How to Register a Foreigner With Islamabad Police: Rs 2,000, 1 Working Day
Foreigners in Islamabad must register with ICT Police: Rs 2,000, 1 working day, documents, online form and 11 centres. Note the 7 day versus 30 day conflict.
Short answer: A foreigner staying in Islamabad must register with the Islamabad Capital Territory Police. The fee is Rs 2,000, paid in cash at a Police Khidmat Markaz, and the police page gives 1 working day. Bring the passport, the original visa details, two photographs, proof of residence and a letter from the employer.
A visitor lands on a business visa, moves into a guest house and assumes the hotel has handled everything. Sometimes it has. Often nobody checked. In Islamabad the duty to register sits with the foreigner and their sponsor, and the police page says it is mandatory.
We read the Foreigner Registration page of the Islamabad Capital Territory Police, with its document list, its frequently asked questions and the list of centres. We did not file an application, because the form needs a real passport and a sponsor's CNIC.
Registration costs Rs 2,000 and takes one working day
The police page lists a standard processing time of 1 working day and an application fee of Rs 2,000 payable at the counter. You apply by visiting a Police Khidmat Markaz (PKM), a police facilitation centre, or the nearest police station.
| Item | What the police page says |
|---|---|
| Fee | Rs 2,000, payable at the PKM |
| Processing | 1 working day |
| Where | Police Khidmat Markaz or nearest police station |
| Online form | Yes, with sponsor details and document upload |
| Tracking | Sponsor CNIC and Application ID |
Bring the original passport, visa details and a letter from the employer
The page lists seven items: the passport, the original visa details, two photographs, original proof of residence, an original letter from the employer, a Ministry of Interior (MoI) no objection certificate (NOC) if you register late, and details of your last travel abroad if you left without taking an exit permit.
- Collect the passport, visa details and two photographs.
- Get proof of residence, such as a rent agreement or a hotel letter, in original.
- Ask the employer or host for an original letter.
- Fill in the online form with the visa type, visa number, arrival date and Islamabad address.
- Name the police station for your address and add your sponsor's name and CNIC.
- Upload scans if the form allows (JPG, PNG or PDF, up to 5 MB each), then pay Rs 2,000 at the PKM.
The visa type list on the form offers Business, Tourist, Student, Work and Other. Choose the one on your visa.
The police page gives two different deadlines
The document list says registration is required within 7 days including the date of arrival for foreigners, and within 24 hours for an Indian national. The FAQ on the same page says all foreigners staying more than 30 days in Islamabad must register. These do not match.
Until the police clarify, the safe rule is the shorter one. Register within 7 days of arrival. The 30-day line looks like a general description of who must register, not a grace period. If you want it confirmed, call the PKM before you travel.
| Where the line appears | What it says |
|---|---|
| Document list | 7 days including arrival; 24 hours for an Indian national |
| FAQ answer | Foreigners staying more than 30 days must register |
| Late registration | MoI NOC required |
Where to go and who to call
Every one of the 11 centres on the police list handles foreigner registration. PKM Cascade in the Diplomatic Enclave and PKM F-6 near Super Market are listed 24/7 on 051-9259022 and 051-9201522. The police headline numbers are 15 for emergencies and 1715 for the IGP complaint cell.
A foreigner who works in Pakistan also needs the right permit, and that is a separate matter we cover in work permits for foreigners in Pakistan. For a visit, the tourist e-visa comes first.
Registration with the police is not a visa extension. If your visa runs out, you deal with the immigration authorities, not the PKM.
Sponsors have a role too
The online form asks for a sponsor name and a sponsor CNIC, and the tracking box uses the sponsor CNIC. So the sponsor has to be a Pakistani you can reach. Give them a copy of the Application ID the moment it appears.
If you rent a house to a foreign tenant, the tenant record is a separate duty: see tenant registration with Islamabad Police.
Common questions
How much is foreigner registration in Islamabad?
Rs 2,000, payable in cash at a Police Khidmat Markaz, per the Islamabad Police service page.
How long does it take?
The page gives 1 working day as the standard processing time.
Within how many days must I register?
The page's document list says 7 days including arrival, and 24 hours for an Indian national. Its FAQ says more than 30 days, so use the shorter limit.
Can I apply online?
There is an online form for visa details, address, police station and sponsor. The fee is paid at the PKM.
What if I am late?
The page lists a Ministry of Interior NOC for late registration. Ask the PKM what it needs from you.
Does this apply outside Islamabad?
No. This page is for Islamabad Capital Territory. Other provinces have their own police and rules.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on Sunday 11 October 2026. We read the Foreigner Registration page of Islamabad Capital Territory Police and its centre list. We did not submit an application. The fee and deadlines are as printed by the police and may change.
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.
