What is the Pakistan e-visa processing time?
If you wish to apply for a Pakistan e-visa, expect to wait for up to 14 days to receive the visa. E-visa applications take a while, depending on the volume of applications the immigration authorities submit.
This page contains valuable information about the e-visa and the requirements. Read till the end to know more about Pakistan online visa system.
What Should You Know About The Pakistan e-visa Processing Time?
The passport visa processing takes about 14 days before the application is approved and the visa sent to the applicant's email address. This process may even take longer if a backlog of applications is forwarded to the authorities. This is often the case during public holidays and religious festivals when a lot of foreign nationals intend to visit the country to visit family and friends or for sightseeing.
So if you have plans to visit Pakistan anytime soon, ensure you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delays; however, you have to be strategic about it.
This is because two of the three e-visa types are single entry visas with shorter duration; one has a 30-day validity while the other has a 90-day validity. If you apply for the e-visa far earlier than when you need it, the validity may run out before the time of your trip.
Traveling To Pakistan
The government of Pakistan opened its borders after the pandemic's end, which led to a massive influx of visitors pouring into the country from different parts of the globe. The process has become even easier for short-term visitors after introducing the electronic Pakistan online visa initiative in 2018.
The e-visa is a new method that allows visitors to apply for visas online instead of visiting the Pakistan embassy in their countries. To be fair, applicants of conventional, long-term visas still need to apply to the embassy for one like a work visa; however, the electronic Pakistan visa initiative offers short-term visitors the opportunity to process short-term visas as quickly as possible.
Types Of Pakistan e-visa
There are two types of Pakistan e-visa, namely the
Tourism e-visa: This electronic visa is for visiting Pakistan for vacation and sightseeing. With this visa, the visitor can visit any part of the country to enjoy the numerous sight and sounds. A tourist visa is also the visa of choice for those who wish to visit family and friends living in Pakistan, some of whom may be Pakistan citizens.
Business: this one is for foreigners with business interests in Pakistan or those coming for a business meeting, conference, or the like.
The passport visa processing takes about 14 days before the application is approved and the visa sent to the applicant's email address. This process may even take longer if a backlog of applications is forwarded to the authorities. This is often the case during public holidays and religious festivals when a lot of foreign nationals intend to visit the country to visit family and friends or for sightseeing.
Pakistan e Visa Validity
30-day visa: The 30-day visa is a single-entry tourist visa that allows the holder to stay in Pakistan for 30 days and expires within 30 days.
90-day visa: The 90-day visa is another single-entry tourist visa valid for 90 days, but you cannot remain in Pakistan for more than 90 days.
5 years: The electronic visa with the longest duration is the 5 years business visa. This multiple entry visa allows the user to enter Pakistan multiple times during the year until it expires, but you cannot stay for more than 30 days.
Although two of the Pakistan e-visas are only valid for a short time, the government of Pakistan allows users to extend it by 6 months once they arrive in the country. Also, citizens of certain nations can apply for multiple entry visas for business or tourism. The variety makes the e-visa an attractive proposition for interested visitors.
Pakistan e visa requirements
You require the following to apply for an e-visa.
Valid Passport: The applicant must provide a passport with at least 6 months of validity and two blank pages left. The bio page must be scanned and uploaded on the online application form.
Photo: A recent photograph scanned and uploaded.
Visa Fee: Visa processing attracts an application fee payable with a debit or credit card.
Email Address: Applicants must provide a valid email address to receive the electronic visa once approved.
Invitation Letter: For business visitors, they must provide a letter of Invitation sent to them by the individual or business entity in Pakistan. The letter must state the purpose of the trip.
The applicant must provide this and other information to obtain an e-visa. Once received, the visa must be printed and carried for the trip to or be presented to immigration officers at the airport, seaport, or border.
You can visit VisaHQ to apply for an e-visa now that you know the Pakistan e-visa processing time.