Do You Need a Visa for Pakistan?
Most travelers do, and you need it before you fly. Pakistan’s free Visa Prior to Arrival scheme, which covered 126 countries, has been suspended since 1 January 2026. Visitors from those countries now apply for a paid e-Visa online. Some nationalities have special arrangements or must apply through an embassy, so always check the page for your own passport.
Entry rules and security advice change often, so older blog posts and videos may be out of date. Confirm your situation on the official site or with the Pakistani embassy in your country before you buy non-refundable tickets.
Visa by Nationality: A Quick Guide
Pakistan’s entry rules change often, so use these examples as a starting point and confirm your own case on the official site or with the Pakistani embassy.
- US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and the other countries that used the free scheme: a paid e-Visa applied for online before you fly. The fee depends on your nationality and is calculated inside the application.
- People of Pakistani origin with a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) or a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP): these cards let you enter without a visa. If you do not have one yet, you can apply for it through NADRA.
- Other nationalities: some passports have special arrangements or must apply through an embassy. Check the official site for your nationality before you pay for flights.
Pakistan e-Visa: How to Apply
The official application is made through the Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS) at visa.nadra.gov.pk. The usual steps are:
- Create an account on the official site and choose the tourist visa category.
- Fill in your personal and passport details and say where you will stay, or upload an invitation if you have one.
- Upload the documents requested, which usually include a passport scan and a recent photo.
- Pay the fee online. The fee depends on your nationality and is calculated inside the application.
- Wait for the decision, then save and print the approval to carry with your passport.
Reports put processing at roughly 7 to 20 days, and it can take longer, so apply well ahead of your trip. A tourist e-Visa is usually single-entry for a stay of up to three months, but check the exact validity on your own approval.
Documents to Prepare
- A passport with enough validity left and blank pages. Many airlines and officers expect at least six months, so check yours.
- A recent passport-style photo that meets the site’s rules.
- Details of your accommodation, such as a hotel booking, or an invitation.
- Your return or onward ticket.
- Your e-Visa approval, printed and saved on your phone.
- Travel insurance details. Read the policy to confirm it covers the regions you plan to visit.
The official site lists the exact requirements for your case, so use that list rather than a blog.
Special Rules: Gilgit-Baltistan and Border Areas
Gilgit-Baltistan: All foreign nationals must register with the local authorities when visiting the region. A licensed local operator can usually arrange this for you. Travel advice for the region has changed during 2026: the UK issued a warning for Gilgit-Baltistan in March and lifted it in April. Read your own government’s current advice before you plan.
Border zones: Foreigners are generally not allowed near Pakistan’s international borders except at official crossings. Do not try to visit border areas without permission.
Extending or Changing Your Stay
If you need more time, ask about an extension before your permitted stay ends rather than waiting for the last day. Overstaying can lead to fines and problems with future visas. If your plans change a lot, such as work or study, you will need a different visa category from a tourist visa.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the old free visa scheme still applies to your passport.
- Using a look-alike website that charges extra to “help” you apply. The official site ends in .gov.pk, so check the address carefully.
- Booking non-refundable flights before the e-Visa is approved.
- Arriving with a passport that is close to expiry.
- Planning a trip to the mountains without registering for Gilgit-Baltistan.
Next Steps
Once your entry is sorted, plan the rest of your trip: the best time to visit Pakistan, flights and airports and where to stay. For other countries, see our general visa guide, and read the safety section of the Pakistan travel guide. This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice, so confirm the details with the official source.