The country has also started giving business visa-on-arrival to citizens of 96 countries. “To promote investment in the country, the Government of Pakistan is granting five-year multiple-entry Business Visas to the businessmen of 96 countries,” the Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior stated on its e-visa portal.
The country has initially launched the tourist visa on arrival for five countries - Turkey, China, Malaysia, the UK and the UAE.
The service for others will follow in due course. Tourist visa-on-arrival is valid for up to three months. Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE can be granted a 30-day, multiple-entry visa upon arrival.
Pakistan Prime Minister Khan stated that issuing of online visa was a significant step towards bringing real change as it would open the country to the outside world.
Khan added that it also would show that Pakistan is a peaceful and stable country and open to the world for business and tourism.
According to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), with the introduction of the online facility, tourists seeking to obtain visas to Pakistan will be able to do so within the comforts of their home, without having to visit a Pakistani embassy or consulate.
“They simply have to log on to https://visa.nadra.gov.pk, fill out the application, upload the required documents and make the visa fee payment,” it said.
Khan said, “Today I especially congratulate the interior ministry and foreign office. People don’t realise that this is a very big change today. This is the first step to open up the country, the Naya (new) Pakistan.”
The scheme was announced during Pakistan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s visit to the sultanate earlier this year.
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