Reviewed by Yasir Khan, Founder, LAMTANS Group of Companies, and British Council registered consultant
LAMTANS Consultants helps Pakistani students apply to universities in 25 study abroad destinations across the UK, Europe, North America, Asia, the Gulf and the Caribbean. Each country below links to a guide with visa steps, fees, funds, work rules and official sources, checked in October 2026.
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Related guides: UK and Ireland
- United Kingdom: a student visa fee of £558 and a Graduate visa after your degree.
- Ireland: 20 hours of work a week in term and up to 24 months to stay after a master’s.
Related guides: North America
- United States: F-1 visa with a US$185 visa fee and a US$350 SEVIS fee.
- Canada: CAD $23,448 living costs to show, 24 hours of work a week and a provincial attestation letter for most students.
Related guides: Western Europe
- France: Campus France fee of PKR 30,000 and €877.50 a month to show from 1 August 2026.
- Germany: mostly free public tuition and €11,904 a year in a blocked account.
- Netherlands: a €254 residence permit fee and 16 hours of work a week.
- Switzerland: embassy processing of about 8 to 12 weeks and a 6-month job search after study.
Related guides: Southern Europe
- Italy: €10,179.85 a year to show and a visa deadline of 30 November 2026 for 2026/27.
- Malta: 20 hours of work a week once Jobsplus issues the licence.
- Spain: up to 30 hours of work a week and a decision in about a month.
Related guides: Northern and Central Europe
- Finland: a €600 online permit fee, 30 hours of work a week on average and a 24-month permit to look for work.
- Hungary: 30 hours of work a week in term and Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships.
- Poland: an Embassy visa fee of PKR 65,771 and 776 PLN a month to show.
Related guides: East Asia
- China: X1 visa, US$2,500 per academic year to show and no visa fee for ordinary Pakistani passports.
- Japan: 28 hours of part-time work a week and the MEXT scholarship.
- South Korea: D-2 visa with a USD 60 fee and the Global Korea Scholarship.
Related guides: South-East Asia
- Indonesia: E30B student visa, normally sponsored by the university; work is not permitted.
- Malaysia: EMGS processing of about 14 working days and work in holidays only.
- Singapore: Student’s Pass with a S$45 processing fee and 16 hours of work a week.
Related guides: Gulf and Caribbean
- United Arab Emirates: student residence in about 2 days and 180 days to stay after your studies.
- Bahrain: a student visa for BHD 40 in total; students cannot work unless an official permit is issued.
- Cayman Islands, Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis: check PM&DC recognition and accreditation first.
Funds to show for each country
The amount you must show differs widely. Germany asks for €11,904 a year in a blocked account and Italy for €10,179.85 a year. Canada asks for CAD $23,448 of living costs. France asks for €877.50 a month from 1 August 2026, and Poland asks for 776 PLN a month. China asks for US$2,500 per academic year.
Work rules while you study
Work limits vary by country. Canada allows 24 hours a week and Ireland and Malta allow 20. The Netherlands and Singapore allow 16 hours a week, and Japan allows 28. Malaysia allows work in holidays only. Indonesia does not permit work, and Bahrain students cannot work unless an official permit is issued.
Staying on after your degree
Time to stay differs too. The UK offers a Graduate visa, Ireland up to 24 months after a master’s, Finland a 24-month permit and Switzerland 6 months to search for a job. The United Arab Emirates allows 180 days to stay after your studies.
Processing times
Official processing times differ by country. Student residence in the United Arab Emirates takes about 2 days. Spain decides in about a month, Malaysia’s EMGS takes about 14 working days and Switzerland’s embassy takes about 8 to 12 weeks.
Scholarships in these destinations
Some countries run their own schemes. Hungary has Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships, Japan has the MEXT scholarship and South Korea has the Global Korea Scholarship. Germany has mostly free public tuition.
Countries to study abroad
The right country depends on your budget, your marks and what you want after graduation. Our student visa from Pakistan guide compares the main countries side by side and covers the eight steps every application follows.
Cheapest countries to study abroad for Pakistani students
It depends on the course and your budget. Germany has mostly free public tuition but asks for €11,904 a year in a blocked account, so compare the full costs on each country page. See scholarships for Pakistani students too.
Best countries to study abroad for international students
For work during study, Finland, Hungary and Spain allow around 30 hours a week and Japan allows 28. For time to look for work afterwards, Ireland offers up to 24 months after a master’s and Finland offers a 24-month permit.
Study abroad without IELTS countries
Our guides explain what each route accepts. Read study abroad without IELTS, studying in the UK without IELTS and our English tests guide.
How to choose among study abroad destinations
Entry after intermediate also differs. Many UK universities accept the HSSC, but Germany does not treat it as equal to the Abitur. Some details for each country are marked on its page as something we confirm at your consultation. We cannot promise a visa. We can tell you honestly how strong your case is before you apply.
Sources
Figures are taken from each country page, checked on 11 October 2026.
Last updated 16 October 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many countries do you help with?
We help students apply to 25 destinations, from the UK and Ireland to Europe, Asia, the Gulf and the Caribbean.
Which country is cheapest for Pakistani students?
It depends on the course and your budget. Germany has mostly free public tuition but asks for €11,904 a year in a blocked account, so compare the full costs on each country page.
Can I study medicine in the Caribbean?
Yes, but check PM&DC recognition first. PM&DC says graduates of unrecognised foreign institutions will not get provisional registration.
Can you guarantee my visa?
No. Only the visa office decides. We check your documents and tell you how strong your case is before you apply.
Which country allows the most work hours?
Finland allows about 30 hours a week on average, Hungary and Spain up to 30 and Japan 28. Rules differ, so check each country page.
Where do I start?
Book a free initial consultation. We compare the countries for your marks and budget.