Pakistan Visa Guide

Starting March 2019, people from eligible countries can apply for their Pakistan visa on the official Pakistan e-Visa website.

This article provides comprehensive guidance on how to get a visa to Pakistan, what documents to prepare, and how to get a perfect and compliant photo for your Pakistan visa.

Table of contents

• Pakistan visa policy-2026
• Who is eligible to apply for a Pakistan visa online?
• Pakistan online visa application step-by-step
• Documents required for Pakistan visa application
• Pakistan visa photo requirements
• Get a Pakistan visa photo online
• Pakistan visa photo app: 7ID
• Pakistan e-visa processing time
• Pakistan visa fees
• Reasons why your Pakistan visa can be rejected and how to avoid them
• FAQ

Pakistan Visa Policy-2026

In March 2019, Pakistan introduced an online visa system to support tourism and business travel. It allows citizens of many countries to apply for visas (tourist, business, work, and study) online before arrival. By 2026, the system has shifted to a digital-first, paid e-Visa model. Most travelers now need to apply in advance through visa.nadra.gov.pk, rather than relying on visa-on-arrival or free pre-travel authorization.

Tourism and business e-Visa rules (2026)

Tourist e-Visas for Pakistan are usually issued for up to 90 days. They may be single-entry or multiple-entry, depending on the case. Business e-Visas are typically valid for up to 30 days. Extensions are sometimes possible inside Pakistan, but you must apply before your current visa expires. Approval is not guaranteed.

Changes to visa-on-arrival and ETA (2026)

The previous Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) and Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA/ETA) programs have been suspended since January 1, 2026. These programs previously allowed travelers from countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many EU states to enter Pakistan with minimal paperwork or free pre-approval.

As of 2026, most travelers must apply for a paid e-Visa in advance. Typical processing time is 7–20 business days.

In practice, this means you should complete your e-Visa application online before traveling, rather than expecting to get permission on arrival.

Who is Eligible to Apply for a Pakistan Visa Online?

Under current rules, citizens of around 192 countries can apply for a Pakistan e-Visa online through the official portal. The exact list of eligible countries may vary depending on the visa type (tourism, business, work, etc.).

For the most up-to-date information, check the official list on Pakistan Online Visa System or review the countries eligible for a Pakistan online visa to confirm whether your nationality qualifies.

Pakistan Online Visa Application Step-by-step

Applying for a Pakistan e-Visa is fully online and usually straightforward:

1. Create an account on Pakistan’s online visa system . Enter your passport number, full name, and email address. Then confirm your account using the link sent to your email(check your spam folder if needed).
2. Log in using the verification PIN and click “New application” to start your visa request.
3. Fill in the application form with your personal, passport, and travel details. Make sure everything matches your passport exactly.
4. Upload the required documents (passport scan, recent photo, and any supporting documents depending on your visa type).
5. Pay the visa fee using a credit or debit card through the official portal.
6. Review all information and submit your application. Save your confirmation email and application number. You will usually receive your e-Visa (PDF) by email within a few business days.

Documents Required for Pakistan Visa Application

The documents required for a Pakistan visa vary depending on the type of visa.

For an online tourist e-visa, you will need:

• A scan of the page in your passport with your personal information (the biographical page).
• A digital photograph of yourself that meets the Pakistan Visa Photo Standards.
• Hotel booking details.

For a traditional paper Pakistan tourist visa application, you will need:

• Your passport.
• A copy of the passport page with your information and all visa pages.
• Copies of all filled-in pages of your internal passport.
• Three 3.5×4.5 cm color photos that meet the photo standards for a Pakistani visa.
• A form filled in English and signed by you.
• An invitation letter from a travel company registered in Pakistan.
• Confirmation of hotel reservation.

Pakistan Visa Photo Requirements

When applying for a Pakistani visa, your photograph must meet the following requirements:

• 35×45 mm in size. Digital visa photo dimensions must be greater than 350x467 pixels.
• Your face should occupy 70-80% of the frame.
• The photo should be in color with a white background, and it must not be more than 6 months old.
• You should look directly at the camera in the photo.
• The photo must be clear with adequate brightness and contrast, and your eyes should be clearly visible.
• You must not wear glasses, and hats are allowed only if they do not cover your face and are visible from your chin to your forehead and sides of your face.

Here is an example of a Pakistan visa photo:

Get a Pakistan Visa Photo Online

Visafoto.com service makes it easy for you to get a high-quality visa photo fast. Here's how it works:

1. Take a photo with your digital camera or smartphone on a plain white background.
2. Upload the photo to Visafoto.com
3. Instantly download a professionally-edited visa photo.

Visafoto provides adjustments to photos that you can make with a few clicks. We scale and crop the image to the desired size, fix the background color, and straighten the head. Our service also resizes the photo to fit online applications.

In addition, you will receive one digital photo that you can use for your online visa application and one printable copy. If your photo isn't accepted, Visafoto has a 100% guarantee that you'll be refunded.

With a 99.7% acceptance rate, Visafoto knows the exact photo requirements for various types of visas, IDs, and other documents.

First, take a photo of yours under daylight like this one:

You will get two files. The digital one is suitable for online applications, and the other is for printing.

Pakistan Visa Photo App: 7ID

Discover the 7ID visa photo app, brought to you by Visafoto.com. This convenient app allows you to easily take and edit a Pakistan visa photo directly from your iPhone or Android device, perfect for both digital and paper submissions.

Simply upload your photo to the app, choose the country and the document you need, and take advantage of the advanced features of our tool. Some of its features include:

Automatic adjustment: 7ID automatically sizes your photo to perfection, ensuring your face and eyes are perfectly aligned without any need for manual tweaking.

Change background: With just a swipe, you can change the background color to match official guidelines, like white, light gray, or blue, to ensure your photo looks professional.

Print-ready templates: Once you've finished editing, 7ID provides you with a print-ready template. You can customize this template to fit any standard paper size, including 10×15 cm, A4, A5, and B5. This means you can print your passport photo wherever you need it, both at home and on the go.

Advanced Editing (Expert Feature): This feature utilizes advanced technology to improve the appearance of your photo, correct edits, and close gaps where a clean background is required.

24/7 Support and Quality Control (Expert Feature): With the Expert feature, you can always receive assistance. If your photo does not meet the required standards or is rejected for any reason, our team of experts will be there to assist you.

Pakistan e-Visa Processing Time

On average, a Pakistan e-Visa takes about 7 to 14 business days to process, though this can vary depending on the volume of applications, your nationality, and the completeness and accuracy of your documents. Some official guidance now recommends allowing up to around 20 business days for standard processing, especially for applicants previously covered under faster visa-on-arrival schemes.

In practice, many applicants receive their e-Visa within a few days, but during peak travel periods, holidays, or if additional verification is required, processing may take longer. To avoid delays, it is advisable to apply at least 2–3 weeks before your intended travel date and ensure all information matches your passport exactly.

Once approved, the Pakistan e-Visa is issued as a PDF file and sent to the email address you used in the application. You should print a copy or keep a digital version with you, as it may be requested at check-in or immigration.

Pakistan Visa Fees

The cost of a Pakistan visa depends on the type of visa (tourist, business, work, or family visit), the duration of stay, the number of entries (single or multiple), and the applicant’s nationality. In many cases, fees are fixed per visa category rather than per day, so different durations within the same category may have the same base price.

For example, the standard fee for a single-entry tourist e-Visa for US citizens is typically around USD 60, while business or work visas may cost more depending on validity and entry type. Some applicants may also encounter additional payment or conversion fees depending on the payment method used.

To check the exact amount for your case, you can use the official Pakistan visa fee calculator, which calculates the fee based on nationality, visa type, and duration before payment.

Reasons Why Your Pakistan Visa Can Be Rejected and How to Avoid Them

Your Pakistan visa application may be denied for various reasons, such as failure to follow visa protocols, gaps in your travel itinerary, unclear purpose of visit, mistakes in your application, and discrepancies in your data. The Pakistani government may also deny your Pakistan visa application if you have a criminal background, weak ties to your home country, false information, or plans to visit restricted areas.

• To increase your chances of approval, follow these tips:
• Follow all visa guidelines.
• Provide detailed travel plans and a clear reason for your visit.
• Complete your application form accurately and ensure all information is consistent.
• Maintain a clean criminal record.
• Prepare thoroughly for the visa interview.
• Be honest and provide complete information.
• Avoid restricted areas and demonstrate a strong connection to your home country.

FAQ

Can I apply for a Pakistan e-Visa if I don’t have a confirmed hotel booking?

You do not always need a confirmed hotel booking, but you must provide a valid accommodation address in Pakistan (hotel, host, or other place of stay). If your plans are flexible, you can still enter a tentative hotel name or intended address, as long as the field is not left empty.

Is a Pakistan e-Visa valid for visiting restricted or military-sensitive areas?

A standard tourist e-Visa does not automatically allow travel to restricted or military-sensitive areas, such as certain border regions, cantonment zones, or parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Visiting these areas usually requires an additional special permit issued by local authorities or arranged through a licensed tour operator in Pakistan.

Can I enter Pakistan by land if I have an e-Visa?

Yes, a Pakistan e-Visa is valid for entry by air, land, and sea at authorized checkpoints. At land borders, you may need to present a printed copy of your e-Visa along with your passport, and processing times at checkpoints can be longer than at airports.

Do children need a separate Pakistan e-Visa?

Yes, each traveler, including infants and children, must have an individual e-Visa. The application must be completed separately using the child’s passport details, even if they are traveling with parents or guardians.

Can I change my entry date or extend my visa once I am in Pakistan?

You cannot change the entry date after the visa is issued, but you may apply for an extension while in Pakistan before your visa expires. Extensions are subject to approval by immigration authorities and depend on your visa type and reason for stay.

Last Update: April 2026