Pakistan sees annual exodus of 0.8m workers seeking jobs abroad on protected visas

Around 13.7 million Pakistanis have been registered with BE&OE

Web Desk

23 Aug, 2024

Business & Economy

Approximately 0.8 million Pakistanis travel abroad each year to seek and obtain jobs in different countries, using valid protected work visas issued by the Protectorate of Emigrants.

According to an official source from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Overseas Pakistanis who have traveled abroad after March 23, 1979, on valid protected work visas issued by the Protectorate of Emigrants, Bureau of Emigrations & Overseas Employment (BE&OE), and Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC), are automatically registered with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) and can access its services.

So far, around 13.7 million Pakistanis have been registered with BE&OE, and 250,000 membership cards have been issued to Overseas Pakistanis.

Overseas Pakistanis who are not registered with OPF can do so voluntarily by paying a one-time fee of Rs. 4,000 and meeting the standard terms and conditions.

There are two categories for OPF membership: Compulsory Category I for those registered with the Protectorate of Emigrants and proceeded abroad, and Voluntary Category II for those who have been abroad for at least a year but are not registered with the Protectorate of Emigrants. This category includes indefinite stay abroad, valid work/employment visa holders, students (male/female) aged 18 and above, and dual nationality holders (Pakistani and any other nationality).

Certain individuals are not eligible for OPF membership, such as those holding passports with valid visas but have not traveled abroad, holders of any kind of visit visa, those traveling for Hajj, Umrah, pilgrimage, or medical treatment, and illegal emigrants (until they legalize their status according to the host country’s laws).

The process for obtaining a duplicate OPF membership card includes submitting a filled and signed application form, providing photocopies of a valid visa/Iqama (Resident Permit), passport, and CNIC/NICOP, and paying a service charge of Rs1,000 through an Askari Bank online account. The OPF membership card is valid for 5 years.

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