Asia · S. Asia
Pakistan
Pakistan's north is becoming one of Asia's more interesting adventure destinations: the Hunza Valley, Skardu and the Karakoram are calmer and better prepared for visitors than the country's reputation suggests, and hospitality is generous. Safety is regional. The northern valleys, Islamabad and Lahore are comparatively calm, while areas near the Afghan border carry a real terrorism risk and should be avoided without specialist guidance. Internet is weak and patchy outside the major cities, social norms are conservative, and summer heat on the plains is intense. There is no nomad visa. This is a destination for the adventurous more than a mainstream base.
Nomad quick facts
$500/mo
$800/mo
18.2 Mbps
2.919 (#179 of 190)
Moderate
Oct–Apr
Not available
60.6 / 100
Score breakdown
Extremely low cost of living, generous hospitality, Karakoram and Hunza mountain scenery.
Security risk in border regions, weak internet, conservative social norms, intense summer heat on the plains, no nomad visa.
Cost of living in Pakistan
Pakistan offers exceptionally low everyday costs, particularly for accommodation, local food and transportation. Islamabad provides a relatively modern and orderly urban environment, while Lahore offers a larger and more energetic city with similarly inexpensive daily expenses. Higher-end housing and imported goods can cost considerably more, but local living remains very affordable by international standards.
Estimated monthly cost
Single
$500/mo
Couple
$800/mo
Cost score inputs
Livingcost
99/100
WB PLI
23.4
Score blends a nomad-realistic monthly cost estimate (built from livingcost.org data, adjusted for short-term nomad spending like furnished housing, coworking, and eating out) with the World Bank's Household Consumption Price Level Index, a broader cross-country cost benchmark. Countries without World Bank price-level data are scored on the livingcost estimate alone. Prices displayed in USD.
The nomad cost estimate reflects a realistic single/couple monthly budget, not a bare local cost of living — actual spending still varies with lifestyle and location within a country.
Sources: livingcost.org · World Bank Household Consumption Price Level Index · Independent nomad cost estimates
Internet in Pakistan
Pakistan has very low download speed but stronger upload capacity, meaning routine work is possible but large downloads and streaming can be slow; moderate latency can also add noticeable delay to live calls, with periodic connectivity disruptions an added concern.
Download speed
18.2 Mbps
Upload speed
30.0 Mbps
Latency
63.3 ms
Blends download speed (Ookla Speedtest Global Index) with upload speed and latency (Cloudflare Radar). Speeds are scored between 10 Mbps (0) and 200 Mbps (100); latency counts the opposite way — lower is better. A missing metric doesn't penalize a country, it's scored on whatever data is available.
A national average — city and neighbourhood speeds vary, especially outside major hubs.
Get an eSIM for arrival →Sources: Ookla Speedtest Global Index · Cloudflare Radar
Safety in Pakistan
Pakistan has a genuinely mixed safety picture: Islamabad, Lahore and the northern Hunza Valley are comparatively calm and increasingly popular with travelers, while the border regions near Afghanistan carry a real terrorism and security risk that should be avoided without specialist guidance.
Global safety rank
#179 of 190
Peace Index score
2.919 (lower = safer)
WJP Rule of Law rank
#143 of 143
WJP Rule of Law score
0.36 (higher = safer)
Gallup Law & Order rank
#64 of 119
Gallup Law & Order score
76 (higher = safer)
Blends three published safety indices: the Global Peace Index, the WJP Rule of Law Index (Order & Security factor), and the Gallup Global Law and Order Index. Places the Global Peace Index doesn't cover use our own estimate, based on regional peers and crime data. Each is rescaled 0-100 and combined with weights favoring GPI and Gallup slightly over WJP. Not every country is tracked by all three — the blend adjusts to whichever are available (weights are renormalized) rather than penalizing a country for a missing source, though a country tracked by fewer sources carries lower confidence.
As this is national average data, be aware that safety varies significantly by city and region within a country.
Get nomad insurance →Sources: Global Peace Index (Institute for Economics & Peace) · WJP Rule of Law Index (World Justice Project) · Gallup Global Law and Order Index
Tourism & infrastructure in Pakistan
The northern valleys of Hunza, Skardu, and Gilgit-Baltistan — surprisingly safe, welcoming, and among the world's greatest mountain scenery — are driving a genuine tourism revival, while Lahore offers Mughal monuments and legendary food. Security is uneven across the country, so checking current advisories region by region matters more here than in most places on this list.
Happiness rank
#104 of 147
Quality of life rank
#79 of 89
Tourism development rank
#102 of 119
English Proficiency Index
493.0 (51 out of 106)
Within-city transit
Moderate
Between-city transit
Moderate
Ranges from arid plains to alpine north; hot summers, a monsoon (Jul–Sep) and cool winters.
Best months: Oct–Apr
Pakistan's transit is improving in its big cities: Lahore has the Orange Line metro train and a Metrobus BRT, and Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi have BRT corridors, easing chronic congestion. Elsewhere rickshaws, minibuses and ride-hailing (Careem, InDrive) dominate. Intercity travel uses Pakistan Railways and comfortable coaches (Daewoo). Traffic and heat limit walkability.
A weighted blend of published indices: the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index (weighted highest — the strongest predictor of appeal), Numbeo's Quality of Life Index, the World Happiness Report, Gallup's day-to-day enjoyment data, the EF English Proficiency Index, and a public transit assessment covering both within-city and between-city transport. Not every country is scored on all six — the blend adjusts to whichever are available rather than penalizing a country for a missing one.
Sources: WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index · Numbeo Quality of Life Index · World Happiness Report · Gallup · EF English Proficiency Index · Public transit assessment
Pakistan visa and entry rules for digital nomads
Tourist entry — USA passport
E-Visa required — 90 days
Tourism Visa Note
Apply via the official Pakistan Online Visa System (visa.nadra.gov.pk) — roughly $60 USD for CAN/USA/UK, ~$35 USD for EU/Schengen passports. Processing takes 7-10 business days, so apply at least 3 weeks ahead. Standard tourist visas run 30-90 days.
Working remotely in Pakistan on tourist entry
Immigration regulations do not explicitly address remote work for an employer abroad. EY's July 2026 guide describes the approach as generally accepted. Source
Staying longer
Visa extensions can be applied for through the visa system. Source
Digital nomad visa
No dedicated digital-nomad route
Visa and entry requirements can change. Check the latest information from official government sources before travelling; eligibility, documents and permitted activities depend on your nationality and personal circumstances.
Tax & residency in Pakistan
Tax-residency timing
183 days in a tax year; alternatively 120 days plus 365 days in the preceding four years
How the day count works
Days are aggregated in the tax year; the alternative test looks back four preceding tax years. Government or provincial-government employees posted abroad also qualify.
Other residency triggers
Federal or provincial government employees posted abroad during the tax year can be resident without meeting the day test.
Remote work before residence
May be taxable. Salary for employment exercised in Pakistan is Pakistan-source income wherever paid; treaty relief may apply if all applicable conditions are met.
If you become tax resident
Residents are generally taxed on worldwide income; foreign-source salary may be exempt when foreign income tax is paid, and returning citizens may qualify for a limited exemption.
What this usually means for nomads
A stay of 183 days, or 120 days combined with the four-year presence test, can create residence. Pay for work exercised in Pakistan may be taxable before residence. Local work, a longer stay or government employment abroad raises the risk; exemptions for foreign salary are conditional.
Tax rules can change and depend on your residency status, income structure, time spent in the country and applicable tax treaties. This information is general only and is not financial or tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional before relying on it.
Top cities for nomads in Pakistan
Islamabad is the planned, green and orderly capital, and Lahore is the cultural centre, known for Mughal monuments and food. The Hunza Valley is the mountain highlight, and Karachi is the sprawling southern port.
The planned, green and orderly capital below the Margalla Hills; calm and modern.
The sprawling southern port megacity & economic hub; chaotic, coastal and diverse.
The cultural capital of Mughal monuments, legendary food & Punjabi buzz.
A jaw-dropping Karakoram mountain valley (Gilgit-Baltistan), famously safe, welcoming & scenic.
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