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India Visa for Pakistan Citizens 2026

Visa Required

Pakistani citizens face tightly restricted Indian visa categories (mainly family visit, medical and pilgrimage), applied for through the Indian High Commission with clearance from Indian authorities; processing often takes several weeks to months.

Guide last updated October 19, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid at least 6 months beyond the intended stay
  • Completed Indian visa application form submitted via the Indian High Commission's designated process for Pakistani nationals
  • Recent passport-size photographs per Indian visa specifications
  • Category-specific supporting documents: invitation letter and sponsor's ID for family visit visas, hospital letter for medical visas, or religious body clearance for pilgrimage visas
  • Proof of relationship documents (nikahnama, birth certificates, family registration certificates) for family visit
  • Police clearance certificate may be requested for certain categories
  • No general biometrics requirement beyond the standard photograph and record kept for Pakistani nationals

Visa types

  • Family visit visa - for visiting close relatives, requires sponsor documentation and often police reporting on both sides
  • Medical visa - for treatment at recognized Indian hospitals, requires a medical invitation letter
  • Pilgrimage visa - for religious travel, coordinated through designated religious committees
  • Business and tourist visas for Pakistani nationals are extremely limited and rarely issued given the bilateral relationship

How to apply

  • Submit the application at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad or the Deputy High Commission in Karachi with all category-specific supporting documents
  • Applications are reviewed and cleared through Indian government channels, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, before a visa is granted
  • Police verification/reporting applies both before travel in Pakistan and after arrival in India for most visa categories
  • Processing can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months depending on category and bilateral relations
  • No standard interview is required, but sponsor verification and background checks are standard

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee varies by category, generally in the range of PKR 2,000-5,000 equivalent, subject to change
  • No separate VFS/BLS fee, as applications are handled directly by the High Commission
  • Total estimated cost: modest visa fee, but significant time investment
  • Standard processing: several weeks to a few months; no fixed guaranteed timeline
  • No express/priority processing option is available

Tips for Pakistan travelers

  • Apply as early as possible, ideally 2-3 months before the intended travel date
  • Common rejection/delay reasons: incomplete sponsor documentation, unclear purpose of visit, lack of police clearance
  • Register with local police both before departure from Pakistan and upon arrival in India, as required for most categories
  • Monitor current bilateral travel advisories, since India-Pakistan visa issuance is highly sensitive to the political relationship
  • Extensions of stay inside India are rare and must be approved by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.