Visa & travel documents

Foreign visitors should apply in advance through the Pakistan Online Visa System at visa.nadra.gov.pk. This is the official NADRA visa portal. Type the address yourself and check the hostname before uploading a passport or paying. Similar names, search adverts and an agent’s website are not the government application portal.

Do not plan to arrive without the required advance authorisation. Apply online before travelling and use only the categories currently offered by the official portal for your nationality and purpose. Do not rely on older Visa on Arrival or Visa Prior to Arrival announcements: official pages can be outdated. Check your current eligibility and obtain the required approval before departure rather than expecting an arrival counter to issue it.

Visa fees depend on nationality and category. Use the official fee calculator linked below rather than a quoted amount from an old article. Eligibility for a category, processing and approval are separate matters; a submitted application or paid fee is not itself permission to enter. Confirm the conditions of the issued visa and the airline’s document checks.

Keep secure offline copies of your visa approval, passport identification page, hotel confirmation and emergency contacts. Originals and copies should not all be in the same bag. Check spelling, passport number, permitted stay and entry conditions before booking nonrefundable travel.

This guide is practical preparation, not an immigration decision. Rules and individual eligibility can change. Use the official portal and relevant authorities for current instructions, and allow time for any documents your selected route requires.

Holders of valid NICOP or POC documents have visa-free entry privileges under the applicable official rules. Check that the card is valid and carry the travel document required for your journey. Do not assume an expired card, an application receipt or a copy has the same effect; verify your case with NADRA and the carrier before departure.

Pakistani residents should prepare an original CNIC for hotel check-in and ask the property what identity documents it requires for each guest. For children, carry their B-form or relevant identity record and confirm the property’s requirements. A child’s record is not a substitute for a passport when international travel requires one.

On northern routes and at checkpoints, keep original identity or travel documents accessible and copies separately. Follow lawful checks and local instructions. Before visiting restricted or border areas, foreign travellers may need a NOC or permit in addition to a visa. Ask the relevant authority and your local organiser about the specific itinerary, not just the general region.

Hotels may need to record a foreign guest’s passport and visa details for registration. Ask how documents will be checked and handled, and provide sensitive information through an appropriate private channel rather than a public review or message. Confirm check-in requirements before arrival, especially if travelling with children or mixed-nationality companions.