Govt introduces Rs. 5,000 excise duty on Gulf Labor visa tickets

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has imposed a fixed excise duty of Rs. 5,000 on airline tickets for passengers traveling to Gulf countries on labor visas. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a notification regarding this new initiative.

According to the notification issued by the FBR, under Clause (i) of Sub-Clause (b) of Serial Number 3 of Table Two of the First Schedule of the Federal Excise Act, 2005, a fixed tax of Rs. 5,000 will be levied on airline tickets for Pakistani passengers traveling to Gulf countries on labor visas.

The FBR clarified that the labor visa must be printed on the passport of these workers, and they must also have confirmation from the Protector of Immigrants (Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment).

The notification further states that Pakistani laborers traveling from Pakistan to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on labor visas will have to pay a fixed excise duty of Rs 2,000. 5,000 per ticket for international travel.

The move is part of the government’s efforts to streamline tax collection and ensure proper documentation and verification for workers traveling abroad for employment. The FBR stressed the importance of compliance with these requirements to facilitate a smooth and legal migration process.