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ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government has announced a new visa-free entry policy for citizens and businesspersons from friendly countries, notably excluding India and Afghanistan from the list. The Interior Ministry cited security concerns as the reason for their omission, according to sources familiar with a recent cabinet meeting.
While India and Afghanistan will not benefit from the relaxed visa regulations, the government plans to facilitate religious tourism, particularly for Sikhs and Buddhists. The ministry assured that appropriate security measures are in place, with all data linked to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
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The new policy aims to streamline the visa process, reducing the required information fields from 161 to 30 in the Electronic Travel Authorization Form. Officials expect the processing time for electronic visas to be around 30 minutes, with a maximum of 24 hours for complex cases.
To enhance the visitor experience, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have been instructed to ensure a welcoming atmosphere at international airports. Service providers at these locations will be monitored through dashboards to maintain quality standards.
The government’s initiative includes:
- Visa-free entry for GCC countries, with plans to extend this to Turkey and China.
- Expansion of the Business Visa List from 108 to 126 countries.
- Inclusion of these 126 countries (except Afghanistan) in the Tourist List.
- Creation of a special category for Sikh pilgrims holding third-country passports.
- Abolition of all visa fees for the 126 listed countries.
The Aviation Division is set to install e-gates at nine immigration checkpoints across Pakistan, including Gwadar, to replace human immigration counters. The first phase will focus on international airports in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, with the program expected to launch within a week.
Cabinet members have called for regular monitoring of the new visa regime and requested periodic compliance reports from the Interior Ministry. They also emphasized the need for reciprocal visa arrangements with benefiting nations and urged the Foreign Affairs Ministry to address this issue with countries like Saudi Arabia and China, which currently have restrictive policies for their citizens visiting Pakistan.
The government views this visa liberalization as a step towards attracting more tourists, investors, and fostering international cooperation. The policy changes are expected to be implemented swiftly, marking a significant shift in Pakistan’s approach to international visitors and business travelers.
