rights and responsibilities as any citizen of Pakistan. NICOP holders can enter Pakistan on a foreign passport without a visavisa, open bank accounts and staybuy indefinitely.and sell property in Pakistan. 

ToIf findyou outare ifa you’redual eligibleBritish and howPakistani tonational apply,living reador travelling in the Pakistanicountry Nationalof Databaseyour andother Registrationnationality, Authority’swe guidancewould onnot thenormally Pakistansupport Originyou Card.   

Citizenship

Pakistanor recognisesget dualinvolved citizenship.in Thisdealings meansbetween you and that youcountry’s doauthorities. notRead havemore toabout givewho upthe (renounce)FCDO yourcan Britishsupport citizenshipabroad, toincluding becomeinformation afor Pakistanidual citizen.nationals.

To

Passports findand outtravel

You ifcan you’reapply eligible for Pakistanior citizenship:

• readrenew guidanceyour onBritish citizenshippassport offrom Pakistan
• contact. theYou Directoratecan Generalalso ofuse Immigrationthis andtool Passports
• contactto thecheck Pakistanprocessing Hightimes. CommissionIt inis London

Helpyour withresponsibility visato keep your documents up to date and residencyyou applications

should allow enough time for processing.

The British High Commission has no involvement in Islamabadpassport cannotapplications.

Check helpthe withPakistan Pakistanitravel visaadvice andfor residencypassport applications.validity requirements.

Healthcare in Pakistan

ForPakistan anyand questionsthe orUK issues,do contact:not have reciprocal healthcare agreements.

• the

  You Directoratemust Generalensure ofyou Immigrationhave andcomprehensive Passports

• theprivate healthcare cover for Pakistan. Pakistan Highhas Commissionextremely inlimited London
• anfree English-speakingmedical lawyercare inand, Pakistan

Passports

Readwhilst ourcosts guidanceare ongenerally moving,lower livingthan orprivate retiringtreatment abroad.in Thisthe coversUK, howthey to:

• applycan forrise asteeply. BritishImmediate passportcash frompayment abroad
• travelcould urgentlybe withoutrequired for any medical service. You should contact your Britishinsurance passport

Healthcarecompany inpromptly Pakistan       

if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment

ReadMedical ourfacilities guidanceare ongood moving,in livingmajor orcities retiringbut abroad.limited Thisin coversrural howareas. to:See our list of medical facilities in Pakistan.

• plan

  UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare

• take medicinecosts abroad

if you live overseas.

Medicine

PakistanIf doesyou notare haveon a reciprocalprescription healthfor agreementany withmedication theyou UK.

Makeshould sureensure you have appropriateadequate healthsupplies insuranceor are able to coverobtain anyit healthcarewhen costs.in YouPakistan. canCertain getmedicines insurancemay fromnot Pakistanibe oravailable international(including providers.

Tomajor findbrands outreadily howavailable toin getthe medicalUK) treatment:

• contactand youryou insurancemay provider
• readbe guidanceprohibited onfrom healthbringing inthem Pakistan
• findinto English-speakingPakistan. doctorsYou inshould Pakistan

Workingconsult inyour GP before travelling to Pakistan

to find out about any alternative medication.

ReadShortages ourof guidancemedicines occur frequently. Restrictions on moving,imported livinggoods orperiodically retiringoccur abroad.and Thismay coversinclude workingmedical abroad,supplies. includingYou documentsshould youplan mayfor needthis fromand thekeep UKan government.adequate supply of any medicine you need.

ToRead workthe inguidance Pakistan,if you need ato worktravel visa.with medicines. 

TheIf Departmentyou Generalhave run out of Immigrationmedication andyou Passportsshould explainsseek theadvice differentfrom worka visaslocal availablepharmacy. to Some you.

Youpharmacies, doparticularly in cities and hospitals, are open 24/7. If your usual medication is not available or you need a workprescription, visavisit ifa youlocal havedoctor aor Nationalspeak Identityto Cardyour forUK Overseasdoctor Pakistanisfor (NICOP)advice oron Smartalternative Nationalmedication Identitythat Cardmay Overseasbe Pakistanisavailable (SNICOP).in Pakistan.

Recognition

Working in Pakistan

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

If you wantdo tonot workhave inPakistani Pakistan,citizenship, you maymust needhave an appropriate visa to getwork. yourYou foreignmust qualificationsmeet recognisedall visa requirements before you travel. See how to get a visa.

Most British qualifications will be recognised in Pakistan.

DrivingStudying in Pakistan

ReadNICOP ourholders guidancehave onthe moving,same livingaccess orto retiringeducation abroad.as Thisany coversother howcitizen to:of Pakistan.

• drive

  Most abroadexpatriates legally

• takewho yourchoose UKto vehicleeducate abroad
• gettheir drivingchildren licence letters

You can drive in Pakistan forsend upthem to 6private monthsschools. usingThere are a validrange UKof drivingInternational, licenceAmerican and British schools in combinationIslamabad, withLahore anand internationalKarachi. drivingGovernment permit.

Torun continueschools drivingare afteravailable, thiseither time,free youof mustcharge getor for a Pakistaninominal drivingfee.

If licence.you Contactplan theto trafficstudy policein officePakistan inand thedo provincenot wherehave Pakistani citizenship, you livemust tomeet checkall thevisa requirements andbefore arrangeyou fortravel. aSee drivinghow test.to get a visa.

ThirdContact partythe liabilityrelevant insurancehigher iseducation compulsoryprovider in Pakistan,Pakistan butto manycheck driverswhat arefees uninsured.you Makemay surehave thatto youpay.

Tax

The haveUK adequatehas insurancea double fortaxation youragreement needs.   

Ifwith Pakistan so that you wantdo tonot takepay yourtax vehicleon withthe yousame toincome Pakistan,in readboth countries. Ask the Federalrelevant Boardtax ofauthority Revenue’syour guidancequestions about double taxation relief.

You should get professional advice on takingpaying vehiclestax intoin Pakistan. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Pakistan.

ForRead moreguidance information:on:

• readtax guidanceif onyou roadleave travelthe inUK safetyto andlive securityabroad
• tax inon theyour travelUK adviceincome forif Pakistanyou live abroad
• contacttax theif Pakistaniyou Nationalget Highwaysa pension and Motorwaylive Policeabroad
• paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances

TaxBenefits

ReadCheck ourwhich guidanceUK onbenefits moving,you livingcan orclaim retiringwhile abroad. and Thishow coversto tax,claim includingthem.

Many payingincome-related UKbenefits taxsuch as Pension Credit and NationalHousing Insurance.Benefit  

Thecannot UKbe haspaid a doubleif taxationyou’re agreementabroad withfor Pakistan somore thatthan you4 doweeks.

There notare payno taxlocal onstate thebenefits sameavailable incometo inBritish bothnationals countries. in Pakistan.

Pensions

ContactRead State thePension Federalguidance Boardif ofyou Revenuehave lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand forand anyyou questionsare aboutclaiming doubleor taxationwaiting relief.to claim your UK State Pension.

YouIf willyou needretire toin payPakistan, annualyou propertycan taxclaim onyour UK anyState propertyPension thator new youUK own.State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.

ConsiderLife gettingcertificates professionalfor adviceUK onState payingPensions

If taxyou inget Pakistana ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service., Toyou domust this,respond findas ansoon English-speakingas lawyerpossible. inYour Pakistan.payments may be suspended if you do not.

PensionsMoney and banking

Claiming

If youryou UKhold pension

a NICOP, you can show this as evidence of Pakistani citizenship when opening a bank account.

ReadThere ourare guidanceaccounts onspecifically moving,for citizens living oroutside retiringPakistan, abroadMore information is available from the State Bank of Pakistan. ThisYou covers:

• howmay need to claimvisit the bank in person if your UKaccount Statehas Pension
• wherenot thebeen UKused governmentrecently. paysIf anyou annualhold increaseone inof thethese Stateaccounts Pension

Claimingand amove Pakistanito pension

Pakistan, you should inform the bank.

ContactResidents thecan Employeesopen Oldan Ageaccount Benefitsat Institutionmost (EOBI)banks toin findPakistan, outbut whetherthere may be more restrictions if you canare claimnot a Pakistani pension.citizen.

Benefits  

ReadYou ourwill guidanceneed onvalid moving,ID livingto oropen retiringan abroad.account. ThisYou coversshould howcheck toother claimrequirements UKwith benefitsthe abroad,bank. includingThese Childrequirements Benefit.may  

Buyingdepend on the type of account and rentingyour propertysource inof Pakistan

income. You should check fees before opening an account.

ReadCards ourfrom guidanceUK onbanks moving,can livingbe orused retiringto abroad.make Thispayments coversand buyingwithdraw andcash rentingfrom propertyATMs. abroad.Card  

Youpayments mayare needgenerally toless attendwidely courtaccepted than in Pakistanthe to:UK.

• buy

  Accommodation orand sellbuying property

• resolve

  See issuesbuying arounda inheritance

property abroad.

ConsiderYou yourshould safetyseek independent legal advice before travellingentering tointo Pakistanany toagreement dealover withthe property.ownership or use of property or other assets.

You will need to pay annual property tax on any property that you ownown. inYou Pakistan. 

Restrictionsshould onseek buyinglegal andadvice owningon property

tax.

ContactYou anmay English-speakingneed lawyerto attend court in Pakistanperson ifto you’rebuy consideringor buyingsell propertyproperty, or land.resolve issues around inheritance. You should consider your safety and security before travelling to Pakistan to deal with property.

If you haveare involved in a Nationaldispute Identityrelated Cardto forproperty in Punjab, you can contact the Overseas PakistanisPakistani (NICOP)Cell orof Smartthe NationalLahore IdentityHigh CardCourt. OverseasThey Pakistanisdeal (SNICOP),with youlegal cases involving Pakistani citizens living outside Pakistan.

NICOP holders have the same property ownership rights as any Pakistaniother citizen.

citizen of Pakistan. If you’reyou are not a Pakistani citizen, there may be more restrictions on buying or owning property.

Property disputes

Disputes over property ownership are common in Pakistan and have been known to become violent.

ContactThe anBritish English-speakingHigh lawyerCommission incannot Pakistanintervene if you’re involved in a property dispute.

disputes. If you’reyou are involved in a dispute related to property indispute Punjab, you canshould contactseek thelegal Overseasadvice. PakistaniConsular Cellstaff ofare thenot Lahorelegally Hightrained Court.and Theycannot dealgive with legal casesadvice. involvingYou Pakistanimay citizensneed livingto outsideengage Pakistan.   

Thea Britishlawyer Highto Commissionact cannoton helpyour inbehalf propertyor disputes.take Consularaction staffthrough arethe notcourts. legallySee trainedour andlist cannotof English-speaking givelawyers legalin advice.Pakistan.

If you’reyou are concerned forabout your safety, you should contact the police. You may also choosewish to use the services of a private security company.    .

VotingDriving in Pakistan

UK elections

Read ourthe guidance on moving,driving livingabroad.

If oryou’re retiringasked abroadfor .a Thisletter coversauthenticating, howcertifying to:

• voteor invalidating your UK electionsdriving fromlicence, abroad
• registeryou asshould ancontact overseasyour voter

PakistaniUK elections

issuing office (eg the DVLA).

YouRoad canconditions onlyand votedriving standards in PakistaniPakistan electionscan ifbe you’rechallenging. aRead Pakistaniguidance citizenfor andtravelling areby residentroad in Pakistan.Pakistan.

Studying in Pakistan

If you planwish to studytake inyour Pakistanvehicle andwith doyou, notsee haveguidance Pakistanion citizenship,taking youvehicles mustout meetof allthe visa requirementsUK. beforeYou youshould travel.also see guidance from the Federal Board of Revenue on taking vehicles into Pakistan,

ForUK moreand information:

• readinternational guidancedriving onlicences travelare grantsvalid for studentsdriving studyingin abroadPakistan orfor on6 placementsmonths (England)
• contactafter you arrive in the Highercountry. EducationAfter Commissionthat ofperiod, Pakistan
• contactyou yourwill higherneed educationa providerPakistani indriving licence. To check the UKrequirements orand Pakistan

Children

Readarrange ourfor guidancea ondriving moving,test, livingyou orwill retiringneed abroad.to Thiscontact coversthe movingtraffic abroadpolice withoffice children,in including:the province where you are resident.

• getting

  Third permissionparty toliability takeinsurance youris childcompulsory abroad

• claimingin UKPakistan, Childbut Benefitmany abroad
• childdrivers maintenanceare paymentsuninsured. ifYou ashould parentmake livessure abroad

that you have adequate insurance for your needs.

SchoolsDisabled and educationdrivers

AllIf childrenyou agedhave 5a toUK 16Blue Badge and live in Pakistan, you must attendreturn schoolit orto homethe schooloriginal inUK Pakistan.issuing authority.

Voting

FederalYou andcan provincialonly educationvote departmentsin Pakistani elections if you are responsiblea forcitizen freeof governmentPakistan schoolsand are resident in Pakistan. ManyThis Britishincludes nationalsNICOP livingholders resident in Pakistan alsowho choosehave registered to sendvote.

You theirmay childrenbe able to privatevote schools.

Childcarein     

Formalsome childcareUK inelections. PakistanYou iscan:

• check limited.if Mostyou parentsare arrangeable andto payvote
• register foras childcarean privately.
  overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriagesmarriage and civil partnershipspartnership

Births

If your child is born in Pakistan,Pakistan you should register the birth with the Pakistanilocal authorities. You willcan firstthen need to register the birth with the UnionUK Council,authorities whoand willapply issuefor a UK birth registration certificate.

If at least one of your child’s parents is a Pakistani national, you can then also apply for a child registrationhas certificate.British      

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroadnationality., you Thisdo coversnot howneed to:

• to register the birth with the UKUK authorities authorities to get a UK birth certificate
• apply for youra child’s first British passport

.   

Deaths

ReadIf oura guidanceBritish onnational moving,dies livingin orPakistan retiringread abroad.our Thisguidance covers:on:

• what to do afterif someone dies abroad
• howbereavement to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Pakistan, read guidance on:

• whatfor to do when someone dies in Pakistan
• English-speaking funeral directors in Pakistan

MarriagesMarriage and civil partnerships partnership

ReadFind ourout how guidanceyou oncan moving,get livingmarried or retiringget abroad.a Thiscivil coverspartnership howabroad. toThe getBritish marriedHigh orCommission gethas ano civilrole partnershipin abroad.marriages  in Pakistan.

Pets

SameIf sexyou marriagesare andplanning civilto partnershipstake areyour notpet legallyto recognisedPakistan, insee Pakistan.information Foron informationtaking aboutyour LGBT+pet rightsabroad.

You inwill Pakistan,need readto guidanceapply onto safetythe andMinistry securityof inFood, theAgriculture traveland adviceLivestock forin Pakistan.  

Divorcefor andan separation 

Readimport ourpermit. guidanceThere onare moving,no livingstrict orquarantine retiringregulations abroad.but Thisyou coversshould howcontact to get a divorceclearing oragent endfor ahelp civiland partnership.  advice.

Emergencies

If you planare toconcerned divorceabout your safety in Pakistan,Pakistan consideryou takingshould legalcontact advicethe frompolice anby English-speakingdialling lawyer15. inFire Pakistan.

Documentsor forambulance Britishservices peopleare inavailable Pakistan

by calling 1122. Services may vary and will be more limited outside major cities.

ReadThe ourBritish guidanceHigh onCommission documentscannot offer guarantees for the personal safety or security of British peoplenationals, abroad.this Thisis covers: 

• legalisingthe andresponsibility certifyingof UKthe documents
• marriagePakistani andauthorities civilin partnershipthe documents
• affirmationssame andway affidavits
• witnessingthat signatures

Lawyers,British translatorsauthorities andare notaries

Toresponsible findfor anthe English-speakingsecurity lawyer,of translatorall people in the UK. If you have concerns about your safety or notarysecurity inyou Pakistan,may readwish guidanceto onengage professionalthe services ifof you’rea private abroadsecurity company.

Pets

If youyou’re wantthe tovictim bringof youra petcrime with you toshould Pakistan,report readthis guidanceto onthe takinglocal yourpolice. petIf dog,you cathave been arrested, or ferretare toaffected by a non-EUcrisis, you country.

Youcan mustcontact applythe toBritish theHigh AnimalCommission QuarantineIslamabad Department foror anthe importBritish permit:Deputy High Commission Karachi.

Youread canguidance alsofor contactvictims theof Animalrape Quarantineand Departmentsexual officesassault in:

• Islamabadin -Pakistan.  telephone:See +92also (0)51general 9255955
• Lahoreguidance -for telephone:victims +92of (0)42rape 36631062

and sexual assault abroad.

ThereRead arethe noguidance stricton quarantineinternational rules,parental butchild youabduction shouldif contactyour achild clearingmay agentbe forat helprisk andof advice.this.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanentlythe UK permanently. which This includes information on bringing family membersmembers, back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

WeYou provideshould thisensure informationthat asyou aand guideyour only. family Forhave definitivethe information,correct contactdocuments theto Pakistanireturn authorities.to the UK.

ReadIf ourany consularmembers informationof disclaimer.