Dealing with the bureaucratic rules for international employment can be hard, especially like getting a protector stamp in Pakistan. This article aims to clarify the purpose, process, and need for the protector stamp for Pakistani citizens already working or planning to work abroad.
What is a Protector Stamp?
A protector stamp is an official endorsement placed in the passport of Pakistani nationals who are going to work abroad. This stamp is a mandatory requirement by the Government of Pakistan to register and keep track of its citizens working overseas, ensuring their employment is legal and they are under the protection of Pakistani embassies and consulates abroad.
When is a Protector Stamp Necessary?
Initial Employment Abroad: The protector stamp is required when you first leave Pakistan to work overseas on a fresh work visa. It validates your employment terms and ensures that you are registered with the Pakistani authorities.
Changing Jobs: As per the rules, if you are changing your job while abroad, you might need to obtain a new protector stamp to reflect this change, especially if your new employment conditions differ significantly from your original job.
On a personal note, once the stamp is obtained and the individual has established their residence (got the Zairyu Card) in Japan, renewing or obtaining a new protector stamp typically isn't necessary unless you return to Pakistan and plan to go abroad for a new job. However, as I gathered information from the experiences of different Pakistani expats in my circle, sometimes officials at the airport may still inquire about it or try to exploit the situation. In such cases, standing firm on your rights, and having the original documentation (your valid Zairyu Card, etc. and if you have a previous protector stamp on your old passport) ready to show as proof (if questioned) is a good approach. This helps in making sure that one does not succumb to unnecessary and unwarranted demands.
What are the Benefits of Protection?
Ref: https://beoe.gov.pk/protection-and-its-benefits
Complete legal protection is provided.
Entitled to full assistance from Pak-mission in the country of employment.
Legal assistance can be sought from the Community Welfare Attache, Pak-Embassy in the country of employment, in case the employer violates the FSA.
Problems faced by families can be mitigated to an extent.
Each emigrant is required to deposit an amount of Rs. 2,500/- as insurance premium to cover life risk for a sum of Rs. 1,000,000/-. Insurance coverage is valid for 5 years. Government has provided re-insurance facility since July 2001 for all those workers who wish to get the insurance policy renewed. This scheme has also been extended to those Pakistanis who proceeded abroad without registration with Protector of Emigrants but have now been allowed registration with respective Embassies.
After payment of the welfare fund, he became the member of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. Under the membership, he is entitled to the following benefits:
Educational facilities for his children.
School/college admission facilities are provided.
Staff posted at Overseas Pakistanis Foundation’s counters at International Airports helps in providing legal and other necessary guidance and information.
Migrant workers are entitled to the benefits of facilities from the residential accommodation scheme arranged by Overseas Pakistanis Foundation.
Investment can be made in the industrial sector, through Overseas Pakistanis Foundation.
Overseas Pakistanis Foundation also gives financial help in case of accident/mishap.
For more details on the benefits of OPF membership, please refer to their website:
https://www.opf.org.pk/
UR: https://www.pakistanembassytokyo.com/sites/default/files/opf_urdu.pdf
EN: https://www.pakistanembassytokyo.com/sites/default/files/opf_eng.pdf
What is the Process of Obtaining a Protector Stamp?
Ref: https://beoe.gov.pk/how-to-get-emigrants-protection
There are two primary ways of registration for emigrant's protection:
(i) Direct Registration
(ii) Registration through Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP)
(i) Process Flow of Direct Registration
First Step:
Intending Emigrant submits following documents for registration to the concerned section for processing / verification in case of Direct Employment.
Online Registration Request for Direct Emigrants
(https://beoe.gov.pk/direct-emigrant-registration)
Visa (as per procedure in the host country)
Valid Passport
Valid Computerized national Identity Card (photocopy is also acceptable)
Employment contract or agreement duly signed by the employer or an undertaking as approved by the Director General, Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment
Receipt of Registration Fee
Receipt of Welfare Fund
Emigration Promotion Fee
Certificate of insurance from State Life Insurance Corporation (original and a duplicate copy)
Copy of NOC in case of ex-service men/government servants! nurses (from relevant federal! provincial health authorities)
Police Character Verification Certificate in respect of the intending emigrant from concerned DPO Political Agent (for specified countries only)
Medical Fitness Report (from approved medical centers of specified countries).
Protectorates of Emigrants are also advised to display the list of necessary documents required for registration on prominent places of the office for the facilitation of the intending emigrants. Furthermore, display the fee structure in bold shape on the entrance as well as in the office premises for information of the general public.
Second Step:
After documents verification the Intending Emigrant is guided to the Briefing Hall for orientation/ briefing. At the same time: the record is registered, a registration number is alloted, Protector Sticker is pasted on passport and complete case is forwarded to the Protector of Emigrant.
Third Step:
Protector of Emigrant officer signs (embossed) on passport and forwards the passport for delivery.
Fourth Step:
O&B officer briefs the intending emigrant with all the necessary aspects regarding health, legal rights etc. and guides him to get his passport and documents.
(ii) Process Flow of Registration through Overseas Employment Promoters (OEP)
* This is usually not applicable to most expats in Japan.
First Step:
Intending Emigrant submits following documents through O.E.P:
Permission no
Passports
CNIC
Insurance certificate
Welfare fund slip
Protector fees slip
Bank Certificate / Service Charges (OEP Refundable)
Registration fees slip
Adhesive Stamp Fee
FSA (Foreign Service Agreement)
Second Step:
After documents verification, the Intending Emigrant is guided to the Briefing Hall for orientation / briefing. At the same time: the record is registered, registration number is alloted, passport is stamped and complete case is forwarded to the Protector of Emigrant.
Third Step:
Protector of Emigrant officer signs (embossed) on passport and forwards the passport for delivery.
Fourth Step:
O&B officer briefs all necessary aspects regarding health, legal-rights etc. and guides him to get his passport and documents.
The following diagram shows the general process flow of emigrant's protection:
Location of Protectorate of Emigrant Offices
Ref: https://beoe.gov.pk/protectorate-of-emigrant-offices
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - ISLAMABAD, ICT
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Islamabad Capital Territory, Islamabad.
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - RAWALPINDI
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Districts Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Mandi Bhauddin, Islamabad and Territory of State of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - KARACHI
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Province of Sindh including Districts Lasbela, Khuzdar, Gawadar (Pasni, Jiwani and Ormara) of Baluchistan.
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - LAHORE
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Districts Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Take Singh, Hafizabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab and Pak Pattan.
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - PESHAWAR
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Province of KPK and FATA excluding District Dir, Sawat & Malakand Agency, Kohistan, Buner, Chitral, Bajore Agency & Shangla.
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - QUETTA
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Province of Baluchistan excluding Districts Lasbela, Khuzdar, Gawadar (Pasni, Jiwani and Ormara).
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - MULTAN
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Districts Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Lodheran, Muzafargrah, Sahiwal, Vihari and Khanewal
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - MALAKAND
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Districts Dir, Sawat & Malakand Agency, Kohistan, Buner, Chitral, Bajore Agency & Shangla.
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - DG KHAN
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Distt.D.G Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Rahimyaar Khan and Rajanpur
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - SIALKOT
- Areas of Jurisdiction: Distt. Gujranwala, Distt. Sialkot and Distt. Narowal
- PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS - BAGH, AJK (SUB OFFICE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF PE RAWALPINDI)
- Areas of Jurisdiction: District of Rawalakot, AJK
FAQ: Clarifying Common Confusions
Q1: Do I need a protector stamp every time I renew my passport?
No, the protector stamp is not needed on passport renewal unless you change your employment to a new job that requires a fresh stamp.
Q2: What if I have been living abroad for many years; do I still need a protector stamp?
A2: If you have not returned to Pakistan and are still employed under the same conditions as when you left, your original protector stamp is sufficient. However, if you change jobs or return to Pakistan and then go abroad again, a new stamp will be necessary.
Q3: Can I ignore getting a protector stamp if I have a residence permit?
A3: While a residence permit signifies that you are legally residing in another country, it is recommended to obtain a protector stamp when you first leave Pakistan for employment. This ensures that you are registered with Pakistani authorities.
Q4: What should I do if officials ask for a protector stamp on passport renewal?
A4: Politely explain that the protector stamp is job-specific, and since your job has not changed, the original stamp in your old passport still holds. Keeping a copy of your old passport can help clarify this in bureaucratic situations.
* Disclaimer on Personal Notes
The information provided in this article is intended to assist Pakistani expats in Japan. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information, this is not an official guide and should not be seen as a substitute for professional advice. Please note that individual experiences regarding the protector stamp and the overseas employment process may vary due to differing circumstances. The details mentioned here are based on information available online on the website of BEOE and some personal experiences therefore always check for latest updates by consulting the BEOE for the most current and personalized advice. The creators and distributors of this article shall not be held liable for any discrepancies or disputes arising from the use of the information provided herein.
