How Overseas Pakistanis Can Register Mobile Phones Tax-Free for 120 Days

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a guide for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals to temporarily register their mobile phones without paying taxes for up to 120 days during their visit. This service, accessible via the PTA’s Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), enables visitors to use their mobile devices on Pakistani networks without incurring Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) duties and taxes.

The process is fully automated online and requires eligibility verification. Eligible individuals include overseas Pakistanis, students studying abroad, and foreign visitors. To qualify, applicants need a valid travel document, a Pakistani mobile SIM registered in their name, and a CNIC or NICOP for Pakistani residents. The required documents include passport details, travel information, the IMEI number of the mobile phone, and a registered Pakistani mobile number.

Applicants can register their devices by visiting the DIRBS portal, creating an account, entering personal and travel details, verifying their account, providing the IMEI number, supplying a Pakistani mobile number registered in their name, selecting their mobile network operator, and completing OTP verification. Once the application is submitted and verified, the mobile device can be used on Pakistani networks for the duration of the visit.