Pakistan
Political uncertainties are likely to have an effect on recruitment; before travelling to Pakistan check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and follow the developing situation in the news.
Job seeking and business in general are largely done through face-to-face networking, introductions and personal contacts. Business cards are important and tend to be exchanged on first meeting. To boost your own existing contacts, participate in online forums for international students at UK universities. Family members and friends may also be able to help you establish contacts.
Multinational companies with vacancies in Pakistan are likely to use online application forms. Government and education jobs may also be advertised. Jobs in these areas usually require either a CV or an online application form.
CVs and cover letters, where used, follow much the same format as in the UK. Qualifications are of particular interest and should be prominent and detailed.
Interviews with domestic employers may take the form of business networking events. As with other types of business meeting, English is usually the language used. Selection procedures for large, multinational companies are likely to follow a mix of different recruitment methods including preliminary interviews and assessment centre activities.
UK universities and qualifications are generally highly regarded. The Higher Education Commission in Pakistan is responsible for the equivalence of degrees and diplomas from other countries.
If you are planning to live and work in Pakistan, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
These may be used for specific professions such as medicine. For such professions, you should be qualified and experienced before approaching the job market in this way. For a list of employment and job placement agencies, see Phonebook Pakistan .
National and local newspapers carry job advertisements, although these do not always appear in the online editions. UK newsagents in major cities and towns may carry print editions. Examples include:
Pakistan Jobs has details of vacancies, some in English, scanned from a range of Pakistani newspapers.
Face-to-face networking, introductions and personal contacts are vital when job seeking, especially when dealing with local employers. If you are living in Pakistan and have an educational background in the UK, the British Alumni Association Pakistan may provide a valuable networking opportunity.
Due to the current political uncertainties, check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before planning a trip to Pakistan and follow the developing situation in the news.
Formal work experience schemes are rare in Pakistan, especially among domestic employers. The best chance of arranging this for UK graduates is through networking and building up personal contacts.
Due to the security situation in Pakistan, volunteering opportunities are unlikely. For example, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) withdrew all their international volunteers from Pakistan in September 2009 due to the worsening security situation, although they remain committed to work in Pakistan. Visit their website for up-to-date information.
There are over 130 recognised universities and degree-awarding institutes (DAIs) in Pakistan, split between the private and public sector. A list is available on the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan website.
The qualifications framework is similar to that in the UK, with postgraduate courses available at Masters and Doctoral level.
Although courses are available in a wide range of subjects, there is especially strong provision in science, technical and engineering subject areas as well as business and finance. Courses are usually taught in English.
A list of recognised universities and degree-awarding institutes (DAIs), both public and private, in Pakistan can be found at the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan website.
For world university rankings and Asian university rankings, searchable by subject, check Top Universities .
The Higher Education Commission in Pakistan (HEC) is responsible for the equivalence of degrees and diplomas from other countries with regards to studying in Pakistan.
Currently there are two broad categories under which foreign students can apply to study in Pakistan:
For the self-finance scheme, students must submit their application form to the HEC. For the general scheme, students apply directly to the university they wish to study at. See the HEC website for full details.
Admission dates vary between universities so check individual university websites for details. Some universities advertise their course recruitment in national newspapers at particular times of the year.
Applications are often via an online application form. You may need to include the following information with your application:
Some courses, for example in science, technology, economics and MBAs, require successful completion of an entry test. See individual university websites for specific entry requirements.
Course and administration fees vary between institutions according to the type of course (e.g. Masters, PhD or MBA) and whether the institution is public or private. Fees can be charged per month or per semester, depending on the institution. Costs are generally much lower than in the UK. Overseas students may need to pay their fees in US dollars.
Other fees may include a one-off admission/application processing fee, a registration fee, refundable security deposit, exam fees and accommodation costs.
Scholarships are rarely available for UK nationals. Financial assistance is generally targeted at domestic students from poorer backgrounds and from other Asian and African countries, who make up the bulk of overseas students.
Despite the strong ties between the UK and Pakistan, formal student exchange programmes are rare and, where they do exist, greater emphasis is placed on allowing students from Pakistan to study in the UK. Check the international office at your university to see if any links exist with institutions in Pakistan.
Information about the equivalency of qualifications and skills from Pakistan to the UK’s national qualifications framework is provided by UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) .
Visas are required by all UK and EU nationals entering Pakistan, as well as a valid passport.
Within the UK, a visa can be obtained from the High Commission for Pakistan in the UK , which operates a helpline to answer questions. The website has basic information and the visa application form can be downloaded.
Tourist visas normally take five working days to process. Student and/or work visas can take up to three months to process. Visas are usually granted for work or study only, so those on a student visa will usually be unable to work at the same time. In both cases, an offer of a study place or job is required before you can apply for a visa.
All UK nationals visiting or resident in Pakistan are strongly advised to register with the consular section of the British High Commission in Pakistan .
If you are not a UK national, contact the Pakistani embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to the High Commission for Pakistan in the UK .
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Pakistan.
Work visas can be renewed on an annual basis once in Pakistan. UK citizens who can demonstrate a family link to Pakistan can gain citizenship on application. It is unusual for others, except for journalists, diplomats and entrepreneurs, to seek residency. Cases are dealt with on an individual basis by the Government of Pakistan Directorate General of Immigration and Passports . Regulations and the political situation are subject to change, so check with the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports at the time you wish to seek residency for up-to-date information.
A list of recognised universities and degree-awarding institutes (DAIs), both public and private, in Pakistan can be found on the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan website. Some universities will hold careers fairs and offer on-campus employment interviews and tests for various organisations. They may also provide job-seeking support in the form of networking events, employer talks, CV-writing workshops and interview skills seminars. Contact individual institutions to find out what careers support they provide.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) strongly advises that you have medical and travel insurance for your time in Pakistan. In the case of medical or other emergency, keep your insurer’s telephone details available at all times. It is also recommended that you register with the British High Commission in Pakistan on arrival.
Other emergency contact numbers in Pakistan include:
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
