Yes, US citizens need a visa for Pakistan. Apply online for a tourist e-Visa at visa.nadra.gov.pk. It costs US $60 for a single entry, is usually valid for 3 months, and takes about 7–10 working days. You need a passport valid for 6 months, a photo, and a hotel booking or Letter of Invitation.
- Visa neededYes, e-Visa
- Single-entry feeUS $60
- ValidityUsually 3 months
- Processing7–10 working days
- Passport6+ months valid
- Apply atvisa.nadra.gov.pk
Do US citizens Need a Visa for Pakistan?
Yes. US citizens need a visa to enter Pakistan, and almost everyone applies online for the Pakistan e-Visa through the official Pakistan Online Visa System at visa.nadra.gov.pk. There is no need to visit an embassy or send your passport anywhere: the approved visa arrives by email.
From August 2024 to the end of 2025, the United States was one of 126 countries that could use Pakistan's free "Visa Prior to Arrival". Since 1 January 2026 that option has been removed from the official portal, so Americans now apply for the standard paid tourist e-Visa. There has been no official word on whether the free option will return. See our visa on arrival guide for the details.
The only Americans who do not need a visa are those of Pakistani origin who hold a valid NICOP or Pakistan Origin Card (POC). Read our guide for foreign nationals of Pakistani or Indian origin.
Pakistan Visa Fee for US Citizens
Pakistan sets visa fees on a reciprocal basis, so the price depends on the passport you hold. The official tourist visa fee for US citizens is US $60 for a single entry, US $90 for multiple entries up to one year and US $120 for multiple entries over one year.
| Tourist visa (US passport) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry | US $60 |
| Multiple entry, up to 1 year | US $90 |
| Multiple entry, over 1 year | US $120 |
| Visa extension (inside Pakistan) | US $20, unless otherwise stated |
Source: the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P) visa fee schedule. Fees are paid online by card and are non-refundable. The portal shows the final amount for your passport, including any service or bank charges, before you pay. Compare all nationalities on our Pakistan visa fees page.
How Americans Apply for a Pakistan e-Visa
- Register on the official portalCreate an account on visa.nadra.gov.pk with your email address. Use only the official site: look-alike websites charge extra fees.
- Choose Tourist / Visit visaSelect the tourist category and single or multiple entry.
- Fill in the formEnter your US passport details, travel dates and address in Pakistan exactly as they appear on your documents.
- Upload your documentsAdd your photo, passport scan, hotel booking or Letter of Invitation, and itinerary.
- Pay the fee onlinePay by Visa or Mastercard. The fee is non-refundable.
- Receive your e-Visa by emailTrack the application in your account. Print the approved visa and keep a copy on your phone.
Our full e-Visa application guide walks through each screen.
Documents You Need
- US passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with blank pages.
- A recent digital photo on a plain light background (see photo requirements).
- Hotel bookings for your stay, or a Letter of Invitation from a host or a tour operator licensed by the Department of Tourist Services (DTS).
- Your travel plan or itinerary.
- An email address and a Visa or Mastercard to pay the fee.
The portal may ask for more documents depending on your travel history. See the full Pakistan visa requirements checklist.
How Long Does It Take?
Official guidance gives 7–10 working days for a tourist e-Visa, and it can take longer in the June–September trekking season or around Pakistani public holidays such as Eid. If the visa office asks for corrections, the clock starts again when you resubmit.
We recommend that Americans apply 4 to 6 weeks before travel, ideally before buying non-refundable flights. More in our processing time guide.
The 5-Year Multiple-Entry Visa for US Nationals
Pakistan's visa policy allows US nationals to be issued a long-term multiple-entry visa of up to 5 years, with a maximum stay of 3 months per visit. It suits travellers who plan to come back, for example a culture tour one year and a K2 or Nanga Parbat trek the next. The multiple-entry fee for over one year is US $120.
Long-term visas are issued at the discretion of the visa office, so a first application may be granted a shorter validity than requested. Choose the multiple-entry option in the form and explain your travel plans clearly.
US citizens of Indian or Pakistani origin
Americans born in India, or of Indian origin, can apply for the e-Visa, but applications may need extra security clearance and take longer. Americans of Pakistani origin can skip the visa entirely with a NICOP or POC card. See our origin guide.
Green card holders
Visa requirements follow your passport, not where you live. A US green card holder applies with the passport of their own nationality and pays that country's fee.
Travel Advice and Arriving from the United States
Before you book, read your government's latest advice for Pakistan on travel.state.gov. Advice differs by region: the northern areas we work in, such as Hunza, Skardu and the Karakoram, are treated differently from border districts, and some areas need a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Our Is Pakistan safe? guide explains how we plan routes around official advice.
Most travellers from the United States reach Pakistan with one stop through a Gulf or Istanbul hub, such as Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul, into Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi. For trips to the north, fly into Islamabad and connect to Gilgit or Skardu. Americans can also enrol in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before departure.
Since February 2026 you can fill in your arrival (disembarkation) card in advance on NADRA's official Pak-ID app instead of on paper. Keep a printed copy of your e-Visa, your return ticket and your first hotel booking ready for immigration.
Book a Tour, We Handle Your Visa
The Golden Adventure is a DTS-licensed Destination Management Company (licence DTS-GB-094) based in Gilgit, with a team in Washington DC. When you book a tour, trek or expedition with us, we issue your official Letter of Invitation, check your documents and support your e-Visa application at no extra cost. Our Washington DC contact means American travellers can plan their trip in their own time zone.
Tell us your dates or message us on WhatsApp (+1 571 223 8737).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Pakistan?
Yes. US citizens need a visa and apply online for a Pakistan e-Visa at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Only Americans of Pakistani origin with a valid NICOP or POC card are exempt.
How much is a Pakistan visa for US citizens?
US $60 for a single-entry tourist visa, US $90 for multiple entries up to one year and US $120 for multiple entries over one year, according to the official DGI&P fee schedule.
Can US citizens get a visa on arrival in Pakistan?
No. The free Visa Prior to Arrival that the United States nationals could use was suspended on 1 January 2026, so you need an approved e-Visa before you fly.
How long does a Pakistan e-Visa take for US citizens?
Official guidance is 7–10 working days. Apply 4 to 6 weeks before travel to leave time for any corrections.
How long can Americans stay in Pakistan on a tourist visa?
A tourist visa is usually valid for 3 months. Inside Pakistan it can be extended up to a total stay of 6 months.
Can US citizens get a 5-year Pakistan visa?
Yes, the policy allows multiple-entry visas of up to 5 years for US nationals, with up to 3 months per visit. The visa office decides the final validity.
Do US citizens need an embassy appointment for a Pakistan visa?
No. A tourist visa application is fully online at visa.nadra.gov.pk, with no embassy visit.
Please note: visa rules and fees can change without notice. Always confirm the final requirements and fee for your passport on the official Pakistan Online Visa System, visa.nadra.gov.pk, before you apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
