Pakistan Entry and Travel Requirements
Entry requirements to Pakistan are required for all travelers wishing to enter the country. All visitors must have a valid passport, Pakistani visa and be registered with the Pass Track app. Visa requirements vary depending on the traveler's nationality, purpose of visit and length of stay.
Visitors from most countries will be required to apply for a Pakistani visa before arrival. This process can be done online or through the Pakistani embassy or consulate. The type of visa required will depend on the purpose and length of your stay.
If you are a Pakistani citizen or resident with a foreign passport, you will need to apply for an exit permit before leaving the country. This can be done through the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Pakistan Immigration Department.
Pakistan has strict entry requirements, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the process before planning your trip. With proper preparation, you can ensure a smooth and trouble-free trip. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistani authorities have introduced certain travel and immigration requirements that visitors to Pakistan must meet in order to enter the country. Pakistan's borders are open to commercial flights from most countries around the world, while some domestic restrictions have been lifted. Entering Pakistan from another country by land remains prohibited as Pakistan's land borders remain closed.
Before arriving in Pakistan, each traveler must register his data through the Pass Track application, apply for a visa (if coming from a non-visa exempt country) and follow the travel advice of the Pakistani authorities. Travelers should also expect enhanced health screenings upon arrival at border crossing points. Please note that entry requirements are subject to change at short notice due to the evolving pandemic situation worldwide. Before traveling to Pakistan, be sure to check for the latest immigration protocol updates.
Who can enter Pakistan?
Currently, only fully vaccinated travelers can enter Pakistan. However, some travelers are exempt from the vaccination requirement and can travel to Pakistan with a negative PCR test result.
Document Checklist for Entry to Pakistan
- valid passport
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination
- negative test report (only if unvaccinated)
- Travel insurance (optional)
- Valid visa for Pakistan
- Confirm successful tracking
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Request an inspection
In February 2022, Pakistani authorities lifted the PCR testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers arriving in Pakistan.
Some unvaccinated travelers who do not have a vaccination certificate but are eligible to travel to Pakistan still must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before entry.
Vaccination required
Travelers 18 years and older must present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate to board a flight to Pakistan. Pakistan recognizes the vaccine as being on the WHO Emergency Use Listing.
Except
The following travel groups may be exempt from vaccination requirements:
- passengers with a medical certificate confirming the inability to receive a Covid-19 vaccine for medical reasons;
- passengers from 12 to 18 years old;
- passengers who traveled internationally from Pakistan before October 2021 and wish to travel on connecting flights from Pakistan;
- Pakistanis were deported. All travelers with one of the vaccination exemptions listed above should consider presenting proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test report.
Partially unvaccinated or unvaccinated travelers who wish to be exempted from further Covid-19 vaccination or PCR testing must submit an individual request to the relevant Pakistan High Commission.
Quarantine required
Currently, there is no quarantine for passengers arriving in Pakistan.
Traveling from Pakistan
To leave Pakistan, travelers must have:
- Valid Pakistani visa or;
- Pakistani Identity Card or;
- Valid Pakistani passport.
You may be stopped by the authorities and not allowed to board the plane if your visa is invalid. You could also be fined or even detained. Under no circumstances should you overstay your Pakistani visa. If your visa has expired, contact the Ministry of Home Affairs to apply for an exit visa and leave Pakistan easily.
Also remember to check the entry requirements and travel advice for the country you will be entering from Pakistan or transiting through on your way to another travel destination.
Traveling to Pakistan
Since March 17, Pakistani authorities have lifted most restrictions related to Covid-19. Some remain in effect for unvaccinated arrivals, including a ban on flights to Pakistan and access to public facilities such as religious sites, schools and more.
Due to the reduction in the number of international flights to Pakistan, tourists may also face difficulties in reaching the country. Eligible passengers should consider completing a health declaration form within 48 hours of arrival. They must also have proof of vaccination or a valid Covid-19 test result (depending on age and vaccination status). Unvaccinated passengers must also be tested upon arrival and must quarantine if they test positive.
Entry Rules for Children
Children 5 years old and under
Young travelers ages 5 and under do not need to complete the Pass Track. However, they will be required to complete a health declaration upon arrival in Pakistan.
Children from 12 to 18 years old
Children 12 to 18 years old are exempt from the requirement to present proof of vaccination. However, they must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken up to 72 hours before their planned departure.
Transit through Pakistan
Passengers wishing to transit through Pakistan must be fully vaccinated (or belong to one of the groups exempt from vaccination). They must also meet other travel requirements that apply to regular travelers to Pakistan.
Visa requirements
Depending on the traveler's nationality, intended length of stay in Pakistan, purpose of travel and type of visa required, visa requirements for Pakistan may vary.
Currently, only citizens of five countries, including the Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Tonga and Trinidad and Tobago, can enter Pakistan without a visa for short-term stays.
Depending on their eligibility, citizens of other countries will need to apply for a Pakistan visa electronically on arrival or at the Pakistani Embassy.
Electronic visa for Pakistan
Many foreign nationals can apply for an e-visa to Pakistan, which is the most convenient way to get a Pakistani visa. Eligible travelers simply fill out a short online form, pay the processing fee, and receive their approved visa in their email inbox. Applying online eliminates stressful embassy visits and interviews and saves a lot of time.
Eligible Pakistan e-visa applicants can choose between two tourist visas and one business visa, including:
- 30-day tourist electronic visa:
Single-entry electronic visa is issued for recreational activities; allowed to stay in Pakistan for 30 days and valid for 30 days; - 90-day tourist electronic visa:
Single-entry visa issued for tourism purposes; remains valid for 90 days (can be extended for multiple entry visas for 180 days); - Business e-visa:
5-year multiple-entry e-visa is issued for business purposes, including business meetings, negotiations, conferences, etc.
If your country is not among the countries eligible for the Pakistan e-Visa, you will need to apply for a regular visa from the nearest Pakistani embassy or other diplomatic mission.
Pass Track
Another travel requirement introduced in Pakistan due to the Covid-19 pandemic is the Pass Track. All international travelers must update their travel and medical data through the online application available through the web portal or the Pass Track app (iOS, Android).
Travelers must provide some personal data, flight details, medical information and travel dates. They must also have their passport scanned through the MRZ scanner.
After completing the Pass Track declaration, the applicant will receive a Tracking ID, needed to track location in case of quarantine. Every traveler should also remember to print their Pass Track confirmation. It is essential to issue your boarding pass at the original boarding point.
Travel Insurance
Visitors entering Pakistan are not required to purchase travel insurance before traveling. However, all travelers planning to visit Pakistan should consider purchasing one that will cover the entire duration of their trip and stay.
Travel insurance won't protect you against all risks, but it can help you recover financially if something goes wrong. Lost baggage, canceled flights and medical emergencies are all covered by most insurance policies. When traveling during the ongoing pandemic, consider purchasing insurance with Covid-19 coverage.
