Pakistan operates visa requirements that vary significantly by nationality, with 50 countries granted visa-on-arrival privileges as of 2024 while most other nationalities must obtain authorization before travel. Citizens of Turkey, Malaysia, Nepal, Maldives, and several other nations receive 90-day visa-free entry. Business visa applicants submit invitation letters from Pakistani sponsors through embassies or high commissions. Tourist visas require hotel confirmations or sponsor letters, with processing times ranging from 5 to 15 working days depending on nationality and mission workload. The Pakistan Online Visa System launched in 2019 processes applications for tourist and business categories from eligible countries, with approval typically within 7 days. Multiple-entry tourist visas carry validity periods from 3 to 12 months with varying stay durations per entry.
All foreign nationals arriving at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, or Islamabad International Airport complete arrival cards and proceed through immigration counters where officers stamp passports with entry dates. Visa-on-arrival facilities at these airports serve the 50 eligible nationalities upon payment of USD 60 to USD 200 depending on visa type and duration. Officers sometimes request return tickets and accommodation proof at their discretion. Overland entry points at Torkham and Chaman on the Afghanistan border, Taftan on the Iran border, and Wagah-Attari on the India border process visa holders, though Wagah operates under restricted protocols where travelers typically obtain advance clearance. The Khunjerab Pass connecting to China closes from November to April due to snow and requires travelers to hold valid Chinese visas for onward passage.
Restricted areas require No Objection Certificates obtained through the Ministry of Interior, provincial home departments, or relevant district administration offices. Northern regions including Gilgit-Baltistan became more accessible in 2009 when the government removed permit requirements for most valleys, though areas near the Line of Control with India remain restricted. Chitral district permits applications through the Deputy Commissioner's office in Chitral town. Travel to regions within 16 kilometers of the Afghanistan border requires Interior Ministry approval submitted at least 14 days before intended travel. Balochistan's Makran Coast and districts bordering Afghanistan and Iran carry movement restrictions where security clearances take 3 to 6 weeks. Foreign journalists and researchers apply for separate clearance through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regardless of visa category.
Extensions process through passport offices in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta, where applicants submit forms, passport copies, and extension fees of PKR 3000 to PKR 15000 depending on nationality and duration requested. Processing takes 3 to 10 working days. Overstaying incurs penalties of PKR 500 per day in addition to potential entry bans ranging from 6 months to permanent depending on overstay duration and circumstances. Visitors converting tourist visas to business or employment categories must exit Pakistan and reapply, as in-country conversions ceased in 2018 except for exceptional circumstances approved by the Interior Ministry.
Pakistan does not require yellow fever vaccination certificates unless travelers arrive within 6 days of departing countries with yellow fever transmission risk. Polio vaccination records became mandatory in 2014 for travelers departing Pakistan, with vaccination centers operating at international airports for those lacking documentation. COVID-19 protocols shifted multiple times between 2020 and 2023. As of early 2024, Pakistan eliminated most pandemic entry requirements though authorities retain discretion to reinstate testing or vaccination proof requirements.
Tourist visa holders cannot engage in paid employment, attend business meetings beyond exploratory discussions, or enroll in educational programs exceeding 30 days without appropriate visa conversions. Business visa holders attend meetings, conferences, and conduct negotiations but cannot receive payment from Pakistan-based sources without work authorization. Student visas require institutional admission letters and government clearance certificates processed before arrival, with applications submitted through Pakistan missions abroad taking 4 to 8 weeks. Work permits require employer sponsorship with Board of Investment approval for most foreign nationals, processing in 6 to 12 weeks through sequential approvals from multiple ministries.
Re-entry permits for temporary departures during long-term stays process through the same passport offices handling extensions, costing PKR 1000 to PKR 5000 and requiring 2 to 5 working days. Multiple re-entry permits cover validity periods up to visa expiration dates. Exit requirements include clearance certificates from police and taxation authorities for stays exceeding 6 months, though short-term tourists rarely face such scrutiny. Travelers carrying antiquities, artifacts, or items resembling cultural heritage face customs detention and potential prosecution under antiquities laws regardless of purchase documentation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains the official visa policy at https://visa.nadra.gov.pk for online applications and at https://mofa.gov.pk for policy updates and embassy contact details. Mission-specific requirements sometimes exceed baseline policies, particularly regarding financial documentation and sponsor verification.