Pakistan introduces app for issuing visas on arrival

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Pakistan has launched a mobile application, "Pak ID", to facilitate visa-on-arrival for citizens from 120 eligible countries, making travel to the country easier and more convenient.

The app, developed by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), allows users to apply for business and tourist visas, as well as track the status of their applications in real time. The visa process, which traditionally took days, will now be completed within 24 hours for eligible applicants.

The "Pak ID" app also offers a variety of features, including face recognition, document scanning, and photo upload capabilities. This allows applicants to complete the process without visiting any physical offices, significantly reducing wait times and increasing accessibility for international tourists and businesspeople.

This initiative is a step towards further digitising Pakistan's visa system, which is already open to citizens of 192 countries. With the introduction of this app, travellers can also receive notifications and track their visa status directly from their mobile devices.

Pakistan is aiming to boost its tourism industry and make the process of obtaining a visa smoother for international visitors. The app is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms, allowing for easy access to the application process.

The app also simplifies the process for overseas Pakistanis applying for identity cards, continuing NADRA’s push to modernise administrative services through technology. With this new app, the government is hoping to attract more international visitors while streamlining services for citizens.

Currently, the app only supports applications for Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA). For other types of visas, applicants must visit the POVS website.

The app is available for free, and is expected to significantly improve Pakistan’s tourism and business engagement by cutting down bureaucratic red tape and making the visa application process more user-friendly.

Earlier, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated a new passport office at NADRA’s Mega centre in Karachi’s North Nazimabad area.

The newly launched office is set to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing essential services to the public without interruption.

During his visit, Minister Naqvi interacted with citizens at the NADRA Mega centre who had come to apply for national identification cards and passports. He inspected the passport counters and met with the staff, assuring citizens of the government’s commitment to improving public services.

“The main goal is to resolve the issues faced by the public,” said Naqvi.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has granted visas to all Indian journalists who applied to cover the ICC Champions Trophy. According to sources, seven journalists from India had requested visas for the tournament, which will be hosted by Pakistan.

The sources confirmed that all these journalists have been issued visas, with none of the visa applications being rejected.