Pakistan introduces free visas following surge in visitor numbers Pakistan introduces free visas following surge in visitor numbers

Whether exploring the archaeological remains of the ancient capital of Taxila, haggling for a bargain in the bazaars of Lahore, or trekking to the high peaks of the Hunza Valley, Pakistan is one of the most legendary destinations for those seeking the road less travelled.

Although a trip to Pakistan may raise eyebrows for some, those in-the-know will be aware of the many areas of the country that are open and safe for international visitors.

Pakistan has welcomed adventurous and culture-loving travellers for many years now, with 2023 seeing the South Asian nation’s tourist numbers increase by 115% compared to previous years. However, the time consuming and costly entry requirements might have put off some from visiting.

But Pakistan’s prime minister has recently announced an exciting change in their travel policies. As of 14 August 2024, 126 nationalities will now be able to apply for a visa free of charge – when previously it cost $60 [US].

Travellers from the UK, USA, Canada and Australia are all eligible to apply for the free visa.

Better yet, the previous system used to take multiple days – or even weeks – of processing. Now, e-visas promise to be authorised (or rejected) within 24 hours.

The decision for this new visa policy was made in efforts to get Pakistan’s name firmly on the travel map and bolster tourism numbers – and the economy – further.

Untamed Borders is one of the few travel operator that organises trips to Pakistan. Founder James Willcox said: “Until recently the Pakistan visa system was time consuming and inconsistent, with long waits for some applicants. This has made it challenging for potential visitors and tour operators, but these changes are a breath of fresh air.

“Some of our guests have already benefited from the new system and had their applications granted within five minutes of completing the process. The doing away with a fee is another bonus and hopefully it will result in more people choosing to visit Pakistan, which has a wealth of attractions for tourists.”

Simplifying visas has been seen happening in some unconventional travel destinations around the world as tourism becomes a vital resource for economies. Similar to Pakistan, Sri Lanka has also recently began offering free visas to a handful of countries. In May, Syria introduced a new electronic visa system, and earlier in the year, Malawi scrapped visas altogether.

Applying for the Pakistan e-visa requires answering 30 questions and uploading a copy of your passport and a photograph. Authorised visas will allow travel to the country for up to 90 days.

To apply for a free visa, go to visa.nadra.gov.pk