VISA ATLASWork visas & talent mobility
From→ToFind a corridor EN
☰

Pakistan

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
115,691
Top destination, 2023
Italy
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
89,018
UK visas issued, 2025
149,746
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
44.8%
NationalityPKISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<PKPAKISTAN<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PK5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Pakistan need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Pakistan move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Italy20,402
  2. Spain18,175
  3. Germany14,432
  4. Canada11,860
  5. United States11,410
  6. Australia7,521
  7. Portugal6,869
  8. Japan3,831
  9. South Korea3,417
  10. Türkiye2,770
  11. Sweden2,383
  12. France1,964
  13. Netherlands1,929
  14. Finland1,433
  15. New Zealand1,404

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

58k116k200020032006200920122015201820212023
58k116k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200044,525
200149,229
200242,046
200338,753
200453,756
200559,350
200653,947
200748,446
200856,007
200956,910
201066,364
201159,916
201283,809
201372,363
201479,630
201599,520
201696,094
201792,316
201891,681
201997,609
202058,935
202188,586
2022102,632
2023115,691
Share going to the top destination
17.6%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Pakistan who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Saudi Arabia1,937,044
  2. United Arab Emirates932,356
  3. India768,138
  4. United Kingdom703,309
  5. United States452,748
  6. Kuwait362,255
  7. Oman280,339
  8. Canada266,682
  9. Qatar247,227
  10. Italy158,436
  11. Australia127,340
  12. Spain126,260

Living abroad by year

3.46M6.92M19901995200020052010201520202024
3.46M6.92M19902000201020202024
Data table
19903,131,865
19953,116,501
20003,272,459
20053,715,061
20104,684,523
20156,190,815
20206,372,467
20246,915,057
Living abroad, 2024
6,915,057
Change since 2000
+111.3%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
28.0%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Pakistan by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B273,949
  2. F14,191
  3. J11,866
  4. H41,544
  5. H1B1,540
  6. A2843
  7. J2767
  8. F2646
  9. L2582
  10. K1460

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

62k124k201720182019202020212022202320242025
62k124k20172019202120232025
Data table
201732,884
201857,662
201957,955
202034,876
202120,830
202272,417
2023108,247
2024124,198
202589,018
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR16,464
  2. F45,794
  3. IR55,543
  4. E21,083
  5. F31,058
  6. IR21,038
  7. FX356
  8. E3260
Immigrant visas, FY2025
22,995
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
1,227
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Pakistan who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Pakistan with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

12k23k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
12k23k201520172019202120232024
Data table
201518,060
201619,310
201717,410
201815,800
201913,920
202010,470
20219,690
202211,780
202311,110
202423,310
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Family-sponsored preferences10,680
  2. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens9,480
  3. Employment-based preferences2,320
  4. Refugees and asylees660
  5. Other classes160
  6. Diversity visa lottery10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)3,710
  2. Spouses and children3,220
  3. Intracompany transferees (L-1)1,290
  4. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)360
  5. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)330
  6. Other temporary workers190
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Pakistan)
23,310
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Pakistan)
12,380
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
151,640
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Pakistan (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Pakistan (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor91,741
  2. Study32,737
  3. Work14,719
  4. Family8,973
  5. Other1,576

Visas issued by year

99k197k201020122014201620182020202220242025
99k197k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201096,452
2011124,808
201282,596
201379,413
201476,101
201562,811
201659,800
201777,323
201889,146
2019100,891
202043,759
202165,805
2022143,035
2023197,407
2024178,102
2025149,746
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
48,305
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Pakistan, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20254352,8903,4358,875920
20248303,5604,01011,9701,665
20238103,7904,85511,8552,005
20223501,9404,05011,600740
20211451,7603,4458,4751,490
20201301,3201,7006,2252,005
20191351,5552,23510,8002,120
20181251,5052,1509,4852,460
2017951,5552,1457,6552,575
20161451,7102,73511,350675
2015701,2602,42511,300380
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Pakistan, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

7181,4352005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
7181,4352005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–06135
2006–07206
2007–08220
2008–09227
2009–10161
2010–11280
2011–12363
2012–13439
2013–14402
2014–15441
2015–16320
2016–17276
2017–18210
2018–19253
2019–20155
2020–21138
2021–22313
2022–23492
2023–24576
2024–25870
2025–261,435
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills1,115
  2. Specialist Skills179
  3. Labour Agreement78
  4. Medium-term42
  5. Short-term21
Granted, 2025–26
1,435
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
2.1%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Pakistan living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

17k35k2012201420162018202220242025
17k35k2012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201210,599
201311,124
201411,802
201512,708
201613,752
201715,069
201816,198
201917,766
202222,118
202325,334
202429,647
202534,911
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Dependent9,211
  2. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services7,860
  3. Permanent Resident5,616
  4. Business Manager3,014
  5. Student2,647
  6. Long-Term Resident2,130
  7. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident1,376
  8. Spouse or Child of Japanese National1,180
  9. Designated Activities978
  10. Skilled Labor316
Residents, December 2025
34,911
In work-related statuses
11,756
Share in work-related statuses
33.7%
Students
2,647
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Pakistan

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Pakistan, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Germany20,57014,0106,49131.6%
Spain15,3965,1086,68643.4%
Netherlands10,1584,7415,00549.3%
France7,6944,3403,12340.6%
Belgium4,7831,8152,88860.4%
Denmark3,9638102,98875.4%
Austria3,6045803,01183.5%
Italy3,4332,0491,08931.7%
Switzerland3,1021,9031,08434.9%
Portugal1,71789474943.6%
Hungary1,17254562753.5%
Greece79424253967.9%
Poland57316540670.9%
Romania46823422848.7%
Czechia42632510023.5%

Applications by year

45k89k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
45k89k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200947,187
201051,233
201158,976
201254,617
201351,337
201460,125
201570,280
201672,911
201780,807
201889,256
201988,782
202018,545
202126,392
202276,080
202386,698
202478,362
Refusal rate, 2024
44.8%
Refusal rate, 2019
35.4%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Pakistan in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Family34,850
  2. Work26,111
  3. Other reasons20,477
  4. Education18,349
First permits by country
  1. Italy25,257
  2. Portugal15,656
  3. Germany13,567
  4. Spain10,679
  5. Sweden5,262
  6. France3,070
  7. Ireland2,930
  8. Cyprus2,569
  9. Netherlands2,358
  10. Greece2,205
  11. Finland2,199
  12. Lithuania2,142
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card632
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)1,118
  3. Researchers577
  4. Other paid activities23,784
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
1,870
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
24,001
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
27,683
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
1,140
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
593,980
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
24,185
Changed status into work, 2025
9,668
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
18
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
8,240
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Pakistan in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20251,9543551,383177039
Sweden20253,2341035481,09301,490
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20251,642931,549
Austria20251,037417620
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark355
  2. Sweden103
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Pakistan living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Family reasons23,650
  2. Permanent residence title16,395
  3. Application for a residence title pending14,890
  4. International law, humanitarian or political reasons10,880
  5. Education and training9,240
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted7,805
  7. Employment6,205
  8. Special residence rights and national visas4,715
  9. Tolerated stay (Duldung)3,170
  10. EU free movement2,870
  11. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure2,785

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

51k103k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
51k103k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201446,569
201561,720
201673,790
201773,000
201873,975
201975,495
202075,355
202178,355
202284,250
202391,425
202496,920
2025102,615
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
102,620
With a residence title for employment
6,205
Permanent residence title
16,395
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Pakistan, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

12k24k2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
12k24k201620182020202220242025
Data table
201615,585
201715,082
201813,355
201911,204
20207,925
202114,759
202220,094
202321,789
202417,217
202523,998
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Asylum and protection10,862
  2. Family10,026
  3. Study1,814
  4. Work861
  5. Other reasons435
New permits, 2025
23,998
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
180,562
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
61,701
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Pakistan

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Pakistan, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan1—1
Albania——1
Algeria1——
Argentina1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Bahrain1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Bulgaria1——
China12—
Czechia1——
Finland1——
France11—
Germany11—
Greece1——
Indonesia11—
Italy1——
Japan11—
Jordan1——
Malaysia11—
Morocco1——
Nepal1——
Netherlands1——
North Korea11—
Norway1——
Palestine1——
Poland1——
Portugal1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Tajikistan1——
Tunisia1——
Turkmenistan1——
Türkiye12—
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1—1
United Kingdom——1
United States—3—
Countries
47
Missions
61
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Pakistan, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

20k40k2000200320062009201220152018202120242025
20k40k200020052010201520202025
Data table
20001,075
20011,461
20023,554
20033,964
20043,945
20054,280
20065,121
20075,998
20087,039
20098,717
20109,690
201112,263
201214,007
201314,629
201417,244
201519,306
201619,819
201719,856
201821,193
201922,252
202026,089
202131,312
202230,176
202326,558
202434,914
202540,478
Remittances received, 2025
US$40,478 million
Share of GDP, 2025
9.9%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Pakistan, 2023
2.1%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Pakistan

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Pakistan → Italy
  • Pakistan → Spain
  • Pakistan → United States
  • Pakistan → Germany
  • Pakistan → Canada
  • Pakistan → Australia
  • Pakistan → Portugal
  • Pakistan → Japan
  • Pakistan → South Korea
  • Pakistan → Türkiye
  • Pakistan → Sweden
  • Pakistan → Netherlands
  • Pakistan → France
  • Pakistan → Finland
  • Pakistan → New Zealand
  • Pakistan → Austria
  • Pakistan → Belgium
  • Pakistan → Norway
  • Pakistan → Denmark
  • Pakistan → Hungary
  • Pakistan → Lithuania
  • Pakistan → Greece
  • Pakistan → Poland
  • Pakistan → Romania
  • Pakistan → United Kingdom
  • Pakistan → Malta
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more