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All foreign passport holders require a visa issued in their country of origin (or the nearest consulate if there is no diplomatic representation) to enter Pakistan. A return ticket or proof of onward travel is also required. All visitors are advised to carry a photocopy of their passport, including the Pakistani visa, at all times.
Americans: US nationals require a visa and a valid passport. Travelers coming for business may obtain a 30-day business visa on arrival at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar or Quetta airports as long as holding a letter of recommendation or invitation.
UK nationals: UK nationals require
a visa and a valid passport. Travelers coming for business may obtain a 30-day business visa on arrival at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar or Quetta airports as long as holding a letter of recommendation or invitation.
Canadians: Canadian nationals require a visa and a valid passport. Travelers coming for business may obtain a 30-day business visa on arrival at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar or Quetta airports as long as holding a letter of recommendation or invitation.
Australians: Australian nationals require a visa and a valid passport. Travelers coming for business may obtain a 30-day business visa on arrival at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar or Quetta airports as long as holding a letter of recommendation or invitation.
South Africans: South African nationals require a visa and a valid passport. Travelers coming for business may obtain a 30-day business visa on arrival at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar or Quetta airports as long as holding a letter of recommendation or invitation.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a visa and a valid passport. Travelers coming for business may obtain a 30-day business visa on arrival at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar or Quetta airports as long as holding a letter of recommendation or invitation.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a visa and a valid passport. Travelers coming for business may obtain a 30-day business visa on arrival at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar or Quetta airports as long as holding a letter of recommendation or invitation.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to Pakistan by travelers coming from an infected area. Malaria exists in parts of Pakistan year round, and travelers should seek medical advice before traveling. Dengue fever is another reason to protect against mosquito bites. Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis (long-term travelers to rural areas) and polio are also a risk. Bird flu has been confirmed on poultry farms and found in wild birds, and thousands of birds have been culled; one human death has also been reported. The risk to travelers is low, but as a precaution close contact with live birds should be avoided and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked. There is a risk of diarrhoeal diseases; visitors should only drink bottled or otherwise sterilized water, and avoid dairy products, uncooked meat, salads and unpeeled fruit. There is a low risk of cholera and Hepatitis E. Outside the major cities there are few hospitals of a high standard. Medical insurance is strongly advised.
Safety
There is a serious threat of terrorism in Pakistan, particularly in major cities where suicide bombings, kidnappings and murders have taken place, often injuring or killing innocent bystanders. Foreigners of Western origin are particularly likely to be targets for terrorists, including kidnapping. Since January 2007 there has been an increase in attacks and suicide bombings targeting foreign hangouts as well as the authorities. Crime is also high, as are incidents of sectarian attacks and tribal killings. A bomb attack in March 2005 killed about 50 worshippers in a Shia shrine in northern Baluchistan, and an explosion that tore through a crowd of Shia Muslims in February 2006 killed and injured many in North-West Frontier Province; it is recommended that visitors avoid places of worship during busy prayer times and festivals. Particular care should be taken if visiting Karachi, as well as Peshawar, due to recent bombings. Visitors of visibly Western origin are advised to avoid hanging around public places and to be particularly vigilant in areas frequented by foreigners. Travelers should keep up to date with the latest travel advisories regarding Pakistan before and during a visit. Currently holiday visits are not advised, and only necessary business travel or visits to family should be contemplated. The President declared a state of emergency on 3 November 2007, which sparked country-wide protests; elections originally scheduled for 8 January 2008 will now take place on 18 February 2008 following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on 27 December 2007, which has given rise to violent unrest in a number of cities. Kashmir in the north is regarded as particularly dangerous with a high incidence of lawlessness and militant activity. It is recommended that all travel to Waziristan, as well as to northern and western Baluchistan, be avoided, and all but essential travel to the Sui area, the Swat Valley in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas and Agencies (FATA), and to the border areas except for official crossing points, be undertaken. Travel by bus and train in Baluchistan should also be avoided due to repeated bomb plants. Visitors should also avoid the center of Gilgit, as sectarian tension is high at present; access to Gilgit should be by air only. It is recommended that road travel along the Karakoram Highway to and from Islamabad should be undertaken only during daylight hours.
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