Pakistan has moved its visas online. Applications go through the government’s electronic visa portal rather than across a consular counter, and the fee follows a reciprocal principle: what Pakistan charges a national of a given country mirrors what that country charges Pakistanis.
Quick facts
That last line matters to hundreds of thousands of people: a Pakistani-American holding the overseas identity card travels to Pakistan without a visa, which is one of the main reasons to hold it.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-visa | Reciprocal fee | Applied for online |
| Business visa | Reciprocal fee | With company documentation |
| Family visit visa | Reciprocal fee | With invitation and host documents |
| Work and student categories | Higher tariffs | With sponsor documentation |
| Overseas identity card holders | No visa | Card serves as entry document |
Only the official portal issues these. Sites charging a premium to complete the same form are intermediaries, and the missions say so directly.
How to apply
- Check whether you need a visa at all, since the overseas identity card removes the requirement.
- Apply on the official electronic visa portal for your category.
- Upload the supporting documents the category requires.
- Pay online and keep the reference.
- Print the approval and carry it with the passport used in the application.
- Register with local authorities in Pakistan where the category requires it.
Required documents
- Passport valid at least six months beyond entry.
- Photograph to the portal’s specification.
- Invitation letter and host identity documents for family visits.
- Company documents for business travel.
- Hotel booking or accommodation details.
- Proof of lawful residence in the United States for third-country nationals.
Where to apply
Online through the official portal. Missions advise on categories and handle the cases the portal does not cover.
The Consulate General of Pakistan, Chicago
View details →HoustonPakistan Consulate General Houston
View details →Los AngelesConsulate General of Pakistan
View details →MaricopaPAK LINK - Pakistan Consulate Facilitation Services for US Citizens
View details →MillisConsulate General of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan
View details →New YorkConsulate General of Pakistan New York
View details →WashingtonEmbassy of Pakistan
View details →Additional notes
Restricted areas
Parts of Pakistan require a separate permit regardless of visa status, including for people of Pakistani origin. Check before planning travel outside the main cities.
Travel advice
The United States maintains specific warnings for certain regions of Pakistan. Read the current advisory alongside any visa planning.
The card is the better route
For anyone of Pakistani origin, obtaining the overseas identity card is almost always preferable to repeatedly applying for visas.
Non-refundable
As with all Pakistani consular fees, visa fees are not returned if the application fails.