In a major connectivity update for expatriate communities, overseas professionals, and international tourists, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)—in active coordination with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)—has reaffirmed the operating protocols of its Temporary Mobile Registration System.

Accessible online via the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) portal, the facility allows eligible international travelers to operate their personal smartphones across all domestic Pakistani cellular networks completely tax-free for up to 120 calendar days per visit without paying standard FBR customs duties or import taxes.

                 [PTA 120-Day Temporary Registration Mechanism]
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             [Traveler Lands in Pakistan: FIA Entry Stamp Recorded]
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             [Submit Request via Official PTA DIRBS Online Portal]
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[Mandatory Eligibility Criteria]                               [System Constraints & Limits]
• Valid NICOP / CNIC or Foreign Passport                       • Valid for 1 personal device per traveler
• Pakistani SIM registered in applicant's own name             • Both IMEI 1 & IMEI 2 must be declared
• Arrival date verified live against FIA border records        • 120-day clock counts from airport arrival
• Official registration fee: Exactly Rs. 0 (Free of cost)      • Re-registers automatically on future visits

1. Core Operating Rules & Eligibility Benchmarks

To qualify for this temporary tax exemption, travelers must comply with specific statutory conditions:

• The 120-Day Clock: The 120-day validity window begins strictly from the official date of entry stamped by FIA immigration at the airport, not from the day the online application is submitted. Applicants are advised to register immediately upon arrival to benefit from the complete 120-day duration.
• Single Device Allocation: The exemption is capped at one personal mobile handset per traveler per trip. However, if the smartphone is a dual-SIM or physical SIM + eSIM device, both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 must be entered in the initial filing to ensure uninterrupted dual-connectivity.
• Mandatory Biometric SIM Pairing: The local Pakistani SIM card inserted into the device must be registered under the applicant’s own CNIC, NICOP, or passport. The DIRBS backend automatically audits whether the applicant’s national identity matches the active SIM registration.
• Multi-Visit Reset: The 120-day allowance is not a one-time lifetime benefit. Overseas Pakistanis who exit and subsequently re-enter Pakistan are entitled to generate a fresh 120-day temporary registration for their return trip.

2. Step-by-Step Portal Registration Guide

The temporary registration process is entirely digital, free of government fees, and completed without visiting PTA regional offices or mobile franchise centers:

1. Retrieve Device IMEIs: Open your handset’s phone dialer and enter *#06# to display your 15-digit IMEI numbers (record both if using a dual-SIM or eSIM device).
2. Access DIRBS Portal: Navigate to the official PTA Device Registration System (dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs) and select Sign Up.
3. Select Individual User Type: Choose Individual, then designate your category as either Overseas Pakistani (entering CNIC/NICOP and passport details) or Foreign National (entering foreign passport and visa data).
4. Initiate Temporary Application: Inside the account dashboard, click the dedicated tab labeled Temporary Registration for Overseas Pakistanis and Foreign Nationals.
5. Submit Flight & Network Details: Enter your exact arrival date as per your passport stamp, your Pakistani mobile number, your telecom operator, and both IMEI numbers.
6. OTP Verification: Enter the secure One-Time Password (OTP) received via SMS/email to complete instant activation.

3. Post-120-Day Network Disconnection

Travelers should note that the facility is strictly an interim tourist/visitor concession:

• On Day 121, if the device remains in Pakistan without full customs clearance, cellular baseband signals will disconnect automatically, preventing local cellular calls, SMS, and mobile data.
• Wi-Fi functionality, social messaging apps, and offline services will continue to function normally.
• If an overseas Pakistani decides to relocate permanently to Pakistan or transfer the phone to a local resident, the regular PTA tax assessment must be paid, which can now be settled in monthly instalments under FBR CGO 06/2026