How to Get a Pakistan e-Visa (2026 Update)

Ben Johnson

July 10, 2026

Why Pakistan's Visa Process Used to Be a Headache

For a long time, Pakistan had a reputation as one of the more tiresome countries to get a visa for — paper applications, embassy visits, and processing times that could stretch on for weeks with little visibility into what was actually happening. That's changed dramatically. The rollout of the Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS) moved almost the entire process online, and while it's not quite as effortless as some e-Visa systems elsewhere in the world, it's a world away from where it used to be.

Pakistan for a while did have a free e-Visa for many nationalities however that stopped at the beginning of 2026 and now nearly everyone needs to pay for a visa, which can be done through their online portal.

If you've put off visiting Pakistan because you'd heard the visa process was a nightmare, it's worth revisiting that assumption.

Do You Need a Visa for Pakistan?

Almost every nationality needs a visa to visit Pakistan, but the process has become far more straightforward in recent years thanks to the government's online system. If you're coming from a country that previously qualified for the free Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) scheme, take note: as of January 1, 2026, the VPA has been suspended entirely. Travellers from all 126 previously eligible countries must now apply for a standard, paid e-Visa through the Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS) instead.

ETA vs e-Visa: What's the Difference?

The Pakistan Online Visa System offers two options: the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which functions as a visa-on-arrival for a limited list of eligible nationalities, and the standard e-Visa, which is applied for and approved before you travel. Most travellers will apply for the e-Visa directly, since ETA eligibility is restricted to a specific set of passports. Currently this is available to 50 countries, however we would recommend just applying for the e-Visa directly as this is much easier when arriving into Pakistan.

Documents You'll Need

The application is done entirely online at visa.nadra.gov.pk — the only official portal; the Pakistani government has no partnership with any third-party visa site.

The official required documents for a standard Entry visa (individual, under 3 months) are:

• A passport-style photograph
• Passport
• Hotel booking details

So, to directly answer the LOI question: no, a Letter of Invitation is not an official requirement for the standard tourist e-Visa. The government's own document list only asks for a hotel booking.

That said, applications relying solely on a hotel booking can occasionally face delays, and travellers staying with friends, family, or private hosts (rather than a hotel) will need an LOI from that host instead, since there's no hotel booking to substitute. If you're staying at a hotel for your trip, a booking confirmation should be sufficient on its own.

Applying for Your Pakistan e-Visa: Step by Step

The application itself is straightforward once you know what's coming. Here's how it works from start to finish:

• Register an account at visa.nadra.gov.pk using your email address.
• Select your visa category — Tourist/Visit Visa, sub-category Individual, for stays under 3 months.
• Fill in your personal and passport details exactly as they appear on your passport.
• Upload your photograph, passport scan, and hotel booking confirmation (or LOI, if applicable).
• Add details of any accompanying family members travelling with you — note that each accompanying adult still needs to submit their own separate application; this step is just for record-keeping.
• Pay the visa fee online by Visa or Mastercard.
• Submit your application and wait for processing. You'll be able to track its status through your account.

If your application is sent back for review — usually because of a document issue or unclear photo — you'll need to resubmit within 7 days or the application is automatically cancelled, and the processing clock restarts from scratch once you do. Getting your documents right the first time is the easiest way to avoid this.

Visa Validity: How Long Can You Stay in Pakistan?

The standard tourist Entry visa is a single-entry visa valid for a stay of up to 3 months. If you're already in Pakistan and want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension — up to 6 months on a multiple-entry basis, or beyond 6 months for longer stays, both processed as separate applications through the same portal. Just remember that any extension application requires you to already hold a valid Pakistani visa and be physically present in the country at the time of applying.

Common Mistakes That Delay Applications

Most of the delays we hear about come down to a handful of avoidable issues:

• Applying with a hotel booking that doesn't cover your full length of stay.
• Blurry or non-compliant passport and photo scans — check the official photograph and document capturing guidelines before you upload anything.
• Passport details entered slightly differently to how they appear on the actual document.
• Leaving the application until close to the travel date and having no buffer if it's sent back for review.

Visa Fees

Pakistan doesn't publish one flat e-Visa fee — the cost depends on your nationality and is calculated via the fee calculator built into the online system (visa.nadra.gov.pk/fee-structure).

The fee is paid directly within the application via Visa or Mastercard.

Processing Time

Standard tourist visa processing is 7–10 working days. Visa extensions follow the same 7–10 working day window for stays up to 6 months, or 4 weeks for extensions beyond 6 months. Afghan and Somali passport holders should budget 4 weeks regardless of visa type. If an application is sent back for review, the processing clock restarts from the resubmission date, and applications not resubmitted within 7 days are automatically cancelled — so it pays to get documents right the first time. Our advice: apply at least 4–6 weeks ahead of your travel date rather than relying on the fastest-case turnaround.

Our Tips

• Apply well ahead of time — don't leave it to the last minute given real-world processing times can exceed the official estimate.
• Double-check which of the ETA or standard e-Visa applies to your passport before starting the application.
• Keep your confirmation email and approved e-Visa document (digital and printed) with you when you travel.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Do I need an LOI for a Pakistan e-Visa?

No, not if you have a hotel booking covering your stay — a Letter of Invitation is only needed if you're staying somewhere other than a hotel, such as with friends or family.

How long does a Pakistan e-Visa take?

Officially 7–10 working days, though it's worth applying 4–6 weeks ahead of travel to leave room for any delays or resubmissions.

How much does a Pakistan e-Visa cost?

It depends on your nationality — use the fee calculator on visa.nadra.gov.pk to get the exact figure for your passport.

Can I still get a free Pakistan visa?

Not since January 1, 2026 — the free Visa Prior to Arrival scheme has been suspended, and all travellers now need a paid e-Visa.

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