This is one of the most common questions we get asked.
I'll start by describing the process for NRIs (Non Resident Indians), since it is less complicated. If you have a passport of a country other than India, you can easily get a visit visa to Pakistan. Pakistan started its online visa application system in 2019. As long as you have your valid passport & supporting documents, you should be able to get the visa in your email inbox within ten days of applying. You do not need to visit the Pakistani High Commission or Consulate in person.
Here are the steps you should take: 1. Apply for a letter of invitation from the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC). If you try to bypass this and apply like other non Sikh travellers from your country, you might waste your time and visa application fees. You should have the following information ready before applying: Your passport (check its expiry date), Pakistan itinerary (a table with dates, cities and hotel of night stay as columns), father's name, occupation & residential address. You have two options to apply for the invitation from the PSGPC: A. Email the PSGPC directly at etpbshrines@yahoo.com B. Through a licensed Pakistani tour operator. I recommend this option because it's the simplest and will save you time. If you have no idea what your itinerary should be, working with a tour operator is your simplest option. 2. The PSGPC invitation letter should take up to ten days to reach your email inbox. Once you have it, you are ready to apply for your Pakistan e-visa. The entire process is online and you are not required to visit the Pakistan High Commission or Consulate in person. The visa application process is simple. You will need to enter your three years' travel history so make sure you have your previous passports at hand. The application also requires you to enter the details of a Pakistan citizen who will be your sponsor in Pakistan. This can be your tour operator. Turbaned gentlemen should be prepared for multiple photo takes. We frequently get feedback that the websites photo AI does not do a great job with turbans. You can apply for the visa online at visa.nadra.gov.pk and its fees is $60. 3. Keep checking your email inbox and spam folder for the next few days as it is not unusual to get additional document requests for e.g a photo of your drivers license etc. You should get the visa within ten days. Print it and bring it with you! The entire process should take no longer than twenty days, but can take longer if you're applying close to Gurpurab or Vaisakhi. Can Indian national Sikhs with PR (Permanent Residency) of a third country visit Pakistan? The short answer is: Yes! Using the exact same steps as for NRIs. However, there is a key difference. Your visa will probably be restricted to Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib and Lahore and will require police reporting. What's police reporting? Each time you visit a new city you will be required to appear at a designated police station. It's not exactly a fun process, which is why I recommend visiting after you get your third country passport. These are once in a lifetime visits. Can Indian national Sikhs without third country PR visit Pakistan?
Both countries India and Pakistan have an unfriendly visa regime towards each other. If you are Indian Sikh with no foreign ties your best option is to visit Pakistan at Gurpurab or Vaisakhi with the Jathas arranged by the Government of India. Theoretically, you can get an independent tourist visa sponsored by a Pakistani national but the paper requirements and process is so longer and cumbersome that few local companies and individuals will take the risk of sponsoring you. I hope all of this changes, but for now, that's just the sad reality of how things are.
If you have any further questions feel free to drop me an email at info@indusheritageclub.com. Jahandad