Local route knowledge
Our itineraries are shaped around real mountain access, sensible acclimatization and the changing conditions of the Karakoram.
Your simple visa guide
Visiting Pakistan? Start here.
Choose the visa that matches your trip, prepare your documents and apply through the official portal. This guide makes the first steps easy for tourists, trekkers and climbers.
Reviewed September 2026
Where to apply
Pakistan Online Visa System
Regular holiday
Choose the tourist visa information
Trek or climb
Check mountaineering & trekking
Before you pay
Verify current rules on the official portal
01
First, choose what describes your trip
The easiest way to begin is to match your main activity to the right official information page. If your itinerary combines touring and trekking, tell us the complete route before applying.
- Sightseeing, culture or a normal holiday: tourist visa
- Trekking in mountain areas: mountaineering & trekking guidance
- Climbing a peak: mountaineering & trekking guidance
- Unsure which applies: ask us before submitting
02
Get these basics ready
The portal shows the final requirements for your nationality and category. Most visitors should prepare the essentials below before starting so the application is easier to complete.
- A valid passport with a clear scan
- A recent photograph meeting portal rules
- Planned arrival and departure dates
- Accommodation or host details in Pakistan
- A simple day-by-day itinerary
- Tour-operator documents when requested
03
Mountain visitors need an extra check
A visa and a mountain permit are not always the same thing. Restricted trekking routes and climbing objectives may require operator-coordinated documents, clearance and fees linked to the visa process.
- Share the exact route—not only the region
- Mention every trek, pass and climbing objective
- Allow more time than for a simple holiday
- Wait for written permission before departure
04
When your visa arrives
Open the Visa Grant Notice and check it carefully. A small error is much easier to address before you travel than at the airport.
- Confirm your full name and passport number
- Check entry validity and permitted stay
- Save offline and printed copies
- Carry relevant permit confirmations
- Inform us if your flight dates change
- Keep emergency and host contacts available
Simple process
What happens next
1
Decide: tourist or mountain travel
Use the official category pages linked below to identify the option that fits your main activity.
2
Check requirements for your nationality
Eligibility, fees, validity and documents can differ, so read the portal result carefully.
3
Create and complete your application
Enter details exactly as they appear in your passport and upload clear, correctly sized files.
4
Track the application
Sign back into the official system to check progress and respond quickly if more information is requested.
5
Verify the Visa Grant Notice
Check every detail, save copies and only then finalize inflexible travel arrangements.
Official resources
Check the latest requirements
These links open the Government of Pakistan's official visa website in a new tab.
Common questions
Good to know
I am only sightseeing. Which information should I read?
Start with the official Tourist Visa page linked above. It explains current eligibility, validity, requirements and processing information for that category.
I am trekking to K2 Base Camp. Is the tourist page enough?
Check the Mountaineering & Trekking page and contact us with your exact route. Some mountain routes are restricted and may require additional permission coordinated through a licensed operator.
Does a visa automatically include a mountain permit?
Not always. Mountain permissions can be linked to the visa application but may still require a separate document pack, clearance and applicable fees.
How long will approval take?
Processing varies by nationality, category, season and whether extra clearance is required. Use the current estimate shown by the official portal and apply well ahead of travel.
Should I buy flights before approval?
Use flexible arrangements where possible and avoid non-refundable commitments until all required visa and mountain permissions are confirmed.
Can Karakoram Expeditions approve my visa?
No. Only the Government of Pakistan can approve it. We can help you understand the route category and prepare operator documents for an agreed trip.