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Islamabad Entry Requirements

Islamabad Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Information last reviewed June 2024. Always verify with official government sources before traveling.
Islamabad meets arrivals with warm air, laced with jasmine from the Margalla foothills, and the steady drone of aircraft gliding over tree-lined avenues. Entry develops in Islamabad International Airport's marble immigration hall, where officers in blue uniforms stamp passports under cool fluorescent light. Before flying in, confirm your visa, pack health papers, and carry clean copies of hotel confirmations and onward tickets. The counters still smell of ink and warm printer paper.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Pakistan splits Islamabad-bound visitors into three groups: visa-free travelers, ETA applicants, and those who need a traditional visa.

Visa-Free Entry
30 to 90 days depending on nationality

Citizens of select nations may enter Islamabad without advance paperwork.

Includes
Maldives Nepal Samoa Tonga Trinidad and Tobago

Entry stamps issued at Islamabad International Airport immigration counter.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
30-day single-entry tourist visa

Travelers from eligible countries apply online before arrival.

Includes
United States United Kingdom Canada Australia Germany France Italy Spain Japan Malaysia Turkey UAE Saudi Arabia
How to Apply: File your application through Pakistan's official eVisa portal. The approval email usually lands within 5, 7 working days.
Cost: Budget-friendly processing fee paid by credit card

Print the ETA approval and present it with passport at Islamabad immigration.

Visa Required
30-day or 90-day single/multiple entry

Travelers not eligible for visa-free or ETA must obtain a sticker visa.

How to Apply: Apply at the nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate. Hand over your passport, photos, invitation letter or hotel voucher, and a recent bank statement.

Processing takes two to four weeks. Most missions now insist on online appointment booking.

Arrival Process

At Islamabad International Airport you step from the aircraft into chilled jet-bridges, then into a hall ringing with multilingual calls and a faint whiff of jet fuel.

1
Immigration Queue
Three lines, Pakistani passports, foreign visitors, diplomats, move past counters where officers swipe passports and ceiling cameras click softly.
2
Biometric Capture
Every foreign visitor presses fingers onto turquoise-lit glass scanners; a quick snapshot follows.
3
Baggage Claim
Baggage carousels turn beneath LED screens. The smell of fresh bread drifts up from cafés overlooking the reclaim hall.
4
Customs Channel
Pick the green lane if you have nothing to declare, or the red lane if you do. Officers may unzip your bags under white strip lights.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport valid for at least six months
Presented at immigration desk along with visa or ETA printout
Return or onward ticket
Requested occasionally by immigration to confirm exit plans
Hotel booking confirmation or host invitation
Demonstrates accommodation arranged within Islamabad

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete arrival card mid-flight to save time in queues
Keep small bills ready for trolley hire outside baggage claim
Exchange small amounts of currency air-side if arriving late at night

Customs & Duty-Free

Islamabad customs apply uniform duty-free allowances for arriving passengers.

Alcohol
Non-Muslim passengers over 21 may bring two standard bottles of liquor or wine
Must be for personal use. Label must clearly show alcohol content
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 g loose tobacco
Open packs may be confiscated
Currency
Declaration required if carrying USD 10,000 equivalent or more
Form issued at customs desk. Retain copy for departure
Gifts/Goods
Personal effects and gifts up to USD 500 in value
Commercial quantities attract duty

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances under any quantity
  • Satellite phones without PTA approval
  • Obscene or subversive printed material

Restricted Items

  • Drones require prior permission from Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority
  • More than five mobile phones must be declared and registered

Health Requirements

Health screening can slow entry, when seasonal respiratory illnesses spike.

Required Vaccinations

  • Anyone arriving from a polio-endemic country must show a valid polio vaccination certificate.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Hepatitis B
  • Japanese Encephalitis for rural travel beyond Islamabad

Health Insurance

Health insurance isn't compulsory. But buy a policy that covers medical evacuation to Islamabad's private hospitals.

Current Health Requirements: Within 72 hours of departure, recheck the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority website for any fresh COVID-19 PCR or vaccination rules.

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Read our complete Islamabad Travel Insurance Guide →

Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Pakistan Online Visa System: visa.nadra.gov.pk
For visa applications and official information
Emergency
Emergency services number: 15 for police, 115 for ambulance and fire
These numbers work throughout Islamabad and Pakistan

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Carry the child's birth certificate or family registration certificate. If only one parent travels, bring a notarized consent letter from the other.

Traveling with Pets

You'll need an import permit from Pakistan's Department of Animal Quarantine, proof of rabies vaccination given within 30 days, and a vet health certificate issued seven days before the flight.

Extended Stays

Extend your stay at Islamabad's Directorate of Passports & Immigration in G-10/4 before the current visa expires. Bring a renewed hotel booking and a fresh bank statement.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear — with shopping links for every item.

View Islamabad Packing List →

Ready to plan your trip to Islamabad?

Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.

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