Pakistan has severely limited international flights to and from the country. Naturally, its proximity to India further weakens Pakistan’s travel and tourism industry as it is now being red-listed by various governments around the world.
Who can enter Pakistan now?
Pakistan is tolerating inbound worldwide travelers from everywhere in the world. Be that as it may, the accompanying “C Category” nations are not permitted in:
- Bangladesh
- Ecuador
- Guatemala
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Libya
- Myanmar
- Morocco
- Mexico
- Nepal
- Namibia
- South Attica
- Thailand
- Tunisia
Entry into Pakistan for the countries listed above is restricted and travelers can only enter as per specific NCOC guidelines. According to the most recent guidelines, Pakistanis traveling from Category C countries do not require an exemption letter, but foreigners do.
Quarantine and testing requirements for arrivals in Pakistan:
All travelers 6 years and older visiting Pakistan must bring evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours before the start of the trip.
Travelers to Pakistan will also need to provide their contact information through the Pass Track app or through a web-based form. If necessary, you can also complete a health declaration form upon arrival.
All passengers arriving from the age of 6 will be screened by rapid antigen testing upon arrival at the airport.
Passengers with positive tests between the ages of 6 and 12 will be placed in home quarantine under the supervision of the corresponding Civil Administration.
Passengers with positive tests over the age of 12 will be quarantined in a designated facility according to the procedure already in vogue.
Where can Pakistanis travel now?
With numerous countries currently implementing travel bans in Pakistan, viable overseas destinations are now few and far between. However, there are still countries that Pakistani travelers can still enter. Make sure you are fully vaccinated because the government is scheduled to ban unvaccinated people from air travel starting in August.
Travel ban for unvaccinated citizens
The National Command and Operations Center has announced that as of August 1, people who have not been vaccinated will not be able to travel outside of Pakistan. The latest measures come after an increase in coronavirus cases was witnessed across the country, as well as the looming threat of an outbreak of the Delta variant.
Asia, Oceania and the South Pacific
Afghanistan. Passengers must have a negative PCR test report taken at least 96 hours in advance. Passengers must bring 2 printed copies of the COVID-19 test certificate (SMS, WhatsApp digital certificates are not accepted). Children under the age of 12 are exempt. If a passenger is unable to submit a PCR report, it will be examined by Afghan government officials upon arrival at Kabul airport.
China. Passengers on special flights from Pakistan must provide 2 nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 with a negative result. Passengers must bring 2 printed copies of the COVID-19 test certificate (SMS, WhatsApp / digital certificates are not accepted). The first test must be taken within 120 hours (5 days) and the second test must be taken within 36 hours (3 days) before shipment. Passengers on scheduled commercial flights to China, or transferring from flights through other countries, must provide a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 with negative results within 3 days.
Kyrgyzstan. There are special charter flights from Islamabad and Lahore to Bishkek. Pakistani citizens who have a valid visa (student/visit/work) can travel to Bishkek. All passengers must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours. Passengers must bring 2 printed copies of the COVID-19 test certificate (SMS, WhatsApp / digital certificates are not acceptable). Passengers ensure that the laboratory certificate must contain details, eg. Eg Destination, Type of evidence, Validity of the report, and bears the stamp or signature.
Uzbekistan. All Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. The test must have been carried out a maximum of 72 hours before the departure of the flight to Uzbekistan. The test result must be in English or Russian (NIH-approved test labs with BAR / QR codes are acceptable). The PCR exemption is for infants only (ie, under 2 years of age).
Please note that the testing requirements for the above destinations must be performed in acceptable barcode labs.
Europe:
Albania. Except for screening measures in the presence of medical personnel, there are no testing requirements.
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Passengers must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus PCR test result issued no later than 48 hours prior to arrival.
Kosovo. Travelers must have a negative RT-PCR test certificate for COVID-19 performed within the last 72 hours. Quarantine is mandatory only if you do not have the certificate.
Serbia. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued no later than 48 hours prior to arrival. Quarantine is mandatory only if you do not carry the result.
Montenegro. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued no later than 72 hours prior to departure from the first boarding point. This does not apply to passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate if they have received the second dose at least 7 days before arrival and those with a positive result of the serological IgG antibody test issued no more than 30 days before arrival .
Countries implementing a travel ban on Pakistani travelers:
Australia
On March 20, 2020, Australia closed its borders to international travel for visitors from most countries until mid-2022. Travelers from Pakistan are also banned from entry in light of this restriction. As of now, only citizens and residents of Australia and New Zealand can enter the island country.
Bahrain
The Department of Civil Aviation Affairs announced the suspension of entry for travelers from red list countries, namely; India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, on all flights as of Monday, May 24, 2021. Bahrain will ban travelers from entering and leaving these five countries.
The Nationality, Passport and Residency Matters (NPRA) also announced that entry has been limited to Bahrainis, travelers with Bahraini residence visas and GCC nationals.
Brunei
The Brunei government has announced the temporary suspension of entry of foreign nationals from Pakistan due to COVID-19 concerns. According to a press release from the Brunei Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the temporary suspension of travel to and from Pakistan, imposed on April 27, has been extended.
Canada
Canada has extended its ban on travel to Pakistan until August 21. However, Pakistanis who have been punctured twice can fly to Canada after August, as the country plans to open up to fully vaccinated travelers.
France
If you are arriving from Pakistan, you cannot enter France unless you have an exemption due to overriding reasons, regardless of your vaccination status.
Hong Kong
Passengers who have been or have transited Pakistan for more than 2 hours in the last 21 days cannot enter Hong Kong according to the latest guidelines.
Japan
The Japanese government has decided to further toughen entry restrictions by prohibiting foreign residents from traveling from Pakistan.
Until recently, foreign nationals with valid resident status and Japanese nationals who had traveled to these three countries were able to re-enter Japan because they spent the first six days of a two-week quarantine in a government-designated facility. However, amid Japan’s third state of emergency, officials have decided to temporarily deny re-entry to foreign residents traveling from Pakistan.
The entry ban is in effect as of May 14. It is not clear how long the restriction will be in effect. Japanese citizens will still be able to re-enter the country. The Japan Immigration Services Agency states that foreign residents with re-entry permits may return as long as they have left Japan on or before May 13.
Kuwait
Kuwait has imposed a travel ban on Pakistan until further notice. The decision did not include cargo flights. To enter Kuwait from Pakistan, people must have been in another country for at least 14 days before, a statement from the country’s cabinet said.
Malaysia
Malaysia has announced a ban on incoming flights from Pakistan. Malaysian citizens are exempt.
Malawi
Non-essential international travel from Pakistan to Malawi is prohibited until further notice. Essential travelers arriving from Pakistan will be required to be quarantined for 14 days at a designated location on their own.
Maldives
The Maldivian government has decided to temporarily suspend the issuance of tourist visas for travelers from Pakistan. The indefinite travel ban would also apply to travelers who spend more than 24 hours in transit in Pakistan or who have visited the country in the previous 14 days.
New Zealand
Travel from Pakistan to New Zealand has been temporarily restricted only to New Zealand citizens, partners and dependent children of New Zealand citizens and parents of dependent children who are New Zealand citizens as of April 28.
Norway
Out of concerns about the Indian variant, Norway has banned all flights to and from Pakistan from April 28 onwards.
Oman
The Sultanate of Oman has suspended international flights from Pakistan indefinitely, as well as passenger flights from 24 countries, including India and Bangladesh, with immediate effect.
Saudi Arabia
Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia’s international flight operations will resume from May 17, 2021, Pakistan and several other countries will still be banned from entering the kingdom. However, Saudi Arabia has recently announced that fully vaccinated Pakistanis who have received a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine recommended by Saudi health authorities can enter the Kingdom.
Singapore
In an attempt to protect its citizens from another COVID-19 outbreak, Singapore has banned travelers with a history of travel to Pakistan and Nepal. The ban is imposed on travelers who have been to Pakistan in the past 14 days.
Thailand
Thailand has closed its border to foreign travelers arriving from Pakistan, effective May 10 until further notice. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said Thai embassies in Pakistan had also stopped issuing entry certificates for non-Thai citizens. Thai citizens could still apply for the document, which is necessary to return to Thailand during the epidemic.
United Kingdom
Pakistan has been included in the red list of countries that have been banned from entering the UK. The inclusion of Pakistan on the red list means that all travelers to the country will not be allowed entry unless they are UK citizens or have residency rights. All arrivals from Pakistan must adhere to a 10-day hotel quarantine.
United States of America
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Health Advisory for Pakistan due to COVID-19, warning people to avoid non-essential travel to Pakistan. Therefore, the United States has restricted arrivals from Pakistan while advising its citizens not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
