Gujranwala

Passport validity requirements 

To enter Pakistan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date of your visa application.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry.

Leaving Pakistan will be difficult if you do not have an entry stamp. If your passport was not stamped on entry, contact the Ministry of Interior or visit a National Database and Registration Office (NDRA) office.

Illegal entry to Pakistan is a serious offence. If you enter without the correct documentation you may be detained or deported. If you enter Pakistan illegally, you may not be able to travel onward from Pakistan.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You need a visa to visit Pakistan and you must apply in advance.

Applying for a visa

See information on visa categories and how to apply.

Visas for journalists often have extra travel restrictions. Follow the terms of your visa, or you could be fined or detained. 

You can also apply for visa extensions.

Returning to the UK 

You must have an unexpired visa, a Pakistani national identity card or a Pakistani passport to leave Pakistan. 

If your visa has expired, apply online for an exit permit from within Pakistan before attempting to travel.

If you do not have evidence of Pakistani nationality and you entered without a visa, contact the Ministry of Interior or visit a NADRA office.

Citizens of Pakistan overseas 

The National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or Smart National Identity Card Overseas Pakistanis (SNICOP), are issued to citizens of Pakistan who are not resident in Pakistan. If you hold a valid version of either, you will be recognised as a citizen of Pakistan. You can enter Pakistan without a visa and stay for an unlimited period. See how to apply for Pakistani identity cards.

Travelling with children 

If you’re travelling with a child as a single parent or are not the child’s parent, you may need to provide documentary evidence of parental responsibility before leaving Pakistan. This is particularly likely if the child is of Pakistani origin. 

Crossing land borders

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to most of the Pakistan-Afghanistan, Pakistan-China and Pakistan-Iran border areas. FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan and Iran.  

Pakistan-Afghanistan border 

All borders with Afghanistan can close at short notice. There has been overcrowding and violence at open border crossings. 

If entering Pakistan via the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan you will need a valid Pakistan visa.

Pakistan-Iran border 

All official land border crossings with Iran are located in Balochistan province, where the FCDO advises against all travel.

Border crossings may be closed at short notice, and access is limited and closely monitored. If entering Pakistan via a land border with Iran, you will need a valid Pakistan visa. Check with local authorities or travel providers for the latest information before attempting to cross. 

Pakistan-India  border 

The international border between Pakistan and India is subject to strict controls. The Wagah border crossing on the Grand Trunk Road is the only official land  crossing between the two countries, but it is currently closed. However, visitors may still access and attend the daily Wagah border ceremony. The Kartarpur Corridor is currently not in use for Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. 

Ensure you have the necessary visas and documentation and check with local authorities or travel providers before attempting to cross.  

Pakistan-China border     

The Khunjerab Pass, the only official land border crossing between Pakistan and China, is located on the Karakoram Highway and is open to foreign tourists. It is open seasonally, typically from April to November, but can close at very short notice due to severe weather conditions, particularly snowfall during colder  months. Check the weather conditions before you travel as conditions can change at short notice and landslides and snowfall can block the route.

Be aware that border closures may occur without warning on either side, and access to the area is remote and limited. Ensure you have the appropriate Pakistani visa and Chinese entry documentation before attempting to cross. Check with local authorities or your travel provider for the latest updates before travelling to the region.

Vaccine requirements  

To enter Pakistan, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:  

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• a polio vaccine, in some circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Pakistan guide.  

Health screening

Mpox 

In response to the recent international mpox outbreaks, travellers may experience enhanced screening and preventive measures, including testing, on entry to Pakistan.

Read more about mpox on TravelHealthPro.  

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods that you can take into and out of Pakistan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Alcohol and pork 

Importing alcohol or pork products is illegal. You could be detained if you try to import them. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods that you can take into and out of Pakistan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Alcohol and pork 

Importing alcohol or pork products is illegal. You could be detained if you try to import them. 

Emergency services in Pakistan  

Telephone: 1122 (ambulance, fire) 

Police: 15 

Dual nationals   

If you or your parents were born in Pakistan, you might be considered a Pakistani national by the local authorities even if you do not hold a Pakistani passport.

If you are a dual British-Pakistani national living or travelling in Pakistan, the FCDO will not normally support you or get involved in dealings between you and the Pakistani authorities. Read more about who the FCDO can support abroad.

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors, and translators and interpreters in Pakistan 
• dealing with a death in Pakistan 
• being arrested in Pakistan 
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital 
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies  

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Pakistan on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Pakistan-Afghanistan border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10 miles of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

FCDO advises against all travel to these areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province: 

• Bajaur 
• Bannu 
• Buner 
• Chārsadda
• Dera Ismail Khan 
• Hangu
• Karak
• Khyber 
• Kohat 
• Kurram 
• Lakki Marwat 
• Upper Dir 
• Lower Dir 
• Mohmand 
• Orakzai 
• Peshawar, including the city of Peshawar 
• Swat 
• Tank 
• North Waziristan
• Upper South Waziristan 
• Lower South Waziristan  
• the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas via Battagram, Besham City, Dasu and Sazin up to the junction with the N15  
• the N45 Highway, from the north of the Mardan ring road, to the edge of Chitral City, including Kalash valley

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to these areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:

• Malakand
• Mardan
• Nowshera
• Shangla
• Swabi

Balochistan Province

FCDO advises against all travel to Balochistan Province.

Pakistan-India Border Area

FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 5 miles of the international border between Pakistan and India. Exceptions are the Grand Trunk highway via the Wagah border (the crossing point is currently closed, however visitors can still access and attend the daily Wagah border ceremony) and the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib (currently closed for crossings).

Pakistan-administered Kashmir 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10 miles of the Line of Control.

Sindh Province  

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all areas of Sindh Province north of and including the city of Nawabshah.

Punjab Province

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Dera Ghazi Khan.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these regions.

Planned protests and possible disruption

Protests and marches are planned in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and other cities in Pakistan. Locations, timings and routes may change at short notice. Previous protests have led to road closures, transport disruption, increased security deployments, restrictions on movement, and temporary disruptions to mobile and internet services.

You should:

• stay away from all demonstrations, political gatherings, and large public events
• monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities
• allow extra time for journeys and check routes before travelling
• be prepared for short-notice road closures and disruptions to transport, mobile and internet services

Demonstrations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

There are currently demonstrations in areas of Pakistan-administered Kashmir known locally as “Azad Jammu and Kashmir”.

Local authorities have advised visitors to avoid travel to the area, while visitors already there have been encouraged to leave to avoid potential disruption.

Demonstrations in the area have led to: 

• road closures and severe travel disruption 
• suspension of mobile and internet services 
• clashes between protestors and security forces, with reports of injuries and loss of life

Regional tensions

There have been renewed strikes between the US and Iran since the announcement of a memorandum of understanding in relation to the conflict in the Middle East. The situation remains unpredictable and can change without warning.

Ongoing regional tensions pose significant security and economic risks and have led to travel disruption. Please check with your airline before travelling.

Global supply routes could affect Pakistan’s fuel availability and pricing. This may lead to transport disruption and delays, in some areas.

There is an ongoing risk of terrorism.

You should continue to:

• be careful around protests, demonstrations, rallies, security checkpoints, tourist sites, and religious gatherings and sites, particularly in urban areas across Pakistan

• follow the advice of local authorities and plan ahead to allow extra time for travel and keep up to date with local and international media

• monitor local and international media for the latest information

• be prepared to take shelter, stay indoors, or move to a safe building immediately if the local authorities instruct you to do so

• sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
• read the FCDO’s advice on if you’re affected by a crisis abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

Support during a crisis

If a severe crisis develops in Pakistan, the situation can change quickly including your ability to travel. Regional tensions during May 2025 resulted in sustained airspace closures which caused airlines to suspend flights, domestic travel was also restricted. Practical support from the British government, including face-to-face consular support or evacuation, may be severely limited in a crisis. Read our general guidance on consular support in a crisis.

Be prepared to re-arrange your own departure from Pakistan at short notice. If it is not safe or possible to leave, you should:

• stay indoors whenever possible, and have a stock of essential supplies such as food, drinking water and medicine
• obey any local restrictions such as curfews
• monitor the media for developments that would allow you to leave safely
• subscribe to our Travel Advice
• follow the British High Commission social media accounts for the latest information

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences  

Pakistan is a Muslim country. Respect the local traditions, customs and laws. Make sure your actions do not cause offence. 

Standards of public behaviour differ between the UK and Pakistan. Behaviour that might be acceptable in the UK can cause offence in Pakistan. Being considerate of others is important in Pakistani culture. Loud or rowdy behaviour in public is likely to attract a negative response.

Personal ID 

Always carry photo ID.  You may be asked to show it and you might be detained until you can show a valid ID.

Ramadan  

Ramadan, also called Ramazan in Pakistan, is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to start around mid-February and finish around mid-March. During this time, do not: 

• eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car  
• play loud music or dance  
• swear in public  

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.  

You should also:  

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants  
• be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens  
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time  
• be aware that fasting can cause tiredness  
• be aware that driving may be unpredictable, particularly when people are trying to get home at dusk  
• be patient and show tolerance 

Dress code

Pakistan is an Islamic country. Dress modestly, men and women should cover their shoulders and legs in public. Women should cover their heads when entering mosques and holy places, and in rural areas. 

Blasphemy 

Insulting or showing disrespect or contempt of religion, religious beliefs or anything considered holy (blasphemy) is illegal. Blasphemy has a broad definition in Pakistani law. It includes public and private comments in any form, including on social media.

There are significant criminal penalties, including the death penalty. Those accused of blasphemy are at significant risk of violence from the public. Both Muslims and religious minorities have been victims of blasphemy accusations and violence, including killings.  

Be sensitive to religious beliefs and behave appropriately.  

Death penalty 

The death penalty can be issued for individuals convicted for crimes including, but not limited to, blasphemy, murder and rape.

Alcohol laws and bans 

Drinking alcohol is illegal for Muslims. Non-Muslims are allowed to drink in Pakistan, but you must get a licence from the authorities. It is also illegal for non-Muslims to supply alcohol to Muslims. Public drinking and drunkenness are illegal and can lead to detention. 

Illegal drugs and penalties

You can get a prison sentence for possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs. British nationals have been arrested on drug trafficking charges and have been detained for long periods while their case is in the Pakistan legal system.

Taking photos in secure areas

Do not take photos at military establishments, airports or any infrastructure (including bridges and dams) or from aircraft. British nationals have been arrested on suspicion of ‘spying’. Check with officials if you’re not sure whether you can take a photo. 

You should not take photos of people without seeking prior permission.

Property disputes

Disputes over property ownership are common in Pakistan and have been known to become violent. British nationals have been victims of property scams such as:

• selling the same property to multiple buyers
• using forged ownership documents or fake land records
• illegal occupation of land or property (‘qabza’), particularly where owners live overseas
• selling plots in unapproved or fraudulent housing schemes
• impersonating the rightful owner to sell or transfer property
• using a Power of Attorney to take control of someone else’s property without their consent
• relatives selling inherited or jointly owned property without consent
• misuse of rental income or unauthorised management of property
• disputes arising from informal or verbal family agreements

The British High Commission cannot get involved in property disputes. Consular staff are not legally trained and cannot provide legal advice or intervene in private legal matters.

If you are involved in a property dispute, you should seek independent legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Pakistan.

If your case relates to property in Punjab, you may contact the Overseas Pakistani Cell at the Lahore High Court which deals with legal cases involving Pakistani nationals living overseas.

If you are concerned for your safety, you should contact the police. The British Government cannot provide private security. If you do wish to have private security, you should consider arranging this for yourself through a private security company.

LGBT+ travellers 

Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal. There are occasional arrests, and there are negative attitudes to same-sex relationships throughout Pakistan which can sometimes result in violence. See more details from the Human Dignity Trust about the current application of the law.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Relationships 

It is illegal for unmarried couples to live together in Pakistan. The law regarding unmarried people sharing a hotel room does not generally apply to visiting foreign nationals, particularly in popular tourist areas.