The Parwaaz Card is a Punjab government scheme that lends skilled workers the money they need to take up a confirmed job abroad, without charging interest. This guide explains who qualifies, what it covers, and how to apply on the official portal.

It runs under the Chief Minister’s Hunarmand Naujawan programme and is administered by the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF).

The problem it solves

Many skilled Pakistani workers receive a genuine job offer from abroad and then lose it. Not because they lack the skill, but because they cannot pay the upfront costs before their first salary arrives.

Those costs typically include the visa fee, medical tests, a trade or skill test, the air ticket, and the charges of the recruitment agent. Families often sell land or jewellery, or borrow from moneylenders at brutal rates, to cover them.

The Parwaaz Card is designed to remove that barrier by lending the money interest free, so a worker can leave for a job that will earn far more than the loan.

Who is eligible

Based on programme information published so far, applicants generally need to:

  • Be a permanent resident of Punjab with a valid CNIC
  • Be 18 years or older, with an upper age limit reported for some categories
  • Hold a genuine overseas job offer from a foreign employer
  • Have that offer arranged through an Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP) licensed by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment
  • Fall within the programme’s salary ceiling, which exists so support reaches lower-paid workers rather than high earners

NICOP holders and overseas-qualified professionals have also been reported as eligible for parts of the programme.

Eligibility rules and any age or salary limits are set by PSDF and can change. Confirm the current criteria on the official portal before you rely on them.

Applications are submitted on the official PSDF portal at parwaaz.psdf.org.pk.

What it covers and how much

The loan is meant for verified pre-departure expenses, typically:

  • Visa fees
  • Medical examinations
  • Skill verification or trade tests
  • Air tickets
  • Licensed OEP charges

The programme has been reported to offer different tiers, with pre-departure support reported at up to around Rs 300,000, and larger amounts reported for other categories including business use.

Reported figures vary between sources and change as the programme develops. Treat any amount you read, including these, as “as of” its date and confirm the current tier and limit on the official portal before you plan your finances.

How to apply, step by step

Step 1: Get a genuine job offer first

This is the part that must come before the application, not after. You need a real offer from a foreign employer, arranged through a licensed OEP.

Check the agent’s licence with the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment before paying anyone anything. Unlicensed agents are the single biggest source of overseas employment fraud in Pakistan.

Step 2: Open the official portal

Go to parwaaz.psdf.org.pk. Many private websites use similar names. Only the PSDF portal is official.

Step 3: Register

Create your account with your CNIC, or NICOP if you are overseas, and verify your mobile number.

Step 4: Complete the application

Fill in the digital form and select the loan category that matches your situation.

Step 5: Upload your documents

You will typically need:

  • CNIC or NICOP
  • Passport
  • The job offer letter from the foreign employer
  • OEP documents confirming a licensed agent
  • Proof of qualification or skill certification
  • Any medical or trade test documents already completed

Step 6: Submit and track

Submit and track the status online. If approved, funds are normally released against documented expenses rather than paid as free cash.

Before you accept: read the repayment terms

Interest free does not mean free. This is a genuine loan and you are expected to repay it.

Before accepting, make sure you understand:

  • The repayment schedule and when instalments start
  • Whether repayment begins after you start earning abroad
  • What happens if the job falls through after you have drawn the loan
  • Any guarantor requirement
  • Any processing or documentation charges

Ask PSDF directly on the helpline if anything is unclear. Do not rely on a recruitment agent’s summary of the terms.

Protect yourself from overseas job fraud

Overseas employment attracts serious fraud, and a loan scheme attracts more. Protect yourself:

  • Verify the OEP licence with the Bureau of Emigration before paying anyone.
  • Apply only on parwaaz.psdf.org.pk.
  • Never share an OTP with an agent or a caller.
  • Be suspicious of any “guaranteed visa” or “guaranteed approval” offer.
  • Get receipts for every payment.
  • Never hand over your original passport to an unverified agent.

If you are asked for a bribe or suspect fraud, report it through the Pakistan Citizen’s Portal.

Official contacts

If overseas work is not your route, other schemes may fit better:

To see which Punjab and federal programmes your household may qualify for, try our free eligibility checker.

GoPunjab is an independent information website. We are not PSDF, we cannot approve a loan, arrange a job offer, or process your application. We only explain how the official process works so you can complete it correctly yourself.