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Urgent Pakistan Visa Help
We urgently need to apply for a Tourist Visa for Pakistan for our drive through Iran,Pakistan to India.
The Pakistan High Commission website (The High Commission for Pakistan in United Kingdom) advises that the following is required... Duly filled Visa Form Original passport (valid for at least six months) along with its photocopy Two recent passport size photographs (with white background) Invitation letter from sponsor ID of the sponsor with complete address in Pakistan Last three months bank statement Reference letter from workplace Itinerary, Hotel booking and schedule of visit We are hoping to apply from the UK. Has anyone applied for a Pakistan Tourist Visa since Feb 2010 - how did you get an Invitation Letter from a Sponsor? :confused1: |
Ring them and ask what is required. Don't mention anything, just say you want a tourist visa. Think of a safe place on the KKH you may want to visit, just in case they ask.
What is written on a web site and what they require may be two different stories. |
We made a couple of reservations for hotels in Multan & Lahore online, and took the booking confirmations with us today.
It appeared to be OK that we didnt have an Invitation Letter but an Itinerary was needed, and the Reservations probably helped. Unfortunately after a little wait they decided to refer the application. They asked for vehicle details including; Make, Model, Registration Number. So we're not sure which way this application will go, fingers and toes are now firmly crossed, and we're hoping that the wait for good news will not be too far away. |
Update....
We're still waiting to hear on the Pakistan Visa.... phoned up yesterday but was told no ETA and still in Pakistan for referral - not sure if wait will be 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or 1 year! We've got our Iranian & Indian Visas and are aware that time is ticking away on these now before they expire. .... therefore starting to think about heading off next week, travelling through Europe, etc and flying back to UK to collect the Visa if we are successful! If unsuccessful.... - could we reapply in Iran? - would shipping from Iran to India be an option? - are there other options? :confused1: :confused1: :confused1: |
We got refused by London when our apps were referred. I then went to Birmingham without an itinerancy but a LOI, said I was doing some trecking and said nothing about traveling on motorcycles and got the visas 2 hours later.
These guys will email you a LOI for free Lost Horizon Treks and Tours - Northern Pakistan's friendly, professional tourism experts Cheers Pete |
Hey,
We got visa to Pakistan in Italy last June in 30 minutes. The quickest visa ever!! Tourist are welcome to Pakistan and Pakistani government do finance the programs for tourist development. May be you have delays with your visa due to recent problems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Karakorum Higway was closed for a week in May. |
Update...
We got a Voicemail from the Pakistan Consulate asking us to contact them. The following day we went to the Consulate to see if our Visa's were going to be approved or not. We were told that we would need to complete another form which would be sent to Pakistan along with our application. This would take a further 6 weeks before we would hear something (not sure whether this would have been a final answer at the end of the 6 weeks). :( As we need to leave soon, in part due to our Iranian Visa already counting down, we proposed that instead of continuing our application to take the 4WD, we would ship our 4wd directly from Iran to India, and if a Pakistan Tourist Visa was to be granted, we would spend a week / 10 days in Lahore whilst the 4wd was in Transit. 2 hours later and we had a Pakistan Tourist Visa :clap:. We also enjoyed Tea & Biscuits with the Consul General himself, talking about our trip and listening to advice on Pakistan and other countries that the Consul General had been based at previously which were on our route. :thumbup1: |
And the visa doesn't stipulate where you have to enter, of course.
Excellent: people just need to say that they are flying in and no problem. I was wondering: the German embassy in Ankara told me they would only give me the LOI endorsed "Air travel only". Maybe I could have used that and applied for the visa saying I was just flying in and visiting Gilgit? Who wants to try this? :eek2: |
Me!
i'll go to apply for it next week, NOT MENTIONING WE'RE ON A BIKE! i'd book a room in a lahore's hotel for a couple of night on next late august. plus we also got a fly ticket (fake) to go and back from pak as we should to obtain our pak visas without the f+++++g hassles to declare we're get in there on a bike. i've tried to do it that way 3 years ago, sayng "i wanna go to pak coming on bike from Iran through balucistan". i'd wait a couple of months in vain without any answer at all. went to pak embassy in tehran asking for visa, they've ask me a guarantee letter from my embassy, wich they refuse me. so, i'd check at the airport to ship me & the bike directly to mumbay. now, i think to had learned the lesson... i'll keep you updated on what about, cheers www.lungastrada.it |
pakistan visa in Tehran is completly imposible now
Hey ya, my journey is coming to a point of who knows what? The Pakistani embassy in Tehran will not give any visas out to any non Iranian citizens (apparently from two weeks ago the govt made this rule). The Pakistani diplomatic people (both in Tehran and Ankara) are tough and lie and have no compassion or sympathy. I was well prepared and had everything ready to go to apply. Its a full on and an intense experience but it is now completely a no go unless you apply from your own country (but still even if you tell them you are flying in and give all the docs etc, its really difficult). the Pakistani government is doing everything they can to make it difficult for travelers to get in for their security reasons. Apparently you can get one on the boarder of China and Pakistan but then there is the deal with China... and the KKH has had a massive landslide and the damn it created recently broke and washed out 20kms of the highway and a massive bridge.
I have little choice now to get to India overland because I just don't have the funds to ship or fly my Bike. I met these Spanish lads in this 4WD truck today and have just come up from Africa to Iran. I think ill join them and ride into northern Afghanistan and then into the stans, then try and sell my bike somewhere and fly to India and just hire an enfield from there on in with some new funds. I don't know its all gone a bit mad riding round Tehran, but has also been a great experience... three big lads on the bike riding across the city to outings, its so easy to make good friends in Tehran and some wild experiences. Iran is great. I need to extend my visa now for Iran, hopefully it works, its a great country despite the political goings... If anyone has any uplifting and easy ways with little cash to get across to India from Iran please let me know asap. Marty |
Hi,
Just wanted to drop in on this thread and say thanks for the info. My wife and I hope to travel through Pakistan this year. What are the chances of being turned back at the border though? (might be disaster if you've only a single entry for the other country no?) Bit of a noob to proper land borders :innocent: N |
If you have a visa then you should be able to enter.
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Help! Pakistan visas.
We're in Bulgaria and were going to set out to Turkey on Tuesday with the idea of getting Iran and India visas in Ankara, then getting the Pakistan visas in Teheran. Sounds like that plan's blown out of the water.
Anyone any suggestions? Thoughts? It looks like we may have to fly the bikes from Turkey to India........ Matthew and Anita ----------TheBarkingBikers-------------- The Barking Way Round---- |
My experience is from 2006, so probably too old to be of any use. Here it is anyway:
Applied for IR visa at the consulate in Istanbul, told them I would collect it in Ankara. Takes about 2 weeks. PAK: couldn't get the dreaded LOI from the German embassy in Ankara, so never applied there. If you can get it, go for it. Don't tell them you are travelling overland. If they ask, you will fly in and visit Gilgit and Hunza. If either fails I suggest you fly your bike(s) Ankara-Ktm or Dacca. Don't fly to India! Visit Lahaul, Spiti, Ladakh and Zanskar, it will be the right time. My policy now is: if a country makes it too hard for me to get in with my bike then they don't want me and I go somewhere else. |
Well,
Just in case people are in my case and stuck in Iran with a vehicle, there are container boats going to India (4 days sailing) operated by Maersk and WHL leaving Bandar Abbas every week. Sea freight $300 for a 20 ft container. |
Thanks very much for that info.
Anyone on the ground in Pakistan at the moment? Is the situation as bad as they say in the Media? It sounds like it will not be crossable when we come in Nov. Neil |
Actually got a quote today of $100 sea freight from bandar abbas to Nhava Sheva (close to mumbai) + $350 port fees in bandar abbas + $230 clearance.
Unstuffing fees in mumbai unknow. Sailing weekly. Company name is SSP and contact is Mehrnoosh Hoghooghi, mehrnoosh@jonoubdarya.com tel: 98 21 88727255. EDITED with new costs |
Hi,
I was just wondering if you went ahead with the shipping and if so how did it go at the India end? We applied for Pak visa a week and a bit ago and just found out today that meanwhile they decided to change the format of the application form and want us to re-apply doh With the flooding in Pakistan we are wondering if we'd be better avoiding it though that'd be a shame as we have friends out there. Cheers, Neil |
Yes, I stuffed my container Tuesday, and I am now in India. Customs were very difficult in Iran. All together, on the Iran side, I had to pay $700 which includes the ocean freight, taxes, customs, THC, and a clearing agent.
Container goes to Nhava Sheva, a port few miles from Mumbai. Sailing time 4 days. I am kind of nervous for the customs clearance on the Indian side, as it is supposed to be difficult. Will let you know if you choose to go ahead. |
Thanks for that, hope the Indian side goes ok.
Neil |
Hi nicolasrapp, how did things go on the Indian side? What was the total cost of shipping?
How did you get yourself over to India? Fly, boat? How much was that? Had a pretty bad (we think) Pakistani consulate experience this morning. All was going well, until the clerk looked at the application form which said we're entering at the Iran border and leaving at Indian border. Asked if we were taking a vehicle, lied and said no. Was told there could be problems with visa and would have to be referred to the consular general who would call at some point in the future. Looks like may have to ship around Pakistan... :( |
Hey man,
You have to be careful because the Pakistan embassy could give you a visa with a stamp giving authorization of entry by air only. Anyhow, usually when they tell you they have to refer to Islamabad, it finishes by a "no" two weeks after. So far, on the Iran side I had to pay $777 including the cost of an agent. Doing without would be kind of impossible. My boat still didn't arrive in India, so I can't tell you how much it will cost me. I will update when I know that. It's supposed to be pretty expensive. Once you stuffed your container, you can take a bus to Shiraz ($8) and there, a plane to Mumbai or Delhi (both destination same price, $150 per seat). |
Thanks for the swift reply. Hope your bike / car gets to India soon safe and sound.
Am off to get Indian visa tomorrow whilst we decide what to do. 1) Soon as got Indian visa off we go YAY, but expensive shipping booo. 2) Hold out for the Pakistani visa, maybe not get it, could delay things a few weeks and all the time winter is getting nearer and Eastern Turkey may be a problem. But maybe do get it.... |
What city did you apply to get the Pakistan visa? Frankly, I did intensive research and met few people in Iran, and nobody was able to get a Pakistan visa anywhere outside of their home country...
Where do you go after India, is it your final destination? |
Hi Nicolas,
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All visas "en route" are being denied. I didn't see one person who got it since a long time outside of their country of origin.
I remember hearing about some people getting a visa with entry via airport only, but these people got it in their country of origin as well. |
I was told to get it "at home" in 2006, but eventually got it in Abu Dhabi in 2007, but *only* because I was travelling with a vehicle. I think you are right and it seems they have further tightened that up.
I guess we can consider this a closed border for now. :oops2: |
Yes, it completely closed in the last three-four months.
But I do think there are still chances to get it from your country of origin, even more if there's some kind of event you are supposed to attend there, like a wedding or something... |
A change to Pakistan Visa policy.
Just read through this post as am in Pakistan at the moment. We applied for our visas in the UK before we left but a couple of people in our China crossing group (we came from the north) did't have theirs and spent some nervous weeks in central asian capitals trying to apply at Pak embassies only to be told that as of May 2010 all Pakistan visas can only be obtained in the applicants country of origin. Of course, they've not updated websites to reflect this slightly important change!
In the end the guys in our group without visas came with us and having got to the Pakistan border on the Khunjerab Pass just said they were applying in Sost (the customs post 80km further into Pakistan. Nobody seemed to have a problem with it, and in deed upon arrival in Sost, they were taken to a room and returned 10 minutes later with a 30 visa for just $24!! Way cheaper and more hassle free than applying at home! Loads of people seem to be doing this but I understand that this is the only border for Pakistan where this happens. |
Sure, if you have authorization to drive into China, you are good.
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Just a call from the consulate saying visas have been approved :D
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Well good luck and safe ride. If you need any help while in Pakistan specially around Lahore, feel free to contct.
Cheers Bagsrpacked |
Hey all,
Can I resurrect this thread? We're driving from London to Sydney starting next month and Pakistan is next on our visa hitlist. We're going from Iran to Pakistan then to India and we're all British Citizens. I just emailed the High Commission in London and they said "You need to apply visa in UK before travelling. Please check requirements for TOURIST VISA. You are planning to travell on you car so please provide following documents as well. Car registration Car insurance International driving licence International itinerary Itinerary for Pakistan Hotel booking if possible. If you are working for [employer], please provide reference." So I have two questions. 1. If we apply as overlanders with a car does anyone know what the deal ios with vehicle insurance? 2. Should we, instead, just not mention the car and pretend we're just on buses or trains and then deal with the car when we get to the border? (We'll have a carnet) Are we likely to get a visa? Is it better to just go and speak to them? I'm based near Bradford and can also easily get to Birmingham. |
First Rule when dealing with officialdom: don't volunteer any info.
Pak visas have been covered extensively on HUBB. It seems that overland visas are unlikely to be issued. Pretend to fly into Islamabad and you are going to visit Gilgit & Hunza. Vehicle at the border is not an issue with carnet. |
Thanks for the reply.
So you reckon to just say we're flying into Islamabad then make an itinerary that centres around sightseeing in Islamabad for a couple of weeks? Are they likely to ask for proof of the flight? Thanks again Also - are they likely to get suspicious that i'm applying for a visa about five months early? |
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Ah bollocks, I was under the impression it was six months. That totally buggers my plans.
This says six months Passport And Visa Information in Pakistan |
Def 3 months, just checked mine from 2010 in my passport.
DO NOT go to London they will refuse you, go to Birmingham, there is a consulate in Bradford but I haven't visited there so can't comment. As Bedd says they will know you're blagging it if you don't get your facts straight before you speak to them. See my earlier post on this thread about a LOI. We did have insurance from Turkey onwards (Iran,Pakistan and India, 7 months). Cheers Pete |
We came through Pak around a month ago now. I'd go with what beddhist says. If they don't ask don't tell. I was all geared up to talk about trains and so on but in the end they took one look at our LOI and just filled the stuff out. LOI seems to be the most important thing. The process was painful and started dragging a bit via post so we had to go to the embassy and magically got sorted in the same day.
This was in Dublin though so things vary... Our visa was 3 month validity before date of entry with 1 month stay after date of entry. Supposedly it can be extended but we didn't. We rocked up at the border with Carnet etc and no weird questions got asked. They even fed us and let us camp in the customs house grounds! Neil |
You will not need an LOI. In fact, you can't get one in your home country, because there is no embassy there of your own country. :oops2:
Let's not complicate things. It's bad enough as it is, having to blast through Europe and Iran in 3 months. Unless you organise a 2nd passport and get your folks back home to post it to the consulate for you. But that complicates matters further... |
By LOI I meant from a "tour agent" Lost Horizon Treks and Tours - Northern Pakistan's friendly, professional tourism experts not a letter of no objection from an embassy.
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I've just been told by the High Commission that the validity is six months and you can apply to extend that (not sure how easy that would be in practice).
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I was issued the visa a little while ago, the validity is six months.
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