Pakistan Entry and Travel Requirements

Pakistan Entry Requirements are necessary for all travelers who wish to enter the country. All visitors must have a valid passport,a Pakistani visa and Pass Track App registration. Visa requirements vary depending on the traveler's nationality, purpose of visit, and length of stay.

Travelers from most countries will need to apply for a Pakistani visa before arrival. The process can be done online or through a Pakistani embassy or consulate. The type of visa needed will depend on the purpose and duration of your stay.

If you're a Pakistani citizen or resident with a foreign passport, you'll need to apply for an Exit Permit before leaving the country. This can be done through the Ministry of Interior or Pakistan's Immigration Department.

Pakistan has strict entry requirements, so it's important to be familiar with the process before planning your trip. With the right preparation, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Pakistani authorities introduced some travel and entry requirements that visitors to Pakistan must meet to enter the country. Pakistani borders are open for commercial flights from most countries worldwide, while some domestic restrictions have already been lifted. Entering Pakistan from another country by land is still forbidden as Pakistan's land borders remain closed.

Before going to Pakistan, every traveler must register their data through Pass Track App, obtain a visa (if coming from a non-visa-exempt country), and follow the travel advisory of Pakistani authorities. Travelers should also expect increased health screening upon arrival at border crossing points.

Please do note that entry requirements may change at short notice amid the evolving pandemic situation worldwide. Before traveling to Pakistan, do not forget to check on the latest update on the entry protocol.

Who can enter Pakistan?

Currently, only fully vaccinated travelers may enter Pakistan. However, certain travelers are exempted from the vaccination requirements and may travel to Pakistan with a negative PCR test result. 

Documents check-list for entering Pakistan

• valid passport
• Covid-19 vaccination proof
• negative test report (only if unvaccinated)
• travel insurance (optional)
• valid visa for Pakistan
• Pass Track confirmation

Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements

Testing requirements

In February 2022, Pakistani authorities lifted the PCR testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers arriving in Pakistan. 

Some unvaccinated travelers, who do not hold a vaccination certificate but are eligible for travel to Pakistan, are still obliged to present a negative PCR test result performed within 72 hours before entry. 

Vaccination requirements

Travelers aged 18 and older must submit a Covid-19 vaccination certificate to take an inbound flight to Pakistan. Pakistan recognizes vaccines included on the WHO Emergency Use Listing.

Exemptions

The following groups of travelers may be exempted from vaccination requirements:

• passengers holding a medical certificate confirming that they cannot receive the Covid-19 vaccine due to medical reasons;
• passengers between 12  and 18 years of age;
• passengers who traveled outbound from Pakistan before October 2021 who wish to take connecting flights from Pakistan;
• Pakistani deportees.

All travelers who fall under one of the above-listed vaccination exemptions must remember to submit proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test report.

Partial or unvaccinated travelers who seek further exemption from the Covid-19 vaccination or PCR testing must submit an individual application at the relevant Pakistani High Commission.

Quarantine requirements

Currently, there is no quarantine for passengers arriving in Pakistan.

Traveling from Pakistan

To leave Pakistan, a traveler must possess either:

• a valid Pakistani visa or;
• a Pakistani national identity card or;
• a valid Pakistani passport.

You may be stopped by authorities and not permitted to board the flight if your visa is invalid. You may also be subject to fines or even detention. Under no circumstances overstay your Pakistani visa. Should your visa has expired, contact the Ministry of Interior to obtain an exit visa and leave Pakistan hassle-free.

Do also remember to check the entry requirements and travel advice for the country to which you will be traveling from Pakistan or transit through on your way to another travel destination.

Traveling to Pakistan

As of March 17, the Pakistani authorities have dropped most Covid-19 restrictions. Some remain in place for unvaccinated arrivals, including a ban on flights to Pakistan and accessing public facilities such as religious venues, schools, etc. 

Due to the reduced number of international flights to Pakistan, travelers may also face some problems in getting to the country. Eligible passengers must remember to complete a health declaration form within 48 hours prior to arrival. They also need to have vaccination proof or valid Covid-19 test results (depending on their age and immunization status). Unvaccinated passengers should also expect on-arrival testing and be subject to quarantine in case of positive test results.

Entry Rules for Children

Children aged 5 and younger

Young travelers aged 5 and under do not need to complete the Pass Track. Nevertheless, they will be asked to fill out a health declaration upon arrival in Pakistan.

Children between 12-18 years of age

Children between 12-18 are exempted from the requirement of vaccination proof. However, they need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test performed up to 72 hours before the planned departure.

Transit through Pakistan

Passengers wishing to transit through Pakistan must be fully vaccinated (or fall under one of the exempt vaccination categories). They also must meet other travel requirements applicable to regular travelers arriving in Pakistan.

Pakistan visa requirements

Depending on a traveler's nationality, the length of planned stay in Pakistan, travel purpose, and requested visa type, visa requirements for Pakistan may differ. 

Currently, only nationals of 5 countries, including Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Tonga, and Trinidad and Tobago, can enter Pakistan visa-free for short-term stays. 

Depending on the eligibility, citizens of other countries will need to obtain a visa for Pakistan electronically, on arrival, or at the Pakistani Embassy.

Pakistan eVisa

Many foreign citizens can apply for an electronic visa to Pakistan, which is the most convenient way to obtain a Pakistani visa. Eligible travelers only need to fill out the short online form, cover the processing fee and receive the approved visa delivered to the email inbox. The online application eliminates embassy visits and stressful interviews and saves plenty of time.  

Applicants eligible for a Pakistani electronic visa can choose between two types of tourism visas and one type of business visa, including:

• Tourist e-Visa for 30 days: single-entry electronic visa issued for leisure activities; enables a 30-day stay in Pakistan and remains valid for 30 days;
• Tourist e-Visa for 90 days: single-entry visa issued for tourism purposes; remains valid for 90 days (it may be extended for a 180-day multiple-entry visa);
• Business e-Visa: 5-year multiple-entry electronic visa issued for business purposes, including business meetings, negotiations, conferences, etc. 

If your country is not listed among eligible ones for Pakistani eVisa, you will need to obtain a regular visa at the nearest Embassy or another Pakistani diplomatic post.

Pass Track 

nother travel requirement introduced in Pakistan due to the Covid-19 pandemic is the Pass Track. All international travelers need to update their travel and medical data via the online application available either via a web portal or the Pass Track App (iOS, Android). 

Travelers need to provide some personal data, flight details, medical information, and travel dates. They also must scan their passports via the MRZ scanner. 

After completing the Pass Track declaration, an applicant will receive a tracking ID, which is necessary for location tracking in case of quarantine. Every traveler must also remember to print the Pass Track confirmation. It will be essential to issue a boarding pass at the original embarkation point.

Travel Insurance

Incoming visitors to Pakistan are not obliged to buy travel insurance before the trip. Nevertheless, all travelers who plan to visit Pakistan are recommended to consider buying one which will cover the duration of their entire trip and stay.

Travel insurance will not protect you from all the risks, but it can help you financially recover if something goes wrong. Lost luggage, canceled flights, and medical emergencies are all covered by most insurance policies. When traveling during the ongoing pandemic, consider buying the insurance with Covid-19 coverage.