How to Apply for a Pakistan Visa in Boston

Pakistan, once a popular hippie backpacking destination, is still mostly off the radar for most mainstream tourists.  However, this country should not be overlooked by Boston area visitors because it offers a variety of attractions, including historic and cultural heritage sites, diverse geographic features, and a growing adventure travel sector for mountain climbers, hikers, and water sports enthusiasts.  Forbes magazine ranked Pakistan as one of its 10 “coolest places on earth” in 2019 and among the top underrated travel destinations in 2020. “Pakistan is blessed with abundant natural and historical riches,” Lonely Planet noted. “Incredible mountain landscapes are set against a backdrop of desert forts and stories of sultans and djinns.  In its cities, ancient bazaars are home to intricately etched copper kitchenware alongside pungent spice racks and steaming tea stalls.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/pakistan) The British Backpacker Society has also named Pakistan is the world’s top adventure travel destination, citing its friendly residents and spectacular mountain scenery.

Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the country boasts several of the most ancient cultures in South Asia.  After 1,000 years of Islamic rule, the region was conquered by Great Britain during the mid- to late 1800s and became part of the British Indian Empire.  During the early Twentieth Century, the Pakistani movement that sought to establish a homeland for India’s Muslim citizens gathered steam.  In 1947, Pakistan gained independence when Britain partitioned present-day Pakistan from India.  The Islamic Republic of Pakistan followed in 1956.

In 2023, Pakistan’s population exceeded 232 million, ranking it as the fifth most populous nation globally and second-largest Muslim nation by population.  Urdu and English are the two official languages, although English is primarily used for government and business activities.  Pakistan borders Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran, and also boasts more than 650 miles of coastline on the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

While primarily an Islamic country, Pakistan is a multicultural and multiethnic society.  The nation also has one of the world’s youngest populations and a growing middle class, providing opportunities for Boston area businesspeople.  With a 20 percent growth rate in 2022, the U.S. International Trade Association stated, “Pakistan continues to offer significant opportunities for U.S. businesses willing to invest the time needed to develop a strategic market presence.” The ITA added top industry prospects include consumer goods, energy, telecommunications, agricultural equipment, healthcare, and education. (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/pakistan-market-opportunities.) 

Pakistan Tourism Highlights

Tourism is another rapidly growing economic sector.  The World Travel and Tourism Council reported that in 2019, tourism contributed 10.3% of Pakistan’s GDP ($9.6 billion).  While its impact dropped by half during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, it had rebounded to more than six percent of GDP by 2022 (https://wttc.org/research/economic-impact) and was booming again in the mid-2020s.

Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, located on the Arabian coast, is the financial, industrial, and transportation hub of the country.  Top tourist sites include The National Academy of Performing Arts, Mohatta Palace museum, the Pakistan Maritime Museum, and Lucky One Mall, South Asia's largest shopping destination.  The second largest city, Lahore, is Pakistan’s cultural capital and home to such architectural treasures as the Tomb of Jahangir, Lahore Ort, Badshahi, and the mosque of Moti Masjid.  In the 1960s, the planned city of Islamabad replaced Karachi as the capital of Pakistan.  Islamabad features remnants of numerous ancient cultures and civilizations, including the Aryan, Soanian, and Indus Valley civilizations.  Pharwala Fort and Rawat Fort date to the Fifteenth and Sixteenth centuries, respectively.  Other cultural sites include Saidpur Village, a 500-year-old center of Hindu worship; Faisal Mosque; and Lok Virsa Museum (Heritage Museum).  Margalla Hills National Park near the Himalayas offers camping and accommodations amidst hills and valleys with Himalayan gorals, leopards, and Barking deer.

Pakistan has also six UNESCO World Heritage sites, with another 26 sites tentatively proposed for inclusion.  Three sites are located in Punjab province: the Fort and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, two royal complexes from the Mughal era; Rohtas Fort, a Sixteenth Century fortress; and the ancient city of Taxila.  The other three are the archaeological ruins at Moenjodaro, built of unbaked brick in the Third Millennium B.C.; the Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and the nearby Sahr-i-Bahlol remains; and the historical monuments and mausoleums at Makli, Thatta.

Mountaineers and hikers from Boston and other parts of New England have been drawn to Pakistan’s towering peaks for decades.  Several ranges rise more than 23,000 feet, including K2, the world’s second-largest range after Mount Everest.  High country options include rock climbing, glacier trekking, skiing, and mountain expeditions.  Bicycle the world’s highest paved road, Karakoram Highway from Pakistan to China, and you’ll see glaciers, deep valleys, majestic mountain peaks, and small villages.  The country’s many roaring rivers also offer whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking.  If you prefer relaxing by the Arabian Sea, check out the port city of Gwadar or the beachside resorts of Omara and Pasni (which also offer fishing excursions).

Requirements for Obtaining a Pakistan Visa

Citizens of the United States and more than 190 other countries are required to obtain a visa to visit Pakistan.  In February 2021, Pakistan stopped issuing conventional paper visas for most applicants and transitioned to electronic visas.  The full list of countries eligible for e-Visas can be found at https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/electronic-travel-authorization-eta/. (NOTE: Indian nationals are still required to obtain a conventional visa.  The application form can be found at https://embassyofpakistanusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Indianvisa-Fill.pdf.)

The main requirement to obtain any type of Pakistani visa is holding a passport valid for six months beyond your date of arrival and containing at least two blank pages.  The government requires all travelers ages 12 and up to be fully vaccinated again COVID-19. “With the exception of COVID-19 vaccination, no routine vaccines are required when entering Pakistan from the United States, but proof of polio vaccination within one year may be required to exit Pakistan,” according to the U.S. State Department. Current travel advisories can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/pakistan-travel-advisory.html.

The most popular types of visas for Boston area visitors are tourist, business, and family visit visas.  These visa groups share similar requirements as the basic tourist visa.  Additional requirements are:

  • The mountain climbing and trekking visa is a special type of tourist visa. Applications must submit additional forms outlining their mountaineering or trekking trip, plus a sponsorship letter from a government-certified tour operator.
  • The business visit visa requires applicants to obtain a letter of invitation from a Pakistani company/organization and a recommendation letter from a U.S. organization.
  • The family visit visa is only available to applicants of Pakistani origin who hold foreign passports as well as their Pakistani Origin documents.

A list of all the visa types and details about each can be found under the “visa types” tab at https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/.

Obtaining a Pakistan Tourist Electronic Visa (eVisa) from Boston

Visitors from Boston can apply for two types of visas online.  The first time (new) visa is for those who do not currently possess a valid Pakistani visa.  You can also apply for an extension if you hold a valid Pakistani visa and are residing in the country.  The first-time visa is a single-entry visa valid for up to three months.  You can also extend your visa for up to six months or more, subject to government approval.

The online application form and details about the e-Visa are available through the Pakistani embassy to the United States website,  https://embassyofpakistanusa.org/consular-services/apply-visa-online/.  The “Apply Now” button takes you to the Ministry of Interior website, which has links to applications for the tourist and other visa types.

Required documents for the tourist visa include:

  • Completed application form.
  • Passport-type photograph that meets specifications on the website.
  • Current valid passport.
  • Details about hotel bookings.
  • Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Pakistan.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

Any children in your party will need a separate application, regardless of age.  You will also need to submit:

  • Child’s birth certificate.
  • Parent’s local state ID.
  • Notarized Parent Consent Form for each child/applicant below the age of 18 years.

Once you gather your supporting documents, the online application process is easy to follow.

  1. Click on the “Apply Now” button on the Ministry of Interior website, https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/.
  2. Create a new account.
  3. Log in to the visa system and complete your application.
  4. Pay the visa fee using a credit or debit card. Fees begin at $60 for a single-entry, individual visa, (Use the online fee calculator at https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/fee-structure/.)
  5. Submit your application.

Approval for the new entry and six-month extension generally takes seven to 10 working days.  Extensions greater than six months require four weeks turnaround.  If approved, you will receive a Visa Grant Notice (i.e., your e-Visa).  Print this document and present it along with your passport when you enter Pakistan.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Boston or anywhere in the New England region and have difficulty applying for a Pakistan visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Pakistan visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Pakistan government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Pakistan visa services for our customers in Boston:

  • Pakistan Tourist Visa
  • Pakistan Business Visa
  • Pakistan Family Visit Visa
  • Pakistan Official Visa
  • Pakistan Diplomatic Visa
  • Pakistan Hotel Accommodations