Pakistan visa options for Australia passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Pakistan

Rules are written for foreign nationals (non-Pakistani passport holders) applying for entry. People of Pakistani origin have separate POC/NICOP routes, and some nationalities (e.g. Indian nationals, Afghan nationals) have separate visa regimes. Important 2026 change: from 1 January 2026 both the Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) and the free Visa-Prior-to-Arrival (VPA) facilities were suspended for ~126 nationalities, so a paid e-Visa obtained in advance is now generally required.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Tourist / Visit e-Visa

  Approx. 3 months per entry (single or double entry), extendable inside Pakistan up to roughly 6 months total; verify per nationality.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required by Pakistan for the visa itself (officially 'not mandatory, but highly recommended'), but strongly Recommended given limited public healthcare for foreigners and to cover medical care and evacuation.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals visiting Pakistan for tourism, sightseeing or visiting friends; applicants from a broad list of countries apply online via the NADRA online visa system.

  Requirement

  Paid online e-Visa application (visa.nadra.gov.pk) with passport valid 1+ year, photo, and supporting documents (hotel booking/invitation, itinerary). Note: BOTH the Visa-on-Arrival and the free Visa-Prior-to-Arrival were suspended on 1 Jan 2026 for ~126 nationalities, so a standard paid e-Visa must now be obtained in advance (processing roughly 7-20 business days).

• Most nomadsTourist

  Medical Visa

  Short-term approx. 3 months; extendable up to about 1 year for ongoing treatment (with hospital letter). Verify per case.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot a visa requirement; Recommended to hold medical/travel insurance, as treatment costs are paid privately.

  Good for

  Foreign patients travelling to Pakistan for medical treatment, plus one or more accompanying attendants.

  Requirement

  Letter/appointment from the treating Pakistani hospital and supporting medical documents, plus routine visa documents.

• Tourist

  Religious Tourism Visa (Tabligh / Missionary / Pilgrim)

  Varies by sub-category per the official DGI&P policy: Tabligh approx. 45 days; Missionary up to approx. 1 year; Pilgrim approx. 2 weeks. Verify per case.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required; Recommended for medical and travel cover.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals visiting Pakistan for religious purposes — Tabligh (preaching), missionary work, or pilgrimage to religious sites (e.g. Sikh, Buddhist, Sufi shrines).

  Requirement

  Documentation appropriate to the sub-category (e.g. sponsorship/invitation from the relevant religious organisation or recognised group, NOC where required) plus standard visa documents, applied via the official portal.

• Business

  Business Visa

  Up to approx. 5 years multiple-entry validity for BVL nationals; verify per nationality. (A separate short business Visa-on-Arrival previously existed but the VOA facility was suspended in Jan 2026.)

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required for the visa; Recommended for medical and travel coverage during the trip.

  Good for

  Business people, investors and traders from the Business Visa List (BVL) countries attending meetings, exploring trade or investment.

  Requirement

  Invitation letter from a Pakistani company plus a recommendation from a Chamber of Commerce, or a letter from the Commercial Attaché; passport valid 1+ year. Applied online via visa.nadra.gov.pk.

• Work

  Work Visa (Employment)

  Initial entry approx. 3 months (single entry), then extendable up to about 2 years (multiple entry); renewable. Verify current limits.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot a stated visa condition; Recommended (often arranged via employer) for the duration of the assignment.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals taking up employment with a Pakistan-based, SECP-registered company; dependants can be included.

  Requirement

  Employer sponsorship by an SECP-registered company plus a work permit via the Board of Investment; employment agreement, company profile/undertaking, CV. Security clearance applies.

• Study

  Study Visa

  Initial single-entry visa typically valid up to 2 years (following security clearance), renewable annually for the course duration.

  Insurance

  RequiredNot stated as mandatory; Recommended for medical cover during studies.

  Good for

  Foreign students (and some teachers) enrolled at recognised Pakistani educational institutions.

  Requirement

  Admission/enrolment letter from the institution and a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Education, plus passport, photos and educational documents.

• Residence

  Family Visit Visa

  Up to approx. 5 years validity with stays of around 1 year, multiple entry; verify per case. Processed in roughly 7-10 working days.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required; Recommended for medical cover.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals of Pakistani origin and the foreign spouses/immediate family of Pakistani citizens or POC holders visiting family.

  Requirement

  Proof of family relationship to a Pakistani citizen/resident, plus standard visa documents.

• Residence

  Pakistan Origin Card (POC) — long-term residence route

  Indefinite stay while the card is valid; visa-free multiple entry, exemption from foreigner/police registration, faster immigration, and rights to own property and hold bank accounts.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required; Recommended for private medical cover while living in Pakistan.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals of Pakistani origin (former citizens, or with a Pakistani parent/grandparent/close relative) and foreign spouses of Pakistani citizens — the practical long-stay/settlement route (Pakistan has no general digital-nomad or retirement visa).

  Requirement

  NADRA application proving Pakistani origin or marriage to a Pakistani citizen, with supporting identity/relationship documents, valid foreign passport and proof of current residence/citizenship. (Long-term permanent residence/naturalisation otherwise generally requires several years of legal residence.)

• Transit

  Transit Visa

  Up to 72 hours in the city/port of entry, valid for up to two entries; verify exact limit per nationality on the official portal.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required; Recommended.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals transiting through Pakistan en route to a third country (typically proceeding to their home country by air or sea).

  Requirement

  Confirmed onward ticket and a valid visa for the onward/destination country, plus passport; applied via the e-Visa / NADRA online visa system.

This is general guidance, not immigration or legal advice. Pakistan's visa rules — especially the post-January-2026 suspension of Visa-on-Arrival and Visa-Prior-to-Arrival — change frequently and vary by nationality. Always confirm current requirements on the official portal (visa.nadra.gov.pk / dgip.gov.pk) or with a Pakistani mission before travel. Last checked: 2026-06

Last verified June 2026

Australia → Pakistan: frequently asked

Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit Pakistan?

e-Visa. Apply for a visa online before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a Australia passport holder live or work long-term in Pakistan?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Pakistan has 9 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Pakistan?

Entry to Pakistan never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Pakistan visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.