Business-Investor Visa

Pakistan's Business-Investor Visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visa for foreign nationals who invest capital in the country. Administered by NADRA through the Pakistan Online Visa System, it targets investors, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs who want to establish businesses, invest in companies or real estate, or hold foreign currency accounts in Pakistan. Unlike the standard Business Visa — which needs only a chamber of commerce recommendation or invitation letter — this category requires proof of substantive financial investment.

The visa is issued 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 documented 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 a company or partnership 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, existing business letter, or BOI/Commercial Attaché recommendation 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 (property ownership documents, company registration records, bank statements showing a foreign currency account balance, or a BOI recommendation)
• For short-term visas: chamber of commerce recommendation, business organisation invitation, existing business letter, or BOI/Commercial Attaché recommendation
• For extensions: valid Pakistani visa and proof of entry stamp

The visa is a multiple-entry permit valid for 1, 3, or 5 years. Long-term holders may apply for 2-year multiple-entry extensions through the Pakistan Online Visa System while in Pakistan on a valid visa, with 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 under 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, and are encouraged to register with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Property owners face 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 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 the 96 Business Visa List (BVL) countries: short-term Business Short Term visas via ETA within 24 hours; 5-year visa within 7–10 working days; extensions within 2 weeks
• Non-BVL 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, and applications are automatically cancelled if not resubmitted within 7 days. Upon arrival, foreign nationals must register with the Registration Officer under the Foreigners Order, 1951.