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Pakistan officially reopened its borders for tourism on October 5th with specific COVID-19 entry requirements for all incoming passengers.

Pakistan originally closed its borders back in March when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Prior to the pandemic, Pakistan was seeing a surge in tourism brought on by rave reviews of the friendly culture and being a budget friendly destination. 

Here is everything you need to know before traveling to Pakistan during COVID-19 and what requirements are needed. 

Karakorum range, Pakistan

Countries Permitted To Visit Pakistan

Travelers from all countries are permitted to visit Pakistan under regular visa requirements. 

Travel Authorization To Visit Pakistan

All travelers must submit contact information on the Pass Track app/site 48 hours before boarding a flight to Pakistan. This can be done through their mobile app or web based form

Colorful painted car travel the streets of Karachi, Pakistan

COVID-19 Testing Entry Requirements 

Travelers coming from all countries will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate no older then 96 hours from the time the test was taken to arriving in Pakistan.

The following countries are EXEMPT from the test requirement (Accurate as of December 16:

  • Australia
  • China
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Cuba
  • Fiji
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Kazakhstan
  • Laos
  • Maldives
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Rwanda
  • South Korea
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Singapore
  • South Sudan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Togo
  • Uruguay
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia

Quarantine Entry Requirements 

Travelers are not required to quarantine upon arrival in Pakistan. 

Important Note:  Passengers traveling to Pakistan showing COVID-19 symptoms may be tested upon arrival.  If you are found to be symptomatic, you will be allowed to proceed to your destination but you will be required to have a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of arrival and submit the results of the test to the authorities. If the test is positive you will have to self-isolate in line with Pakistan’s guidelines.

Panorama of Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan
Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan

COVID-19 Travel Insurance Entry Requirements 

All incoming travelers should have travel insurance the covers COVID-19 for the duration of their trip to Pakistan.

COVID-19 Health Requirements While in Pakistan

All visitors must follow COVID-19 health requirements while in Pakistan:

  • Wearing a mask when instructed
  • Follow social distancing markers and instructions
Cherry and apricot blossoms in north Pakistan

COVID-19 Vaccine Entry Requirements 

A vaccine for COVID-19 is not yet available to the public. Pakistan currently has no plans of making a proof of vaccine record (POVR) or an international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis (ICVP) mandatory for entry. 

Visa Entry Requirements For Pakistan During COVID-19

All travelers arriving in Pakistan will need to follow regular visa requirements.

The below countries are eligible for a visa on arrival.

Countries not listed above must apply for a visa at the Pakistan consulate/embassy in their home country before travel. 

Pakistan Covid-19 Entry Requirements:

  1. Complete online travel authorization.
  2. Get required visa if needed
  3. Check if you need a negative COVID-19 test before arrival (list above)
  4. Follow all health protocols while in Pakistan
Man is cooking food at the streets of Lahore, Pakistan

Read More: 

Easy Travelers Guide To All Countries COVID-19 Requirements

Countries Reopening in Asia

Countries Reopening For Tourism

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19

Sources: Pakistan Government / Pass Track / UK Gov

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

Originally published October 3, 2020
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23 Responses

  1. Alejandro Candelario Reply

    I am a US citizen who will be flying from Istanbul to Karachi in about a week. Since Turkey is a Category A country, does that mean I won’t need to have a PCR test done or quarantine upon arrival to Pakistan? I’ve been in Turkey for the past 2 months.

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      In theory, it would make sense, but we can’t be sure.
      If you have doubts, try asking the airline and contacting border police and/or an embassy or consulate

    • jreev42Joseph Reeves

      Hi Alejandro, I’m curious as to what you find out as I may wind up in the same situation as you though at this time i’m only thinking of going to Pakistan. But I’m a US citizen, currently in Turkey. If you don’t mind posting what you find out that would be very appreciated. Good luck!

  2. ccandelario430 Reply

    Hello. I safely and easily made it to Karachi. I was prompted to present a PCR test upon departure from Istanbul and arrival in Karachi, but once I informed them that I had been in Turkey and should be exempt, they didn’t argue with me.

  3. Alejandro Candelario Reply

    I haven’t had any issues, though I still haven’t tried to leave Karachi yet. As far as I know all hotels are open, but as was the case before the pandemic, some don’t accept foreigners. I haven’t used public transport (nobody wears masks), but Uber and Careem are very cheap alternatives, especially the motorbike option, which is also faster. Everthing is completely back to normal, which may not be a good thing.

  4. reddevil Reply

    Hi im also planning to go to Pakistan next month and I have a few questions
    Did they ask you for medical insurance? is it mandatory to enter the country?
    Are face masks also mandatory in the street or its optional?
    Thank you

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      Hello – All the info we have is here in this article. I am afraid I don’t personally know any details yet beyond this

  5. Jeff H Reply

    Hi there, I read some countries have been removed here: (link)
    Pakistan removed on October 9, the names of Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Fiji, Italy, Myanmar, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Uganda from the Category A country list and added Ghana and Zimbabwe

  6. Nasir Ahmed Reply

    Hi’there is no any restraction to travail in Pakistan ‘
    I along with 10 Polish travellers visited Pakistan from 4 Oct to 20 Oct’ every thing is find and all hotels are open from islamabad to North Pakistan ‘Hunza Gilgit and Skardu.
    Just check with your airplan about travel to Pakistan’ there are some countries do not need any kind of pcr test and BA do not ask any kind of PCR test.

  7. Baz Reply

    Im coming from canada . But when i have to return from Pakistan, still covid test is necessary? To travel back ?

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      No tests are required when returning to Canada from Pakistan. You will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Canada

  8. alfonso Reply

    Hi Im from Spain but I will fly to Pakistan from Turkey
    Do I need a PCR test?

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      From how I understand it, if you have been in Turkey for 14 days or longer you will not need the test.
      However, I cannot be sure so it’s best to ask your airline, as they would be the ones checking for the test

  9. Charles M Reply

    I read you have to take a Covid test on leaving Pakistan as a tourist as well regardless of the country you are returning too. Is this correct please?

  10. Jeff H Reply

    Hello, I just visited Pakistan – and yes there’s a mandatory test to leave the country. I asked about it – and it’s a move under the Pakistan government, it doesn’t matter which country you’re going to after Pakistan.

  11. Jeff H Reply

    Hello, I got my COVID test done at Chughtai Lab in Lahore at a cost of 6500 Pakistani rupees. Turkish Airlines has listed acceptable places to get it done. I’m not sure if it varies by airline but it’s a good guide
    (link)

    • alex

      Hey Jeff, did they make you get a Polio vaccine before leaving pakistan? that is the one thing preventing me from going.

  12. humayoun Reply

    Tourism, as an ‘industry’ is known to contribute to various sectors of the economy, which are the hospitality sector, the food industry, transportation including air, road, and water transport, tour agencies, cultural events and activities, recreational activities, trade and lastly, area-specific tourism activities.

    Many countries like Switzerland, Singapore, Turkey, Philippines, Maldives, and Thailand have established ‘sustainable tourism’ as a vital tool for development.

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