Pakistan: immigration

How many refugees are there in Pakistan?

Pakistan hosted 1,159,038 refugees and 119,502 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, down from 1,560,480 refugees a year earlier, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. UNHCR also counted 558,359 refugees who returned to their home country during 2025. Almost all refugees in Pakistan come from Afghanistan.

UNHCR counts registered refugees, mainly holders of Proof of Registration cards, plus others it recognises. Afghans without registration are counted separately as other people in need of international protection (140,558) or not at all, so totals of Afghans living in Pakistan vary by source. Large numbers returned to Afghanistan in 2024 and 2025.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder · UNHCR: population statistics API, Pakistan as host

How many Pakistanis go abroad to work each year?

The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment registered 762,499 Pakistani workers for jobs abroad in 2025, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26. In August 2026 it registered 27,656 workers, according to the Finance Division's September 2026 economic update.

Registration with the Bureau is required for workers who go abroad through licensed overseas employment promoters or direct employment, so the figure counts new departures for work, not the total number of Pakistanis living abroad. Most go to Gulf states. By March 2026 the ministry had 2,697 licensed overseas employment promoters.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Highlights · Finance Division: Monthly Economic Update, September 2026

How much money do overseas Pakistanis send home?

Workers' remittances to Pakistan were US$41.6 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, according to State Bank of Pakistan figures in the Finance Division's September 2026 economic update. In July and August 2026 they reached US$7.29 billion, 14.7% more than a year earlier.

Remittances are money sent home through banks and other formal channels by Pakistanis working abroad; transfers through informal hawala channels are not counted. They are larger than Pakistan's goods exports (US$30.8 billion in 2025-26) and cover most of the trade deficit. The State Bank publishes country-by-country figures each month; Saudi Arabia and the UAE are usually the largest sources.

Official sources: Finance Division: Monthly Economic Update, September 2026

How many Pakistanis seek asylum abroad?

65,066 asylum seekers from Pakistan had claims pending around the world at the end of 2025, and 90,497 Pakistanis were recognised as refugees in other countries, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. At the end of 2024 the figures were 82,958 and 86,285.

Asylum seekers are people whose claims have not yet been decided; refugees are those whose claims were accepted or who are recognised on a group basis. UNHCR compiles the totals from government and UNHCR data in each host country. New applications in a single year, which countries such as the UK publish, are a different measure from the stock of pending claims.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder · UNHCR: population statistics API, Pakistan as origin

How do I apply for a Pakistan visa?

Foreign visitors apply for Pakistani visas online through the Pakistan Online Visa System run for the Ministry of Interior. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, which handles visas, citizenship and passports, links to the system from its website. The visa site blocked automated checks on 15 October 2026, so visa categories and fees are not quoted here.

Applicants choose a visa type, such as tourist, business or family visit, upload documents and pay online. The government's list of countries eligible for visa on arrival or electronic travel authorisation is published on the visa portal and changes from time to time, so check it before travelling.

Official sources: Pakistan Online Visa System · Directorate General of Immigration and Passports

How many immigrants live in Pakistan?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Pakistan was 1.7%, according to the UN Population Division. It was 1.6% in 2015. It is 15th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 11.5%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 136th highest.

Are more people leaving Pakistan than arriving?

In 2025, net migration in Pakistan was -1.24 million, according to the UN Population Division. The peak was 576,349 in 2007 and the low -2.29 million in 2016. It is 22nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -376. World rank, highest first: 193rd of 193.

How many refugees does Pakistan host?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 1.16 million. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.04 million (2006) to 2.04 million (2007). It is 1st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 15,377. World rank, highest first: 6th of 169.

How many refugees come from Pakistan?

90,497: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Pakistan for 2025, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 335,947; its low point was 2006, at 25,636. It is 5th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 7,322. World rank, highest first: 28th of 189.

How much are remittances to Pakistan?

9.9% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Pakistan for 2025, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 0.6% of GDP, and Pakistan placed 2nd highest of 11. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 17th highest.