🇦🇿→🇵🇰Azerbaijan→Pakistan

multiple entryonline

For foreign nationals visiting Pakistan for religious pilgrimage and religious tourism - e.g. Sikh pilgrims (Kartarpur Sahib, Nankana Sahib), Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visiting sites of religious importance.

Applied via POVS portal under the Pilgrim Tourism category. Business, Tourist and Sikh Pilgrimage visas are issued with 'No Visa Fee' for eligible nationalities. Sikh pilgrims may apply through sub-categories including residents of a third country other than India and their spouses/children (letter from the Jatha/group leader required for organized groups from India). The separate Visa Prior to Arrival (Sikh Pilgrims) fast-track route was suspended effective 1 January 2026, leaving the standard online pilgrim visa as the operative route.

90 daysmultiple entry7-20d processingvalid 365donline

For leisure, sightseeing, and recreational travel to Pakistan. Issued to foreign nationals who intend to visit Pakistan for tourism purposes.

Applied for via Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS) at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Available to nationals of approximately 175 countries (List A). The Visa on Arrival (VOA) and Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) programs were suspended effective 1 January 2026 - only standard online e-visa route is available. Nationals of Afghanistan, China, Japan, Iceland, North Korea, Slovakia, Malaysia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia reportedly pay no visa fee. Processing time ~7 business days at missions abroad or up to 20 business days per Fragomen (March 2026).

90 daysmultiple entry7-20d processingvalid 365donline

For foreign nationals traveling to Pakistan for commercial, trade, or business meetings. Also covers the Business Visa List (BVL) countries with facilitated access.

Applied for via POVS portal. Fee is approximately 150% of the tourist/visit visa fee for most nationalities (per Consulate General LA). Business Visa List (BVL) countries may have facilitated processing. Requires documentation of business purpose, invitation letters, or company correspondence.

180 daysmultiple entry1-14d processingvalid 1825donline

Issued under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) framework for foreign investors and business persons targeting Pakistan's priority investment sectors including mining, gold, and IT.

Short-term: single-entry up to 6 months; long-term: multiple-entry up to 5 years (extendable by 2 additional years). SIFC recommendation letter may be required. Available to citizens of all countries, including both BVL and non-BVL countries. Priority sectors: mining, gold, IT/technology, energy.

3 dayssingle entryonline

For foreign nationals transiting through Pakistan en route to a third country without leaving the airport or for a short stopover.

Transit without a visa permitted for up to 24 hours in some cases (per Pakistan Embassy Russia). Standard transit visa allows short stopover of up to 72 hours. Applied via POVS portal. Requires confirmed onward ticket and valid visa/residence permit for destination country.

single entry7-20d processingonline

For foreign nationals traveling to Pakistan to receive medical treatment at a recognized Pakistani healthcare facility.

Requires letter from a recognized Pakistani medical institution confirming admission for treatment. Applied via POVS portal. May be extended in-country if treatment continues longer than anticipated.

90 daysmultiple entry7-20d processingvalid 365donline

For foreign nationals visiting family members residing in Pakistan. Covers spouse, children, parents, and other close relatives.

Requires invitation letter from the family member in Pakistan detailing purpose, duration, and cities of visit. Bank statements (3 months) and proof of family relationship required. Applied via POVS portal. For Indian nationals, fee is USD 192 per Consulate General LA. Afghan nationals have visa fee waived.

single entryonline

For foreign nationals admitted to an educational institution in Pakistan to pursue academic studies.

Requires prior approval from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan. Must have confirmed admission to a recognized Pakistani institution. Applied through POVS portal. Details page at Consulate General LA was marked 'under construction' as of June 2026.

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For foreign nationals employed in Pakistan as domestic aides (housemaids, personal/household staff) under the sponsorship of their employer.

A separate work sub-category from the standard Work/Employment Visa. Applied via POVS portal as a new visa (Entry) if the applicant holds no valid Pakistan visa, or as an Extension if already residing in Pakistan on a valid visa. Requires sponsorship and supporting documentation from the employer.

multiple entry7-20d processingonline

For foreign nationals seeking to take up employment with a Pakistani organization or company. Requires sponsorship from a Pakistani employer.

Requires approval from employer and relevant government ministry. Fee approximately 150% of tourist visa rate (per Consulate General LA fee structure). Separate fee structure applies for US nationals. All visa applications must be submitted through the POVS online portal; manual processing discontinued.

45 daysdouble entryonline

A distinct nationality-specific visa policy for Afghan nationals (including Afghan-origin/third-country passport holders), covering entry/visit visas issued by Pakistan missions abroad and separate consular provisions for Afghans already resident in Pakistan or applying via the Pakistan Mission in Afghanistan.

Listed as its own category ('Visa Policy for Afghanistan') on the official Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P) 'Visa Categories' page (dgip.gov.pk/visa/categories.php), parallel to Business/Work/Student visa categories. Afghan nationals (and Afghan-origin/third-country passport holders) applying via Pakistan missions abroad other than the Pakistan Mission in Afghanistan are granted a 45-day entry visa with one re-entry, further extendable by 45 days. Afghan nationals applying directly from within Afghanistan via the Pakistan Mission in Afghanistan, and Afghan nationals long-resident in Pakistan on Afghan passports, instead receive a six-month (180-day) visa/extension with one re-entry. No visa fee is charged to Afghan nationals except for work visas; a USD 20 extension fee applies unless otherwise specified. Afghan-origin applicants married to Pakistani citizens are directed to apply under the Family Visit Visa category instead. Distinct from the separate Humanitarian Safe Passage Permit issued under the Afghan Relocation Program (not a standard visa category).

up to 28d processingonline

For foreign nationals attending conferences, seminars, workshops, sports fixtures, and cultural events taking place in Pakistan.

Listed under the POVS 'Other Visa' category. Applicants must apply at least 6 weeks in advance of the event. Requires an invitation letter from the host organization (with a separate invitation letter for any accompanying family members); applicants applying from a third country must provide proof of legal residence. Processing typically around 4 weeks.

multiple entry

For holders of diplomatic or official passports traveling to Pakistan on government business, including members of diplomatic missions, consular posts, and international organizations.

49 countries have bilateral visa abolition agreements with Pakistan covering diplomatic and/or official passport holders (per dgip.gov.pk as of 21-02-2024). Visa-free duration ranges from 30 to 90 days depending on the country. Members of diplomatic/consular missions and their families are exempt for the full duration of assignment. Processed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not the standard POVS portal.

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For foreign journalists, filmmakers, television crews, and documentary teams seeking to work in Pakistan on media projects.

Requires prior approval of Ministry of Information, Government of Pakistan. Press accreditation and project documentation required. Applied via POVS portal. Separate NOC from PEMRA or Ministry of Information may be required for filming activities.

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For foreign nationals traveling to Pakistan for religious missionary activities under an officially recognized and approved religious organization.

Requires prior approval of Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan. Religious organization must be officially recognized in Pakistan. Applied via POVS portal. Strict scrutiny applies; approval is discretionary.

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For foreign nationals representing non-governmental organizations working in Pakistan on approved development, humanitarian, or charitable projects.

Requires prior approval of Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan. NGO must be registered and approved to operate in Pakistan. Applied via POVS portal. Separate NOC (No Objection Certificate) may be required from relevant federal ministries.

multiple entry1-14d processingvalid 1825donline

For foreign investors making significant investments in Pakistan under the Special Investment Facilitation Council framework, particularly in priority sectors such as technology, energy, and manufacturing.

Short-term: up to 3 years; long-term: up to 5 years (extendable by 2 additional years). SIFC recommendation letter required for visas over 1 year. For non-SIFC investor visas: investment in SECP-registered companies of not less than USD 50,000 or real estate investment exceeding USD 100,000. After 5 years legal residence and mastering an official language, foreigners can apply for citizenship per visa.nadra.gov.pk.

45 days28-42d processingonline

For Muslim citizens of foreign countries who wish to enter Pakistan to participate in Tabligh (Islamic preaching / religious outreach) activities.

Applied via POVS portal. Requires an invitation letter from an authorized Tableeghi Centre in Pakistan, plus passport and photograph. Granted for up to 45 days; processing approximately 4-6 weeks. Distinct from the Missionary Visa, which covers non-Muslim religious workers under Ministry of Interior approval. The Tabligh Visa on Arrival / ETA fast-track route was suspended effective 1 January 2026.