Pakistan entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

British passport holders need a visa to enter Pakistan in 2026. You must apply online through the official visa portal before you travel — there are no visa-on-arrival options for UK citizens at land borders or airports.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa required
Apply for a Pakistan visa before travel
British passport holders need a visa to enter Pakistan. Apply online through the Pakistan eVisa portal at visa.nadra.gov.pk — processing takes 7–10 working days for most tourist visas. You can also apply at a Pakistan embassy or consulate if you prefer a paper visa.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your passport must be valid for at least the entire period you plan to stay in Pakistan. No minimum 6-month validity is required — just cover your travel dates. Airlines may still check validity at check-in, so bring a passport with at least a few months left.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for visa application and at border
You need a confirmed return or onward ticket when applying for the visa and when arriving in Pakistan. Immigration officers at Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad routinely ask for proof of onward travel. A printed itinerary or e-ticket works fine.Required
Proof of accommodation
Recommended to carry hotel bookings
Immigration may ask where you're staying, especially if you're on a tourist visa. Have your hotel confirmation or a letter of invitation from a host ready. A printed copy or a screenshot on your phone is usually enough.Recommended
Proof of funds
Recommended to show sufficient money for your stay
Officers can ask for proof you can support yourself during your trip. Carry a bank statement or credit card showing access to at least $500 USD equivalent. Most tourists never get asked, but it's safer to have it.Recommended
Visa required — no exceptions
UK passport holders cannot enter Pakistan without a pre-approved visa. There is no visa-on-arrival or eTA option. Apply online at least 2 weeks before your trip.
Keep digital copies of everything
Save your visa approval letter, passport scan, and return ticket as PDFs on your phone and in cloud storage. If you lose the printed letter, you can show the digital copy at immigration.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for your visa online
Go to the Pakistan Online Visa System (visa.nadra.gov.pk) and create an account. Fill in the application form, upload a passport-style photo and a scan of your passport bio page. Pay the fee (around £30–£60 depending on visa type) by credit or debit card. Processing usually takes 5–10 working days.
2
Receive and print your visa approval
Once approved, you'll get an email with a visa approval letter. Print this letter — you'll need to show it at check-in and on arrival. Keep a digital copy on your phone as backup.
3
Arrive at the airport in Pakistan
At Islamabad, Karachi, or Lahore airports, join the 'Foreign Passports' queue. Hand over your passport, visa approval letter, and return ticket. The officer may ask where you're staying — have your hotel address ready. They'll stamp your passport and you're in.
Download Pakistan Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost£100 (approx. $130 USD)

Standard tourist visa for single entry.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost£150 (approx. $195 USD)

Allows multiple entries within validity.

Business visa
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost£120 (approx. $156 USD)

For business-related visits.

work visa
Pakistan Work Visa
1 year, renewable
£200 (approx. $260 USD) per year
For foreign nationals employed by a Pakistani company. Requires a job offer and sponsorship from the employer.
student visa
Pakistan Student Visa
Duration of course, renewable
£150 (approx. $195 USD) per year
For those enrolled in a recognized educational institution in Pakistan. Requires admission letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Pakistan Investor Visa
2 years, renewable
£500 (approx. $650 USD) initial fee
For individuals investing a minimum of $200,000 USD in Pakistan. Requires proof of investment and business plan.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for a single-entry tourist visa.£100 (approx. $130 USD)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period.£150 (approx. $195 USD)
Visa extension feeExtension of stay beyond initial visa validity.£50 (approx. $65 USD) per extension
Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa validity.£5 (approx. $6.50 USD) per day, max £500 (approx. $650 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa documents20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Pakistan

No transit visa needed

UK passport holders transiting through Pakistan do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • No exceptions; standard rules apply for all nationalities.
Transit hubsJinnah International Airport (KHI) · Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) · Islamabad International Airport (ISB)

Health & vaccines for Pakistan

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderJapanese EncephalitisConsider
Health risks
DengueHigh risk

Mosquito-borne disease prevalent in urban and rural areas, especially during monsoon season.

MalariaHigh risk

Transmitted by mosquitoes, risk in all areas below 2,000 meters.

TyphoidModerate risk

Spread through contaminated food and water; vaccination recommended.

Malaria risk: high

Malaria risk is present throughout the country, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis recommended for all travellers.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Islamabad
Directorate General of Immigration & Passports
Saddar Road, Rawalpindi
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Main office for visa extensions and immigration matters.

Karachi
Regional Passport Office, Karachi
Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Handles visa extensions and re-entry permits.

Practical information for GB travellers

Country basics
CapitalIslamabad
LanguageUrdu, English
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 6 months, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyPakistani Rupee (PKR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 278.7 PKR
updated May 19
Time zone
Local timeUTC+5
vs New York+10h
vs Los Angeles+13h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,DType C (two round pins) and Type D (three round pins, old British standard)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police15
Medical115
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. UK citizens must obtain a visa before travel. There is no visa-on-arrival facility at any Pakistani airport or land border.
Standard processing takes 5–10 working days. Apply at least 2 weeks before your trip to be safe. You can pay extra for urgent processing (24–48 hours) if needed.
A single-entry tourist visa costs around £30–£40. A multiple-entry visa is about £50–£60. Fees are paid online during the application.
Yes, immigration officers may ask to see your return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a screenshot on your phone ready.
Extensions are possible but not guaranteed. You must apply at the nearest immigration office in Pakistan before your visa expires. The process can take several days.
Your visa application will likely be rejected. Renew your passport first, then apply for the visa. The 6 months are counted from your date of entry into Pakistan.
No vaccines are mandatory for entry, but hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio are recommended. Check with your GP or a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before you go.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.