Pakistan e-Visa for UAE Residents: Online Application 2026

The Pakistan e-Visa is an electronic travel authorisation issued by the Government of Pakistan through the Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS). It is the primary visa option for most nationalities wishing to visit Pakistan for tourism, family visits, or business purposes. Unlike traditional visa applications that require a physical embassy appointment, the e-Visa is entirely paperless and can be completed online.

For UAE residents from eligible nationalities, the Pakistan e-Visa is the fastest and most straightforward route to visit Pakistan. The e-Visa is accepted at all international airports in Pakistan, including Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, and Islamabad International Airport. It can also be used at several land border crossings.

The Pakistan e-Visa requires several documents that must be scanned and uploaded digitally through the POVS portal. There is no physical submission — everything is done online. Prepare all documents in advance in the correct format to avoid delays during the application.

Standard Documents for All Applicants

1. 1Valid passport — scanned copy of the bio-data page. Passport must have at least 6 months validity from your intended travel date to Pakistan and at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
2. 2Recent digital photograph — white background, face clearly visible with no glasses, minimum 300 DPI, JPEG format, taken within the last 6 months. The POVS portal has specific upload size and format requirements — check before uploading.
3. 3Valid UAE residence visa — a clear scan of your UAE residency page as proof that you are legally residing in the UAE (not required for applications made from outside the UAE, but recommended as supporting evidence).
4. 4Emirates ID — front and back scan showing your current UAE ID.
5. 5Flight itinerary or travel booking — showing your planned travel dates between Dubai and Pakistan.
6. 6Accommodation proof — hotel reservation confirmation or an invitation letter from your host in Pakistan (for visit visas), covering the full duration of your intended stay.
7. 7Bank statement — last 3 months from your UAE bank account, demonstrating sufficient funds for your travel. No specific minimum balance is published, but statements should show consistent activity.

Additional Documents by Visa Type

• Visit Visa (Family): Relationship proof documents — marriage certificate if visiting spouse, birth certificate if visiting parent or child, or other family relationship evidence
• Visit Visa (Friend): Host invitation letter including host's full name, Pakistani CNIC number, address, contact number, and statement confirming you will be their guest
• Business Visa: Invitation letter from a Pakistani company on official letterhead, specifying the nature of business, duration, and who will host you during your Pakistan visit
• Conference Visa: Official invitation letter from the organising institution in Pakistan, including event name, dates, venue, and role of the applicant

The POVS portal can be navigated easily if you follow these steps in order. Take your time with each step — errors in your application can cause delays or rejection, and the visa fee is non-refundable.

1. 1Open your browser and go to the official Pakistan Online Visa System at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Make sure you are on the official government website — check that the URL is exactly correct before proceeding.
2. 2Click "Register" or "Create Account" and enter your email address, create a password, and verify your email through the confirmation link sent to your inbox. This account will be your dashboard for submitting and tracking applications.
3. 3Log in to your new account and click "Apply for Visa." You will be prompted to select your nationality from a dropdown list.
4. 4Select the appropriate visa category: Tourist (for leisure travel and sightseeing), Visit (for family or friend visits), Business (for professional activities), or another applicable category.
5. 5Complete the application form with your personal details. This includes your full name as on your passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue date, passport expiry date, country of birth, and marital status.
6. 6Enter your UAE address and contact details. You will also need to provide your emergency contact information (someone who is not travelling with you).
7. 7Fill in your travel details — planned arrival date in Pakistan, planned departure date, intended ports of entry and exit, and accommodation details in Pakistan.
8. 8Upload all required documents one by one: passport scan, photograph, UAE residence visa, Emirates ID, flight itinerary, accommodation proof, bank statement, and any additional documents required for your visa type.
9. 9Review the entire application on the summary page. Check every field carefully against your physical passport and uploaded documents before proceeding.
10. 10Proceed to payment. The fee will be shown based on your nationality and visa type. Pay using a valid Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. Keep your payment confirmation.
11. 11Submit your application. You will receive a reference number — save this. Use it to track your application status by logging into your POVS account.
12. 12Once approved (typically 7 to 10 working days), you will receive an email notification. Log in to your POVS account, download your e-Visa PDF, and print it. Carry the printed e-Visa with your passport when travelling to Pakistan.

The Pakistan e-Visa application is straightforward but has several technical and detail-related pitfalls. These are the most common mistakes OraVisa sees UAE residents make when applying from Dubai — and how to avoid each one.

• Applying on unofficial third-party websites that charge premium fees for the same government-issued e-Visa. Always use only visa.nadra.gov.pk.
• Uploading a photograph with the wrong background colour or poor resolution. Pakistan's e-Visa photo requirements are strict — white background, no glasses, minimum 300 DPI.
• Entering personal details differently from the passport — common errors include missing middle names, reversed surname and given name, or incorrect passport number digits.
• Selecting the wrong visa category — applicants visiting family often mistakenly select "Tourist" instead of "Visit Visa," which can affect the documents needed and the type of visa granted.
• Uploading the wrong bank statement — submitting a statement from a closed account or one that does not show the applicant's name can cause rejection.
• Not noting the application reference number after submission — you need this to track status and for any follow-up queries.
• Booking non-refundable flights before the e-Visa is approved — processing takes 7 to 10 working days, and unexpected rejections or delays can be costly if your flights are non-refundable.

Once your Pakistan e-Visa is approved, you will receive an email notification from the POVS system. Follow these steps to make sure everything is in order before your travel date.

1. 1Log in to your POVS account and download your approved e-Visa as a PDF document. Verify that all your personal details, visa type, validity dates, number of entries, and allowed stay duration are correct.
2. 2Print two colour copies of your e-Visa on A4 paper. Present one copy to the airline check-in staff at Dubai Airport and one to Pakistani immigration on arrival. Keep a digital copy on your phone as backup.
3. 3Carry your original passport (the same one used in the e-Visa application) along with the printed e-Visa when travelling.
4. 4Ensure your UAE residence visa remains valid for your return to Dubai. If it will expire during your Pakistan trip, plan accordingly before departing.
5. 5At Pakistan immigration, present your passport and printed e-Visa. The immigration officer will verify your details against their system and stamp your passport with the entry stamp.

If you notice any errors on your approved e-Visa — such as a wrong date or misspelled name — contact NADRA through the POVS portal immediately before travelling. Errors on the visa can cause problems at Pakistani immigration.