Last Updated on: 21st February 2024, 07:15 am
Visa protection is an essential requirement for Pakistanis traveling abroad on work visas. The Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment operates protector offices in various cities where officials endorse passports upon completing the mandatory registration process.
Leaving the country without visa protection is not an option. Following the biometric process, individuals become registered Pakistani immigrants, making them eligible for government benefits. OPF membership and life insurance are particularly advantageous for visa-protected Pakistani workers.
Getting a Visa Protector in Pakistan in 2024:
There are two avenues for obtaining a work visa in Pakistan: directly from a foreign company or through an authorized overseas employment promoter. Regardless of the path, the following steps must be followed to acquire a visa protector. You can also check the UAE Work Permit for Employers Complete Guide.
Step 1: Online Registration
If you have a direct visa, initiate the online protector registration process by visiting this link. Upon submission, the system generates a tracking number, also known as an online protector.
Alternatively, overseas employment promoters provide this registration tracking number to their clients.
Step 2: Visit the Nearest Protector Office
In the next step, visit the nearest Protector Office, details of which can be found in the list below:
- Visa Protector Office Lahore: [117-G Block, Model Town Lahore. Tel: +92-42-99230338, +92-42-35917048 Fax: +92-42-99230492]
- Visa Protector Office Rawalpindi: [Meridian Mall, 1st Floor, Main Murree Road, Rehmanabad Metro Bus Stop, Rawalpindi Tel: +92-51-9290439, +92-51-9290543 Fax: +92-51-9290442]
- Protector Office Multan: [Address: H.No. 338, Naqash band colony, Street FIA Wali, Chowk Rasheed abad, Multan Tel: +92-61-9330438, 92-61-9330439, Fax: +92-61-9330437]
- Protector Office Sialkot: [Protector Office Sialkot Address: Haji Pura, Main Daska Road Sialkot]
- Protector Office Karachi: [Address: 14-J, Block No.6, Near KFC, Nursery, PECHS, Karachi Tel: +92-21-345431941, +92-21-34398711 Fax: +92-21-34531940]
- Protector Office Peshawar: [Canal Road, Sikandar Town, Opposite Gulbahar Police Station, GT Road, Peshawar Tel: +92-91-2584426, +92-91-2584500, Fax: +92-91-2584464]
- Protector Office Malakand: [Address: 2nd Floor, Gul City Center, Totakan road, Batkhela, Malakand. Tel: +92-932-411483, Fax: +92-932-414783]
- Protector Office Quetta: [Address: Bangalow No: B-113, Arbab Afzal Banglows, Opposite Superintendent of Police Traffic, Spinney Road, Quetta]
Step 3: What Documents are Required for Visa Protector in Pakistan
Attend your area’s Protector Office at 08:30 am with the following documents:
- Online protector registration request tracking number
- Original Passport with a valid work visa
- Job agreement
- Copy of Passport FrontPage and all Visas stamped
- NADRA ID card and NICOP
- Affidavit/bayan e halfi
- Siblings CNIC and its copy
- Police clearance certificate copy
- Medical fitness certificate from an authorized hospital/clinic
- State Life insurance policy (issued at the Protector Office)
- Receipts of visa protector fee (deposited in NBP at the visa protector office premises)
Visa Protector Fees in Pakistan:
- OPF: Rs. 2000 UBL Bank Draft
- Insurance fee: Rs. 2500 UBL Bank Draft
- Protector fee QR: 153 in Doha Bank Embassy Branch
- State life insurance fee: Rs 2500 (included in total fees)
Visa Protector fee for UAE: Rs. 7200 (same as for any other country)
You can also check the UK Free Work Visa for Pakistanis.
Step 4: Token and Waiting
Upon entering the Visa Protector Office, receive a token and wait for your turn.
Step 5: Biometric Verification
Proceed to the first counter for biometric verification and then to the second for computerized registration.
Step 6: Briefing and Benefits
Enter a hall where officials will brief you and other applicants about legal rights and responsibilities while abroad. The benefits of visa protection will also be discussed.
Step 7: Fee Submission and Document Collection
Deposit fees at the bank on the office premises and submit all documents at the prescribed window. You’ll be informed of the time to collect your stamped passport on the same day.