Naturalisation (Naturalization Act 1926 + Section 9 Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951) and Section 20 registration
Foreigners who have lived in Pakistan for a long time can first get a certificate of naturalisation under the Naturalization Act 1926. They can then apply to be registered as a citizen of Pakistan by naturalisation under Section 9 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951. The 1926 Act requires 12 months' residence just before applying, plus at least 4 years' residence in the 7 years before that. Separately, Commonwealth citizens who transfer Rs.5 million in foreign exchange to Pakistan can apply under Section 20.
1 entry rule for Pakistan based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Directorate of Central Health Establishments (Pakistan): Yellow fever Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Pakistan
Money
3
Currency
Pakistani Rupee
PKR
Pakistani Rupee
Cost of living
23
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
1–35%
Income tax (national)
Sales tax 18%
Salaried individuals: income up to PKR 600,000 exempt, 35% above PKR 7 million (Finance Act 2026); non-salaried rates go up to 45%.
Living
1
Happiness
#102 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Adult foreigners with long legal residence in Pakistan, including foreign husbands of Pakistani women. Section 20 is for Commonwealth citizens who transfer Rs.5 million.
Eligibility
Adult
The applicant must not be a minor. The Naturalization Act defines a minor as someone under twenty-one years.
Residence
Resided in Pakistan throughout the twelve months immediately before the application, and during the seven years before that, resided in Pakistan for an aggregate of not less than four years (s.3(1)(c), Naturalization Act 1926).
Good character
The applicant must be of good character.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLanguage
- Document checklistApplication for certificate of naturalisation with affidavit
- FeesNaturalisation certificate (Naturalization Act 1926)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 4 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 4 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Pakistan
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Pakistan
- Visit & tourismTourist / visit visa
- StudyStudy / student visa
- Work permitsWork visa
- FamilyFamily visit visa for foreigners of Pakistani origin and their spouses/children
- Investors & entrepreneursBusiness visa (up to 5 years multiple entry) and business visa on arrival
- CitizenshipCitizenship by registration for foreign wives of Pakistani citizens (Section 10(2), Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951)
