How to Apply for an STZA Zone Enterprise Licence in Pakistan: Tax Exemptions to 2035
Apply for an STZA Zone Enterprise licence in Pakistan: who is eligible, the four steps on the online portal, size bands and the tax benefits STZA lists to 2035.
Short answer: A tech company in Pakistan applies for a Zone Enterprise licence from the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) through its online portal at owp.stza.gov.pk. You need a registered company and space in a notified zone. The licence carries tax and foreign currency benefits that STZA lists to 30 June 2035.
A Lahore software house that bills clients in dollars pays tax on that income and loses part of it to currency conversion. STZA offers a different route. It ring-fences certain tech zones and gives licensed firms their own tax and forex rules. We read STZA's own pages on 13 October 2026 to see what a company must have before it applies.
STZA is the federal body that licenses companies inside tech zones
STZA says it is a federal government body that licenses technology enterprises, infrastructure developers and academic institutions to operate in Special Technology Zones. A Special Technology Zone (STZ) is a notified area where licensed firms get tax and customs benefits.
STZA's home page lists 32 notified zones. It names 11 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, 7 in Lahore, 7 in Karachi and 4 in Haripur, plus zones in Attock and Faisalabad. It names Tech 7 STZ, NASTP Alpha, NUST STZ and Khanpur Hi-Tech Zone among the operating ones.
There are two main licence types. A Zone Enterprise licence is for technology companies, research and development firms, startups and skill development organisations. A Zone Developer or Co-Zone Developer licence is for those who build the tech infrastructure itself. This guide covers the first one.
Three things decide if your company can apply
STZA's Zone Enterprise page sets three conditions. The company must be legally registered in Pakistan. It must have space or land allotted in a notified zone. And its work must fall in an approved technology category under the STZA Rules 2021.
The second condition catches many people. You cannot apply from a home office and pick a zone later. The space in the zone comes first. If you are still a freelancer, start with the steps in PSEB registration and the 0.25% freelancer tax rate, and form a company when you grow.
STZA also asks applicants to show their contribution to Pakistan's tech sector. The page lists research and development, job creation, human capital development, technology transfer, exports and innovation. Keep records of each before you apply.
The benefits STZA lists run to June 2035
STZA lists exemption from tax on profits and gains, zero minimum tax on turnover, and no alternate corporate tax. Imported capital goods are exempt from customs duty and sales tax. Licensed firms can also keep foreign currency in special accounts. STZA lists these incentives until 30 June 2035.
| Benefit | What STZA says |
|---|---|
| Income tax | Exemption from profits and gains tax, zero minimum tax on turnover |
| Alternate corporate tax | Not charged |
| Imported equipment | No customs duty or sales tax on capital goods |
| Foreign currency | Special Forex Currency Accounts, no need to convert dollars to rupees |
| Ownership | 100% for foreign and local investors, profits and dividends can be sent out |
One limit matters. After the licence ends, STZA says the exemptions stop and taxes return to normal. The company may still operate in the zone, subject to renewal terms. The first licence is valid for 10 years.
The application runs on a single online portal
You apply on STZA's Digital One Window Portal. STZA's home page shows three steps: log in and submit, review by STZA, and a decision after committee approval. The licence page lists four, because it adds document preparation first.
- Prepare your company documents and your proof of space in a notified zone.
- Register on the portal and submit the application online.
- Wait while STZA reviews and evaluates it.
- Receive the licence if the committee approves.
STZA also lets applicants book a consultation slot with its officers. Use it before you submit, so a missing paper does not cost you a round.
Licence fees depend on staff and revenue
STZA sets licence fees by the number of employees or the revenue, whichever is higher. It groups firms into four sizes. We did not find the rupee amounts on the pages we read, so check the fee on the portal before you budget.
| Size | Employees | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1 to 20 | Under Rs 500 million |
| SME | 21 to 250 | Rs 500 million to 1 billion |
| Large enterprise | 251 to 1,000 | Rs 1 billion to 16 billion |
| Anchor enterprise | 1,001 or more | Over Rs 16 billion |
A startup that is still incubating can also look at the National Incubation Centre open calls, which cost nothing to read. Companies that export can pair the licence with export credit insurance from EXIM Bank.
Check the portal address before you enter any details
The only portal address on STZA's licence page is owp.stza.gov.pk/portal. Type the address from STZA's own site, and do not follow a link from a message. Pakistan already has copycat sites for official bodies, as the guide to the real PSEB website shows.
Common questions
Who can apply for an STZA Zone Enterprise licence?
A company registered in Pakistan with space in a notified zone and work in an approved technology category. STZA's page names startups, tech companies, research firms and skill development bodies.
Is a freelancer eligible for an STZA licence?
Not as an individual. STZA lists a legally registered entity as the first condition. A freelancer would need to register a company first.
How long does an STZA licence last?
The first licence is valid for 10 years. STZA says the exemptions end when the licence ends, though the company may still operate in the zone subject to renewal terms.
Where do I apply for an STZA licence?
On the Digital One Window Portal at owp.stza.gov.pk/portal. You can also book a consultation slot with STZA officers for advice before you submit.
What does an STZA licence cost?
The fee depends on your employee count and revenue, whichever is higher. We did not find the rupee amounts on STZA's pages, so confirm them on the portal.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 13 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read the STZA home page and its Zone Enterprise licence page, and noted the portal address it gives. We did not read the licence fee amounts or the document checklist, because they sit inside the portal. Incentives are as STZA lists them, and the tax law itself should be read before a company relies on them.
About the author
Technology Journalist & Multimedia Producer
Ahmad Ali is a technology journalist and multimedia producer at Pakistan Era, joining the team in October 2026. He covers consumer technology and digital life for Pakistani readers, combining research with hands-on product testing.
