Here we take a look at an essential document for any Pakistani doctor looking to work outside of the country – the Pakistani Protector Stamp.
In this article we will look at what exactly the protector stamp is and consider the following topics:
The protector stamp is an actual passport stamp given to any Pakistani travelling abroad on a work visa. It is an official Pakistani government requirement and without the protector stamp you will not be allowed to travel.
In addition to allowing you to work abroad, it will also cover you for life insurance, with the person you nominate receiving one million Pakistani rupees in such an event.
Every intending emigrant is legally bound to get their foreign service agreement protected from the concerned Protectorate of Emigrants (PE) office in Pakistan.
It is important to remember that the protector stamp is needed alongside your offer of employment and your visa. Visits to the UK for leisure or PLAB 2 do not require the Pakistani Protector Stamp.
As well as granting you access to work overseas, the Pakistani Protector Stamp will also cover you for life insurance to a figure of PKR 1,000,000
Whilst life insurance is an obvious perk, you do have to pay for it.
You will be required to deposit PKR 2,500 to cover life risk for a sum of PKR 1,000,000.
This insurance is valid for five years.
There are also a number of other benefits that come once your life insurance and protector stamp are in place, you can read through them on the Pakistani Government website here.
You will need to attend an appointment at your local Protectorate Office in order to receive the stamp.
The process of getting your Pakistani Protector Stamp can be a little arduous. Specific documents are required and be prepared to spend up to one whole day completing the process.
Please note, until very recently NICOP was an essential document for this process as well. There has been a little confusion over this recently so if you have a card already, it does not hurt to bring this along with you.
It is best to make any copies of your documents in prior to attending your local Protectorate Office, it will help you avoid any delays once you are there and make for a smoother process.
You need to have your passport stamped once you have a job offer and work visa, so this should be one of the last steps before relocating.
Once your passport is stamped you will be cleared to work outside of Pakistan and begin your journey in the UK!
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