Pakistan E-Visa 2026 — Complete Application Guide
Apply for a Pakistan e-visa online in under 30 minutes. Tourist visas start at just $5, business visas from $25. Citizens of 175+ countries are eligible to apply through the official NADRA portal.
E-Visa at a Glance
175+ Countries
Eligible nationalities
7-10 Days
Processing time
From $5
Tourist visa fee
30-90 Days
Visa validity
What Is the Pakistan E-Visa?
The Pakistan e-visa is an electronic travel authorisation that allows foreign nationals to enter Pakistan without visiting an embassy in person. The entire application is completed online through the official NADRA portal at visa.nadra.gov.pk.
Launched in March 2019, the system initially covered 50 countries and has expanded to 175+ nationalities. As of January 2026, with the suspension of the free VPA programme, the e-visa is now the primary route for most visitors to Pakistan.
E-Visa Types Available:
- Tourist E-Visa: Sightseeing, visiting friends/family, cultural tourism. Single or multiple entry, 30-90 days. From $5.
- Business E-Visa: Business meetings, conferences, trade activities. Requires invitation letter. From $25.
- Transit E-Visa: Transiting through Pakistan, up to 72 hours. From $5.
- Diplomatic/Official E-Visa: Government officials on official duties.
E-Visa Fees by Type and Entry
| Visa Type | Entry | Validity | Stay Limit | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist E-Visa | Single | 30 days | 30 days | $5 - $25 |
| Tourist E-Visa | Multiple | 90 days | 30 days per entry | $10 - $60 |
| Business E-Visa | Single | 30 days | 30 days | $25 - $50 |
| Business E-Visa | Multiple | 90 days | 30 days per entry | $50 - $150 |
| Transit E-Visa | Single | 72 hours | 72 hours | $5 - $15 |
Why the fee range? Pakistan charges reciprocal fees based on what your country charges Pakistani citizens. For example, Japanese citizens pay from $5 while US citizens pay from $20. Check exact fees during your application at visa.nadra.gov.pk.
E-Visa Fees by Nationality (Top 20 Source Countries)
| Nationality | Tourist (Single) | Tourist (Multi) | Business (Single) | Eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $20 | $60 | $50 | Yes |
| United Kingdom | $10 | $50 | $50 | Yes |
| Canada | $15 | $50 | $50 | Yes |
| Australia | $15 | $50 | $50 | Yes |
| Germany | $10 | $40 | $40 | Yes |
| France | $10 | $40 | $40 | Yes |
| Italy | $10 | $40 | $40 | Yes |
| Spain | $10 | $40 | $40 | Yes |
| Netherlands | $10 | $40 | $40 | Yes |
| Japan | $5 | $25 | $25 | Yes |
| South Korea | $5 | $25 | $25 | Yes |
| Malaysia | $10 | $40 | $40 | Yes |
| Thailand | $10 | $40 | $40 | Yes |
| Singapore | $5 | $25 | $25 | Yes |
| South Africa | $15 | $50 | $50 | Yes |
| Brazil | $15 | $50 | $50 | Yes |
| Russia | $10 | $40 | $40 | Yes |
| China | Visa-Free (30 days) | No visa needed | ||
| Turkey | Visa-Free (30 days) | No visa needed | ||
| India | Separate procedures via embassy | Embassy only | ||
Note: Fees are approximate and based on reciprocal agreements. Verify exact amount during application. Indian nationals must apply through Pakistan embassies under separate bilateral procedures.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step Guide
Create an Account on the NADRA Portal
Visit visa.nadra.gov.pk and click "Register" to create a new account. You will need:
- A valid email address (you will receive your visa here)
- A phone number for verification
- A password (minimum 8 characters)
Select Your Visa Type and Entry
After logging in, select the type of visa you need:
- Tourist Visa — most common for visitors ($5-$60)
- Business Visa — for commercial activities ($25-$150, requires invitation letter)
- Transit Visa — passing through Pakistan ($5-$15, up to 72 hours)
Choose single entry if visiting once, or multiple entry if you plan to leave and re-enter Pakistan during your trip. Multiple-entry costs more.
Fill in Personal and Passport Details
Complete the online application form with:
- Full name — exactly as it appears on your passport (even a minor spelling difference causes rejection)
- Date of birth and nationality
- Passport number, issue date, and expiry date (must be valid for 6+ months from entry date)
- Purpose of visit and intended travel dates
- Full accommodation address in Pakistan (hotel name + address, or host's name + address)
- Contact information of a reference in Pakistan
Upload Required Documents
| Document | Format | Max Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport bio page (colour scan) | JPEG/PNG | 1MB | Clear, not cropped |
| Recent passport-size photo | JPEG/PNG | 500KB | White background, no glasses |
| Return flight ticket/itinerary | PDF/JPEG | 1MB | Booking confirmation accepted |
| Hotel booking confirmation | PDF/JPEG | 1MB | Or host invitation letter |
| Invitation letter Business only | 2MB | From Pakistani company on letterhead |
Pay the E-Visa Fee Online
Pay using Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card. The exact fee will be displayed based on your nationality and visa type selected.
- Fee is charged in USD
- Your bank may add a foreign transaction fee (typically 1-3%)
- Non-refundable — even if your application is rejected
See our complete visa fee schedule for rates by nationality.
Receive and Print Your E-Visa
After 7-10 business days (up to 15 during peak season), you will receive an email:
- Approved: Download your e-visa from the portal. Print a colour copy to carry with you.
- Additional documents requested: Upload the requested documents and resubmit.
- Rejected: You will receive a reason. See our tips below. You can reapply or apply through an embassy.
What to Expect at Pakistan Immigration
When you arrive in Pakistan with your approved e-visa:
- Join the "E-Visa / Visa on Arrival" queue at immigration (separate from regular visa holders at most airports)
- Present your printed e-visa along with your passport to the immigration officer
- Biometric capture — fingerprints and photograph will be taken
- Entry stamp — your passport will be stamped with the entry date and permitted stay duration
- Proceed to baggage collection — the process typically takes 10-20 minutes
7 Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection
- Using an unofficial website: Only use visa.nadra.gov.pk. Fraudulent sites charge inflated fees and may steal your data.
- Name mismatch: Your name on the application must exactly match your passport. Even "Muhammad" vs "Mohammed" can trigger rejection.
- Expired passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your planned entry date.
- Blurry document scans: Upload clear, high-resolution scans. Blurry or cropped documents are a top rejection reason.
- Incomplete accommodation details: Provide the full address of your hotel or host. "Hotel in Lahore" is not sufficient.
- Applying too late: Apply at least 3 weeks before travel. Processing takes 7-10 days, and additional documents may be requested.
- Wrong photo: Use a recent passport-style photo with white background. Selfies, sunglasses, and head coverings (unless religious) will be rejected.
E-Visa vs Visa on Arrival vs Embassy Visa
| Feature | E-Visa | Visa on Arrival | Embassy Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Online from anywhere | At airport on arrival | In person at embassy |
| Processing time | 7-10 business days | Immediate (30 min) | 5-15 business days |
| Cost | $5-$150 | $5-$60 | $10-$300 |
| Eligibility | 175+ countries | ~50 countries | All countries |
| Best for | Most tourists and business travellers | Last-minute travel | Work, student, long stays |
| Multiple entry | Available | Single entry only | Available |
| Risk | Low (approved before travel) | Higher (could be denied at airport) | Low |
For most tourists, the e-visa is recommended. You get confirmation before travel, avoid airport queues, and fees are typically lower than embassy visas.
VPA Programme Suspended (January 2026)
The Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) programme, which previously offered free visas to citizens of 126 countries, was suspended on January 1, 2026. All travellers must now apply through the standard e-visa system with applicable fees.
This makes the e-visa at visa.nadra.gov.pk the primary and most cost-effective option for visiting Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Official Portal
Pakistan E-Visa Portal
Apply directly through NADRA's official e-visa system. Do not use third-party websites.
Apply Now at visa.nadra.gov.pkE-Visa Document Checklist
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Colour scan of passport bio page
- Return flight booking/itinerary
- Hotel reservation or host details
- Credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard)
- Valid email address
- Invitation letter Business only
Processing Times
- Standard: 7-10 business days
- Peak season: Up to 15 business days
- If docs requested: Add 3-5 days
- Tip: Apply at least 3 weeks before travel
Quick Fee Guide
- Tourist (single) $5 - $25
- Tourist (multi) $10 - $60
- Business (single) $25 - $50
- Business (multi) $50 - $150
- Transit $5 - $15
Last verified
March 2026