Applying for a Pakistan Visa on Arrival in 2024: A Step-by-Step Guide

Pakistan is offering visas for business and tourism purposes. The process is to send an application online and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. Business travellers need documents like passport, photographs, invitation letter, with a validity of a month.

Pakistan Visa on Arrival Types;

The visa on arrival in Pakistan is available exclusively for tourism and business. Before visiting the country, visitors need to ascertain the intent to travel or choose the appropriate option on arrival.

Tourist Visa on Arrival;

Travellers arriving in Pakistan from eligible countries with a short visit purpose for holiday or family visits can get a tourist visa on arrival in the country. The eligible persons must submit their intent at least 48 to 72 hours before their planned trip to Pak to get an ETA. To submit the intent and state it, one needs to fill up and submit an online visa application form through Pakistan Online Visa System. After getting an ETA, the individual can travel to Pak for the trip along with their family if they have also applied for the visa.

Eligibility;

The following categories are eligible to apply for the Pakistan tourist visa on arrival. See below.

• Travellers from the following countries can apply for a Pakistan tourist visa on arrival,
  • Angola, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei, Costa Rica, Finland, Kuwait, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Tanzania, UAE, Turkey, KSA, Monaco, Malaysia, New Zealand, China, South Korea, South Africa and Sweden among many others.

• Foreign nationals of Indian origin are also eligible for applying under this category for religious tourism purposes.

• Tourist operators approved by the Pakistan Directorate of Tourist Services may be allowed to bring tourist groups under this category.

Documents Required;

To apply for a Pakistan travel visa an individual needs to hand over a photograph, have a valid passport, an invitation letter from the sponsor or hotel booking details for individual tourists. White for group of tourists, an invitation from the tour operator is required who has also been registered under the Pakistan DTA.

Business Visa on Arrival;

Foreign visitors on brief business trips to Pakistan require a business visa on arrival, that differs from the tourist visa on arrival. This visa is meant for only business related activities like meetings, conferences, and opportunities exploration in any region of the republic of Pakistan.

Documents Required;

A person applying for a business visa in Pakistan need a photograph, passport, proof of company registration issuing the invitation (SECP/Chamber of Commerce Certificate), proof of legal residence approved by Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the visitor’s own country, or invitation from business organisation endorsed by the relevant trade organisation situated in Pakistan. The business person can apply through Pakistan’s E Business invitation Letter System or an invitation letter from the Reko Diq Mining Company specifically if the person has a business deal regarding the Reko Diq Project. Along with this the immigration authorities can also ask for a recommendation letter from the honorary investment counsellor of the Board of Investment (BOI).

Validity Time;

The validity of the business visa is of 30 days and the ETA is accessible for a period of 90 days.

Processing Time;

The processing time for a business visa is usually 48 to 72 hours meaning a period of 2 to 3 days maximum. And if the application is anyhow rejected, one can resubmit the same after 7 days.

Pak Visa on Arrival Cost;

Travellers can check the visa application fees on the official website of Pakistan Online Visa Issuing System and the cost generally differs from country to country basis.