66,815 Pakistanis Went Abroad for Jobs in July and August
Quick answer: A total of 66,815 Pakistanis went abroad for employment in July and August 2026, according to Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment data. Departures fell from 39,159 in July to 27,656 in August, a drop of 11,503. Earlier, more than 317,000 workers had left in the first half of 2026.
Key Takeaways
66,815 Pakistanis left the country for overseas work in July and August 2026.
August departures (27,656) were 11,503 lower than July's 39,159.
Saudi Arabia took about 58% of Pakistani workers who went abroad in the first half of 2026.
The BEOE says trade test centres cannot offer visas or jobs and warns jobseekers about fraud.
PPAF issued 5,169 interest-free loans worth Rs381 million in August for small businesses and self-employment.
Pakistani workers continue to look beyond the country's borders for employment. Official figures show that 66,815 Pakistanis went abroad for jobs during July and August 2026, though the monthly pace slowed noticeably in August.
According to data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), reported by Samaa TV and TechJuice, 39,159 workers left for jobs overseas in July. In August, the number fell to 27,656, a month-on-month decrease of 11,503.
How many Pakistanis are going abroad for work in 2026?
The July-August numbers follow a busy first half of the year. TechJuice reported that the BEOE recorded 316,848 workers registering through its system between January and June 2026, while the government-run Overseas Employment Corporation placed another 588 people. That brings the first-half total to 317,436.
Based on the combined reported figures, roughly 384,000 Pakistanis left for overseas employment in the first eight months of 2026.
The first-half figure for 2026 was about 5.8% lower than the same period of 2025, when around 337,000 workers departed. In 2024, a record 727,381 Pakistanis moved abroad for work.
The longer-term picture shows how much overseas employment has grown. TechJuice reported that first-half departures stood at roughly 160,500 back in 2018, meaning the January-June figure has nearly doubled since then. Over the three years from 2023 to 2025, more than two million Pakistanis migrated for work.
Where are Pakistani workers going?
Gulf countries remain the main destinations. In the first six months of 2026:
Saudi Arabia: 183,951 workers, about 58% of all departures
United Arab Emirates: 50,773
Qatar: 34,025
Bahrain: 13,329
Turkiye: 4,673
Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom and Malaysia also attracted significant numbers across different skill categories.
Which professionals are leaving?
The departure data covers a wide range of skills, not just manual labour. Doctors, software engineers, IT specialists, petroleum and mechanical engineers, paramedical staff and trained technicians all feature in the figures. TechJuice linked the outflow to economic instability, rising unemployment, inflation and repeated internet disruptions, and noted that experts see a shortage of research centres and technology infrastructure limiting opportunities for skilled professionals at home.
The official figures released so far do not explain why departures fell in August.
TechJuice noted that workers abroad send billions of dollars home every year and said the scale of the outflow could boost remittance inflows in the coming quarters.
What is the government doing at home?
Alongside overseas placements, the same official report highlighted domestic financing schemes. In August, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) disbursed 5,169 interest-free loans worth Rs381 million provided for small businesses, self-employment and financial inclusion. Total interest-free loan disbursements have reached Rs127 billion since 2019.
The government also says it is widening access to housing and agricultural finance as part of a broader push to create economic opportunities.
Why are jobseekers being warned about fraud?
Alongside the departure figures, the BEOE has warned about scams. In an advisory reported on September 28, the BEOE warned the public about fraud involving trade test centres. The bureau stressed that such centres do not recruit workers and have "no legal authority to offer foreign employment visas".
Key points from the advisory:
Trade test centres may only test technical skills after a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP) has started the recruitment process.
They cannot advertise jobs, claim to have visas, guarantee employment or charge unauthorised fees.
Applicants should pay only verifiable official fees, keep receipts, and avoid sending money to personal bank accounts or mobile wallets.
Do not hand over your original passport permanently to such centres.
Genuine private-sector job adverts must come from licensed OEPs and carry valid permission or tracking numbers, with employer details, destination country, job titles and salary.
The bureau has asked anyone who comes across a fraudulent scheme to file a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
What this means for you
If you are planning to work abroad, the numbers show that opportunities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and other Gulf states remain the most common route. A few practical steps can protect you:
Use licensed promoters only. Check that any agent is a licensed OEP and that the advert shows a valid permission number.
Never pay into personal accounts. Pay only official, verifiable fees and keep every receipt.
Keep your passport. Do not surrender your original passport permanently to a test centre.
Build your skills. Doctors, engineers, IT specialists and trained technicians all appear in the departure data.
Report fraud. If an offer looks suspicious, report it to the FIA.
If you would rather build a career at home, interest-free loan schemes through PPAF are one option for small businesses or self-employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pakistanis went abroad for jobs in July and August 2026?
A total of 66,815 Pakistanis went abroad for employment: 39,159 in July and 27,656 in August, according to Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment data.
Which country hires the most Pakistani workers?
Saudi Arabia, based on first-half 2026 data. It took 183,951 Pakistani workers from January to June 2026, about 58% of all departures, followed by the UAE and Qatar.
Can a trade test centre give me a foreign job visa?
No. The BEOE says trade test centres are not recruitment agencies and cannot offer visas or guarantee jobs. They may only test skills after a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter starts the process.
How do I know an overseas job advert is genuine?
Legitimate private-sector adverts must come from licensed Overseas Employment Promoters and show a valid permission or tracking number, employer details, destination country, job title and salary.
Where can I report an overseas job scam in Pakistan?
The BEOE has asked citizens to file complaints about fraudulent overseas job schemes with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Sources
Samaa TV – Over 66,000 Pakistanis travel abroad for jobs in two months
TechJuice – Over 66,000 Pakistanis go abroad for work in two months
ProPakistani – BEOE warns citizens against fraudulent overseas job offers
This article was compiled by Jobsiz from the sources listed above, with AI-assisted writing and automated fact-checking. Published October 2, 2026. We update stories when new verified information becomes available.