Pakistan
Effective immediately, employers must submit all Work Visa applications through an online portal recently launched by the Board of Investment (BOI). Registration with the portal is free of charge, and employers must obtain log-in credentials to be able to submit and track Work Visa applications. Manual applications are no longer accepted.
All documentary requirements must be uploaded in a format specified by the system (PDF or JPEG) and then submitted in original form to the BOI as soon as possible. Government processing fees must be paid at a branch of the National Bank of Pakistan as soon as possible, as the online portal does not yet facilitate electronic payment processing. Failure to submit documents in original form or to pay the government processing fees may result in processing delays.
Status updates will be sent automatically to the registered mobile number and e-mail address provided upon registration.
Background
Work Visa applications in Pakistan are managed by the BOI, which interfaces with the Ministry of Interior for approvals. Previously, employers had to submit Work Visa applications, along with the documentary requirements in original form, manually to the BOI, which then transferred the applications to the Ministry of Interior for approval.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers are now required to submit and track all Work Visa applications through an online portal. Manual filings are no longer accepted.
Fragomen can assist with the registration process and obtaining log-in credentials for the BOI’s online portal. We will continue to monitor the developments and will provide further updates as new information is released.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected] .
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