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Pakistan completely overhauled its entry rules in late 2024, eliminating visa fees for citizens of 126 countries, including the USA and Canada. You no longer need to pay the old $60-90 fees or visit a consulate. Instead, you must submit a simple online application for “Visa Prior to Arrival” through the official NADRA portal at least 48 hours before your flight.

While officially termed “visa-free” in some announcements, it is functionally an electronic travel authorization that grants a 90-day stay. Processing is now much faster—often instant or within 24 hours—but do not skip the online filing, or you will be denied boarding in North America.

No, direct flights remain suspended as of late 2025 due to the ongoing regulatory ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by US and European aviation authorities. PIA cannot fly its own metal directly to New York or Toronto, despite ongoing audits and privatization efforts aimed at resolving this.

You must connect through a major hub. The most efficient routes from North America are via Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). These carriers offer superior comfort and reliability compared to the old direct options, though the travel time is longer (typically 18-24 hours).

For standard tourism in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and the popular northern areas (Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu), you generally do not need an NOC. Your tourist visa covers these “open cantonments.” However, you strictly need an NOC to visit Kashmir (AJK) near the Line of Control, parts of Balochistan, and former tribal districts in KPK.

If you plan to drive a rental car cross-country or cycle, police at checkpoints may still ask for an NOC simply because they are unfamiliar with independent foreign travelers. Stick to established tourist routes or hire a registered guide to navigate these bureaucratic hurdles smoothly.

Cash is king in Pakistan. While major hotels, upscale restaurants, and malls in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi accept Visa and Mastercard, 90% of your daily transactions—taxis, street food, bazaars, and entrance fees—will require cash. American Express is virtually useless here.

Inform your bank before travel and use ATMs at major branches like Standard Chartered, HBL, or Alfalah to withdraw Rupees. Avoid airport exchange counters which offer terrible rates; instead, bring clean, crisp $100 bills (post-2013 design) to exchange at authorized city money changers for the best value.

No, never drink tap water in Pakistan, not even in luxury hotels. The water supply often contains bacterial contaminants that will end your trip with severe gastrointestinal illness. Stick strictly to sealed bottled water (brands like Aquafina or Nestlé) and check the seal before opening.

Use bottled water for brushing your teeth as well. Avoid ice in drinks at street stalls or smaller restaurants, as it is usually made from tap water. When trekking in the north, use a high-quality purification filter or iodine tablets, as mountain streams may look clear but can carry livestock runoff.

Buying a SIM card is complicated due to security regulations requiring biometric registration. You cannot just grab one at a corner store; you must visit a main franchise center (customer service center) of Jazz, Telenor, or Zong with your original passport and visa.

The best place to do this is immediately upon arrival at Islamabad or Lahore airport, where kiosks are set up specifically for foreigners. Expect to pay $10-15 for a package with generous data (20GB+). Note that foreign phones must be registered with DIRBS if you stay longer than 60 days, or they will stop working on local networks.

Pakistan uses 230V electricity and a mix of Type C (European 2-pin) and Type D (Old British 3-pin round) sockets. US and Canadian travelers strictly need a voltage converter for devices that aren’t dual-voltage (like hair dryers), or you will fry them instantly.

Most modern chargers (phones, laptops) are dual voltage (110-240V) and just need a plug adapter. Power outages (“load shedding”) are common, so bring a high-capacity power bank (10,000mAh+) to keep your phone charged during blackouts, which can last 1-4 hours in smaller cities.

Tipping, or “baksheesh,” is not mandatory but highly expected and appreciated. Wages are low, so a small tip goes a long way. At restaurants, 5-10% of the bill is standard if service charge isn’t included.

For porters, bellboys, or guards who help with parking, 100-200 PKR (less than $1) is generous and appropriate. It is also common to round up taxi fares. Keep a stash of 50 and 100 Rupee notes specifically for these small gratuities throughout your day.