The government of Pakistan ensures your presence in the country in case of any unpredictable occurrence. Death in your close relations, marriage ceremonies, or the last moment-travel plans, any urgency that calls for your availability in Pakistan gets the response via a grant of Emergency Visa on arrival.

Keeping all the circumstances for a tourist in account, Pakistan's Government has introduced a liberalized visa policy. The latter is all in favour of busy but enthusiastic tourists.

The country has opened its borders to 191 countries. It is providing tourist visa on Arrivals to the nationals of 50 countries that means you can visit the country without actually having a visa.

This visa policy turns out to be revolutionary as we see an influx of tourists visiting Pakistan in different parts of the year.

Why Tourist Visa on Arrival?

A tourist visa on arrival relaxes all the hustles and bustles of your tour planning. You can benefit from this type when you are in any form of urgency. Even if you kept delaying, applying for Pakistan visa out of procrastination, and the time eventually ran out but, still you have the chance to apply for Visa on Arrival and reach the destination on time.

Who is Eligible for applying for the Visa on Arrival?

Pakistan allows the nationals of 50 countries to apply for Visas on Arrival. You can avail of this type if you can find your country on list.

Although neighbour country- India, is excluded from the list of eligible countries. However, the foreigners of Indian origin holding US or UK passports can benefit from the Visa on Arrival. This legislation aims towards facilitating the Sikh Community to visit Pakistan for religious pilgrimage.

The Validity of Visa on Arrival:

The Visa on Arrival under the Tourist category is valid for 30 days. However, the Government of Pakistan lets the nationals of Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UAE enjoy Multiple Entries Visa on Arrival. Multiple Entry Visa is also valid for 30 days.

Required Documents for Tourist Visa on Arrival:

You will need to upload the following documents when applying for a Tourist Visa on Arrival.

• Photographs must be:
  • passport-sized 45 mm high by 35 mm wide
  • in white background
  • no older than six months
  • Check for Pakistan visa photo requirements
• Passport
  • copy of the biographical page
• If you are applying individually, you must upload:
  • An invitation letter by the sponsor
    or
  • The details of your hotel booking

In case you are applying in a group, you need to upload:

• An invitation letter forwarded by the licensed tour operator assigned by the Department of Tourist Services.

NOTE:If you are currently nor residing in your own country, you can apply from a third country.

All you need is to upload the Proof of Legal Residence. You can upload this document by selecting Other in Supporting Document Type in the section of document uploading.

Standard Processing Time:

For ordinary visas, the applicants need to make the application at least three to four weeks before the intended date of travel to avoid any surprises. But, if you are short of time, you must apply for an emergency visa on Arrival that takes the least time for processing.

Emergency Pakistan Tourist Visa on Arrival Fees:

For enjoying the perks of the emergency Visa, you need to pay a slightly higher fee than an ordinary tourist visa. The charges for VOA may be 65USD.

Tourist Visa on Arrival Procedure:

At first, Pakistan granted ETA- Electronic Travel Authorization to the applicants of Visa on Arrival. This document permits travellers to enter the country. Upon entering the country, the traveller needs to present the ETA at Visa on Arrival Counter and get his Visa on Arrival.

Applying for ETA for Visa on Arrival is a swift online process. Due to the online infrastructure, the experience of the visa process of Pakistan has improved.

We can split this process into five easy steps:

• Filling the application form
• Attaching required documents
• Paying the fees
• Submitting the form
• Receiving the ETA

STEP: 01 Filling the Application Form

As a first step, you need to provide all your personal information and other data required in the application form.

Tip: You must fill in all the information after matching it with your official documents.

STEP: 02 Attaching Required Documents

The portal requires you to upload several documents.

Tip: Take care of the file sizes and formats while uploading the documents. Make sure that you submit all the documents.

STEP: 03 Submit the Form

After reviewing every information, you may submit the form.

STEP: 04 Paying the Fees

The whole online process facilitates you to make the payment only by providing information about your credit card. You do not need to worry about security as it is all safe. It would be better to read the terms and conditions first, as there is a strict NO REFUND policy regarding visa fees.

Tip: Get your form reviewed by any other person and let him find any mistake you made.

STEP: 05 Getting your ETA - fly to Pakistan

After approval of your application, you will receive the ETA in your email. You can either take out the print of your ETA in hard copy or just let it be on your smartphone.

Time-Saving by Visas on Arrival

The Visa on Arrival requires you to inform the authorities of your departure by filling out an online application form, submitting a few documents before you depart from your country. The maximum time it takes for an emergency visa is the time-span you take in filling out the application form.

Could the VOAs be more time-efficient?

Relaxation in COVID Restrictions

You no more require to present a negative COVID PCR test to enter Pakistan. Self-Quarantine is also not needed.

However, the government of Pakistan expects tourists to practice high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

Tourists must wear masks, sanitize hands, and maintain social distancing while roaming around in the country.

FAQ's

1How is a Tourist visa different from a Tourist Visa on Arrival?

When your application form for a Tourist Visa is approved, you will receive a Visa Grant Notice that is essentially the Visa.

In the case of Visa on Arrival, you will get an ETA- electronic travel authorization that merely gives you authority to initially travel to Pakistan without a visa and then getting your Visa on Arrival by showing up at the counter specially designated for Visa on Arrivals.

2Why should I apply for a Tourist Visa on Arrival?

The main difference between a Tourist visa and Tourist Visa on Arrival is the application processing time. Visa on Arrival takes lesser time for processing of the application as compared to an ordinary tourist visa.

3Is Visa on Arrival granted to only group travellers?

Pakistan has launched Visa on Arrival to facilitate both individual tourists as well as group tourists.

4 Is it mandatory to take the services of a tour operator?

It is not required to be in contact with the licensed tour operator if you are applying individually.

However, if you have local friends in Pakistan, your journey will become more hurdles-free.

5Why could the officials reject my application for Tourist Visa on Arrival?

Applicants may face visa refusal or rejection because of the mistakes made when they are hastily filing the application form.

We advise you to take your time for providing information in the application form correctly and ensure that you submit all the required documents.

6 Is it mandatory to upload the hotel booking details?

No, you can upload an invitation letter by your sponsors in place of hotel booking details.

7 Is there any disadvantage of Visa on Arrivals?

If the airport has a rush of lots of travellers, you might get a long queue to stand on and wait for your turn to get your Visa.