Pakistan Visa Requirements

Visa Information

All foreign nationals, except for those belonging to countries with which Pakistan has Visa Abolition Agreements, information available with Pakistan Missions abroad, are required to obtain a visa to enter Pakistan. Visa can be obtained from Pakistan's Diplomatic Missions. Ordinarily Missions deal only with visa applicants residing in their jurisdiction he/she resides at the time of making application, will deal with the case.

The grant of visa, however, is no guarantee that the recipient would be allowed entry into Pakistan. The final decision to allow entry rests with the Immigration Officer at the point of entry.

Categories of Visa

The rules provide for three categories of visas namely, single transit and multiple entry visas. For transit visa the applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

Onward journey of the applicant is reasonably assured, and
the applicant's documents for the country of destination and countries enroute are in order.

Commercial Travelers and Businessmen making repeated journeys to Pakistan in connection with business can be granted multiple entry visa valid for up to six journeys within a period not exceeding one year.

Single or multiple journey visas granted to diplomats and officials of foreign governments accredited to Pakistan and other foreigners of similar stratus are issued with 'Diplomatic' or 'Official' visas, normally free of charge.

Procedure for obtaining visa

An Applicant for visa is required to fill in the prescribed visa application form complete in all respects and duly signed by him/her. The form is to be submitted to the Consular Section of the Mission along with the following:

Passport
Three passport-size latest photographs
Confirmed travel itinerary
Appropriate visa fee

Persons proceeding to Pakistan on specific assignments (business/Official) should enclose letters/documents from their sponsors/employees giving all the details such as the nature of assignment, duration etc.

Incomplete and unsigned applications will not be processed

The rates of fee for different categories of visa differ from country to country. The applicants are, therefore, advised to check with the concerned issuing authority the visa fee, time required for issuance of visa and any other information.

The grant of visa cannot be claimed as a right. The issuing authority may refuse the application without assigning any reason.

No.1/4/2000-VISA
Government of Pakistan
Ministry of Interior

Islamabad, the 30th October, 2000

Sub: STREAMLINING OF TOURIST VISA POLICY

The undersigned is directed to refer to the Minorities, Culture, Sports, Tourism & Youth Affairs Division's O.M.. No.10(1)/2000-Reg/Misc dated 17-10-2000, on the above subject and to inform that on 13th October 2000, new visa policy has been announced by the Minister for Interior. With regard to tourist visa, the new policy provides that:-

(i) Immigration Check posts have been authorized to issue 30 days landing permit to the tourists entering Pakistan without visa except nationals of the countries borne on negative list (Annexure - I).

(ii) Under the present instructions, the Regional Passport Offices are authorized to allow initial three months entry visa to the tourists and to allow one extension unto three months. It has further been decided to authorize Regional Passport Offices to grant entry visa to the tourists (except the nationals of the countries borne on negative list) entering Pakistan on landing permit for a period of three months from the date of entry into Pakistan, charging visa fee fixed on reciprocal basis.

(iii) The Regional Passport Offices have further been authorized to allow, on application, not more than two re-entries to the tourists, charging prescribed visa fee subject to a minimum of US$ 10 only.

(iv) The Pakistan Missions abroad have been authorized to issue tourist visa for a maximum period of three months liberally to all foreign nationals except to the Indian nationals and the foreigners of Indian origin.

(v) All foreign nationals, including tourists, have been exempted from police registration, except the nationals from negative list countries.

2. Necessary instructions have been issued to all Visa Issuing Authorities at home and abroad accordingly.

3. In order to provide facility to the foreigners visiting Northern Areas, it has been decided to authorize Deputy Commissioner, Gilgit and Skardu, to allow extension to the tourists for a period of three months and one re-entry charging visa fee as per policy. They shall, however, exercise these powers themselves and will not delegate these powers to their subordinate officials.

4. In order to provide maximum facilities to the foreigners, the RPOs have been directed to implement following instructions in letter and spirit:-

(a) Visa applications shall be accepted and visa signed by the Officer Incharge / Superintendent.

(b) The best available room in the office having adequate/proper seating arrangements and other amenities be allocated for foreigners.

(d) The dealing Assistant deployed at Visa Counter must be well mannered, polite, courteous and conversant with the Visa Rules and Regulations.

(e) It is to be ensured that the foreigners visiting offices are not put to un-necessary inconvenience. Prompt disposal of Visa cases is to be ensured.

(f) Before signing of Visa, it is to ensured that visa has been allowed for the entitled duration and prescribed fee has been realized.

(g) To ensure proper realization of prescribed visa fee and signing of visa, the signing authority will sign each each entry in the Visa Register and will affix his stamp (by name).

(h) The Officer Incharge of RPO will undertake immediate orientation of staff deployed at Visa Counters. The implementation of new visa scheme will be closely monitored by the Directors / Dy. Directors through personal visits/surprise checks.

5. Minorities, Culture, Sports & Tourism and Youth Affairs Division are requested to take further necessary action to circulate the new visa policy to all concerned organizations/tourist agencies etc., a the earliest, under intimation to this Ministry.

s/d
( Riazul Islam )
Section Officer (Visa)Encl: As Above

Minorities, Culture, Sports, Tourism &
Youth Affairs Division,
(Mr. Zamin Ali, S.O. (Reg.),
Islamabad

ANNEXURE-I

LIST OF NEGATIVE COUNTRIES

1. Algeria
2. Bangladesh
3. Bhutan
4. India
5. Iraq
6. Israel
7. Libya
8. Nigeria
9. P.L.O
10. Somalia
11. Sri Lanka
12. Sudan
13. Serbia
14. Tanzania
15. Uganda
16. Yemen
17. Foreigners of India Origin

ANNEXURE-II

LIST OF 44 COUNTRIES

1. Australia
2. Austria
3. Bahrain
4. Belgium
5. Brunei
6. Canada
7. China
8. Czechoslovakia
9. Denmark
10. Finland
11. France
12. Germany
13. Greece
14. Hong Kong
15. Hungary
16. Indonesia
17. Iceland
18. Iran
19. Ireland
20. Italy
21. Japan
22. Kuwait
23. Luxembourg
24. Malaysia
25. The Netherlands
26. New Zealand
27. Norway
28. Oman
29. Poland
30. Portugal
31. Qatar
32. Saudi Arabia
33. Singapore
34. South Korea
35. Spain
36. Sweden
37. Switzerland
38. South Africa
39. Thailand
40. Turkey
41. U.A.E.
42. U.K.
43. U.S.A.
44. Russia

Application Requirement for Visa: Valid passport, 02 passport - size photographs, completed application form, confirmed return/onward air - ticket (if traveling by air) and proof of sufficient amount of foreign currency. Visa fee varies from country to country and type of visa.