Pakistan Work Visa 2027: Employer Sponsorship, BOI Work Permit, Documents & Full Process
The complete 2027 guide to the Pakistan Work Visa: employer driven, SECP registered sponsor, Board of Investment work permit, every document, fees, the full process, and extensions up to 2 years. No detail left out.
If you have secured a job in Pakistan, the Work Visa is your route to legal employment. It is important to understand this is an employer driven visa: your sponsoring company must be registered with the SECP and FBR, and you need a work permit from the Board of Investment. This is the most complete 2027 guide, covering every requirement, the extensive document list, fees, and the exact process.
What Is the Pakistan Work Visa?
The Work Visa is for foreign nationals taking up paid employment in Pakistan. Here is exactly what defines it:
- Purpose: legal, paid employment with a Pakistan registered employer.
- Employer driven: your sponsoring company initiates and drives the process.
- Entry visa: up to 3 months (single entry) to enter and begin employment.
- Extension: up to 2 years (multiple entries), renewable yearly.
- Requires a work permit: issued by the Board of Investment (BOI) or provincial government.
Who Can Apply for a Work Visa?
You can apply if all of the following are true:
- You have a valid job offer: from a Pakistan registered employer.
- Your employer is SECP registered: and has an FBR NTN (National Tax Number).
- You meet the role’s requirements: the job requires foreign expertise not readily available locally.
- You hold a valid passport: 6+ months’ validity.
Employer Requirements (Critical)
The Work Visa is employer driven, so your sponsor must meet strict criteria. Your employer must be:
- SECP registered: registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
- FBR NTN holder: with a valid National Tax Number from the Federal Board of Revenue.
- Able to justify the hire: demonstrating the role requires foreign expertise not available locally.
- Able to apply for the work permit: through the Board of Investment (BOI) or provincial authorities.
- Clear on terms: salary and employment terms stated in the visa application.
All Documents Required for a Work Visa
The Work Visa needs an extensive document set, mostly from your employer. You will typically need every item below:
- Passport & photograph: 6+ months’ validity, meeting photo specs.
- Employment agreement: between the company and you.
- BOI recommendation letter: from the Board of Investment.
- Sponsor contact details: of your employer.
- Your CV: and a covering letter on the company’s letterhead.
- Company profile: and SECP registration letter.
- FBR NTN certificate: of the company.
- Undertaking on letterhead: for CPEC/government approved projects.
- Letter from the concerned Pakistani department/ministry: where applicable.
- Previous BOI/MOI recommendation: if applicable (for renewals).
The Board of Investment (BOI) Work Permit
The BOI work permit is a core requirement. Here is exactly how it fits:
- Separate from the visa: the work permit and the visa are two linked requirements.
- Employer applies: your sponsoring company applies to the BOI (or provincial government).
- Justifies the hire: the employer shows the role needs foreign expertise not available locally.
- Enables the visa: the BOI recommendation supports your Work Visa application.
Work Visa Fees & Validity
Here is the full 2027 fee and validity picture:
Pakistan Work Visa, Fees & Validity
Step by Step: How to Apply for a Work Visa
The Work Visa is employer driven. Here is the full process, step by step:
Secure a job offer & employment agreement
Get a valid job offer and signed employment agreement from a SECP registered employer.
Employer obtains the BOI work permit
Your employer applies to the Board of Investment (or provincial authority) for your work permit, justifying the hire.
Employer prepares the documents
Company profile, SECP registration, FBR NTN, BOI recommendation, and covering letters.
Create your account & apply online
Register at visa.nadra.gov.pk (Google account + 2FA), select the Work category, and fill the form.
Upload documents & pay
Upload the full document set and pay the fee by Visa/Mastercard.
Submit & track
Submit and track; processing is typically 2 to 8 weeks depending on nationality and documents. Respond to any review request within 7 days.
Download your Visa Grant Notice
On approval, download and print a colour copy, then travel and begin employment.
Employer paperwork holding up your job?
The Work Visa lives or dies on employer documents and the BOI work permit. Westside Visa guides both you and your employer through every step.
CPEC & Government Project Employment
If your role is on a CPEC or government approved project, extra rules apply:
- Undertaking on letterhead: an undertaking from the company on its official letterhead.
- Department/ministry letter: a letter from the concerned Pakistani government department or ministry.
- Additional scrutiny: government project roles may involve extra checks.
- We coordinate: the additional documents with your employer.
Extending Your Work Visa
Your employment may run longer than your initial visa. Here is how extensions work:
- Extend to 2 years: multiple entries, while your employment continues.
- Renewable yearly: subject to approval and continued employment.
- Apply before expiry: start the extension in good time.
- Employer support: extensions remain employer driven and may need a fresh BOI recommendation.
Common Work Visa Refusal Reasons (and How to Avoid Them)
Most refusals are avoidable. Fix these before you apply:
Employer not SECP registered
If your sponsor is not properly registered with SECP and FBR, the visa is refused.
Fix it: Ensure your employer is SECP registered with a valid FBR NTN.
Missing BOI work permit
No work permit from the Board of Investment means no work visa.
Fix it: Have your employer secure the BOI work permit and recommendation.
Hire not justified
If the employer cannot justify hiring a foreigner over a local, refusal follows.
Fix it: Employer must demonstrate the role needs foreign expertise not available locally.
Incomplete employer documents
Missing company profile, NTN, or employment agreement stalls the application.
Fix it: Prepare the full employer document set before applying.
Working on the wrong visa
Being found working on a tourist/business visa causes serious penalties.
Fix it: Only work on a proper Work Visa, never on another category.
Passport detail mismatch
Details differing from your passport raise red flags.
Fix it: Enter every detail exactly as in your passport.
Quick Facts: Pakistan Work Visa 2027
Pakistan Work Visa: Key Facts
How Westside Visa Helps You With the Work Visa
Here is the honest truth: the Work Visa is the most document heavy Pakistan visa, and it is employer driven, meaning success depends on your sponsoring company being properly registered (SECP + FBR), securing the BOI work permit, and preparing an extensive document set correctly. Coordinating all of this between you and your employer is exactly where things get delayed, and where we make the difference.
At Westside Visa, our consultants in DHA Lahore help you with your Pakistan Work Visa for 2027. We help you:
- Guide your employer: through SECP/FBR verification and the BOI work permit.
- Prepare the full document set: employment agreement, company profile, NTN, recommendations.
- Handle CPEC/government projects: the extra undertakings and ministry letters.
- Apply correctly: registration, 2FA, form, and secure payment on the official portal.
- Avoid refusals: ensuring the hire is justified and documents complete.
- Manage extensions: yearly renewals up to 2 years.
We coordinate the whole employer driven process, so your job in Pakistan starts on time and on solid legal ground. Think of us as your teammate, honest, responsive, and fully on your side.
Ready to work in Pakistan in 2027?
Let Westside Visa guide you and your employer through the Work Visa, BOI permit, documents, and a refusal proof application. Book your free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Pakistan work visa? +
The Work Visa is employer driven. First, secure a job offer and employment agreement from a SECP registered employer (with FBR NTN). Your employer obtains a work permit from the Board of Investment (BOI) and prepares the company documents. Then you apply online at visa.nadra.gov.pk (Google account + 2FA), select the Work category, fill the form, upload the full document set, pay by Visa/Mastercard, and submit. On approval you download your Visa Grant Notice.
How long is a Pakistan work visa valid? +
The entry work visa is granted for up to 3 months (single entry) to enter and begin employment. It can then be extended to up to 2 years with multiple entries, renewable yearly while your employment continues. Extensions remain employer driven and subject to approval, so apply in good time before your current visa expires.
Do I need a work permit for Pakistan? +
Yes. In addition to the Work Visa, you need a work permit issued by the Board of Investment (BOI) or provincial government. Your employer applies for this and must justify hiring a foreign worker over a local candidate. The BOI recommendation supports your visa application, they are two linked requirements. We guide your employer through both.
What are the employer requirements for a Pakistan work visa? +
Your sponsoring employer must be registered with the SECP (Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan) and have a valid FBR National Tax Number. They must justify hiring a foreigner over a local candidate, apply for your BOI work permit, and provide extensive documents (company profile, SECP registration, FBR NTN, employment agreement, BOI recommendation, and covering letters). For CPEC/government projects, extra undertakings apply.
How long does a Pakistan work visa take to process? +
The entry work visa typically takes around 2 to 8 weeks, depending on your nationality and how complete the employer documents are. The bigger time factor is usually the employer securing the BOI work permit and preparing all the paperwork beforehand. Starting early and getting the documents right the first time is the fastest route, which is exactly what we help with.
Can I work in Pakistan on a business or tourist visa? +
No, absolutely not. Only the Work Visa permits paid employment. Working on a tourist or business visa breaches the Foreigners Act 1946 and can lead to serious penalties including deportation and blacklisting (which affects future applications). If you are taking up a job, you must have a proper Work Visa sponsored by a registered employer, plus the BOI work permit.
Can I extend my Pakistan work visa inside the country? +
Yes. An entry work visa of up to 3 months can be extended inside Pakistan for up to 2 years with multiple entries, while your employment continues, renewable yearly subject to approval. Extensions remain employer driven and may require a fresh BOI recommendation. Apply before your current visa expires to avoid any gap. We help you and your employer manage the renewal.
Does Westside Visa help with the work visa? +
Yes, this is one of the most complex visas, and we help you and your employer through all of it: verifying SECP/FBR registration, securing the BOI work permit, preparing the full document set, handling CPEC/government project extras, applying correctly on the official portal, avoiding refusals, and managing yearly extensions. Contact us to get started.
Explore More Pakistan Visa Guides
- Pakistan Online Visa (main guide): all categories, fees, and rules.
- Contact Westside Visa: book your free consultation.
Disclaimer: This page is an independent informational guide by Westside Visa and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, NADRA or the Government of Pakistan. All Pakistan visa applications must be submitted through the official portal at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Visa categories, fees, validity, processing times, visa on arrival eligibility, and requirements change frequently and vary by nationality, and were correct at the time of writing for 2027. Issuance of a visa is the prerogative of the Government of Pakistan. Always confirm current rules on the official portal before booking travel, and seek personalised guidance from Westside Visa.
