Travel requirements and visas

Immunizations

 

Below we have set out what is the general guidance for travel to Pakistan. We strongly advise you to consult with your own GP or travel clinic near you before traveling. They will have the most up to date and medically accurate information relevant to you, and should be relied upon over these recommendations.

Strongly Advised Vaccinations

– Hepatitis A: This can be spread via contaminated food and water.
– Tetanus: Tetanus is often present in the soil, and can contaminate open wounds easily. Tetanus vaccine should be used every ten years if traveling.
– Typhoid: Typhoid can also be spread via contaminated food and water, and poor hygiene.
– Diphtheria: This potentially fatal disease is spread mainly via spit, but occasionally through contact with cuts on the skin.
– Yellow Fever: This can be contracted by being bitten by a contaminated mosquito. This vaccination is not essential if you are arriving directly in Pakistan. You do need it though if you plan to arrive through any country that is subject to yellow fever. Simply stopping over at an airport in an affected country should not require vaccination, but leaving the airport even briefly would make it necessary.

 

Malaria

In Pakistan, the risk of malaria is not prevalent in higher altitude regions like Skardu or most Himalaya Karkoram treks we organize. However, travelers should be aware of the risk of malaria in areas below 1,500m, particularly in regions like Islamabad, Naran, Chilas, Rawalpindi, it’s essential to take anti-malarial medication and follow preventive measures such as wearing long-sleeved clothing and using DEET-based mosquito repellent to avoid mosquito bites, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are active.

Obtaining a visa for travel

an overview of the requirements for obtaining a tourist visa for Pakistan:

Basic Requirements:

  • Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months with a blank page for stamping the visa.
  • Passport-Size Photos: Four recent (not older than 6 months) passport-size photographs (2″x2″).
  • Completed Visa Application Form: A duly filled visa application form is required.
  • Visa Fee: Payment of the visa fee, which can be made in cash or money order if applying in person, or by money order if applying by mail.
  • Proof of Residence: Applicants must provide proof of permanent residence in their country and proof of residence within the relevant consular jurisdiction.

Online Application: Pakistan has an online visa system where you can apply for a tourist visa. There are two types of visas you can apply for:

  • First Time (New): If you do not possess a valid Pakistan visa, you can apply for a new one.
  • Extension: If you already have a valid Pakistan visa and are residing in Pakistan, you can apply for an extension.

Eligibility:

  • Nationals of 192 countries can apply for a Pakistani visa through the online system.
  • Citizens from 64 countries are eligible to apply for Visa on Arrival under the Tourist Category.
  • The online system also facilitates verification of ETA & visa status.

For a detailed process and any updates to the requirements, it’s best to visit the official Pakistan Online Visa System or consult the Government of Pakistan’s visa information page.

Please note that visa regulations can change, and it’s always a good idea to check the latest information before making travel plans.

Apply online for an eVisa (recommended)


Most countries  have the option to apply for a visa entirely online. You will be asked to fill out your personal and travel information and upload any required documents.

Letter of Invitation (LOI)

Foreigners will need to obtain a Letter of Invitation (LOI) before they can apply for a visa. You will be able to get the LOI from us (being a licensed tour operator), along with, company registration documents and any other documents you may need.

At the end of your application, you will pay any applicable fees by credit card and be issued your electronic visa typically in just a few days. This is a very fast and cost-effective way to obtain your visa.

Trekking and mountaineering Visa for Restricted Zone (including K2 base Camp Baltoro region)

The Pakistani Government has introduced a new visa scheme for trekking and mountaineering in the Karakoram. Under the new scheme – all parties planning on going to K2 BC or entering central Karakoram National Park can now apply for the mandatory Trekking and Mountaineering Visa instead of the regular tourist visa.  We can help you with all of the information you need to apply. This will make things easier when it comes to getting all of the final permitting done just before the trek since the visa is specifically for trekking and mountaineering activities.

If you’re JUST planning on coming to Pakistan to trek or summit a mountain, this is the best option. However, if you want to trek to K2 and also explore other parts of Pakistan independently, you can also get your permits arranged with us while traveling on  this visa. This trekking and mountaineering visa takes almost 4-5 weeks time, from the time you submit your documents to the time you have a visa approval notice. Whereas for normal tourist visa time is about 3 – 10 days. (Without this Trekking and Mountaineering Visa,  one an not get trekking permit to restricted zones like K2 base camp).