Visitors to Pakistan generally must obtain a visa before arrival. Pakistan has introduced an online visa system (eVisa) for most travelers and also offers visa-free entry to nationals of specific countries. Here’s a detailed overview of Pakistan’s visa policy:
Visa Exemption
Citizens of the following countries with ordinary passports do not need a visa to enter Pakistan for stays of up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Maldives (up to 3 months)
- Oman
- Nepal (up to 1 month)
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
These travelers can enter Pakistan without the need for a visa.
Free eVisa (Tourism and Business)
As of August 14, 2024, Pakistan offers free eVisas to citizens of 126 countries for tourism and business purposes. These eVisas are issued within 24 hours and are valid for single entry, 90-day stays. Eligible travelers can use eGates at nine airports and Gwadar Port.
Countries eligible for free eVisa:
- European Union (except Cyprus)
- Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, DR Congo, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Note: Some of these countries (marked with 1 above) are also eligible for visa-free entry.
Online Visa (eVisa)
Pakistan offers an online visa application system for citizens of all countries except the following, who must apply at Pakistani diplomatic missions:
- Armenia
- India
- Israel
- Taiwan
Citizens from all other countries can apply for an eVisa, making the process easier and faster.
Visa on Arrival (Substitute Visa)
Nationals of Turkey holding valid visas for the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, or United States are eligible for a visa on arrival in Pakistan.
Non-Ordinary Passports
Holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports from specific countries can enter Pakistan without a visa. Visa exemptions are granted for various durations, ranging from 1 to 3 months, depending on the country.
Examples of countries with diplomatic, official, or service passport exemptions:
- Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia, Vietnam (1 to 3 months)
A visa exemption agreement with Tajikistan is also in place for holders of official passports but is yet to be ratified.
Mandatory Registration
Visitors from the following countries must register with the police upon arrival in Pakistan:
- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Israel, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Uganda
Typically, hotels handle this registration during check-in, but travelers staying outside hotels may need to register at police stations.
Special Categories
- Overseas Pakistani Citizens: Holders of a Pakistan Origin Card (POC), a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), or passports marked with a “Visa Exempt” stamp do not require visas to enter Pakistan.
- Israeli Passport Holders: Though Israel and Pakistan do not have diplomatic relations, Israeli citizens can apply for visas through third countries. They must register with local police upon arrival unless they have a work visa.
- Indian Passport Holders: Indian citizens can apply for Pakistani visas but must comply with additional regulations, including mandatory police registration. Indian nationals are limited to specific visa types, such as business, family, transit, or religious pilgrimage visas, and must enter and exit Pakistan through designated ports like Wagah border or certain airports.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Who can visit Pakistan without a visa? Nationals of countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Maldives can visit Pakistan visa-free for up to 90 days.
- What is the free eVisa program? Pakistan offers a free eVisa for tourism and business purposes to citizens of 126 countries. The eVisa is issued within 24 hours and is valid for 90 days.
- How can I apply for an eVisa to Pakistan? Citizens of most countries can apply for a Pakistani eVisa online. Exceptions include Armenia, India, Israel, and Taiwan, who must apply at Pakistani diplomatic missions.
- Can Indian citizens travel to Pakistan? Yes, Indian citizens can visit Pakistan, but they are subject to mandatory police registration and must apply for specific visa types, such as family or business visas.
- Can Israeli citizens visit Pakistan? Although Israel and Pakistan have no diplomatic relations, Israeli citizens can still apply for a visa to Pakistan through a third country. They must register with the police upon arrival.