Pakistan's immigration framework is administered by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) under the Ministry of Interior, and rests on the Foreigners Act 1946 and the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951. In recent years the visa process has moved almost entirely online. If you are planning a holiday, a business trip, or a job in Pakistan, the category you choose - and the paperwork behind it - decides how long you can stay and what you are allowed to do. This guide walks through the three main routes and the rules that apply in 2026.
Pakistan visa categories at a glance
Pakistan issues several visa types. The three most requested by foreign nationals are Visit, Business and Work, but the fuller list is worth knowing:
| Category | Purpose | Paid work allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist / Visit | Tourism, sightseeing, meeting friends | No |
| Family Visit | Visiting relatives resident in Pakistan | No |
| Business | Meetings, inspections, investment, training | No |
| Work | Employment with a registered company | Yes |
| Study / Medical / NGO | Education, treatment, charitable work | Restricted |
The e-Visa system and 2026 changes
The Government of Pakistan runs its Online Visa System through NADRA at visa.nadra.gov.pk. This is the correct official portal - applicants should avoid unofficial agents charging inflated fees. The most important 2026 change is that the visa on arrival facility was suspended for most nationalities from January 2026, meaning travellers must secure an e-Visa before departure.
GCC exemption: Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council states - Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain - are exempt from applying for electronic travel authorisation or a visa for tourism and business, under Pakistan's revised visa policy.
Whatever your category, your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining and ideally two blank pages. Requirements and eligible-country lists change frequently, so always confirm current rules on the official portal before booking travel.
Visit and tourist visas
The Tourist visa is for sightseeing and leisure, while the Family Visit visa is for those coming to see relatives. Both are single-purpose - you cannot take up paid work on either. A tourist e-Visa is typically issued for a single entry with a stay of around 30 days, and some are granted with validity of 3 months to a year. Extensions are possible from within Pakistan through DGIP offices.
Family visit applications usually require an invitation and a copy of the host's Pakistani identity document. If you are an overseas Pakistani or the family of one, it is worth understanding the separate identity routes - see our guides to the NICOP for overseas Pakistanis and the Pakistan Origin Card (POC), which can remove the need for a visa altogether.
Business visas
The Business visa permits short-term commercial activity - meetings, due diligence, inspections, training and investment discussions - but not paid employment. It is one of the most flexible categories: it can be granted for up to 5 years with multiple entries, with each individual stay generally limited to around 90 days.
Applicants normally need an invitation letter from a business organisation in Pakistan, recommended by the relevant chamber of commerce or trade body. Nationals of countries on the Business Visa List (BVL) benefit from faster processing - often within 24 working hours - while others may wait around four weeks. Application fees commonly range from USD 100 to USD 300 depending on nationality and validity.
| Feature | Business visa | Work visa |
|---|---|---|
| Paid employment | Not permitted | Permitted |
| Maximum validity | Up to 5 years | Up to 2 years (after extension) |
| Entries | Multiple | Single (entry) then multiple |
| Key document | Trade-body invitation letter | Employment contract / sponsor letter |
| Typical stay per visit | Up to ~90 days | Duration of employment |
Work visas and employer sponsorship
The Work visa is the route for foreign nationals taking up employment in Pakistan. It is employer-driven: the sponsoring company must generally be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and companies in certain sectors also need approval from the Board of Investment (BOI).
An entry work visa is usually granted for up to 3 months on single entry. Once the holder is in Pakistan, it can be extended for up to 2 years with multiple entries, provided the employment continues. Processing times vary by nationality and typically run from two to eight weeks.
Foreign employees are still subject to Pakistan's labour laws once working here. Salaries must respect the applicable minimum wage - the national floor has been set at PKR 32,000 per month, though provinces set their own figures - and employment terms should be documented properly. For the wider legal picture, our employment and labour law services support both foreign staff and the companies that hire them.
Documents you will usually need
Requirements differ by category, but most applications ask for a common core set:
| Document | Visit | Business | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (6+ months validity) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recent photograph | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Invitation / sponsor letter | If family visit | Trade body | Employer |
| Employment contract | - | - | Yes |
| Company registration proof | - | Recommended | SECP / FBR / BOI |
| Educational / professional certificates | - | - | Often required |
Overstaying or breaching your visa conditions - for example, working on a business visa - is an offence under the Foreigners Act 1946 and can lead to fines, deportation and future entry bans. If a visa or extension is refused, there are avenues to challenge the decision; see our note on immigration appeals in Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a Pakistan visa?
Through the official Online Visa System at visa.nadra.gov.pk, operated by NADRA under DGIP. Avoid unofficial third-party sites that charge extra.
Can I work on a business or tourist visa?
No. Only a work visa permits paid employment. Working on a visit or business visa breaches the Foreigners Act 1946 and can lead to deportation.
How long can a work visa be extended?
An entry work visa of up to 3 months can be extended inside Pakistan for up to 2 years with multiple entries, while your employment continues.
Is visa on arrival still available?
For most nationalities it was suspended from January 2026, so an e-Visa should be obtained before travel. GCC citizens remain exempt.
What if my visa application is refused?
You can reapply with stronger documentation or pursue an appeal. Legal advice helps identify why the refusal occurred and how to address it.