Pakistan has entered into visa exemption arrangements with several countries, allowing certain categories of Pakistani passport holders to travel without obtaining a visa for periods ranging from one to three months, depending on the terms of each agreement.
The countries covered by the arrangements include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Iran, Russia and Argentina.
However, the exemptions do not generally apply to ordinary Pakistani passport holders. In most cases, the visa-free facilities are available to holders of diplomatic and official passports travelling for eligible purposes.
The duration of permitted stays varies from one country to another, based on the respective bilateral agreement. Travellers are therefore required to follow the specific conditions attached to each arrangement.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been directed to implement the updated visa arrangements at relevant entry points. The agency will facilitate the processing of eligible travellers covered under the agreements.
The agreements are part of Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and make official travel more convenient for government representatives and other eligible passport holders.
The arrangements provide greater ease of movement for diplomatic and official delegations while reflecting Pakistan’s ongoing engagement with partner countries.
Ordinary passport holders, however, will generally continue to follow the existing visa requirements unless a separate exemption applies to them under a specific bilateral agreement.
