Quick Answer
How do I apply for a Pakistan visa?
Apply online only on the Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS) at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Create an account, choose the correct visa category (tourist, family visit, business and so on), upload your documents including an invitation letter, pay by credit card, and download your Visa Grant Notice. [verify the current link] The standard processing time is 7 to 10 working days, and the fee is non-refundable. Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
Pak Visa: How to Apply for a Pakistan E-Visa Online (Pakistan Online Visa System)
Not an official government website. We’re an independent guide. Apply only on NADRA’s official Pakistan Online Visa System, and never pay agents.
What Is the Pakistan Online Visa System?
Planning a trip to Pakistan and wondering where to apply? Pakistan’s embassies say all visa applications are submitted and processed online only through the Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS), run by NADRA for the Ministry of Interior. Manual processing has been discontinued at many missions. You don’t send your passport. After approval, you get a Visa Grant Notice by email that you print out. See our Visa Verification guide to check a visa.
Is the Visa Free or Visa on Arrival?
This changed recently, so verify before publishing.
- Two travel sites say the Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) scheme, which offered free, fast visas to many nationalities, was suspended on 1 January 2026, and that visa on arrival was removed for most nationalities at the same time. [Those are third-party sources. Confirm on the POVS site or a Pakistani embassy page.]
- Some embassy pages still mention Business Visa on Arrival and tourist visa on arrival lists, with older numbers (for example, 95 and 50 countries). [Those pages may be out of date. Don’t repeat the figures without checking.]
- The POVS site also lists an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for citizens of certain countries. [verify whether it’s still active and which countries]
Always check the current rules for your nationality on visa.nadra.gov.pk.
Which Visa Category Should I Choose?
Pakistani missions stress choosing the correct category to avoid delays. Common ones include:
| Category | For | Typical Key Document |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist / Visit | Sightseeing, tourism, or visiting friends | Invitation or sponsor documents, hotel booking, or tour-operator details, depending on the application and nationality. |
| Family Visit | Visiting eligible relatives in Pakistan | Supporting documents proving the family relationship, along with the relevant Pakistani relative's identity and address details, as required. |
| Business / Investor | Business meetings, commercial activities, or investment | Electronic Business Invitation Letter (E-BIL), or other supporting business documents accepted for the relevant visa category. |
| Work / NGO | Employment or work with an NGO/INGO | Category-specific documents, such as an employment or sponsorship letter and other documents requested by the Pakistan Online Visa System. |
| Pilgrimage | Religious visits | Invitation or recommendation from the relevant religious organization. Sikh pilgrims may require documentation from the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. |
Apply online: Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS)
Business invitation letters: Foreign nationals applying for a Pakistani business visa may need an Electronic Business Invitation Letter. Check the official E-Business Invitation Letter System (E-BIL) for the applicable requirements.
Official guidance: Directorate General of Immigration & Passports — Visa Categories.
How Do I Apply? (Step by Step)
- Go to visa.nadra.gov.pk. Use Google Chrome, which a travel site says works best. [verify]
- Create an account and sign in.
- Choose your consular jurisdiction (the Pakistan embassy or consulate that covers you), and the correct visa category.
- Fill in the form carefully. Errors in name, date of birth or passport number must be fixed through the portal.
- Upload your documents: passport copy, photo, invitation letter and anything else the category asks for. [verify]
- Pay the fee online by credit card (Mastercard or Visa). The Washington page says the fee is non-refundable.
- Submit and track. The processing time starts when your application is complete. If it’s sent back for any reason, the clock restarts.
- Download and print your Visa Grant Notice.
How Long Does It Take?
- Official: 7 to 10 working days for tourist, business and family visas, per several embassies.
- Reality: one travel operator says some travellers report waits of up to 20 business days, and advises applying 4 to 6 weeks before travel. [That’s a third-party observation.]
Don’t buy flight tickets until you understand the timeline. Embassies advise planning journeys according to processing times.
How Much Does It Cost?
Fees depend on nationality and category. The Washington consulate lists US$60 per application for its applicants, as an example. [Check the official fee structure at visa.nadra.gov.pk/fee-structure for your nationality. Don’t publish a general fee.]
Fee exemptions: one consulate says Pakistan Origin Card (POC) holders follow the whole process except paying the fee, unless the POC is expired. [verify]
What Documents Do I Need?
- Passport with at least 6 months’ validity
- Recent photo
- Invitation letter or hotel booking (depending on the category)
- Host’s CNIC copy, if applicable
- Proof of address and ID. Washington says a state-issued ID or driver’s licence is mandatory for its applicants. [verify for your consulate]
- Extra documents for business, work or NGO visas
[verify your exact list on the POVS site.]
What About Sponsors in Pakistan?
For visas that need a Pakistani sponsor, biometric verification of the sponsor’s CNIC is mandatory, and NADRA introduced a free home-based option through the Pak ID app in July 2026. See our Visa Verification guide for the steps. [verify]
Who Can’t Use the Online System?
- Indian nationals can’t apply for the online visa. Manual application rules apply, per the Washington page. [verify the current process]
- Somali nationals are also listed as excluded by one consulate. [verify]
Can I Extend My Visa?
Yes. The Los Angeles consulate says the portal offers two application types: First Time (New) and Extension, for people already in Pakistan whose valid visa is expiring. [verify the process and eligibility]
Who Can Help If I Have a Problem?
- POVS contact page: visa.nadra.gov.pk/contact (Ministry of Interior)
- The Pakistan embassy or consulate that covers you. Several list a visa officer’s email. [verify before publishing]
- NADRA visa support in Pakistan. Details differ by visa type on the Washington page. [Add the numbers only after verifying.]
Tips for a Smooth Application
- Apply early. Plan for delays.
- Choose the right category. The wrong one is a common cause of rejection or delay.
- Match names and numbers exactly to your passport.
- Use clear scans and the correct file formats.
- Keep your application number and the Visa Grant Notice.
- Verify your visa before you travel. See our Visa Verification guide.
How Do I Avoid Scams?
- Apply only at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Embassy pages say this is the legitimate portal.
- Ignore third-party sites that offer to process your visa for a fee.
- Don’t pay “agents” to “guarantee” approval or “fast-track” processing. [verify]
- Don’t share your CAPTCHA, OTPs or card details with anyone.
- Beware of fake invitation letter sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply for a Pakistan visa?
Online on visa.nadra.gov.pk. [verify]
2. How long does processing take?
7 to 10 working days officially. Some report longer. [verify]
3. Do I need to send my passport?
No. You get a Visa Grant Notice by email to print.
4. How much is the fee?
It depends on nationality and category. Check the official fee structure. [verify]
5. Can I get a visa on arrival?
It may have been removed for most nationalities in January 2026. Check the official site. [verify]
6. Can I extend my visa online?
The portal offers an extension option for people in Pakistan. [verify]
7. Is this the official visa website?
No. We’re an independent guide. Use visa.nadra.gov.pk.