Are you an overseas Pakistani visiting home, or a foreign visitor coming to Pakistan for a short trip? You can now use your phone on Pakistani networks for up to 120 days without paying any PTA tax or customs duty. PTA's free Temporary Mobile Registration scheme, built with FBR and FIA, lets you register one personal handset through the DIRBS portal. This complete guide explains who qualifies, what you need and exactly how to register in 2026.
What Is the PTA 120-Day Temporary Registration?
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority introduced the Temporary Mobile Registration module under its Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting Pakistan on a short-term basis. It lets you use one mobile device on local networks for 120 days from your arrival date, completely tax-free. Your arrival is validated in real time against FIA's border records (IBMS), which keeps the facility fair and prevents misuse. Previously, visitors faced customs duties of tens of thousands of rupees or risked having their phone blocked.
Who Can Use This Facility
- Overseas Pakistanis holding a Pakistani passport or NICOP, visiting on a short stay.
- Foreign nationals visiting Pakistan on a short-term basis.
- The phone must be for your own personal use, not for gifting or resale.
- You must not plan to leave the phone in Pakistan permanently.
- One mobile device per person per visit. Extra phones need the standard permanent registration with applicable taxes.
Requirements: What You Need Before You Apply
Keep these details ready, because any mistake can delay approval:
- Passport number (and CNIC or NICOP number for Pakistanis; not needed for foreigners).
- Mobile number on a Pakistani SIM issued in your own name on your CNIC, NICOP or passport. Borrowed SIMs will not work.
- IMEI number(s) of your phone. Dial *#06# on your phone to find them; if it is dual-SIM, note both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. You can also save your IMEIs as a QR code using a free QR code generator and keep it on your phone for the airport counter.
- Email address for account verification.
- Exact date of arrival as stamped by immigration, and your intended date of departure.
How to Register: Step-by-Step
- Open the DIRBS portal: go to dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs on your phone or computer.
- Sign up: click Sign Up and select the user type for Temporary Registration for Overseas Pakistanis / Foreign Nationals. Enter your name, passport or CNIC number, email and phone number, then submit.
- Verify your account: click the confirmation link sent to your email or SMS to activate the account.
- Log in and choose the temporary module: select Temporary Registration for Overseas Pakistanis / Foreign Nationals and fill in your passport number, arrival date, departure date, SIM details and the phone's IMEI numbers.
- Enter the OTP: type the verification code sent to your registered number and submit.
- Done: verification is usually automatic and takes a few hours up to 24 hours. Your phone then works on all local Pakistani networks for 120 days.
What Happens After 120 Days?
The 120 days are counted from your arrival date, not from the day you apply. On the 121st day, the IMEI registered under this scheme is suspended from local networks. Flying in again? Just log back into DIRBS and re-apply with the same credentials, still free. A phone registered this way cannot be registered again under another person's passport, so do not try to transfer the benefit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a borrowed SIM: the SIM must be registered in your own name, otherwise the application is rejected.
- Wrong arrival date: FIA validates your arrival from immigration records, so enter the exact stamped date.
- Registering with your CNIC instead of passport when you qualify for the overseas allowance can cost you the exemption and trigger full taxes.
- Ignoring the deadline: skip the process and your phone works only for a short grace period, then gets blocked until you pay tax and a fine.
- Pack travel essentials for the journey: a reliable power bank is a lifesaver during long flights and layovers. Our guide to the best power banks in Pakistan can help you pick one before you fly.
October 2026 Update: PTA's 90-Day Roaming Proposal
On 10 October 2026, PTA proposed treating 90 days of foreign-SIM roaming within any 180-day period as permanent roaming. This is still a proposal, not a rule, and public comments are open until 10 November 2026. If you plan to roam on a foreign SIM for an extended stay, keep an eye on this development and the PTA's official channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PTA 120-day registration really free?
Yes. The temporary registration for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals costs nothing. No customs duty, no PTA tax, no fee.
Can I register two phones with my passport?
No. The free temporary facility covers one personal device per person per visit. A second phone needs standard permanent registration with taxes paid.
How do I find my phone's IMEI number?
Dial *#06# on your phone and the IMEI numbers appear on screen. Dual-SIM phones show two IMEIs; enter both during registration.
What if I stay in Pakistan longer than 120 days?
Your phone's IMEI is suspended from local networks after 120 days. To keep using it, you must pay the applicable PTA tax and register it permanently through the normal DIRBS process.
Final Words
The 120-day tax-free registration removes one of the biggest headaches of visiting Pakistan with a foreign phone. Apply at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs as soon as you land, use a SIM in your own name, and double-check your arrival date and IMEIs before submitting. Always verify rules on PTA's official website and verified accounts, and ignore forwarded "tax cut" messages unless they appear on official channels. Safe travels, and welcome home.
