Question for anyone who has travelled to Pakistan...

Wazen · Apr 16th, 2009, 07:55

Aloha everyone,
Just got my Pakistan Visa today and I am really dissapointed.

According to the Interrior Division of Pakistan: http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/divisions...th=221_225_599

as an American, my tourist visa should be "Valid for for three months validity and stay with double entry" as stated.

Instead, the consulate general of Los Angeles (Hawaii's district) issued me a Tourist Visa that is valid for three months, BUT I can only enter once, and stay for ONE MONTH only!!! This has severely screwed up my plan to live in Pakistan until October/November. (best of harvest season)

On the same website, it also says "For Northern Areas, the Deputy Commissioners Gilgit & Skardu have been authorized to allow extension in visa for three months and one re-entry to the tourists in Northern Areas, charging visa fee as per policy" - ($120usd for a possible three months, and likely only 1 month extra)

On top of that, to confuse thigs even further, the same website also says that I can "overstay my visa upto an ENTIRE YEAR, for a mere $100usd."

So does anyone know what the deal is, as an American traveling in Pakistan?

How often will officials ask to see my Passport/Visa?

And, if I choose to overstay my visa and an official stops me, do I just give some Backsheesh, or will they most likely send me direectly out of the country?

And if so, are there other penalties besides money, like never being granted a visa back into Pakistan?

I fear that since the Pakistan Consulate General of L.A. issued me a 1 month duration tourist visa, they will only reissue me the same duration at Gilgit/Skardu....

Also, I really wanted to leave Pakistan and go to China via the KKH, for a few weeks. With my current visa this is not possible, as it supposed to be "double entry", but is only a "single entry"....

Does anyone know if while in Pakistan I can get a full on three month extenstion with double entry as stated by their website? After all, it seems thier website has extremely conflicting information....

So any answers or help will be greatly appreciated!

Aloha,
Justin

Shiver me Timbers · Apr 17th, 2009, 06:25

My information is from 2005, and does not relate specifically to Americans. Furthermore, some of it is hearsay. But maybe it will help.

First of all, in 2005 it was a piece of piss to get your visa extended. No problem at all. You could get it done in Lahore, Islamabad or Gilgit (I got my extension in Islamabad). You just tell how long you want it extended for, and they should do it for you.

Second, I met three travellers with a single entry visa who wanted to visit Afghanistan and return to Islamabad. They successfully got their visa changed to double or multiple entry in Islamabad. This I'm sure of as I was with them when they got it changed. None of them were American.

Thirdly, in the Northern Areas, your passport will be checked constantly. Peshawar to Chitral has several check point, as does Chitral to Gilgit via Shandur Pass. Same with the Karakorum Highway, and I believe, the road to Skardu (although I don't know personally about this road). You have to register your details in a note book at these check points.

Fourthly, I crossed into India with a South African guy who had overstayed his visa by about a week - he told a long-winded story, cracked a couple of jokes, and got away with a small 'fine'.

Thats about all I can help you with my friend, my advice would be to not worry about it - once you get inside the country, anything is possible, especially if you're smart with your money. Enjoy Pakistan - I may see you for a game of carrom in the Regale Inn next November!

Wazen · Apr 18th, 2009, 20:39

Thanks for the help, Shiver me Timbers.

I asked the same question on the Lonely Planet Pakistan forum and got conflicting answers from different people.

One person said some british guy in Peshawar overstayed his visa and thrown behind bars!
Since America seems to be unofficially invading Pakistan, I wonder if they'll even grant me an extension...

Some say it's no problem, others say nearly impossible...

...Seems I always just end up winging it....

Sama · Apr 18th, 2009, 20:45

hey, Wazen, good to see you again! I'm Yogagal with a new name...

Wazen · Apr 23rd, 2009, 06:22

Hi Yogagal

Good to see you around!

If anyone is wondering, here is some really good information on a thread started in the pakistan section of the LP forum.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...a dID=1760859

Apr 16th, 2009, 07:55	#1
Wazen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wahiawa, Hawaii Posts: 307	Questions for anyone who has travelled to Pakistan... Aloha everyone, Just got my Pakistan Visa today and I am really dissapointed. According to the Interrior Division of Pakistan: http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/divisions...th=221_225_599 as an American, my tourist visa should be "Valid for for three months validity and stay with double entry" as stated. Instead, the consulate general of Los Angeles (Hawaii's district) issued me a Tourist Visa that is valid for three months, BUT I can only enter once, and stay for ONE MONTH only!!! This has severely screwed up my plan to live in Pakistan until October/November. (best of harvest season) On the same website, it also says "For Northern Areas, the Deputy Commissioners Gilgit & Skardu have been authorized to allow extension in visa for three months and one re-entry to the tourists in Northern Areas, charging visa fee as per policy" - ($120usd for a possible three months, and likely only 1 month extra) On top of that, to confuse thigs even further, the same website also says that I can "overstay my visa upto an ENTIRE YEAR, for a mere $100usd." So does anyone know what the deal is, as an American traveling in Pakistan? How often will officials ask to see my Passport/Visa? And, if I choose to overstay my visa and an official stops me, do I just give some Backsheesh, or will they most likely send me direectly out of the country? And if so, are there other penalties besides money, like never being granted a visa back into Pakistan? I fear that since the Pakistan Consulate General of L.A. issued me a 1 month duration tourist visa, they will only reissue me the same duration at Gilgit/Skardu.... Also, I really wanted to leave Pakistan and go to China via the KKH, for a few weeks. With my current visa this is not possible, as it supposed to be "double entry", but is only a "single entry".... Does anyone know if while in Pakistan I can get a full on three month extenstion with double entry as stated by their website? After all, it seems thier website has extremely conflicting information.... So any answers or help will be greatly appreciated! Aloha, Justin Last edited by Wazen : Apr 16th, 2009 at 10:52.

Apr 18th, 2009, 20:45	#4
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 6,425	hey, Wazen, good to see you again! I'm Yogagal with a new name... __________________ *MY INDIA, 2005-2008* "Once you have felt the Indian dust, you will never be free of it." (Rumer Godden, 1975)

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Apr 17th, 2009, 06:25	#2
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	My information is from 2005, and does not relate specifically to Americans. Furthermore, some of it is hearsay. But maybe it will help. First of all, in 2005 it was a piece of piss to get your visa extended. No problem at all. You could get it done in Lahore, Islamabad or Gilgit (I got my extension in Islamabad). You just tell how long you want it extended for, and they should do it for you. Second, I met three travellers with a single entry visa who wanted to visit Afghanistan and return to Islamabad. They successfully got their visa changed to double or multiple entry in Islamabad. This I'm sure of as I was with them when they got it changed. None of them were American. Thirdly, in the Northern Areas, your passport will be checked constantly. Peshawar to Chitral has several check point, as does Chitral to Gilgit via Shandur Pass. Same with the Karakorum Highway, and I believe, the road to Skardu (although I don't know personally about this road). You have to register your details in a note book at these check points. Fourthly, I crossed into India with a South African guy who had overstayed his visa by about a week - he told a long-winded story, cracked a couple of jokes, and got away with a small 'fine'. Thats about all I can help you with my friend, my advice would be to not worry about it - once you get inside the country, anything is possible, especially if you're smart with your money. Enjoy Pakistan - I may see you for a game of carrom in the Regale Inn next November!

Apr 18th, 2009, 20:39	#3
Wazen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wahiawa, Hawaii Posts: 307	Thanks for the help, Shiver me Timbers. I asked the same question on the Lonely Planet Pakistan forum and got conflicting answers from different people. One person said some british guy in Peshawar overstayed his visa and thrown behind bars! Since America seems to be unofficially invading Pakistan, I wonder if they'll even grant me an extension... Some say it's no problem, others say nearly impossible... ...Seems I always just end up winging it....

Apr 23rd, 2009, 06:22	#5
Wazen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wahiawa, Hawaii Posts: 307	Hi Yogagal Good to see you around! If anyone is wondering, here is some really good information on a thread started in the pakistan section of the LP forum. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...a dID=1760859