The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a temporary mobile phone registration facility for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals, under which users can register their mobile phones for up to 120 days without paying taxes or customs duties.
This initiative aims to enable expatriates and tourists to use their personal mobile phones with local SIM cards during their stay in Pakistan.
According to the PTA, this tax-free registration will be available for 120 days per visit and can be availed again on every visit to Pakistan. This means the facility is not limited to a one-time use but can be utilized multiple times, provided a fresh application is submitted for each visit.
For registration, users are required to provide basic information, including the device IMEI, passport number, National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) number, a locally issued Pakistani mobile number, and arrival and departure dates. These details are verified against the records of the relevant authorities.
Under the PTA Temporary Mobile Registration facility, overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals can use their personal mobile phones in Pakistan for up to 120 days without paying any taxes or duties.
For more information, please watch this video#TemporaryMobileRegistration… pic.twitter.com/l92Qn6t2Cb— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) February 9, 2026
The facility is being offered under the PTA’s DIRBS system and can be accessed through three main methods.
These include registration via the online portal, submitting an application by dialing the USSD code 8484#, or visiting customer service centers or franchises of mobile operators across the country.
To further assist users, the PTA has released a two-minute tutorial video explaining the step-by-step process, making it easier to navigate the portal and complete the registration forms.
Experts say the initiative will help promote the use of legally registered devices, discourage smuggling, and enhance network security.
