Quick answer: do Americans need a visa for Pakistan?
- Do US citizens need a visa? Yes, for any visit, including tourism in Skardu
- How to apply: online only, at the official portal visa.nadra.gov.pk
- Cost for a US passport: $60 single-entry tourist visa; $90 multiple entry up to a year
- Visa on arrival: not available. Pakistan stopped its arrival and fast-track visa programs in 2026, so apply before you fly
- How long it takes: consulates quote 7–10 working days; since the 2026 changes, allow about a month
- Trekking to K2 base camp: use the separate mountaineering and trekking visa, with a letter from a licensed operator
Pakistan visa fee for US citizens (and why agencies charge more)
Pakistan sets visa fees by nationality, which is why figures online range from under $10 to over $150. The ones that apply to a US passport are on the fee schedule published by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Chicago (fee schedule): $60 for a single-entry tourist visa.
| Visa type | Single entry | Multiple entry (up to 1 year) | Multiple entry (over 1 year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist / visit / family visit | $60 | $90 | $120 |
| Business / work | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| Transit | $30 | — | — |
Sites that charge far more than this are usually visa agencies adding their own service fee to the same government visa. You do not need one; the official application is short and in English.
Can Americans get a visa on arrival? Not anymore
No, not at present. Pakistan used to offer visa on arrival and a fast, free "visa prior to arrival" route for many nationalities. Both were stopped in early 2026 without a formal public announcement, and immigration advisers told travelers to use the standard e-visa instead (Fragomen, March 2026). Some older guides and even some Pakistani tourism pages still describe visa on arrival. Do not rely on it: airlines will not let you board for Pakistan without a visa.
How to apply for a Pakistan e-visa in 6 steps
- Create an account. on the official portal, visa.nadra.gov.pk. Pakistan's embassy and consulates in the US direct all applicants there.
- Choose the category. Tourist for Skardu, Deosai, Shigar, Khaplu and the other open valleys; Mountaineering & Trekking for the Baltoro, K2 base camp and Gondogoro La.
- Fill in the form and upload documents. Scans and photo must be clear and within the file size limits, the most common reason for delays.
- Pay the fee by card. Fees are non-refundable, including if the application is refused.
- Wait for the decision. Track progress in your account. Do not book non-refundable flights until the visa is granted.
- Print the grant notice. Carry a printed copy of the e-visa grant with your passport. Airline staff check it at check-in, and immigration checks it on arrival.
Pro tip: apply as soon as your dates are firm. It's a no-brainer: the fee is the same either way, and 2026 processing times have been unpredictable.
Pakistan visa documents checklist for US citizens
- Passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with blank pages
- Digital passport photo meeting the portal's size rules
- Proof of US residence, such as a state ID or driver's license
- Travel plan: hotel bookings or an itinerary, and a return or onward flight
- For trekking or climbing: a letter of invitation from a licensed Pakistani operator
- A Visa or Mastercard to pay the fee online
The form may also ask for your employment details, previous travel to Pakistan and the people or places you will visit. For a Skardu trip, naming your hotel and listing places such as Skardu, Shigar and Deosai is enough. Our 5-day Skardu itinerary is a reasonable model for the travel plan.
How long does a Pakistan e-visa take in 2026? Longer than you'd think
Pakistan's consulates quote 7–10 working days for a normal tourist visa. Since the fast-track route was withdrawn in 2026, advisers report standard e-visas taking around 20 business days. Trekking visas take longer, about four weeks, because they go through security clearance. Apply at least a month before you fly for a tourist visa, and six to eight weeks ahead for a trek.
Heading to K2? You need a different visa
If your trip goes beyond Askole, onto the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and K2 base camp, or over Gondogoro La, it enters a restricted zone. Pakistan's online system has a separate mountaineering and trekking visa for this, and operators apply for a trekking permit on your behalf. You will need a letter of invitation from a licensed Pakistani operator to apply. Our K2 base camp trek guide covers the permit, costs and route, and our guide to licensed operators shows how to check an operator is registered.
Do you need a permit for Skardu? Good news: no
No. A Pakistan tourist visa covers Skardu and the open valleys around it: Shigar, Khaplu, Kharmang, Deosai, the Kachura lakes and Sarfaranga. Nothing extra is needed on arrival. Foreigners are sometimes asked to register at police checkpoints on the road and at hotels, so carry your passport and several photocopies of the photo page and the visa grant. Areas right next to the Line of Control are closed to foreigners.
For what the US travel advisory says about Pakistan and where Gilgit-Baltistan fits in, see our Skardu safety guide for Americans. For getting there, see how to get to Skardu from the USA.
5 rookie mistakes that delay a Pakistan visa
- Using an unofficial site. Several sites look like government portals. The official one ends in nadra.gov.pk.
- Choosing the tourist category for a K2 trek. Treks in restricted zones need the trekking category and an operator's letter.
- Photos or scans that break the rules. Wrong size, glare or a cropped passport page are common reasons for requests to resubmit.
- Applying too late. Processing times grew in 2026.
- Booking the Skardu flight for the same day you land. Not a visa issue, but the most common way itineraries break. The Islamabad–Skardu flight cancels in bad weather. See Islamabad to Skardu.
Pakistan visa FAQs for Americans
Do US citizens need a visa for Pakistan?
Yes. US citizens need a visa for any visit to Pakistan, including tourism. Apply online through the official portal, visa.nadra.gov.pk, before you travel.
How much is a Pakistan visa for US citizens?
A single-entry tourist visa costs $60 for a US passport, according to the fee schedule of Pakistan's consulate in Chicago. A multiple-entry tourist visa costs $90 for up to a year and $120 for longer. Fees are non-refundable.
Can Americans get a visa on arrival in Pakistan?
No. Pakistan stopped its visa-on-arrival and visa-prior-to-arrival programs in 2026. Americans need an e-visa granted before they fly; airlines check for it at check-in.
How long does a Pakistan e-visa take for Americans?
Consulates quote 7–10 working days, but since the 2026 changes standard e-visas have been taking around 20 business days. Allow at least a month, and six to eight weeks for a trekking visa.
Do I need a special permit to visit Skardu?
No. A Pakistan tourist visa covers Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu, Kharmang and Deosai. Carry your passport and photocopies for checkpoint registration. Permits are needed only for restricted zones such as the Baltoro Glacier and K2 base camp.
Do I need a trekking visa for K2 base camp?
Yes. The Baltoro Glacier and K2 base camp are in a restricted zone. Apply for the mountaineering and trekking category of the Pakistan e-visa with a letter of invitation from a licensed operator, who also arranges the trekking permit.
What is the official website for the Pakistan e-visa?
visa.nadra.gov.pk. It is run by NADRA, Pakistan's national registration authority, and it is where Pakistan's embassy and consulates in the US send applicants. Other sites that charge more are agencies.
What documents do US citizens need for a Pakistan visa?
A passport valid for six months beyond arrival, a digital photo, proof of US residence such as a state ID or driver's license, hotel bookings or an itinerary, a return or onward ticket, and a card to pay the fee. Trekkers also need an operator's letter of invitation.