Business-Investor Visa

Pakistan's Business-Investor Visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visa for foreign nationals who invest capital in Pakistan. Administered by NADRA through the Pakistan Online Visa System, it targets investors, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs seeking to establish businesses, invest in companies or real estate, or hold foreign currency accounts in Pakistan. The visa framework is governed by the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Foreigners Order, 1951, with the Ministry of Interior overseeing policy.

The visa comes in three tiers: 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year (all multiple entry). The 5-year long-term visa and its 2-year extensions require proof of substantive investment and are the focus of this programme.

For the long-term 5-year visa and extensions, applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Ownership of real estate in Pakistan worth more than USD 100,000
• Investment in companies or partnerships registered in Pakistan of at least USD 50,000
• Balance in one or more foreign currency accounts in Pakistan of at least USD 50,000
• Any other form of investment of at least USD 50,000
• A recommendation from the Board of Investment (BOI)

Short-term visas (1 and 3 year) do not require investment proof — a chamber of commerce recommendation, business organisation invitation, or BOI/Commercial Attaché letter suffices.

• Valid passport
• Colour photograph
• Proof of legal residence (if applying from a third country)
• For the long-term (5-year) visa and extensions: documentary proof of qualifying investment (e.g., property ownership documents, company registration records, bank statements showing foreign currency account balance, or BOI recommendation)
• For short-term visas: chamber of commerce recommendation, business organisation invitation, or BOI/Commercial Attaché recommendation
• For extensions: valid Pakistani visa and proof of entry stamp

The visa is issued as a multiple-entry permit for 1, 3, or 5 years. Long-term visa holders may apply for 2-year multiple-entry extensions through the Pakistan Online Visa System while in Pakistan on a valid visa. There is no specific limit on the number of extensions. The visa does not confer permanent residency.

The Business-Investor Visa has no specific provision for including dependants. Spouses and children must apply separately for their own visa category (such as a Family Visit Visa).

Non-residents present in Pakistan for fewer than 183 days in a tax year are taxed only on Pakistan-source income. Residents are subject to progressive income tax rates of 5% to 35% on worldwide income. Investors are encouraged to register with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for tax purposes. Property owners are subject to withholding tax on transfers under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. Pakistan has double taxation treaties with over 60 countries.

All applications are submitted online via the Pakistan Online Visa System at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Applicants create an account, select the Business-Investor Visa category, choose "Entry" (new visa) or "Extension" (for existing holders), complete the application form, upload documents, and pay fees online.

Application fees:

• Single entry: USD 100
• Multiple entry (up to 1 year): USD 150
• Multiple entry (over 1 year): USD 200
• Additional charges: 10% PCW&E, 10% FIGOB, USD 8 NADRA services charge, and 2.2% bank fee

Processing times:

• Nationals of BVL countries (96 countries): short-term visas within 24 hours; 5-year visa within 10 days; extensions within 2 weeks
• Non-BVL country nationals and Afghan nationals: all entry visas within 4 weeks; extensions within 2 weeks

If an application is returned for review, the processing timeline restarts. Applications are automatically cancelled if not resubmitted within 7 days of being returned.

Upon arrival, foreign nationals must register with the Registration Officer under the Foreigners Order, 1951.