No more free “Visa Prior to Arrival” for travelers to Pakistan
When Pakistan launched its Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) program in the summer of 2024, it was widely seen as a turning point. Citizens of 126 countries could apply online, receive approval within two days, and enter the country with a free visa. For tourists, business travelers, and tour operators, the system reduced costs, uncertainty, and bureaucracy, reinforcing Pakistan’s message that it was open for travel and investment.
It is now all over with an abrupt halt on January 1, 2026. Since the start of the year, the VPA platform has been unavailable, without any official public announcement explaining the suspension. Travelers attempting to apply now find themselves redirected to the standard e-Visa system, forcing them into a process that is both more expensive and more demanding.
Under the current framework, travelers must apply for a paid e-Visa, with fees varying by nationality. For example, a single-entry, three-month tourist visa costs USD 35 for citizens of the European Union, USD 60 for nationals of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, while other nationalities are subject to different rates. What was once a free entry document has become a paid administrative hurdle.
Processing times have also changed significantly. While VPA approvals were typically issued within 24 to 48 hours, Pakistani authorities now indicate that tourist e-Visa applications may take up to seven business days, complicating travel planning and increasing uncertainty for last-minute trips.
The application itself has grown more complex. Previously limited to roughly twenty questions, it now requires extensive additional information, including proof of accommodation, detailed travel plans, and supporting documents—bringing the process closer to pre-2024 visa requirements.
For industry professionals, the silence is as troubling as the change. No official information has been released on whether the VPA program will be reinstated, modified, or permanently discontinued.
In the absence of clear communication, travelers and tour operators must now navigate a system that is more restrictive, more expensive, and far less predictable. While waiting for eventual new instructions from the government.
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