Pakistan Travel Guide

Pakistan — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
British	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other EU	Yes	Yes	Yes

Passport valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) holders of a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) regardless of nationality for unlimited stay;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided they are holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport;

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission/embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Visitor: (single-entry) £55. Family: (single-entry) £55, (double-entry) £78, (multiple-entry) £242. For dual nationals holding British passport with a valid/expired Pakistani passport only, a fee concession is available. Single entry: £29. Double entry: £40. Multiple-entry, £122. Under 18s pay £15, £21 and £62 respectively. Business: (single-entry) £82, (double-entry) £116, (multiple-entry) £242.

Validity

Single-entry/Double-entry: six months from the date of issue for stays of up to three months. Multiple-entry: six months to one year.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Important Addresses.

Working Days Required

Depends on nationality (in UK, visas are normally granted within five days). Enquire at the nearest consulate or embassy. Pilgrim visas require two months' processing time.

Travel Warnings

Travelers are advised against all travel to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and much of North West Frontier Province, including the areas of Peshawar, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki and Dera Ismail Khan; to the city of Peshawar and districts south of the city; to Northern and Western Balochistan and all but essential travel to Quetta and parts of Interior Sindh to the north of Nawabshah.

Travelers are also advised against all travel to Swat, Buner, and Lower Dir, including travel on the Peshawar to Chitral road via the Lowari Pass. In these areas there are ongoing reports of military or militant activity. A curfew has been imposed in parts of these districts. Large numbers of people have evacuated these areas. The risk from lawlessness and kidnapping remains severe.

There has been a recent increase in sectarian violence in Gilgit and the authorities have introduced restrictions on public gatherings. Travelers are also advised against using the rail network across the whole of Pakistan.

Caution should be taken when visiting central Punjab due to a high likelihood of spontaneous sectarian violence. If you are intending to travel to Pakistan, you should follow the developing situation in the news media and consult FCO Travel Advice regularly. You are also recommended to register with the British High Commission. You may wish to seek local advice on the latest situation from the Security Section of the British High Commission in Islamabad or the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi.

There is a high threat from terrorism and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan. Events across the country show that the series of major terrorist attacks is continuing. Statements issued by militant groups have threatened more attacks.

On 17 January 2008, a suicide bombing in the Kohati area of Peshawar killed at least five people. On 21 December 2007, at least 38 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a mosque near the city of Peshawar. On 17 December 2007, 12 soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber in Kohat cantonment. On 15 December 2007, five people were killed by suicide bomber on a bicycle in Nowshehra in the North West Frontier Province.

On 4 December 2007, a female suicide bomber exploded a device at a military checkpoint in Peshawar. On 24 November, at least 15 people died in two suicide bomb attacks on military targets in Rawalpindi. On 30 October 2007, a suicide bomb attack at a police checkpoint in Rawalpindi killed at least seven people.

On 25 October 2007, a bomb attack on a military truck in Mingora, the main town in Swat, killed at least 17 soldiers and a number of civilians. On 19 October 2007, a bomb attack on a political procession welcoming Benazir Bhutto killed at least 135 in Karachi (Sindh). It is advised against all but essential travel to Quetta (Balochistan).

In July 2007, a bomb attack on a convoy carrying Chinese engineers at Hub (Balochistan/Sindh border) killed at least 22 people and a suicide bomb attack on a lawyers' rally in Islamabad killed at least 16 people. On 4 September 2007, two suicide attacks on a military bus and market in Rawalpindi killed at least 24 people.

On 1 October 2007, a suicide bomber, wearing a woman's burka, killed at least 15 people in an attack on a police checkpoint in Bannu in the North West Frontier Province.

Since July 2007, there has been a number of bombings in Peshawar, apparently targeting official premises and personnel, and CD/DVD shops.

The Pakistani military is conducting ongoing operations against militants across NWFP and FATA, particularly in South Waziristan Agency.

The Pakistani authorities are also concerned about the threat to foreigners of kidnapping.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisaions for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Medical facilities can be very limited. Travelers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance before departure. The main hospitals are: Agha Khan Hospital, Karachi; Doctor’s Hospital, Lahore; and Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.