An asylum visa is a form of immigration status provided by the country that allows a foreign national to take up residency inside its borders. Asylum visa for Pakistani is created to provide protection for those who are fleeing from the trauma and agony that was caused to them by another country or by a powerful dictator around the world.

The Australian Government has had an asylum visa application for Pakistani nationals residing in Australia. Pakistan’s citizens are allowed to make an application for employment and study without the need for a visa. However, there are several restrictions in this regard. The main advantage of asylum visas is that the applicant becomes eligible for permanent residency after three years.

Asylum system in Pakistan

Pakistan is not a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees/1967 Protocol and has also not enacted any national legislation for the protection of refugees nor established procedures to determine the refugee status of persons who are seeking international protection within its territory. Such persons are therefore treated in accordance with the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946.

In the absence of a national refugee legal framework, UNHCR conducts refugee status determination under its mandate (Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees adopted by the General Assembly Resolution 428 (V) of 14 December 1950) and on behalf of the Government of Pakistan in accordance with the 1993 Cooperation Agreement between the Government of Pakistan and UNHCR. Pakistan generally accepts UNHCR decisions to grant refugee status and allows asylum-seekers (who are still undergoing the procedure) as well as recognized refugees to remain in Pakistan pending identification of a durable solution.

Afghan refugees: In February 2007, the Government of Pakistan concluded a registration exercise of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan and issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards to them, which provide temporary legal stay in Pakistan, freedom of movement and exemption from the application of the Foreigners Act, 1946. Approximately 1.34 million Afghans are currently holding PoR cards. The Documentation Verification and Information Verification (DRIVE) exercise is currently taking place led by the GoP and supported by UNHCR. All PoR card holders verified through this exercise will receive new smart PoR cards with a 2-year validity.