Pakistan halts free Visa Prior to Arrival for 126 countries

January 7, 2026|Joshua

Pakistan has suspended its free Visa Prior to Arrival scheme for 126 countries effective 1 January 2026, requiring travelers to apply for paid standard eVisas with longer processing times and increased documentation.

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Pakistan has quietly suspended its free Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) scheme, which had allowed citizens of 126 countries to obtain a fast-track, fee‑free visa for short stays. From 1 January 2026, the VPA option is no longer available on Pakistan’s online visa portal, and affected travellers are being directed to apply for standard paid eVisa categories instead.

While Pakistan’s authorities have not yet issued a detailed public notice, the change effectively ends one of South Asia’s most generous short‑stay visa offers and increases both the cost and paperwork for many visitors.

Background: how the free VPA scheme worked

In July 2024, Pakistan’s federal cabinet approved a major visa reform aimed at boosting tourism and investment. The decision introduced an online visa system for 126 countries, waiving visa processing fees and promising business and tourist visas within roughly 24 hours.

Soon after, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and overseas missions described VPA as a category within the Pakistan Online Visa System. Citizens of eligible states could submit a simplified online application, receive an electronic Visa Grant Notice, and then travel to Pakistan with that approval, which was checked at the border.

Key features of the VPA programme included:

Eligibility for citizens of 120–126 countries, depending on category and rollout stage
Coverage for tourist, business and Sikh pilgrimage travel
Waiver of visa processing fees for these short‑stay visits
Typical validity of up to 90 days, with multiple entry in many cases
Indicative processing time of around 24–48 working hours

At the same time, MOFA indicated that citizens of six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states did not need to apply for a visa in certain short‑visit categories, sitting alongside the broader VPA framework.

Who was covered by the VPA programme?

The fee‑free VPA scheme applied to a large and diverse group of states. According to cabinet announcements and subsequent reporting, the 126 eligible nationalities included:

Most European Union and Schengen countries, plus the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland
Major Asia‑Pacific markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand
Several South Asian and African states, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Kenya
North and South American countries such as Canada, the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico
Selected Middle Eastern and Gulf countries, alongside separate visa‑on‑arrival facilities for GCC nationals

Eligibility lists were published on the official visa portal operated by Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and referenced by multiple Pakistani embassies abroad.

Suspension of the free VPA from 1 January 2026

From 1 January 2026, travellers and airlines report that the VPA category has disappeared from Pakistan’s online visa system. Applicants who previously used VPA now only see standard eVisa options such as tourist, business or family visit visas, all of which require payment of a fee.

An updated summary of Pakistan’s visa policy also notes that, from 1 January 2026, the VPA facility has been suspended and that applicants should expect to use regular online visas instead of the former fast‑track, free option.

Importantly:

As of 7 January 2026, MOFA’s general visa information pages still describe VPA as part of the online system, which suggests that some official web content has not yet been fully updated.
There is no widely published government press release explaining whether the suspension is temporary or permanent.
Foreign ministries in some partner countries and traveller reports indicate that missions and consulates are advising visitors to apply only for standard eVisas.

Until Pakistan issues a formal clarification, travellers should plan on the basis that the free VPA route is not available and that entry must be arranged through regular online visa channels or, where applicable, separate visa‑on‑arrival or visa‑exempt arrangements.

What travellers must do now

Shift from VPA to standard eVisa

Nationals who previously benefited from the free VPA should now expect to:

Apply under the standard Pakistan Online Visa System.
Select an appropriate category, typically:

Tourist visa
Business visa
Family or visit visa (for those visiting relatives or spouses in Pakistan)

Pay a visa fee, which varies by nationality, visa type, duration and number of entries.
Allow for longer processing times than the former 24‑hour VPA turnaround.

The Pakistan Online Visa System remains the central platform for applications and is open to almost all nationalities, not only those that had VPA access.

Typical fees and processing times

Visa fees are set by Pakistan and can differ significantly between countries. As an example only, one MOFA mission lists the following indicative fees for regular online visas:

Up to three months, single entry: from around 20 US dollars
Up to one year, multiple entry: from around 30 US dollars
More than one year, multiple entry: from around 40 US dollars

These figures are illustrative and not universal. Travellers must check the exact fee shown for their nationality and visa category inside the online system.

Processing times for standard eVisas also vary. Embassy guidance commonly refers to several working days for tourist visas, and can be longer if additional checks or documents are required. Unlike the former VPA, applicants should not assume a 24‑hour decision.

Impact on upcoming trips and existing VPA approvals

The suspension of free VPA has several practical consequences for travellers from the 126 previously eligible countries:

Higher costs: visitors who were planning a free short stay must now budget for visa fees, which may reach or exceed 60 US dollars in some cases.
More documentation: standard eVisa applications generally require more supporting documents than VPA, especially for business or family visits.
Longer lead times: relying on a last‑minute, 24‑hour approval is no longer realistic. Applying at least several weeks before travel is now advisable.

Travellers with an existing VPA approval

Some travellers hold Visa Grant Notices issued under VPA that remain within their stated validity period but extend beyond 1 January 2026. Because Pakistan has not yet publicly clarified how such cases are treated, the safest course of action is to:

Contact the nearest Pakistan embassy or consulate with a copy of the existing VPA approval.
Confirm in writing whether the VPA will still be honoured for travel.
Check with your airline, which may refuse boarding if it believes the visa category is no longer valid.

If there is any doubt, travellers may be advised to apply for a standard eVisa to avoid disruption at check‑in or on arrival.

Key entry and passport rules that still apply

Although the visa pathway has changed for many nationalities, core entry conditions for Pakistan remain in place.

Common requirements, as reflected in MOFA and mission guidance, include:

A passport with at least six months of remaining validity at the time of travel.
A completed online application and recent passport‑style photograph.
Supporting documents that match the visa type, for example:
For visitor or family visas: an invitation or affidavit from a sponsor in Pakistan, copies of their national ID and, in some cases, proof of address.
For business visas: business invitations, company letters or evidence of commercial activity.
Observance of overstay rules and surcharges if a traveller remains beyond the authorised period.

In addition, airlines and border officers may ask to see a return or onward ticket and evidence of sufficient funds for the stay. Travellers who plan to visit sensitive or restricted areas should check whether special permits are required in addition to a visa.

Certain separate schemes, such as visa‑on‑arrival arrangements for specific GCC nationals and long‑standing visa exemption agreements for selected passport categories, are published independently of the VPA framework. There has been no clear indication that these have changed as part of the 2026 adjustment, but affected travellers should confirm with official sources before departure.

What to watch for next

Because the suspension of the free VPA has not yet been accompanied by a detailed public policy statement, further clarifications are possible in the coming weeks and months. Travellers and travel providers should monitor:

Updates on MOFA and NADRA visa pages, especially any changes to lists of eligible countries.
Notices issued by Pakistani embassies and consulates in their country of residence.
Advisories from their own foreign ministries about travel to Pakistan.

Until then, the conservative approach is to assume that:

The free VPA route for the 126 nationalities is suspended.
All affected travellers must use standard eVisa or other published visa channels.
Applications should be filed early, with full documentation and payment of the applicable fee.