r/pkmigrate

My husband and I are currently living in Qatar. We’re both engineers with around 6 years of experience each. He works as a Software Architect and I work as an AI Product Manager. Financially we’re doing well here, we have a comfortable lifestyle, savings, safety, and no kids yet.
But lately we’ve been thinking more seriously about long-term stability and citizenship/passport options.
As many expats in the Gulf know, you can build a great career and life here, but permanent residency/citizenship is still uncertain long term. We’re wondering whether it’s worth moving to a country that offers a clearer path to permanent residency and citizenship (Canada, Australia, parts of Europe, etc.), even if it means:
higher taxes

lower savings initially

restarting socially/professionally

potentially lower lifestyle quality at first

For people who made this move:
Was it worth it long term?

Do you value the passport/security more than the financial advantages of the Gulf?

Did you regret leaving a high-income lifestyle?

How important did kids/future family planning become in your decision?

And for people who stayed in the Gulf long term:
Do you feel secure about your future there?

What’s your long-term plan?

I feel very torn between optimizing for present quality of life vs future stability and belonging.
Would genuinely appreciate perspectives from people who’ve lived this decision.

Hi

So as the title suggests, I’ve an offer of 96k AUD from a consulting firm in Sydney. Initial discussions with the recruiter termed it as “Remuneration” and some clarification suggests this is inclusive of the superannuation. I’m trying to renegotiate but so far they don’t seem to be budging. So net comes in around 85/86K pre-tax. Post-tax numbers put me somewhere in the 5.5/5.6k per month budget. Based on discussions with ex-colleagues who’re settled in Australia, the rough ballpark monthly expense for rent, groceries, travel and utilities being quoted is 3.5/4k just for an individual. I’m assuming once my wife moves in there, the number would ultimately go up. Is there someone in a similar situation who can comment on couple expenses? No kids.

Next up is the actual dilemma i’m facing. I’m currently working with a consulting firm in Jeddah, KSA that’s paying me around 20k a month. I’m looking towards a possible promotion in the next cycle i.e. September 2027. Sydney is currently offering me one designation lower than my current standing and would “consider” me in their upcoming promotional cycle in July 2027 but at best that would get me to where I am currently in terms of designation. Considering the cost part, I am living VERY comfortably. Haven’t purchased a car so far but even then I would be offsetting my cab expenses with the instalment. I comfortably make 3-4 trips back home on both Eid and other leaves. Rent, Groceries, Travelling is well managed under 10k even if i inflate each expense.

What I’m stuck with is:
- whether to sacrifice my current comfortable financial set up for the sake of a passport possibility
- or: to ditch the passport and consider alternate avenues towards PR/Citizenship

Anyone who’s faced a similar Middle East to PR/Citizenship move, please help a brother out as I’m supposed to give my final response by tomorrow 🙏 🙏

Hi

I am applying for UK study visa i got offer letter but main concern is i was born in Yangon,Myanmar.

According to citizenship law of pakistan i am only citizen of pakistan i dont have any ties with myanmar.

My father was embassy staff i was born there and we lived only 3 years there.

But my both parents are Pakistani so I am Pakistani and in my passport the place of birth is Yangon,MMR

Will this effect in every visa i am currently applying for uk study visa ..

I am really worries about this for Future as everywhere you have to put place of birth.

PLEASE HELP

I’m a 29-year-old male currently working at an MNC in Karachi, earning around PKR 220k/month, with approximately PKR 1 million in savings. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in AI, along with 4+ years of professional experience.

I’m looking to move abroad as soon as possible and am currently exploring two options:

1. Moving to KSA on an Azaad visa (and search for Job)
2. Going to Germany for another Master’s degree (possibly through car financing of PKR 2 million + an additional PKR 1 million loan to cover blocked account expenses)

I’m confident in my skill set and strongly feel that I’m currently earning far below my potential, so I’m willing to take calculated risks for better long-term opportunities.

Given my background, experience, and current financial situation, which option would make more sense right now in terms of career growth, financial stability, and long-term prospects?

I’m being offered a job to relocate to Germany. I have 6 YoE working as a software engineer.

Is 90k per annum a good salary for Berlin? I am single and no kids.

I’m a FCPS-trained general surgeon with a few years of post-fellowship experience. Married, 2 kids. Lately I’ve been feeling very stuck professionally and personally, and I wanted honest advice from people who’ve actually gone through similar decisions.

I keep going back and forth between:

- staying in Pakistan and trying to build private practice long-term

- going to the Gulf

- attempting a pathway like UK/Ireland/Canada despite the difficulty and uncertainty

The Gulf used to be attractive financially, but now they seem to have decided to stop being so generous. Also, according to my understanding, Pakistani doctors are often looked down upon there compared to goras or foreign-trained doctors - I’ve heard they are paid significantly more for similar work and are treated with more respect automatically. Maybe not everywhere, but enough that it worries me about long-term dignity and career satisfaction.

At the same time, I’m not unrealistic about countries like Canada. I know this is not a movie where you land there next week and immediately start practicing as a surgeon. I understand the licensing process can take years, involves an array of exams/evaluations, uncertainty, observerships/research, repeating training, survival jobs, financial strain, etc. That’s exactly what makes this decision difficult when you have a wife and children depending on you.

I feel caught between financial stability, professional respect, quality of life, children’s future, and the reality of age/time/risk.

Some days I think staying in Pakistan and focusing fully on private practice is the smartest move, considering social and financial factors. Other days I feel like I may regret never trying to leave while I still can.

I’d really appreciate honest advice from doctors, especially Pakistani doctors who migrated after FCPS or chose not to.

If you were in my position

- What path would you choose?

- Is the Gulf worth it long term?

- Is Canada/UK realistically possible with a family at this stage?

- If you stayed in Pakistan, do you regret it?

Not looking for motivational (or demotivational) one-liners. Just real experiences and realistic perspectives.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning for Summer 2027 (April intake) in Germany for Master’s in CS/Software fields.

My profile:
- MSc CS, 3.77 GPA
- Gold medalist
- 5 years experience in German-based tech company
- Brother in Berlin (accommodation support)

I’m confused about the new Germany student visa process for Pakistan (Islamabad Embassy).

Since offer letter is now required before visa process/appointment, how are students managing Summer intake timelines? If universities send admits in Jan/Feb, is it realistically possible to get visa appointment + processing before April classes?

Also:
- when do Summer 2027 applications usually open?
- which universities are flexible with late arrival due to visa delays?

One more thing:
My husband is in Italy with a pending asylum case, but I have no intention of going there or using asylum routes. My genuine plan is:
Study in Germany → tech job → Blue Card → later legal family reunification.

Can this negatively affect my student visa even if my academic/professional profile is strong?

Would appreciate guidance from anyone with recent experience, especially Pakistani students using the new visa portal system.

Thanks!

Hi,

I want to move to USA or Europe. I have done my FSc in pre medical group and now i'm going for BSCS in a local low rank university or from a affiliate college or by VU. Unfortunately, i cannot afford moving abroad currently. So my plan is to get my BS and later move abroad for my MS by a Scholarship.

Any advices for me to follow at age 18, which you wished that you'll know early in your life.

Salam everyone, I’m in the final year of my law degree and I’ll graduate in 10 months. I’m clueless, aiming for an above average 2:1 degree (it’s university of london degree, doing it from lahore) - equates to around 3.3-3.7 cgpa equivalent.

I’m looking for any suitable recommendations or suggestions, an advice or anything relevant to pursuing a legal career abroad. I just want to get out of pakistan, what are my realistic options? what countries can I aim for?

If any of u have any relevant experience or know someone else who has the relevant experience, then please let me know.

So I’m moving as an international student in Ireland ,so what u guys think about it.

Hello everyone,

I have received my chancenkarte visa and will be flying to Germany from Pakistan. Can anyone please clarify whether I'll need a protector of emigrants stamp for boarding the flight? Also, are there any other things needed such as return flight or grade 18 officer attestation (I read this somewhere).

Please share your guidance, it would be very appreciated!

I’m 26, working in tech with around 3 YOE and earning around 300k/month in Pakistan. On paper it sounds decent, but lately I’ve been getting severe FOMO and anxiety seeing literally every classmate and colleague either already abroad or in the process of moving for Masters/PR.

The thing is, academically I also had a strong profile. I graduated with a 3.9 CGPA and even got a gold medal. A few years ago I probably would’ve gone abroad without thinking twice. But life happened in a good way too — I got married and now have a baby son Alhamdulillah.

Now the idea of moving feels much more complicated. It’s not just “go study and hustle.” It means taking my wife and child along, paying huge expenses, surviving in another country, doing odd jobs with studies, managing family responsibilities, uncertainty, loneliness etc. Sometimes I wonder if I missed the train already.

At the same time, I’m genuinely worried about the future in Pakistan. Inflation keeps rising, taxes keep increasing, and honestly sometimes it feels impossible to even dream of building your own house on a salary here. Then I keep hearing people say immigration laws are becoming stricter every year and PR pathways will become much harder in the future, which increases my panic even more.

So I wanted honest opinions from people who have already migrated or are planning to:

• Is moving abroad now actually a necessity for long-term stability and future security?
• Do you think getting PR/citizenship early is becoming extremely important before immigration doors become tighter?
• Or is social media and peer pressure making it feel more urgent than it really is?
• Can someone still build a stable, financially secure life in Pakistan if they stay patient and keep growing in their career?
• For people who moved abroad with spouse/kids — was it worth all the struggle?

I know everyone’s situation is different, but right now I genuinely feel mentally stuck between gratitude for what I have and fear that I’m falling behind in life.

Would really appreciate honest guidance from people who’ve lived through this decision.

What is the success ratio of student visa for a PGD in canada? What are the requirements

Basically, I wanna use savings to try and build some sort of presence abroad. EU/NA/any region. But I don't know my options and don't know where to begin. I'm thinking something similar to those property investment for citizenship schemes. I don't even have a number in mind for the investment, like let's say 35-50 lac as a tentative number to work with.

Anyone got any ideas? I feel this could be an interesting discussion to have for those sick of the typical study ---> work route.

Just to be clear my degrees are from another country and I received an offer from a big company. Just curious if it’s being issued.

Assalamualikum I am civil engineering graduate from NUST Islamabad ,with a CGPA of 3.73 and one year of working experience, however currently I am unemployed and kind of disillusioned by the lack of opportunity in Pakistan,salaries are so low ,honestly i dont see future here with these low salaries ,so my option is doing a masters abroad and try to settle there and find work, so naturally im looking for scholarships as i am from middle class family, since irs an engineering masters ,i am looking at Europe ,Australia and Malaysia My priorities are

1. Fully funded scholarship
2. Chance of getting PR, and finding work or atleast part time work to manage expenses I am doubtful on europe due to language barrier , So I will really appreciate if someone can guide me on which countries to target ,based on my requirements,and do I even have a chance of landing a good scholarship? Thanks in advance

Salam, So I wanted your advice on whether should I pursue my studies abroad in Under grad or Graduate studies. I have been interested in starting my career in OT sec and wanted your views. For pakistan I selected NUST and LUMS for undergraduate tho. I am still searching for Abroad but Italy and malaysia came to my mind.

Currently in A levels

Canada for engineering (with mandatory coops but no scholarship) or USA for maths in major urban setting (and huge scholarship). I can obviously switch majors since US is flexible but again the coops and post grad life in Canada seems better, no? also for Pakistanis in Canada, do coops always land you job at the same company or because they are too common they don't "promise" you a job. I genuinely need advice on what's going on these days in both countries regarding post grad jobs and sponsorship! We are talking about ROI here!!

This is a bit of a follow-up to a post I've already shared here, but felt it could be extensive enough to warrant a separate thread.

Context: 27y/o freelancer ($3k+/mo) who's been exploring DNV options lately, bit of a latecomer to the UAE freelance visa scene so wanted to dig into it as well.

As I understand, multiple freezones in UAE allow you to legally work and live there once you submit the relevant documents and payment for the freelance package (be it 1 year, 2 years, or more).

However, given the situation around rejections for us Pakistanis, I was wondering if the same holds true for these visa types?

Specifically, if anyone here has recent experience with the following:

• GoFreelance (Dubai Media City) - seems the most popular
• RAKEZ - seems amongst the more affordable packages
• Fujairah Creative City
• SHAMS
• Any other freezone I may have missed

I'd appreciate some insight on if you were able to acquire both the freelance license AND the residence visa? If so, how long did it take? Any unforeseen hidden costs?

Also, if you’re a creative professional (media, design, etc.), let me know which free zone worked for you and whether you’d recommend it.

Apologies in case this has been addressed extensively on this sub, and thanks again!

I have declined my Masters admission in Australia due to high financial cost.

Instead, I am choosing Malaysia for my Research Masters in Management.

I am targetting UUM which has their Operation Management program accredited with AACSB.

I want to know the living costs in Malaysia as a girl. Please guide.