STREAMLINING OF TOURIST VISA POLICY
The undersigned is directed to refer to
the Minorities, Culture, Sports, and Tourism & Youth Affairs
Division's, on the above subject and to inform that on new visa
policy has been announced by the Minister for Interior. With regard
to tourist visa, the new policy provides that: -
(i) Immigration Check posts have been authorized to issue 30 days
landing permit to the tourists entering Pakistan without visa except
nationals of the countries borne on negative list,
(ii) Under the present instructions, the Regional Passport Offices
are authorized to allow initial three months entry visa to the
tourists and to allow one extension unto three months. It has
further been decided to authorize Regional Passport Offices to grant
entry visa to the tourists (except the nationals of the countries
borne on negative list) entering Pakistan on landing
permit for a
period of three months from the date of entry into Pakistan,
charging visa fee
fixed on reciprocal basis.
(iii) The Regional Passport Offices have further been authorized to
allow, on application, not more than two re-entries to the tourists,
charging prescribed visa fee subject to a minimum
of US$ 10 only.
(iv) The Pakistan Missions abroad have been authorized to issue
tourist visa for a maximum period of three months liberally to all
foreign nationals except to the Indian nationals and the foreigners
of Indian origin.
(v) All foreign nationals, including tourists, have been exempted
from police registration,
except the nationals from negative list
countries.
2. Necessary instructions have been issued to all Visa Issuing
Authorities at home and
abroad accordingly.
3. In order to provide facility to the foreigners visiting Northern
Areas, it has been decided
to authorize Deputy Commissioner, Gilgit
and Skardu, to allow extension to the tourists for
a period of three
months and one re-entry charging visa fee as per policy. They shall,
however, exercise these powers themselves and will not delegate
these powers to their subordinate officials.
4. In order to provide maximum facilities to the foreigners, the
RPOs have been directed
to implement following instructions in
letter and spirit: -
(a) Visa applications shall be accepted and visa signed by the
Officer In charge /
Superintendent.
(b) The best available room in the office having adequate/proper
seating arrangements
and other amenities is allocated for
foreigners.
(c) Special care should be exercised for proper cleanliness and
maintenance of Visa Section.
(d) The dealing Assistant deployed at Visa Counter must be well
mannered, polite, courteous
and conversant with the Visa Rules and
Regulations.
(e) It is to be ensured that the foreigners visiting offices are not
put to un-necessary inconvenience. Prompt disposal of Visa cases is
to be ensured.
(f) Before signing of Visa, it is to ensure that visa has been
allowed for the entitled duration
and prescribed fee has been
realized.
(g) To ensure proper realization of prescribed visa fee and signing
of visa, the signing
authority will sign each e entry in the Visa
Register and will affix his stamp (by name).
(h) The Officer In charge of RPO will undertake immediate
orientation of staff deployed
at Visa Counters. The implementation
of new visa scheme will be closely monitored by the Directors / Dy.
Directors through personal visits/surprise checks.
5. Minorities, Culture, Sports & Tourism and Youth Affairs Division
are requested to take
further necessary action to circulate the new
visa policy to all concerned organizations/
tourist agencies etc., at
the earliest, under intimation to this Ministry.
VISA INFO
STREAMLINING
OF TOURIST VISA POLICY
VALIDITY OF VISA & OTHER INFORMATION
