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Obtaining a Tourist Visa for Pakistan - A Comprehensive Guide

Abdullah Khan

Are you considering a trip to Pakistan? If so, you'll need to navigate the visa application process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to obtain a tourist visa for Pakistan, Including Pakistan Visa Invitation ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

Starting the Process

Before diving into the application process, it's essential to determine the best time to visit Pakistan based on your preferences and the country's climate. The climate can significantly impact your travel experience, so choose your timing wisely. Once you've decided on your travel dates, allocate about three months for the visa application process to avoid any last-minute complications. While the average processing time is 1-2 weeks, it's best to plan for a longer duration to be safe.

Most tourists opt for a 30-day, single-entry tourist e-visa. Although some nationalities are eligible for a Visa on Arrival, it's generally more reliable to apply for your visa in advance through the E-Visa portal.

The Application Process

Here's a step-by-step overview of the application process:

• Create a login and register yourself on the E-Visa portal.
• Fill out the online application with accurate information.
• Pay the visa fee online.
• Receive your visa once it's processed.

Required Documents

To ensure a smooth application process, gather the following documents before starting your online application:

Letter of Invitation (LOI): You can get your Letter of Invitation for Pakistan visa from a Government Licensed Tour Operating Company.

Detailed itinerary of your stay in Pakistan, including the intended port of entry/exit.

Eligibility

The National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) provides a list of countries eligible for E-Visa services. Citizens from over 179 countries can apply online. If you're unable to use the online service, you can find a list of Pakistani embassies worldwide for in-person applications.

Unless you're a Pakistani national or an overseas Pakistani with a non-resident NICOP or POC card, you'll need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) for your Pakistani visa. This can be obtained from a tourism company or an individual of Pakistani origin.

The Online Application Process

The online application is divided into eight steps, covering visa selection, personal information, family details, finances and employment, travel history, details of intended stay, document upload, and payment. Ensure that you follow the guidelines for each step and provide accurate information and required documents.

Monitoring Your Application

After submitting your application, you can monitor its status through the visa portal. Check your inbox regularly for updates or requests for additional information. It's crucial to address any objections or provide requested information promptly to avoid delays or cancellation of your application.

Visa Extensions

If you need to extend your visa while in Pakistan, you can apply for an extension for up to six months. The process requires specific documentation, including scans of your current visa, entry stamps, and proof of hotel reservations or LOI supporting the extension request. Visa extension fees are USD 20, and the processing times vary depending on the duration of the extension.

Explore Travelpakistani's diverse and Best Pakistan Tour Packages 2023 that can take you to northern areas of Pakistan and enjoy your time in northern areas of Pakistan.  

Do I need a visa to visit Pakistan?

Sep 4, 2023 • 6 min read

Pakistan is one of the world's great adventures, and getting a visa is getting easier © Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost / Getty Images

One of Asia’s most fascinating countries, Pakistan lies off the mainstream travel map, but those who do visit rave about its historic monuments, spectacular scenery, fabulous food and richly layered culture. Visiting throws up some challenges, but it’s getting easier all the time, helped by an improving security situation and easing visa regulations. 

If you’re up for the adventure of seeing one of Asia’s true frontiers, away from the tourist crowds, here’s everything you need to know about getting a visa for Pakistan.

Who needs a visa for Pakistan?

Visitors from most countries need a visa to enter Pakistan, and the rules vary from nationality to nationality. The good news is that most of the application process is now handled online. Citizens of 192 nations can apply for a visa via the Ministry of Interior’s (sometimes temperamental) visa portal . To use the system, you’ll need to register using your passport number and email address.   

Can I get a visa on arrival?

Citizens of more than 60 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most EU countries, can obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA) online. This allows you to travel to Pakistan and obtain a visa on arrival. The application process is straightforward, but the website can be glitchy, so apply in plenty of time – at least 72 hours before you travel, and ideally a few weeks ahead.

A special 30-day tourist visa is granted on arrival for some nationalities, including citizens of Turkey, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. The online visa system can also be used to apply for business visas and special visas for trekking and mountaineering groups.

What are the rules for Indian travelers?

Owing to their shared colonial past,  India and Pakistan have a complicated relationship. Indian citizens have to carry out extra steps to obtain a visa for Pakistan. Tourist visas are not available, but Indian citizens can apply for visas to visit family and friends, do business, and visit religious sites.

The Pakistan government visa portal does not work in India and visa applications are typically handled by Pakistani embassies and high commissions. If you are a non-resident Indian citizen, contact your local Pakistani diplomatic mission for advice. Note that Indian citizens can only arrive and leave Pakistan via certain designated airports and land border crossings.

What information do I need for the visa application?

When you apply for a visa, you’ll be asked about your travel history and travel plans and your marital status, education, financial status, and other personal details. You’ll also need to provide various details about your father and mother. Not all of the information requested is required; a PDF guide is available to help you work out which sections you need to fill in.

When you apply for your ETA, you’ll need to upload scans of your passport and a digital passport-style photo, and pay the visa fee using a bank card. You’ll also be asked to upload “supporting documents” – for independent travelers, proof of a hotel booking should suffice. If you’re joining a tour, you’ll need a letter of invitation from the agency arranging your trip. If you’re staying with friends or family, ask them to provide a letter of invitation.

Depending on your circumstances, there’s a chance you may be asked to attend an interview at the nearest Pakistan embassy or high commission (find details for Pakistan’s overseas missions online ). 

Where can I get a Visa on Arrival?

Visas are issued on arrival to travelers with valid ETAs at Pakistan’s main international airports, including Karachi , Lahore and Islamabad . The process is reasonably efficient – you’ll need to print the ETA confirmation email and carry the printout with you to show to border officials to get the necessary stamps.

Don’t rely on being able to enter Pakistan by land with an ETA (including via the Attari-Wagah border crossing between Amritsar and Lahore). If you plan to enter overland, contact your local Pakistani embassy or high commission for advice. Travelers cannot apply for an Indian visa in Pakistan; if you intend to cross back into India, make sure you have a valid multiple-entry visa for India when you enter Pakistan.

How long are visas valid for?

Three-month single-entry or multiple-entry tourist visas are fairly easy to obtain for most travelers, and longer visas valid for six months or one year are available for some nationalities. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date you apply, and the ETA is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, so you must travel to Pakistan within this period.

Visa fees vary depending on your nationality, the duration of the visa, and the number of entries. British and American citizens pay US$60/90 for a three-month tourist visa (single/multiple entry), while German citizens pay US$50/75 and French citizens pay US$35/52.50. Check the fee for your nationality using the online fee calculator .

Can I get a visa extension?

Theoretically, tourist visas can be extended for up to six months but approval isn’t guaranteed. The best time to apply is a few weeks before the end of your existing visa, via the Ministry of the Interior . If you are traveling with a Visa on Arrival, you may be able to apply for an extension via the government’s visa portal.

Off-limits areas of Pakistan

Even with a visa, some parts of Pakistan are inaccessible to travelers unless you have special permission from the government. This includes areas close to the borders with China and Afghanistan and districts close to the Line of Control – the de facto border between India and Pakistan in the disputed territory of Azad Kashmir.

The same rule used to cover many other parts of the country, but in 2019, the government of Imran Khan relaxed the requirement for official permission to visit areas such as the Swat Valley and Chitral. However, the rules are in constant flux, so check locally to see if permission is currently required.  

To visit restricted areas of the country, you’ll need to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Pakistan Ministry of Interior. Application forms can be downloaded online but it may be easier to arrange a trip through a local tour agency so they can help with the paperwork.

Don’t rely on being able to obtain permission to travel close to Pakistan’s borders. The government maintains a list of prohibited areas that are currently closed to certain nationalities (and hard to reach for other nationalities too).

Presenting your documents in Pakistan

Wherever you travel in Pakistan, you’ll need to show your passport and visa periodically at police checkposts, so make photocopies of each and keep these handy. You’ll also need to register with the local authorities to visit many areas, including Gilgit-Baltistan on the Karakoram Highway .  

Travelers may also be required to take a police escort to visit certain locations, including parts of Sindh and southern Punjab. While having an armed entourage might sound alarming, this is usually done out of an overabundance of caution, rather than because there is a serious danger.

This said, it’s a good policy to monitor travel advisory notices from your home government for the current trouble spots. If your government warns against “all travel” to a specific location in Pakistan, your travel insurance will probably not be valid if you do visit.

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Can Indians Visit Pakistan? Full Pakistan/India VISA Guide

• Post author By Karl Rock
• Post date January 31, 2020
• 76 Comments on Can Indians Visit Pakistan? Full Pakistan/India VISA Guide
• Sticky post

Because I’ve been to Pakistan three times from India and vlogged the entire trip , a common question I get from Indians is, “How can I visit Pakistan?”

Many Indians are interested in visiting what used to be part of India. And likewise, Pakistanis are inquisitive about going to India – when I was there many asked me what India is like .

Can Indians Get Tourist VISAs for Pakistan?

The short answer is no.

Indians are only eligible for business, pilgrim or visitor visas to Pakistan.

The business visa is for business activities – for example, Royal Enfield manufacture products in Pakistan so they would get a business visa to visit the manufacturing plants.

The pilgrim visa allows Indians to visit 15 sites in Pakistan for religious tourism.

The visitor visa is granted if you have close family members or friends in Pakistan and you can only visit a maximum of 5 cities for 3 months.

While the pilgrim visa sounds easy, it’s not guaranteed, and according to reports , Pakistanis have had their requests rejected when they wanted to visit India as pilgrims. Unfortunately, visa policy is usually tit-for-tat so such denials will likely limit Indians wanting to visit Pakistan for pilgrimage too.

Why Can’t Indians or Pakistanis Get Tourist VISAs?

It’s to do with India and Pakistan’s relationship. Their relationship has been plagued by hostility and suspicion since partition. Until that changes, it’ll be difficult to travel to each other’s countries.

Both countries are paranoid about each others’ citizens being spies.

Visa agreements are reciprocal. Pakistanis can only get the same visas available to Indians. For full information, see the India-Pakistan Visa Agreement, 2012 .

Your Only Real Option to Visit Pakistan

All Indians and OCI cardholders can visit a small slice of Pakistan with the Kartarpur Corridor. I’ve written a full FAQ on how to visit Kartarpur .

Update: Many people are commenting asking how they can visit their Pakistani friends. You can try for a visitor visa, if that fails then you also have the option of meeting in the UAE.

Misinformation Online About VISAs

An Official Pakistan Government website says, “Tourist Visa: A non-extendable tourist visa valid for 14 days is issued by Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi” This is out of date, and the information is not valid anymore , we called the Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi and verified that.

Let’s hope that one day this agreement gets updated, and Indians and Pakistanis can enjoy each other’s countries! The more we meet each other and realise we are brothers, the better the relationship will become.

Can Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) get a VISA for Pakistan?

NRIs have a much easier time getting a visa for Pakistan!

They can at least apply with their reason for wanting to visit Pakistan. If the immigration officer is satisfied with the purpose of a visit, they’ll be issued an appropriate visa.

If you want to read more about that process, visit your country’s Pakistan High Commission website. Or check out the High Commission for Pakistan (Wellington) website for information on that process in New Zealand.

Who to Contact for More Information?

For travel to Pakistan from India call the High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (New Delhi) +91 11 2611 0601.

For travel to India from Pakistan call the High Commission of India (Islamabad) +92 51 2833292 or +92 51 2833282.

• Tags India , Pakistan , Tourist VISA , Travel

By Karl Rock

Karl Rock, is a Hindi speaking Kiwi ex-pat who take viewers behind the scenes of incredible India and its neighbours. He has visited every state and union territory in India, and its culturally similar neighbours – Pakistan and Bangladesh, and aims to make others fall in love with India and the subcontinent.

76 replies on “Can Indians Visit Pakistan? Full Pakistan/India VISA Guide”

Hi I Amandeep I want Pakistan visa in Indian passport ca n you tell me how I get the Pakistan visa in Indian passport

I want also😢

You can only get this if you have a friend or family member living here in Pakistan.

Friends meen ? Facebook, instagram or other social media friends is enough??

I also have a good frend in Pakistan . I want meet ….

I have friends over ther

How can apply for pakistan visa to meet my relatives in pak

Please tell how can I get visa for Pakistan if I wanted to visit my friend home

Hi Karl, you have inspired me so much. I love watching your videos. I am turning 50 shortly and going to take traveling seriously and with passion for rest of my life and your inspiring videos are one of the reason. Thank you.

Mai india jana hai

Welcome jii

Welcome brother

Hi, i got married in jodhpur,i m pakistan national i haven’t get india’s permanent citizenship yet, if i wana visit my family in Pakistan what to do?

Hey bro I m also a Pakistani and got married with a Indian girl we want to go India together. How can I get visa. Can you help me plz🙏 her want to see me with her. +923434924596 this is my WhatsApp plz help me if you can

Bhai mujhe bhi Pakistan ma krni ma india sa hu kuch ho sakta ha

I also want to marry in Pakistan how can I apply for visa please brother tell

Please help ne to go pakistan i wanna went to pakistan can u help me?

You can visit by legall manners

I m living in kashmir but i m soo curious to see visit in Pakistan very long time but due to bad relationship between india and Pakistan it’s not possible but my question is how can i go to vist Pakistan

If you have family or friends in Pakistan, you can go.

will it work if we are only social media friends?

I doubt it will work.

Sir can i have your number plz

I want to visit pakistan for meeting Hindu fimilay It’s my hearty choice to visit every place of Pakistan where hindu lives

It’s not possible to visit every where. You can choae 5 sites (cities) to visit in your single trip.

How much does it cost for visa from india to pakistan , since pakistan embasy is in delhi hoe much they charge for 4 days vsits visa and if we go by train or bus please calrify the amounts.

I want to visit Karachi Hyderabad coz I got lot of friends in there can I visit Pakistan being an Indian citizen. Plz can u help me with this My friends wedding in March.. 2021 How do I have to travel.. I already been to Pakistan in 2006 but know I want travel with my family and kids. Can I plz can u help me with this..

Hi. I’m talking to a guy online. He was born in India and he has gotten Canadian PR but still has an indian passport. I live in Pakistan and he wants to visit me in on a visitor visa. Would that be possible? 🙁 Please help!! 🙁

Probably not. He needs Canadian passport

Can any indian go for study in pakistan

I don’t think there’s a study visa. Call the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi and ask.

Me Indian m also want to go Pakistan mt wd my best frmd can any one help me 🙏please

I’m an Indian citizen lives in Dubai and want to visit Pakistan I’ve got friends there, what will be the procedures?

Can I go Pakistani 😊

i am from pakistan but now in dubai.and my friend in dubai but she belong to india.so i want to invite my friend in pakistan for marriage with me so how i apply pakisatni vizt visa for my girl friend.then she come and we get marriage

I was refused a visa to Pakistan in 1970. I am Indian origin and never lived in india and dont have Indian citizenship. I finally took an Afgan Airlines flight from Amritsar to Kabul. The pland had problems and had to land at Rawalpindi. We were there for about 8 hours. The Indians were kept at the transit hall with guards but 2 policemen took me on a tour and got me food. I had a very nice time at the airport One of the first question they asked me was if I was Muslim but i was born and grew up in a Muslim country, Malaysia. They called me brother.

Yr please koi to mujhe Pakistan jana koi rasta bata do, dill da mamla hai 😭

Get invitation from your “dil ka mamla” and also get info from Pakistani embessy or cuonsul the papers you need from your Pakistani dil ka mamla to get Visa.I hope it will help you.

Ayesha bahen kya kr skte h kchh bhi nahi. Meri bhi girlfriend Islamabad se thi aur m India se, mne bhot koshish ki lekin itni zyada political tension ki wjah se nahi ja ska, aur is year April me uski shadi uske cousin se ho gyi. I lost her just because of border and politics 😭😭😭😭😭😭

How to apply for katasraj temple I’m a santani want to visit my historical temple

Namaste Shubham. Happy Diwali. Every year a group of pilgrims go there from India. Please search news articles for this and call whoever is organising the tours.

Same here😢😢

Hi I am Tejasvi virdhi I am from India and I am very much fascinated by Pakistani culture ,their language and the beautiful town Murre on the outskirts of Islamabad ….Though I have never visited Pakistan but still I am very much fascinated…I really want to visit Pakistan and the beautiful Pakistani town Murre but I don’t know if I will ever be able to visit it because of the legal tensions between the two countries

I hope you can visit one day 🙏

Hello kral rock, my best friend is an indian girl we worked together in dubai . She still in dubai she wants to visit to Pakistan, can she visit in Pakistan?

It’s unlikely. Call the Pakistan Embassy in Dubai and ask.

Hello karl, iam working in Saudi Arabia , basically from India, my boyfriend is from Pakistan , we worked together here before, so I want to visit Pakistan, would that be possible?? Plzz help

Hi Tarar. If you have an Indian passport then it’s probably not possible. But contact the Pakistan High Commission (New Delhi) and ask them for a definite answer https://pakhcnewdelhi.org.pk/contact-us/ . Good luck.

Hi Karl, I like all the videos and you too, Can you vlog beautiful places in New Zealand, please…Love from Tamil Nadu, somewhere in a village.

Hi, Karl, I like all the video and including you to buddy. Can you do a vlog in New Zealand’s heavenly places and I like to tour European countries such as London, Canada, Switzerland and New Zealand countryside. Love from Tamilnadu, somewhere in a small village. I love you brother

Hi my wife family is in Pakistan i want to take my wife and my mother in law to Pakistan it’s that possible

Hi Muhammad, aapko VISA mil jana chahiye kyouki aapka pariwar Pakistani mein hai. Contact Pakistan High Commission (Delhi) for more help +91 11 2611 0601.

I’m an Indian and I want to visit the Shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar(R.A) but it is not in the list of 15 pilgrimage places of Pakistan. Is there any other way to visit Shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar(R.A) from India?

Not as far as I know sorry

I’m British Indian (ethnically Sindhi–my dad was born in Karachi pre-Partition). I should be good yeah?

Yup. Apply via your local Pakistan High Commission. If they act funny tell them about your link back to Pakistan via family.

Hi Karl,can Indian marry a Pakistani?

Hi Khansan, yes, it’s possible. But I don’t know how. Try find out how Sania Mirza did it, she married a Pakistani. I’m sure it’d be possible to meet and marry in another country like Dubai.

I just love the beauty of Pakistan and Afghanistan and i am a traveller i want to visit Pakistan’s Islamabad one day ..Can anyone tell me how can i go there ?If i dont get visa then any other option tht can help me visit Pakistan?And also i want to visit the historic cities of pakistan where India and pakistan ‘s ancient history is stored?can anyone help me ?

I want to visit pakistan beacouse my love is there and I want to marry her I really love her she also loves me wants marry me, so how can I go there for marry her please tell me any body help me …😢😢😢

I want to go Pakistan one of my biggest dream I have friends over there if possible then rlp my comment

I want to go to Pakistan coz it’s my fantasy to visit Pakistan once in my life. I have friends over and I have my love too . If possible then please help out in finding ways to visit pak

Is there any “Friends to rent to get visa” Website in Pakistan or in India? If the politicians are not going to do their work, than we, the ppl, have to do it.

I wanna love to visit Pakistan.

Love from Indian Punjab

Hey Manpreet. Pakistan will check and they will likely interview that person too. I know a few people whose sponsors have been interviewed. Don’t risk it.

Yes it could be possible if he has Canada visa or passport he can apply for a tourist visa

hi i just want to share my experience. i’m indian born canadian. in the past it was possible to visit both countries – when i was 18 and travelled to india on own for the first time – my ticket to bombay was with PIA and i had a stopover in karachi! anyways both countries are very petty and any restriction one place the other does the same. pakistani origin people (even if born in the US/Canada with foreign passports) are not allowed in india and even i had to show all my canadian passports for the past 50 years to prove i’m not pakistani and get an indian visa (i’m muslim). after watching all of karl’s pakistan videos i’m planning a trip to pakistan this september and have run into issues getting a visa because i’m indian born! i need to find a sponsor in pakistan who will send me a notarized letter of invitation and a copy of their shinaqti card before the embassy will give me a visa (thankfully i have some friends here who will get their relatives to do this) for indian passport holders it’s impossible to get a pakistani visitor visa unless they are sikh pilgrims or academics attending a conference

I would like to visit Pakistan, I live in Germany and have traveled to many Asian countries to my astonishment is it for international air travel still required that you need 2 Covid vaccinations to enter the country does anyone know more?

Can I get a visa to visit my ancestral village in Pakistan left behind during partition? Do I need to be sponsored by a facilitator organisation for this purpose such as an NGO?

Hey, the only way I know is to get proof of your ancestry and go to a Pakistan High Commission and show them and tell them the reasons you want to visit. If you’re in contact with family there it maybe be easier. There’s a family visa type you should look up on their visa website. Best of luck.

Dear Karl, Good informative article. Basically if you are a citizen (and passport holder) of these two contries then chance of visiting each other is almost nil and with current tensions and Pakistan’s financial situation it has become harder. I am Indian born but naturalized citizen of the USA and I had no problem in getting the visa. I went for the darshan of Ma Hinglaj (Nani Bibi) in 2006 and I was treated like a prince by everyone. You can read about this at http://offroadpakistan.com/2011/06/jay-shahs-pilgramage-to-mata-hinglaj/ The PK High commision in ~2009 told me that if there is a group and want to go to just one place of pilgrimage that is not on the original agreement of pilgrimage visa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protocol_on_Visits_to_Religious_Shrines_1974 then they may consider. But, in general, people (even Pakistanis are concerened about safety in the Northwest Frontier – Balochistan.

Hope and pray that the peace prevails between the two countries soon and both propser. Love Jay Shah

Congrats bro. That must’ve been an incredible experience. Even I haven’t been there because Balochistan requires more permissions these days. Thanks for commenting.

I have pak pilgrimage visa for 15 days from canada .so should i report to police in pak while visit

Call the Embassy that issued you the visa and ask what you have to do.

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The Consulate does not deal with VISA anymore. The applicants are advised to apply for the renewal of their VISA on the website:   https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/

General Information (Visa)

• Pakistan Online Visa System is now open for the citizens of 179 countries
• Citizens of 50 countries are eligible to apply for Visa On Arrival (VOA) under Tourist Category
• Citizens of 95 countries are eligible to apply for Visa on Arrival (VOA) under Business Category
• National of Afghanistan and India will continue to apply for visa using paper-based application form
• Minimum 6 months valid passport is required for the visa processing
• Applicant’s physical presence may be required for interview before issuance of visa
• Applicants are advised to  upload only original supporting documents  for processing of visa applications ( no faxed, photocopied or e-mailed documents will be accepted )
• Fresh visa for Pakistan will only be issued on the  expiry of previous visa .
• Host individuals / companies are required to certify in the invitation letter that they will be responsible for applicant (s) in all respects during their stay in Pakistan.
• Visa Fees is  non-refundable , charged per person, and is subject to periodic revision.
•  For any additional information and online application please visit:    https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/  
• If you need any clarification, please feel free to fill in the Enquiry form.
• Electronic version of your photograph up to the size of 200 KB (white background, showing full face, without hat, helmet or sunglasses, although you can wear everyday glasses)
• Valid credit / debit card for online payment.
• Original Passport
• All other supporting documents (according to the category of application)
• Please complete the online visa application correctly. Do not leave any column vacant.  Fields marked with (*) are mandatory  (the provided data in the application form will be verified by the relevant departments).
• While applying through the online Visa System, please select visa office nearest to your residence as you may be required to appear for an interview before the “Visa Officer”.
• Please carefully select the category of visa as it can not be changed at a later stage.
• Applicants are advised to plan their journey / business trip and purchase air tickets as per the time lines given for the visa processing of various categories of e-Visa.
• For question and or complaints, you can approach officials of the Ministry of Interior at https://pcgv.org/contact/ and visa officer of the Consulate General of Pakistan Vancouver at [email protected] .
• Detailed instructions  can be found on :  https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/

Frequently Asked Questions (Visa)

As long you have your Valid Pakistani Passport or NICOP you can travel to Pakistan without visa. Smart Chip Card / CNIC is not considered as NICOP.  However, if your NICOP is expired, you can still get visa on arrival in Pakistan . In all other cases, you need to get e-visa against your Canadian Passport. For further information about the procedure, Fee and documents required for obtaining visa please visit our website: https://pcgv.org/

Yes, we accept electronic applications. Visa Fee is also paid online using credit/debit card. You will need to scan your original supporting documents and upload against your e-visa application.

Yes. You are required to get visa for a minor / child to travel to Pakistan.

Yes. You are required to get visa for a new born baby to travel to Pakistan

Birth Registration of a child with the Consulate is neither a substitute for visa nor passport .  Parents can either obtain Pakistani passport for their child or they can seek visa on Canadian passport of the child.

Following are the requirements:

• Original Passport. Third country nationals need a valid resident visa in Canada as well.
• Original letter of invitation from Pakistan along with the telephone number and address of your sponsor in Pakistan.
• Scanned copy of CNIC of the sponsor  (both front and back).
• If you do not have a sponsor then we need your travel itinerary with the hotel reservation confirmation in Pakistan . 

Afghan origin applicants / nationals need to submit following documents along with the paper-based visa application form (duly filled in and signed):

• Copies of passport (first four pages)
• Visa Grant Notice in case of Afghan passport
• Invitation letter from Pakistan
• Colour copy of Pakistani ID (both sides) of invitee / sponsor
• Copy of any utility bill (electricity or gas), having same address as on Pakistani ID of invitee / sponsor
• Self-addressed return envelope.

Following documents are required:

• Copy of your marriage certificate
• Copy of your Pakistani CNIC /Passport
• Your family’s invitation letter along with copies of their Pakistani CNIC / Passport.

To apply for the spouse visa for Pakistan, we need original marriage certificate, your spouse’s Pakistani CNIC / Passport, your in-laws invitation letter along with the scanned copies of their Pakistani CNIC / Passport.

You would need to route your Pilgrimage visa application through  Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Lahore in Pakistan for the grant of pilgrimage visa. Alternatively, you can submit sponsor letters from both Sikh Associations in Pakistan and in Canada sponsoring your visit along with the details of places you would stay and your complete itinerary.

You travel to Pakistan (your home country) on this minimum validity but cannot come back to Canada. For international travel, your passport must be valid for at least six months .

Please check your airline about the validity of CANADIAN passport. As far as your entry into Pakistan is concerned, you can enter into your homeland on a valid Pakistani Passport or NICOP. 

If you are residing on a substantive Canadian visa (not a visit visa), we may consider your application provided you fulfil all other requirements relevant to the category of application.

No. Paper-based application for processing of visa requests has been discontinued. However, the Indian and Afghan Nationals are still required to submit paper-based application form along with supporting documents.

In order to get a family visit-visa you need following document(s):

• Marriage Certificate and valid Pakistani Passport / CNIC of the spouse or
• Valid Pakistani Passport / CNIC of the parent(s) or any other document to establish Pakistani origin

Following are the requirements for issuance of business visa:

• Recommendation letter from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Canada
• Invitation letter from business organization duly recommended by the concerned trade organization in Pakistan
• Recommendation letter by the Honorary Investment Counsellor of the Board of Investment or Commercial Attaché (Consul General of Pakistan of Pakistan in Vancouver).

There are total of 96 countries placed in the Business Visa list which includes Canada. The nationals of these countries can get a 30 days Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) in Pakistan on production of any of the following documents in original:

This facility was available for paper-based visa application and processing, which has been discontinued. All payments for visa processing can be made online against your credit / debit card.

No. e-Visa facility has been extended to the nationals of 179 countries which is augmented with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This list can be found on the following link:  https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/.

Indian Nationals are still required to use paper-based application form along with the supporting documents.

Afghan Nationals are still required to use paper-based application form along with the supporting documents.

• Government of Pakistan
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• State Bank of Pakistan
• Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
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• Gwadar Development Authority

Consulate General of Pakistan Unit#201-1281 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3J7.

Phone: +1-604-569-1415

Whatsapp: +1 236 838 4754

Fax: +1-604-569-2180

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY CALL /TEXT/WHATSAPP:

Consul General of Pakistan in Vancouver for Western Canada, Mr.Janbaz Khan, 

Cell No. +1 604-376-2245 (emergency only)

Email: [email protected]

Solo female travel anywhere and everywhere.

Can you travel from Pakistan to India?

A lot of travelers want to know if it’s possible to travel from Pakistan to India (or India to Pakistan). I’m here to say yes—yes it is! Here are ways to travel from Pakistan to India, border crossing tips, and more.

India and Pakistan are like brothers. Despite their tensions and occasional fights, they’re cut from the same cloth, and there are just as many similarities between the two as there are differences. It makes sense that curious travelers are always interested in visiting both countries!

But before they do, they always ask the same questions: can you travel from Pakistan to India? Is it allowed to travel from India to Pakistan?

By now, I’ve spent literal years in both countries, acquired several visas for both countries, and have traveled between the two multiple times. So yes, it’s possible. Here’s what you need to know if you want to travel from Pakistan to India or India to Pakistan.

Table of Contents: Travel from Pakistan to India

• Visas to travel between Pakistan and India

Is it safe to travel from Pakistan to India?

• Visa problems when traveling from Pakistan to India
• Border crossings between Pakistan and India
• Trains between Pakistan and India
• Flights between Pakistan and India
• Driving between Pakistan and India

Most important: visas to travel between Pakistan and India

How you travel from Pakistan to India depends primarily on one factor: which visas you have for the two countries.

Visas to travel from Pakistan to India

Traveling from Pakistan to India is more complicated; India has more strict requirements about what visas can be used where.

If you’re in Pakistan already and you have an e-visa for India , the only way you can enter India from Pakistan is to fly in. There are no direct flights to India from Pakistan—surprise surprise, the countries don’t get along!—so the cheapest way to fly from Pakistan to India is to go to Dubai with one of the many budget airlines operating in Pakistan, then look for a Dubai to New Delhi flight.

However, if you have a sticker visa for India in your passport, you can enter India from Pakistan by land at the Wagah Border. You must apply for this visa in an Indian embassy, either in your home country or on the road. It is possible to apply for an Indian visa in Pakistan; you can apply for an Indian visa through a visa service in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Visas to travel from India to Pakistan

This direction is much easier! If you’re already in India, no matter what Indian visa you have — e-visa or sticker visa—you can enter Pakistan by land. Pakistan uses an e-visa system, but once you have your e-visa, you can use it at any airport or land border. If you want to come back to India after visiting Pakistan, make sure your Indian e-visa is a multiple-entry visa!

Still need to apply for your Pakistan e-visa? I work together with a local company in Pakistan to offer some of the cheapest Pakistan letters of invitation on the market.

Yes, at the time of writing, it’s extremely safe (and common) for tourists to travel from Pakistan to India or vice versa. Though the two countries do not get along, the area near the Wagah Border is very safe and secure. There’s a border closing ceremony that happens every day in front of thousands of local and foreign tourists; if it wasn’t safe, they wouldn’t let us watch!

There are occasional skirmishes along other parts of the India-Pakistan border. However, most of them are in the Kashmir region, and foreign tourists are not allowed to go close to the border—also known as the Line of Control, LOC—in those areas. Not that you need to, anyway; the only border crossing between Pakistan and India is the Wagah Border near Lahore.

As for travel within either country, yes, definitely safe enough to travel. Travel in Pakistan can be a bit more complicated than travel in India—India sees way more tourists, after all, unless you’re in offbeat destinations in India —but both are a treat to travel for those who don’t mind a little bit of chaos every now and then.

I’ve traveled extensively in both Pakistan and India over the years, and never had a problem with obtaining visas for either!

Will I have visa problems if I say I want to travel from Pakistan to India?

Many travelers hoping to go from Pakistan to India are afraid that future visa applications will be rejected if they visit the neighboring country… or that they’ll face scrutiny inside either country once there.

Not quite! As I said already, I’ve traveled from Pakistan to India and India to Pakistan multiple times without serious issues.

Occasionally at the Wagah border, I was regarded with some curious looks… but I’d gone on several visa runs from Pakistan to India, some lasting as little as 5 minutes. Any customs official would be confused if they saw someone turn right around 5 minutes after entering the country!

When entering India for the very first time (by air at that time), the customs officer gave me a look when he saw my Pakistan visa. He asked me about my visit there, but more as a segue into trying to convince me that India is better than Pakistan (sigh) rather than creating problems for me. He ended up stamping my passport—right over the Pakistan stamp because petty—so in the end, all was well.

Which border crossing should I use for overland travel from Pakistan to India?

The Wagah border is the only open border crossing to travel from Pakistan to India. It’s about 1 hour away from Lahore and is easily accessible by taxi or rickshaw.

If crossing from India to Pakistan or vice versa, make sure to get to the border by the early afternoon; the border closes around 3 PM so they can prepare for the border closing ceremony that happens around sunset every evening.

Check out my guide to the Wagah border crossing between Pakistan and India for more detailed information on how to cross the border overland.

Are there trains that travel from Pakistan to India?

There used to be one train route running between Pakistan and India… but alas, at the time of writing, the Pakistan-India train line is closed. Security tensions between the two countries were one reason for the closure, and a lack of traffic was another. Trains in Pakistan and India are always a delight, so I’m hoping the train line will reopen to tourists, families, and business travelers sometime in the coming years!

Train travel in Pakistan and India is a delight… but you can’t travel from Pakistan to India by train at the moment, unfortunately.

Are there flights from Pakistan to India?

Years ago, PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) operated flights to and from India. These days, that option is out; there wasn’t enough demand. There are currently no direct flights between any destinations in Pakistan and India. If you want to fly from Pakistan to India, you need to connect somewhere else in the Middle East. It’s very easy to find budget flights to Dubai, Qatar, or Abu Dhabi from Pakistan. I recommend taking a budget flight out of Pakistan to Dubai, then booking a Dubai to New Delhi flight so you can avail India’s easy e-visa services.

Can vehicles travel from Pakistan to India?

Yes, it’s possible to cross the Wagah border and travel from Pakistan to India or India to Pakistan in/on your own vehicle!

If you’re on a bicycle, it’s extremely easy to cross; the process is the same as crossing the border on foot.

If you’re traveling by car, motorcycle, or some other motorized vehicle, you’ll need to have a Carnet de Passage for both Pakistan and India. The border is not particularly complicated in regards to customs; just make sure that you get the correct exit and entry stamps on your CdP before leaving the border area.

Alex Reynolds

5 thoughts on “ can you travel from pakistan to india ”.

Thanks. It was good to read it. Lots of good info and tips. I am interested to visit India and this article was very informative and helpful. I was born in India before the partition and I yearn to visit my place of birth before I breathe my last. .Zaki Sabih

Thank you very much for this article! Very informative read! I am planning on arriving overland through Pakistan and then crossing into India. It will not be possible for me to get an Indian visa in my home country as it will run out before I get there. Can you share which visa service you were mentioning in Islamabad? Thanks!

If I Travel from uk to pakistan by flight with a British passport and then go India via wagah border by road . Can I select : wagah rail station as my Departure port on my Pakistan e visa application . Or will it be a problem. Please tell me as I no one seems to have the answer to this .

Hi! I plan to go to India for a month, then Pakistan for few days and then back to India for a bit more before flying back to Thailand.

I’d do both crossings over Wagah border but you said in case of Pakistan-India crossing it’s not possible – need sticker visa instead of e-visa.. How long is the process to get a sticker visa for India in embassy in Islamabad?

But then you said it’s also ok with multiple entry tourist e-visa for India to cross Wagah border back to India? So no need for sticker visa? Multiple entry tourist visa will do it on Wagah border crossing from Pakistan back to India?

Bit confused 😅 Looking forward to your feedback!

Thank you 🙏🏽

Hi I planed to to india from pakistan by car for I year of 2024 and then I get flight to Muscat by delhi airport it is possible or not I have no pakistani nationality I want to get omani nationality Pakistan is not a good country for me I am from gulf of Saudi arabia I live in saudi arabia for 10 years then I leave s audia arabia due to tex

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All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa from an Indian Mission/Post or eVisa (Limited Categories) from Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs.

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• Home › Visa Services › Visa Fees

Revised Indian Visa Fees applicable from 01 April, 2023 (exclusive of ICWF Fee and service provider’s charges)

Charging of visa fee does not imply that visa will be endorsed. The visa fee and additional fee are non-refunding whether visa is issued or not or visa application is withdrawn by the applicant.

Pakistani passport holder: The visa fees for Pakistani citizens will continue to be PKR 100/- per application for all visa categories as provided under the Visa Agreement between Government of the Republic of India and Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed on 8 September 2012.

Visa is not required to enter India for nationals of Nepal and Bhutan.

Non-Pakistani Passport Holders: Non-Pakistani passport holders will be charged visa fee as per instructions given below w.e.f April, 2023. Please note that the following additional fee will be charged from all non-Pakistani passport holders, regardless of the visa fee.

• A) An additional PKR 850/- towards contribution to Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

REVISED VISA FEES

SPECIAL VISA FEE CATEGORIES

Irrespective of the visa fee mentioned in point A above, fees for specific visa types for nationals of certain countries will be as mentioned below. However, for visa types not mentioned below, visa fees will be charged as per point A above.

• Gratis Visas:
• All type of visas are to be issued Gratis to the nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, and South Africa. No additional fee [towards ICWF contribution] is to be charged from Myanmar nationals.

For Seychelles nationals, all types of visas except for work/employment to be issued on Gratis basis.

• For nationals of Argentina, only Business, Tourist, and Transit visas to be issued Gratis.

For Uruguay nationals, only Tourist visas are to be issued on gratis basis.

• Singaporean Nationals: The charges for Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry) and valid for up to six months in respect of Singaporean nationals will be PKR 7050/-. However, fee for all other types of visas will be same as applicable for other countries mentioned in point A above.

Iii. Japanese Nationals: A fee of PKR 285/- for transit visa and PKR 2260/- for all other type of visas.

U.K. Nationals

• Nigerian Nationals: Fee of PKR 70480/- to be charged for all types of visas valid for any duration.
• USA Nationals:

In addition to the Visa Fee, a Visa Application Fee of PKR 5640/- is to be charged from US nationals for all visa categories except Tourist visa .

Ukrainian Nationals

Russian Nationals

Sri Lankan Nationals:

Mozambique Nationals

Special category of Business Visa Fees

Special category of Employment Visa Fees

xiii. Special category of Gratis Business & Employment Visas for applicants from LDC countries: Applicants from the following countries will be issued Business and Employment visas on Gratis basis [the service provider’s charges and ICWF fee will be charged]:

Revised Indian Visa Fees applicable from 01 March, 2023 (exclusive of ICWF Fee and service provider’s charges)

Charging of visa fee does not imply that visa will be endorsed. The visa fee and additional fee are non-refundable whether visa is issued or not or visa application is withdrawn by the applicant.

Pakistani passport holder : The visa fees for Pakistani citizens will continue to be PKR 100/- per application for all visa categories as provided under the Visa Agreement between Government of the Republic of India and Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed on 8 September 2012.

Visa is required for nationals of Nepal and Bhutan-If they are entering India through Wagah-Attari border

Non-Pakistani Passport Holders : Non-Pakistani passport holders will be charged visa fee as per instructions given below w.e.f March, 2023. Please note that the following additional fee will be charged from all non-Pakistani passport holders, regardless of the visa fee.

Service providers Gerry’s and TCS may charge extra for submission of application at their drop-boxes, scrutiny of documents and its transportation to Indian High Commission and return.

A) An additional PKR 790/- towards contribution to Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

A. REVISED VISA FEES

B. SPECIAL VISA FEE CATEGORIES

i. Gratis Visas :

All type of visas are to be issued Gratis to the nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, and South Africa . No additional fee [towards ICWF contribution] is to be charged from Myanmar nationals.

For nationals of Argentina , only Business, Tourist, and Transit visas to be issued Gratis.

ii. Singaporean Nationals : The charges for Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry) and valid for up to six months in respect of Singaporean nationals will be PKR 6530/- . However, fee for all other types of visas will be same as applicable for other countries mentioned in point A above .

Iii. Japanese Nationals : A fee of PKR 265/- for transit visa and PKR 2090/- for all other type of visas.

iv. U.K. Nationals

v. Nigerian Nationals : Fee of PKR 65300/- to be charged for all types of visas valid for any duration.

vi. USA Nationals :

In addition to the Visa Fee, a Visa Application Fee of PKR 5240/- is to be charged from US nationals for all visa categories except Tourist visa .

Vii. Ukrainian Nationals

Viii. Russian Nationals:

ix. Sri Lankan Nationals:

x. Mozambique Nationals:

xi. Special category of Business Visa Fees :

Xii. Special category of Employment Visa Fees :

xiii. Special category of Gratis Business & Employment Visas for applicants from LDC countries : Applicants from the following countries will be issued Business and Employment visas on Gratis basis [the service provider’s charges and ICWF fee will be charged]:

Revised Indian Visa Fees applicable from 01 July, 2022 (exclusive of ICWF Fee and service provider’s charges)

Non-Pakistani Passport Holders : Non-Pakistani passport holders will be charged visa fee as per instructions given below w.e.f April 01, 2021. Please note that the following additional fee will be charged from all non-Pakistani passport holders, regardless of the visa fee.

A)An additional PKR 630/- towards contribution to Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

A.            REVISED VISA FEES

B.                 SPECIAL VISA FEE CATEGORIES

i.  Gratis Visas:

• All type of visas are to be issued Gratis to the nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, and South Africa . No additional fee [towards ICWF contribution] is to be charged from Myanmar
• For Seychelles nationals, all types of visas except for work/employment to be issued on Gratis
• For nationals of Argentina , only Business, Tourist, and Transit visas to be issued
• For Uruguay nationals, only Tourist visas are to be issued on gratis

ii.  Singaporean Nationals : The charges for Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry) and valid for up to six months in respect of Singaporean nationals will be PKR 5250/- . However, fee for all other types of visas will be same as applicable for other countries mentioned in point A above .

iii. Japanese Nationals : A fee of PKR 210/- for transit visa and PKR 1680/-

for all other type of visas.

iv.         U.K. Nationals

v.          Nigerian Nationals : Fee of PKR 52410/- to be charged for all types of visas valid for any

vi.           USA Nationals:

In addition to the Visa Fee, a Visa Application Fee of PKR 4200/- is to be charged from US nationals for all visa categories except Tourist visa .

ix.  Sri Lankan Nationals:

xi.  Special category of Business Visa Fees:

Revised Indian Visa Fees applicable from 1 April 2017 (exclusive of ICWF Fee and service provider’s charges)

Non-Pakistani Passport Holders : Non-Pakistani passport holders will be charged visa fee as per instructions given below w.e.f April 01, 2017. Please note that the following additional fee will be charged from all non-Pakistani passport holders, regardless of the visa fee.

A) An additional PKR 200/- towards contribution to Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

A.    Republic     of   REVISED VISA FEES

B.SPECIAL VISA FEE CATEGORIES

i.Gratis Visas :

• All type of visas are to be issued Gratis to the nationals of  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, and South Africa .
• For  Seychelles  nationals, all types of visas except for work/employment to be issued on Gratis basis.
• For nationals of  Argentina , only Business, Tourist, and Transit visas to be issued Gratis.
• For  Uruguay  nationals, only Tourist visas are to be issued on gratis basis.

ii.Singaporean Nationals : The charges for Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry) and valid for up to six months in respect of Singaporean nationals will be  PKR 2750/- . However, fee for all other types of visas will be same as applicable for other countries mentioned in  point A above .

iii.Japanese Nationals : A fee of  PKR 110/-  for transit visa and  PKR 880/-  for all other type of visas.

iv.U.K. Nationals

v.Nigerian Nationals : Fee of  PKR 27500/-  to be charged for all types of visas valid for any duration.

vi.USA   Nationals :

In addition to the Visa Fee, a  Visa Application Fee of PKR 2200/-  is to be charged from US nationals for all visa categories  except Tourist visa .

vii.Ukrainian   Nationals

viii.Russian Nationals:

ix.Sri Lankan Nationals:

x.Mozambique Nationals:

xi.Special category of Business Visa Fees :

xii.Special category of Employment Visa Fees :

xiii.Special category of Gratis Business & Employment Visas for applicants from LDC countries : Applicants from the following countries will be issued Business and Employment visas on Gratis basis  [the service provider’s charges and ICWF fee will be charged]:

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India Won't Travel To Pakistan For Champions Trophy 2025? Report Makes Bold Claim

The indian cricket team may not travel to pakistan for the icc champions trophy next year, and the venue for the event will likely get shifted or a hybrid model used..

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Critics of Narendra Modi barred from entering India after speaking out against government

British academic Nitasha Kaul has long researched the changing social and political landscape in India.

It's led her to a dire conclusion about the world's most populous democracy.

"What we're witnessing post-2014 is a democratic erosion in India — that is undeniable," Professor Kaul told the ABC.

More than 950 million Indians are eligible to vote in this year's general election which began last week , and is held in seven phases until June 1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to easily win a third term in office after first coming to power in 2014.

But ahead of the critical poll, Professor Kaul was shocked when she was barred from entering the country.

In February, she was detained and then deported after being invited to speak at a conference on the country's constitution, despite holding a valid lifelong visa.

She said no reason had ever been given for the decision.

"If you are critical of a political project, or a political party or their policies, it should be very straightforward that you're not against the country," she said.

"What … these kinds of actions do is label people as anti-national for being critical of a party or of its policies or a leader."

Professor Kaul held an Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card.

Indian citizens can only hold one passport, but the OCI card acts as a lifelong visa, allowing foreign nationals of Indian origin to reside and work in India.

Professor Kaul's experience isn't an isolated one.

Research by the pro-democracy group Article 14 found at least 102 people have had their OCI cards revoked since 2014 under a clause of the country's citizenship laws.

The clause allows the government to cancel an OCI for several reasons, including if they have "shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India".

A Human Rights Watch report found several high-profile academics — who had published research critical of Indian government policy, Mr Modi or had commented on big issues affecting the country — were among those barred from entering India.

The report noted that in addition to cancelling OCI cards, the Indian government downgraded the privileges of 4.5 million OCI cardholders in 2021.

That move meant they needed to seek special permission to carry out tasks like research and journalism or visit areas in India listed as "protected".

Reducing public debate in India

Professor Kaul is the chair of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster and has written extensively on how India's political landscape has changed since Mr Modi came to power.

She has also written about rising authoritarianism in the country.

After going public about her experience, she said other academics expressed concern their work would be a barrier to them getting home to see family.

She said the government's aim was to ultimately reduce the size of the public sphere in which to debate policy and publish academic work.

"This is a classic kind of authoritarian thing to be doing," she said.

Professor Kaul also received "violent, vicious, extremist, misogynistic, graphic sexual trolling" and death threats online.

"The idea for people who do that to people who are in the public domain is to try and intimidate and silence them," she said.

At the time Professor Kaul was denied entry, India's Ministry of External Affairs said "entry of foreign nationals into our country is a sovereign decision".

'Grossly unfair' 

London-based writer and activist Amrit Wilson's OCI card was cancelled two years ago.

She was born in India but moved to the United Kingdom when she was in her 20s, keeping close ties to her home nation.

Ms Wilson said the government attributed the cancellation to an article she wrote about protesting Indian farmers  and a social media post about the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.

She's challenging the cancellation.

"It seemed grossly unfair," Ms Wilson told the ABC.

"The government can't handle dissent of any type. It locks dissenters up and if they're abroad it tries to target them in other ways."

The Indian government was contacted for comment on why it was cancelling OCIs. 

Opposition MPs have been arrested , protesters have been detained and internet shutdowns have targeted anti-government commentary in the lead-up to the national election. 

Reporters Without Borders ranked India 161st of 180 countries and territories in its latest World Press Freedom Index.

Human Rights Watch's Asia director Elaine Pearson said other countries should hold India to account.

"These governments should press the Modi administration to interact with its critics to bring about reform, instead of intimidating them into silence," Ms Pearson said.

Rising Hindu nationalism

Mr Modi's grip on political power is intricately connected with religion and a rising anti-Muslim sentiment in India.

India is still officially a secular nation, and while Hinduism is the biggest religion, the country is home to 200 million Muslims.

Despite that, Mr Modi hasn't hidden his Hindu nationalist ideals.

In January, he inaugurated a Hindu temple built on the site of a demolished mosque, delivering on one of his earlier poll promises.

His government has also moved to enact a law that fast-tracks naturalisation for people who have fled from religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan but excludes Muslims from those countries.

In 2019, he stripped the Muslim-majority region Kashmir of its special status, bringing it under Delhi's control.

Ms Wilson said there was a concerted attack on Muslims, aiding the government and Mr Modi's political agenda.

"Modi plays to the Hindu majority by creating a fear of Muslims," she said.

"He concocts all kinds of lies about the Muslim population, and people do fall for it."

Last week, India's main opposition party accused Mr Modi of using hate speech after he called Muslims "infiltrators" at an election rally .

Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party denies accusations of fostering religious intolerance and says its policies benefit all Indians.

India Hate Lab, a website tracking hate speech in India, found a steep rise in hate speech targeting Muslims in the second half of 2023. 

It documented 413 incidents, a 62 per cent rise compared to the first six months of the year.

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Travelling to Europe has become much more convenient for GCC and Indian visitors. The European Commission has approved new regulations for the issuance of Schengen visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and India who live in their home countries.

Under the new system, Saudi, Bahraini and Omanis will now have access to multiple-entry visas, allowing them to travel to 29 European countries using the same visa within five years.

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This implementation has significantly simplified the process of obtaining a Schengen visa, making it much more convenient for eligible applicants, even first-time applicants. They can now look forward to receiving a multiple-entry visa that remains valid for up to five years, relieving them of the stress of frequent visa applications.

"The European Commission has adopted new rules for the issuance of Schengen visas for Saudi, Bahraini and Omani nationals residing in their home country. It is an important step promoting people-to-people contacts and facilitating exchanges between the EU and GCC citizens," the delegation of the European Union in GCC posted on X.

Kuwaitis can be issued with long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for five years. UAE nationals enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen nations, permitting stays of up to three months at a time. However, a Schengen visa is a must for UAE residents.

Additionally, the European Commission adopted specific rules on issuing multiple entry visas to Indians. Under the new regulations, Indian travellers are now eligible to obtain a two-year Schengen visa, a significant enhancement compared to the shorter validity periods previously offered.

To qualify for this extended visa, applicants must have obtained and used two Schengen visas within the last three years in accordance with the regulations. Upon successfully utilising the two-year visa, travellers can typically anticipate eligibility for a five-year Schengen visa, subject to the maintenance of sufficient passport validity.

This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with the facilitation of people-to-people contacts being a key aspect due to the importance of India as a partner for the EU.

These changes ease the visa application process and facilitate smoother travel experiences.

Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen area for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries (of which 25 are EU states): Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

ajanta @ khaleejtimes . com

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Individuals can fight H-1B visa revocation tied to employer fraud

A us district court has ruled that h-1b visa holders can individually challenge visa revocation if that is due to employer fraud, and they weren't involved or notified. the ruling came in a case where indians challenged the unilateral revocation of their h-1b visas by the uscis..

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• Judge Chun's verdict empowered H-1B visa holders to fight visa revocation
• Indian nationals had sued the USCIS over H-1B visa revocation over employer fraud
• The USCIS has enacted several updates to the H-1B lottery process for FY2025

A US District Court ruling has opened the door for individual H-1B visa holders to fight cases individually when their visas are at risk of being revoked due to alleged fraud by the employer. The case was filed by 10 Indians whose H-1B visas had been revoked for no fault of theirs.

The 10 Indians challenged the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as it issued ‘Notice of Intention to Revoke' only to their employers and not giving them the chance to present their arguments and facts regarding their visa revocation, according to a Times of India report.

The ruling is unprecedented and a shot in the arm for Indian H-1B visa holders because it will allow them to challenge visa revocation when their employers are found guilty of fraud and they have nothing to do with it.

In the case heard in the court for the Western District of Washington, Judge Chun ruled that H-1B visa holders can challenge US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) attempts to revoke their visas if they were not given proper notice and were not involved in the employer's fraud, said International Legal and Business Services on its website.

The court case involved an H-1B visa holder whose employer was found guilty of visa fraud over 15 years ago.

The USCIS sought to revoke the H-1B visas, even though the fraudulent company no longer employed him.

The H-1B visa holder argued that USCIS violated the Administrative Procedure Act by not providing him with a chance to respond to the allegations before revoking his visa.

INDIAN NATIONALS SUE OVER H-1B DENIALS

The fight against the USCIS over unilaterally revoking H-1B visas isn't new.

In August 2023, nearly 70 Indians filed a lawsuit against the US government for unfair visa denials due to employer fraud.

The lawsuit filed by the Indian nationals argues that the USCIS unfairly denied their H-1B visa applications because they were previously employed by companies that engaged in a fraudulent scheme.

The lawsuit says the workers were not aware of the fraud and should not be punished for their employer's actions.

The workers argue that the USCIS violated their due process rights by not giving them a chance to respond to the allegations before denying their visas. They are asking the court to order the USCIS to reconsider their applications and allow them to respond to any fraud allegations.

"The agency assumed that anybody who had touched these companies was somehow guilty of fraudulent misrepresentations to the US government," said Wasden Law attorney Jonathan Wasden, representing the Indian nationals in the lawsuit, reported Bloomberg Law.

The lawsuit details the case of Siddhartha Kalavala Venkata, one of the Indian nationals who was denied an H-1B visa.

Venkata worked at Integra through OPT after completing a master's degree in 2016. Integra was one of the companies later found to be involved in the fraudulent scheme.

"Plaintiff Siddhartha Kalavala Venkata said he was in “complete pain” after learning he couldn’t enter the US," Wasden said.

USCIS TIGHTENS H-1B PROCESS

European Union adopts more favourable Schengen visa rules for Indians

Indian Nationals can now apply for a multiple entry Schengen visa with longer validity

On 18 April 2024, the European Commission adopted specific rules on the issuing of multiple entry visas to Indian nationals, which are more favourable than the standard rules of the Visa Code that applied to date. This new visa ‘cascade’ regime for Indian nationals residing in India who apply for Schengen (short-stay) visas in India will provide easier access to visas with multi-year validity for travellers with an established travel history, if the passport validity allows. 

According to the newly adopted visa “cascade” regime for India, Indian nationals can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years. The two-year visa will normally be followed by a five-year visa, if the passport has sufficient validity remaining. During the validity period of these visas, holders enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals.

This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with facilitation of people-to-people contacts being of key aspect due to the importance of India as a partner for the EU. 

Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen area for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries (of which 25 are EU states): Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.