If you haven’t heard yet, let me tell you a little something. Pakistan has recently topped Condé Nast Traveller’s “The Best Holiday Destinations in the World in 2020” list. In doing so, it has beat several well-known tourist-laden countries such as Japan, Denmark, France, Ireland, Australia and Brazil. One of the reasons behind this is the Pakistani government’s resilient efforts to make the Pakistan visa easy to obtain for tourists.
We must say, a very well-deserved mention! Gradually the wonders of Pakistan are slowly coming to the surface. Did you know that Pakistan’s cultural sites have almost 300% more tourists now than they did in the past few years? The expansive moorlands, numerous vibrant towns and villages and of course, the variety of cultures, only add to the beauty the country has to offer. Pakistan is slowly but surely becoming each traveller’s dream country to visit. If you are amongst those who like adventure and outdoor sports like hiking and rock-climbing, then it might be the perfect place for you too!
The historical monuments concentrated in various cities all over Pakistan hold special significance to those that understand their past. The history enthusiasts spend their time visiting monuments ranging from the Mughal era such as the Shalimar Gardens, Badshahi Mosque, and the Lahore Fort. The Punjab plains, once home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, also garner special reverence. If you plan to visit Pakistan, trust us, you’ll find everything you search for in a perfect travel destination.
We know what you must be thinking; how easy is it to get a Pakistan visa? Are the visa requirements stringent? Where would you even find all the relevant information regarding the process and the documents needed? Well, don’t worry. We have you covered. Read on to find out everything you need to know about getting a visa for Pakistan including the Pakistan Visa requirements and other relevant details. Visit the Visas and Border Control section on Roaming Pakistan for more info.
How Do I Get A Pakistan Visa?
You can get a visa for Pakistan by applying online at Pakistan’s Official Visa Portal. Since January 1st 2021, you can apply for a visa for Pakistan only via the online portal. There are many steps to the Pakistani visa application process. These depend on why you want to visit Pakistan as well as where you are from.
The online applications are open for citizens of 191 countries around the world. On their website, you will find different visas for diplomats, students, families, and tourists. There are also different types of work visas like the domestic-aide visa, business visa, official visa, visas for journalists, and visa for NGO/INGO employees. Additionally, there are separate categories for people wanting to come to Pakistan for religious reasons.
The requirements also depend on whether you are applying for a visa for the first time or you already have a visa and are applying for an extension. All documents in the process should be scanned and uploaded on the online portal. You will find detailed instructions of each step available on their website. The website will also guide you regarding the payment of the Pakistan visa fee. In certain cases, you may even give an interview. This interview will take place at your nearest Pakistan Consulate. Lastly, the processing time is different for each category. However, most people get their visas anywhere between 3 working days to 4 weeks.
How Much Does A Pakistan Visa Cost?
The cost of applying for a Pakistan visa depends on the category and duration of the visa. A single-entry Pakistan visa will cost you differently from what a multiple-entry visa would. The fees you pay will also depend upon whether you are coming for the first time or applying for the extension of an existing visa. Lastly, the country you come from also greatly influences the cost of the Pakistan visa.
Through the calculator given on Pakistan’s official visa portal’s website, you can easily calculate the visa fee you would need to pay. All you need to do is choose what type of Pakistan Visa you require and what country you are from. You have plenty of options to choose from depending on your situation from a Pakistan tourist visa to a Pakistan business visa. After filling in all requirements, the fee will be displayed on the screen in US Dollars.
If you are an American citizen who wants to visit Pakistan for less than three months. Moreover, you also want to apply for a single-entry visa. In this case, you would have to pay USD 60 as Pakistan travel visa fees. If you choose the same visa but choose the multiple-entry category, then the visa fees will be USD 90. For citizens of countries including Thailand, Nepal, and Turkey, a single entry visit visa for less than three months will cost USD 25.
Can I Get A Visa On Arrival In Pakistan?
You can get both a business and tourist visa on arrival in Pakistan.. However, not everyone is eligible for a visa on arrival. If you come from one of the 50 countries listed on the online visa portal, you are eligible for a tourist visa on arrival.
Tour operators approved by the Pakistan Directorate of Tourist Services are also allowed the visa on arrival facility. Similarly, the online visa portal has a list of 95 countries, citizens of which are eligible for a business visa on arrival in Pakistan.
For both business and tourist visas on arrival in Pakistan, you cannot show up unannounced. You would need to submit your intent to travel at least 48 to 72 hours prior to landing in Pakistan. You can do this at the online visa portal. After this, you will also receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Without a valid ETA, you cannot travel to Pakistan.
What documents do I need for a Pakistan visa?
The documents you will need vary for each category of a Pakistan visa. The simplest is a tourist visa for Pakistan for which the document requirements include a passport, a photograph, and the details of your hotel booking. Detailed instructions for the photograph are also available on the website. Make sure that the picture you upload is following these guidelines to avoid any setbacks in your Pakistan visa application.
If you have family in Pakistan and you plan on visiting them, you also need to upload a document to prove your relationship. This can be a marriage or birth certificate.
For a business visa, you need to show proof of registration of the company that is inviting you to visit alongside an E-invitation letter. Lastly, for a work visa, an extensive list of documents is required. This includes your CV and employment agreement amongst a few other similar documents.
If you are not currently present in your home country and are applying from another country, you need to also upload proof of legal residence. Similarly, if you are seeking an extension in your visa period, you also need to upload proof of Pakistani Visa and a scanned copy of the entry stamp on your passport.
How long does a Pakistani visa take?
The processing time for a Pakistani visa is different for each visa category and sub-category. For a tourist visa, it takes 7-10 working days to process requests for an entry visa as well as for an extension of less than 6 months. An extension of longer than 6 months can take 4 weeks to process.
The Pakistani family visas of all types and extensions to all family visas also take 7 to 10 working days. On the other hand, Pakistani business visas are processed in 24 hours if you are a citizen of one of the countries listed on the online portal. An extension in this situation would most likely take 4 weeks. Pakistani work visas of all types and extensions of all work visas take approximately 4 weeks to process.
You can gather more detailed information regarding the documents you need or the processing time by contacting the Pakistan Embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Which countries need a visa for Pakistan?
There are only five countries in the world whose citizens can enter Pakistan without a visa. Let’s take a look at these.
- Residents of the Maldives can stay for up to 3 months in Pakistan without a visa.
- Nationals of Nepal and Samoa can stay in Pakistan for a month without a visa.
- Residents of Tonga and Trinidad and Tobago.
People other than residents of these countries need to apply for a visa to enter Pakistan.
Businessmen and tourists of some countries are eligible for a visa on arrival in Pakistan, as mentioned previously. However, they must submit their intent to travel 48 to 72 hours prior after which they will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization.
How do I apply for a Pakistan visa online?
You can apply for a Pakistan visa online using the official online visa portal. As of January 1st, 2021, Pakistan is only accepting visa applications online on their Official Online Visa Portal.
To apply for a visa for Pakistan, you need to create an account at this portal. Once you log in to your account, you can start your visa application. Here, you will enter your personal information, contact details, and the visa category and subcategory you are applying for.
You will also provide details regarding the purpose of your visit to Pakistan, your expected travel dates, and your entry and departure information. Then, you will receive a tracking ID and you will be able to see your visa fees. You will pay these at the end of the application with the help of a valid credit card.
You will be asked to select your nearest Pakistan Consulate to give an interview if it’s required. This will help you further the process for the Pakistan visa approval. You will also provide your family’s information which includes your parents, spouse and any dependents. You will also need to provide information as to whether they will be accompanying you or not. There will be a separate section for accompanying family members.
You will also provide information regarding your finances and employment. This includes the details of a bank account you may or may not have in Pakistan. Alongside these, the details of your travel history and whether or not you have been refused a visa in the past are also important.
In the end, you will be asked to upload all required documents along with a photograph. This will be where your application to obtain a visa for visiting Pakistan will end. You will be informed of the expected processing time of your application too.
Can I obtain my Pakistan visa online?
You can obtain a Pakistan visa online. At the moment, Pakistan only accepts visa applications online at their portal. Information about the required documents and visa fee are all available at this portal. Visit Pakistan official visa portal website today to find out the exact requirements of the visa you need.
