If you are planning to move to Europe, but the visa hassle is becoming a hurdle for you. Here’s a good news for you to live and work in Svalbard with no visa.
Svalbard is a unique, visa-free zone under the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, allowing citizens from any nation to live and work there indefinitely without visas, work permits, or residence permits.
The main requirement is financial self-sufficiency, as there is no social safety net. However, you must transit through mainland Norway (Schengen area), requiring a double-entry visa for non-EU citizens.
Key aspects of working in Svalbard
Visa-Free Access: Anyone can move to Svalbard to work without special permits, regardless of nationality.
Financial Requirement: You must have a job, a place to stay, and enough funds to support yourself. If you cannot support yourself, the Governor may ask you to leave.
Schengen Transit: While Svalbard is not in the Schengen area, it is reached via Norway. If you require a visa for Norway, you must secure a multiple-entry Schengen visa to return.
Job Market: Jobs are limited, competitive, and generally focused on tourism, research, and mining.
Limited Services: There is no social welfare system for non-Norwegians. The community is small (approx. 2,500 people), and housing is scarce.
Registration: Upon arrival, you must register with the Governor of Svalbard for residency.
Important tip: Living in Svalbard does not grant automatic Norwegian citizenship or residency rights in mainland Norway.
Life is polar-extreme, and safety precautions (e.g., carrying rifles for polar bears) are mandatory outside settlements.
Pakistan’s passport ranking claim record spot in 2026
On the other hand, Pakistan is regaining its global respect with every passing day, as the green passport ranking has claimed record spot in 2026.
The green passport jumped to 98th spot from the 100th in the first month of 2026 due to diplomatic efforts and country’s record global agreements.
Visa-free/eTA countries
Pakistani passport holders can travel without the need of any visa or just with eta in over 30 countries.
Visa-free Countries
Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia, Montserrat, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu
Visa-on-arrival (VOA) countries
Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Nepal, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu
Electronic Travel Authorisation countries
Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka
Also read: Pakistan passport latest fee, January 2026 updates
