Overseas Pakistanis and foreign visitors can use a mobile phone in Pakistan without paying FBR device taxes for up to 120 days per visit, through PTA’s free and fully automated temporary registration system on the DIRBS portal. The facility, highlighted again in coverage on 28 and 29 October 2026, is designed for people who are only in the country for a short stay and do not want to pay full import taxes on a phone they will take back with them.
Who Can Use the Facility
The temporary registration option is open to overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting Pakistan. It applies to a phone brought into the country for personal use during the visit. PTA’s FAQ material, as summarised in step-by-step guides, describes the facility as one mobile phone per applicant per visit, and the process is free, online-only and automated.
The 120-day window runs from the date of arrival, which is checked against immigration records. That means applying late in a stay leaves fewer tax-free days, so visitors should register soon after arriving rather than waiting.
How to Apply Step by Step
The application is made on the DIRBS portal at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs. The steps are:
- Sign up on the portal and select “Temporary Registration for Overseas Pakistanis and Foreign Nationals”.
- Enter your CNIC or NICOP along with passport details that match immigration records. Foreign nationals apply using their passport only.
- Verify the account through the email or SMS code sent to you, then log in.
- Enter the IMEI number of the phone. You can find it by dialling *#06# on the handset. State whether the phone is single-SIM or dual-SIM.
- Provide a Pakistani mobile number registered in your own name and select the network operator.
- Submit the form and complete the OTP verification. The device is then temporarily registered.
No fee is charged for this registration, and no visit to an office is required.
What Happens After 120 Days
Once the 120-day period ends, the phone can no longer be used tax-free. To keep using it in Pakistan beyond that point, it must go through the normal registration process, which means paying the applicable FBR taxes. Visitors who leave before the period ends do not need to do anything further.
Why the Facility Matters
Many overseas Pakistanis travel with a phone bought abroad, and full device taxes can be a large extra cost for a short trip. The temporary registration system removes that burden for visits of up to four months, while still keeping the device recorded in PTA’s system during the stay. It also helps PTA keep track of phones in use without pushing short-term visitors towards unregistered devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I use my phone tax-free in Pakistan as an overseas Pakistani?
Up to 120 days per visit, counted from your date of arrival.
Is the temporary registration free?
Yes. The process is free, automated and completed online through the DIRBS portal.
Where do I apply for temporary mobile registration?
On the DIRBS portal at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs, by selecting the temporary registration option for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals.
What documents do I need?
Your CNIC or NICOP and passport details matching immigration records, the phone’s IMEI number, and a Pakistani mobile number registered in your own name. Foreign nationals need only their passport.
How do I find my phone’s IMEI number?
Dial *#06# on the phone and the IMEI number will appear on screen.
What happens if I stay longer than 120 days?
After 120 days the phone needs normal tax-paid registration to keep working in Pakistan.
Conclusion
PTA’s 120-day tax-free registration is a simple, free option for overseas Pakistanis and foreign visitors who bring a phone into the country for a short stay. Apply soon after arrival through the DIRBS portal, keep the details ready, and remember that the tax-free window ends after 120 days per visit.
