How a Commonwealth Citizen Gets Pakistan Citizenship by Transferring Rs 5 Million on Form R
DGI&P lists a citizenship route for Commonwealth citizens who transfer Rs 5 million in foreign exchange. See Form R, documents, fee and what stays unclear.
Short answer: DGI&P lists one route to Pakistan citizenship by money: a Commonwealth citizen who transfers Rs 5 million worth of foreign exchange to Pakistan through normal banking channels. The application is on Form R, attested by the Pakistan mission abroad, in four copies, with ten photographs, a bank proceeds certificate and a passport copy. The fee is Rs 200, or Rs 800 for an Indian national.
Most citizenship routes in Pakistan run through marriage or birth. This one runs through a bank transfer. It is rare, it is easy to misread, and it is often described online as an "investment" scheme. The DGI&P page does not call it that. It describes a transfer of foreign exchange, and the steps are specific.
We read the DGI&P page on grant of Pakistan citizenship and its immigration FAQ on 12 October 2026. We did not check State Bank of Pakistan's own procedure for this route. DGI&P's page does not give it, so we say below what stays open.
The route is for Commonwealth citizens who transfer Rs 5 million
DGI&P lists it as the second of four categories. It sits under Section 20 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951, read with Rule 20 of the Pakistan Citizenship Rules, 1952.
The applicant must be a Commonwealth citizen. The FAQ says the same in a different way: a non-Commonwealth citizen who wants citizenship on the basis of long stay must first get a naturalization certificate.
The money must come into Pakistan through normal banking channels. DGI&P asks for the original bank proceeds certificate as proof.
Six items go in the file, and photographs need attestation
The page lists the papers beyond what is printed on the form. Photographs follow a set specification and need attestation.
| Item | What DGI&P lists |
|---|---|
| Form | Form R, attested by the Pakistan mission, in four copies |
| Photographs | Ten colour photographs, light blue background, 4 x 4.5 cm |
| Attestation of photographs | One attested on the front and one on the back by a notary public or magistrate |
| Bank proof | Original bank proceeds certificate for the transfer of Rs 5 million through normal banking channel |
| Passport | Photocopy of the present passport |
| Fee | Rs 200 (Rs 800 for an Indian national) |
The visa comes first and the certificate comes after arrival
The order matters. DGI&P says that after the State Bank confirms that foreign exchange worth Rs 5 million has come in, an Immigrant Visa for Pakistan is issued. The citizenship certificate is issued after the applicant arrives in Pakistan.
That certificate is subject to security clearance and completion of all codal formalities, DGI&P says. A transfer does not guarantee citizenship. It is one condition of a file that is still decided on its merits.
- Confirm that you are a citizen of a Commonwealth country and that your passport is current.
- Transfer Rs 5 million worth of foreign exchange to Pakistan through a normal banking channel and get the bank proceeds certificate.
- Fill Form R in four copies and have it attested by the Pakistan mission abroad.
- Prepare ten photographs to the specification, with attestation as listed.
- Submit the file to DGI&P Headquarters, Islamabad, through the Pakistan mission abroad.
- Wait for State Bank confirmation, then for the Immigrant Visa, then travel to Pakistan to receive the certificate.
What stays open after reading the page
DGI&P's page leaves several things unsaid, and we do not fill them in. It does not state which Commonwealth countries qualify beyond the term itself. It does not say how the State Bank checks the transfer, or how long confirmation takes. It does not say whether the money must stay in Pakistan for any period.
The FAQ says a grant of nationality case takes less than two months after clearance by security agencies, and that it depends on the case. It tells applicants to ask after three months by email to immigration@dgip.gov.pk. Those timings are general, not specific to this route.
Because the route involves a large sum, speak to DGI&P at 051-111-344-777, and to your bank, before you move any money. Do not pay an agent who promises citizenship for a fee.
Other routes if this one does not fit
A foreign wife of a Pakistani man follows a different file, covered in how a foreign wife gets Pakistani citizenship on Form F. A foreign husband of a Pakistani woman cannot claim citizenship on marriage, the FAQ says. He may apply under Section 9 or Section 20.
If you only want to live or work in Pakistan without citizenship, a visa is the starting point. How a foreign national gets a work visa in Pakistan and the Pakistan e-visa for foreigners cover the common cases. A person of Pakistani origin may prefer the card route set out in NICOP and POC for overseas Pakistanis.
Common questions
Which form is used for the Rs 5 million route?
Form R, in four copies, attested by the Pakistan mission abroad, as DGI&P lists.
Who can use this route?
A citizen of a Commonwealth country who transfers Rs 5 million worth of foreign exchange to Pakistan. Non-Commonwealth citizens must first get a naturalization certificate, the FAQ says.
How much is the fee?
Rs 200, and Rs 800 for an Indian national, as listed on the DGI&P page on 12 October 2026.
Do I get citizenship as soon as the money arrives?
No. After State Bank confirmation an Immigrant Visa is issued. The citizenship certificate is issued after arrival, subject to security clearance and other formalities.
Where is the application submitted?
To DGI&P in Islamabad, through the Pakistan mission abroad, as the page directs for Form R.
How do I check the status of my case?
Email immigration@dgip.gov.pk after three months, as the FAQ says. The listed immigration section number is 051-9107076.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
We read the DGI&P page on grant of Pakistan citizenship and the immigration FAQ on 12 October 2026. We did not read the Pakistan Citizenship Act or State Bank guidance for this route. Check the current rules with DGI&P before you transfer any money.
About the author
Tax, Bills and Technology Writer
Ali Akhtar is a young and curious voice here at Pakistan Era. He is currently pursuing his A-Levels and has a growing interest in Pakistan’s changing industrial landscape and educational trends. Ali likes to write in a way that helps him explain and explore the world around him. His writing reflects the perspective of the new generation navigating the evolving trends of Pakistan where technology, youth innovation, and shifting opportunities are reshaping the country’s future.
