Getting to Pakistan

International visits to Pakistan are much easier for residents of Pakistan's Tourist Friendly Country (TFC) list, which includes most EU members, as well as Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korean, China, Canada and the United States. Residents of these countries can qualify for a one month tourist visitor through an authorized local travel operator, while other nationalities generally have to apply in advance through their embassies and should incorporate at least a 90 day advance notice to ensure that visa arrive on time.

There are special visas for business travelers, who can get long-term multi-year stay visa on short notice if they are sponsored by a local business entity. A similar set of provisions holds for expatriates holding dual nationality, including a Pakistan Original Card or the alternative National Identity Card.

With the growth of the national economy, air transport into the country has been rapidly expanding, including nine major international airports, as well as over a hundred small regional airports. Cities with an international airport include Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Sialkot, Faisalbad, Peshaware, Gawadar and Multan. The most prominent International Airports, which have flights from most major international cities are located in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

Increased security measures, both within Pakistan and from origin nations require patience preparation for your visit - make sure all your papers and documentation are in order and your visa is secured well in advance of your date of departure. Pakistan has becoming increasingly friendly to International business travelers in recent years, although it is still undergoing modernization.