ISLAMABAD: In a significant shift to attract global tourists and investors, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that Pakistan has waived visa fees for citizens of 126 countries.
Calling the decision a “quantum jump” in efforts to attract businesspeople, investors, tourists, and other travelers, Prime Minister Sharif said the federal cabinet approved the policy to ease business operations and promote tourism.
During the cabinet meeting, the prime minister mentioned that the visa policy had been discussed with his team two weeks prior. “We have made a major change in the visa regime, now exempting 126 countries from visa fees,” he said. “Tourists, businessmen, and other travelers from these countries will not be charged visa fees.”
While acknowledging that this could result in a loss of a few million dollars, he emphasized that it would significantly boost tourism and investment in Pakistan.
Alongside relaxing the visa policy, the cabinet approved the implementation of an online visa application system. This system will allow citizens of the 126 exempt countries to receive business and tourist visas within 24 hours without paying any processing fees.
Visitors will benefit from electronic travel authorization forms and the establishment of e-gates at Gwadar Port and nine airports across Pakistan. Initially, these e-gates will be installed at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi airports.
Additionally, for Sikh pilgrims with passports from a third country, the cabinet approved a sub-category for the visa-on-arrival facility. A dashboard will be introduced at the interior ministry to oversee the online visa system.
The interior ministry and the Foreign Office will implement the cabinet’s decision and inform all 126 countries through the Foreign Office.
