Pakistan expands online visa access to 192 countries

January 23, 2026|Joshua

Pakistan has expanded its digital visa system to offer online visa access to citizens of 192 countries, while maintaining visa-on-arrival privileges for travelers from 120 countries, as part of its strategy to boost tourism and foreign investment.

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Pakistan has announced a major expansion of its digital visa system, with online visa facilities now available to citizens of 192 countries. The move is intended to support a broader strategy to attract foreign tourists and investors while consolidating Pakistan’s shift to a fully online visa regime.

The announcement was made on 22 January 2026 by Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh at the Sustainable Tourism Forum and Expo in Karachi. He stated that under the updated policy, citizens of 192 countries can obtain visas online, while travellers from 120 countries are eligible for visa-on-arrival facilities, subject to specific conditions.

Background – Pakistan’s shift to a digital visa regime

Pakistan has been gradually moving its visa system online since 2021, when authorities required almost all visa applications to be submitted through the Pakistan Online Visa System operated by NADRA.

Key milestones include:

Online-only processing from 2021: Government notices and tourism guidance emphasised that all visa applications must be filed via the Pakistan Online Visa System, replacing most paper-based applications through embassies.
191-country eVisa network: Overseas missions and tourism portals have for several years described the online visa system as open to nationals of around 179 to 191 countries, with applications lodged through the central portal and processed by the Ministry of Interior and Pakistani missions.
126-country Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) in 2024: In July 2024 the federal cabinet approved a simplified online system for 126 countries. Under that scheme, eligible tourists and business visitors could apply online, receive approval within about 24 hours and obtain a free visa valid for up to 90 days after arrival. The measure was widely presented as a tool to promote investment and tourism.

As of 1 January 2026, however, the free VPA scheme has been suspended and applicants are again routed through standard paid eVisa categories. The latest announcement on 22 January 2026 therefore combines a wider geographic reach for online visas with a return to more conventional fee-based processing.

What exactly was announced on 22 January 2026?

Speaking in Karachi, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh highlighted recent economic and tourism developments and confirmed that Pakistan has now:

Introduced online visa facilities for citizens of 192 countries; and
Granted visa-on-arrival facilities to travellers from 120 countries, in line with conditions set by the Ministry of Interior.

The initiative was framed as part of a broader effort to:

Make it easier for tourists to visit Pakistan’s cultural and natural sites
Encourage foreign investment in key sectors through simplified entry
Signal policy continuity on economic openness, alongside the work of institutions such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)

Details of the precise list of 192 countries have not been released in a single public roster, but the figures are consistent with earlier official statements that the Pakistan Online Visa System already covered almost all nationalities, with only a small number of exceptions.

Who can use Pakistan’s online visa system?

Under the current framework, the vast majority of foreign nationals are expected to apply online before travelling to Pakistan.

Eligible and ineligible nationalities

According to recent summaries of Pakistan’s visa policy and official guidance linked to the online portal:

Citizens of all but a very small group of countries may apply for an online visa (eVisa).
The main exceptions currently highlighted are Armenia, India, and Taiwan. Applicants from these states are subject to special procedures, additional scrutiny or limited visa categories, and are generally not covered by the standard eVisa pathway.

By contrast, citizens from a wide range of regions – including Europe, the Americas, much of Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa – can normally lodge a standard online visa application for tourism, business or family visits, subject to the usual documentary requirements.

Main visa types offered online

The Pakistan Online Visa System supports multiple categories. The ones most relevant to the 192-country expansion are:

Tourist eVisa: for leisure travel, trekking, cultural visits and general tourism
Business eVisa: for business meetings, investment exploration, trade events and commercial activities
Family visit eVisa: for visiting relatives who are Pakistani citizens or residents
Other categories: such as student, work, NGO, journalist or official visas, which have additional conditions and supporting documents

The recent announcement is primarily framed around tourism and investment, so tourist and business eVisas are likely to be the most widely used under the expanded 192-country coverage.

From fee-free VPA to standard paid eVisas

The 192-country figure coincides with a significant change for travellers from the 126 countries that previously enjoyed the free Visa Prior to Arrival scheme.

How the VPA worked

Between mid 2024 and the end of 2025, the VPA programme:

Applied to citizens of 126 countries, including most EU and Schengen states, the United Kingdom, key Asia-Pacific markets, the United States, Canada and several African and Latin American countries
Offered free tourist and business visas processed via a simplified online form
Typically provided approvals within 24 to 48 hours
Granted stays of up to 90 days, often with multiple entry rights

The VPA was widely promoted by Pakistani officials and international tourism bodies as a core element of Pakistan’s tourism strategy.

Suspension of VPA from 1 January 2026

Multiple industry reports, travel advisories and an updated summary of Pakistan’s visa policy now indicate that:

The VPA option was removed from the Pakistan Online Visa portal with effect from 1 January 2026.
Travellers from the former 126 VPA-eligible countries must now apply for a standard paid eVisa, such as a tourist or business eVisa.
Typical processing times for these standard eVisas are around 7 to 10 working days, although this can vary depending on nationality, category and workload.

The government has not yet issued a detailed public press release explaining whether the suspension is temporary or permanent. For practical purposes, airlines and tour operators are treating VPA as inactive and advising clients to follow the standard eVisa procedure.

The 22 January 2026 announcement therefore does not restore the previous fee-free VPA benefits. Instead, it confirms that online visa access is being standardised and broadened, while maintaining regular fees and documentation requirements.

Visa-on-arrival access for 120 countries

As part of the same announcement, Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh stated that travellers from 120 countries now benefit from visa-on-arrival facilities. Pakistan already operated a limited set of visa-on-arrival arrangements before 2026, including:

Special categories for residents or nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states
Facilities linked to organised tourism and investment delegations
Provisions for Sikh pilgrims and certain business travellers

The new figure of 120 countries suggests that these on-arrival facilities have been rationalised and extended, though the exact breakdown by visa type and nationality has not yet been fully published.

At the same time, the practical reality on the ground since 1 January 2026 is that:

Many travellers who previously expected a fast-track or on-arrival solution are being told by airlines and tour operators to obtain an eVisa approval before departure.
Visa-on-arrival options often depend on prior online pre-clearance, specific invitation letters or defined tour packages.

Until detailed lists and conditions are formally circulated by the Ministry of Interior and MOFA, travellers should treat visa-on-arrival as conditional and avoid relying on it without written confirmation.

Typical conditions and entry requirements

Although requirements can vary by nationality and visa category, recent guidance from Pakistan’s foreign missions and the online visa portal highlights several common rules.

Passport validity and basic conditions

Passports should usually be valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of entry.
Travellers are expected to hold a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds for their stay.
Visitors from certain countries may be subject to mandatory police registration, which is often handled automatically by licensed hotels at check in.

Supporting documents

Depending on the visa type, applicants may be asked for:

Tourist eVisa: Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking or a confirmed address in Pakistan; A basic travel itinerary and purpose of visit.
Business eVisa: An invitation letter or contact details for a Pakistani company; Evidence of business activities, such as trade fair registration or corporate documents.
Family visit eVisa: Details of the host’s Pakistani ID or passport; Evidence of the family relationship when requested.

For some tourist applications since early 2026, tour operators report that a Letter of Invitation from a registered Pakistani tour company or host organisation has become more commonly required, especially for complex itineraries or travellers from higher risk jurisdictions.

Processing times and validity

Standard online applications for tourist, business and family visit visas typically take around 7 to 10 working days to process once all documents are complete.
Short stay visas are often issued for stays of up to 30 or 90 days, with single or multiple entry options depending on nationality and purpose.
Longer term or multiple entry visas for work, study or repeated business travel are available under separate categories with stricter documentation.

Applicants should avoid making firm travel bookings until they have received a Visa Grant Notice by email through the online system.

Apply now

You can start your application on the official Pakistan Online Visa portal: https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/

Practical tips for travellers

Check the latest rules: Pakistan’s visa policy has changed several times since 2024. Always verify current requirements with an official Pakistani embassy or the online visa portal before applying.
Apply early: given typical processing times of 7 to 10 working days and possible requests for additional documents, early applications reduce the risk of travel disruption.
Carry supporting evidence: border officers may ask to see hotel bookings, invitation letters or proof of onward travel even if they were already uploaded online.
Watch out for unofficial websites: the Pakistan Online Visa portal is the primary official platform. Third party sites may charge extra fees or provide outdated information.