Most visitors from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe apply for a Pakistan tourist visa online, then let their tour operator handle the trekking permits on the ground. The visa gets you into the country; the permits get you into specific valleys and onto specific trails. They are two separate processes, and this guide explains both in order.
We run every trip from Skardu and hold a Department of Tourist Services licence (DTS No. 008), so the permit side is routine work for us. The visa side is yours to start, and we will support it with documents. For the broader overview of paperwork, see our companion guide on permits and paperwork; this article focuses on visas by nationality and the permit types trekkers actually meet.
Do I need a visa to visit Pakistan?
Yes. Almost every foreign visitor needs a visa before travelling, and for most Western passports the practical route is the official online e-visa system. Eligibility lists and rules have changed several times in recent years, so always check the official portal for your passport before booking anything non-refundable.
Pakistan has widened its online visa options for tourists, and for many nationalities the process is now done from home with a passport scan, a photograph and basic trip details. Some travellers are still asked for supporting documents such as an invitation or itinerary from a licensed operator, and that is where we come in.
| Traveller | Typical route / Notes |
|---|---|
| US | Online e-visa; confirm current eligibility and category on the official portal |
| UK | Online e-visa; confirm current eligibility and category on the official portal |
| Canada | Online e-visa; confirm current eligibility and category on the official portal |
| Australia | Online e-visa; confirm current eligibility and category on the official portal |
| Most EU | Online e-visa; confirm current eligibility and category on the official portal |
| Other passports | Rules vary; ask us before applying and we will point you to the right route |
We have deliberately kept the table general. Fees, validity, processing times and the list of eligible countries are set by the Pakistani authorities and change, so any figure we printed here could be out of date by the time you read it. The portal is always the final word.
How does the Pakistan e-visa work?
You create an account on the official government e-visa portal, choose the tourist category, upload your passport page and photo, enter your itinerary and pay the fee online. Approval arrives by email, and you print it and carry it with your passport. Timing is typically days to a few weeks, so apply early.
- Check that your passport has comfortable validity beyond your return date and blank pages for stamps.
- Use a clear scan of the passport photo page and a recent photograph that meets the portal's size and background rules.
- State your itinerary honestly: arrival city, the regions you will visit, and where you will stay.
- Keep your hotel or tour confirmation to hand. Some applications ask for it, and immigration may too.
- Apply well ahead of departure and avoid booking flights you cannot change until the visa is approved.
If the portal asks for an invitation or letter of invitation (LOI) from a licensed tour operator, we provide one to guests who have booked with us. Requirements on this point have shifted over time, so ask us early rather than assuming. If you are unsure which category fits a trekking trip, message us and we will tell you what other guests from your country have selected.
What permits do trekkers need?
Beyond the visa, trekkers need permission to enter the areas they will walk through. For open areas, that is usually minimal and handled by your operator. Restricted zones and higher peaks need specific permits that must be applied for in advance and cannot be arranged by an individual on the day.
The simplest way to think about it is in three tiers: open areas, restricted zones, and expedition peaks. Each has its own paperwork, its own lead time, and its own responsible party. The table below summarises who arranges what on a typical Sky Adventures trip.
| Area type | What is needed / Who arranges |
|---|---|
| Open areas (Hunza, Skardu valley, Fairy Meadows) | Visa and ID only; we handle registration and any local fees |
| Restricted zones and border areas | Special permission applied for in advance; we arrange it from your passport details |
| National park trekking (for example Concordia and K2 approach) | Park entry and trekking fees, paid and documented by us |
| Expedition peaks | Climbing permit and royalty through the proper authorities; we arrange, you provide documents |
For a first-timer, the open-area tier covers most of what makes Pakistan memorable: the Karakoram Highway, Hunza's villages, Skardu's lakes and Deosai. Our Hunza and Skardu itinerary is built entirely around areas where paperwork is light.
Prices are per person for a group of seven to ten and fall as the group size grows.
Permits for restricted areas and peaks
Restricted areas, which include many border-adjacent valleys and high glacier routes, need advance permission, and expedition peaks need a climbing permit with an associated royalty. Neither can be bought in person on arrival. Your operator submits them with your passport details weeks ahead, which is why booking early matters.
The K2 Base Camp trek and the Concordia region sit inside the Karakoram's protected high-mountain landscape, so beyond the usual paperwork there are park and trekking fees that go toward management of the area. They are collected through your operator and covered in your trip documents. We tell you what is included in the trip price and what is not before you book, never after.
For expeditions, the permit is a separate and heavier process than for a trek. Royalties depend on the peak and the season and are set by the authorities, so we will not quote a figure here; ask us and we will confirm the current amount in writing. Our trekking guests on K2 Base Camp, from $2,300 per person, are covered by the trek permits rather than the expedition process.
- Provide a clear passport scan well before departure, ideally as soon as you book.
- Tell us if your passport is changing or about to expire; permits are tied to passport details.
- Keep copies of your visa, permits and our contact details in your daypack, not only in the checked bag.
- Expect checkposts on the Karakoram Highway and at trailheads; carry your passport and be patient.
How we handle the paperwork
Once you book, we ask for your passport details and trip dates, prepare and submit the permit applications from our Skardu office, and send you copies. You do the visa; we do everything else. At checkposts your guide carries the documents and speaks to officials, so you can just walk.
Here is the sequence we follow with every guest:
- You apply for your e-visa on the official portal, using our invitation or itinerary if needed.
- You send us your passport details and arrival date.
- We apply for the permits your route requires and confirm when they are in hand.
- Your guide meets you on arrival with copies, and carries originals when the trail needs them.
- We tell you about any change in rules before they affect you, as we are on the ground and hear first.
Honesty about timing is part of this. Permit offices have their own pace, and a late application can cost you days, so the best thing you can do is book early and send documents promptly. We would rather tell you a departure date needs to move than discover it at a checkpoint.
Common questions
Can I trek independently without an operator? For restricted areas and higher routes, the permits and logistics are designed around licensed operators, so in practice you need one. For the K2 region it is also a matter of safety: rescue, porters and communication are all organised through the operator. Our guide on planning a first trek explains what to expect.
What if my plans change after I apply? Tell us immediately. Some permits can be amended if the change is small; others have to be reissued. Visa conditions are separate again, so check the portal. Our guide to permits and paperwork covers the general principles in more depth.
Do I need travel insurance? You should have it, and for any trek reaching high altitude it should cover evacuation. It is not a visa requirement in the same way as a permit, but we strongly advise it and will go through your policy with you before you travel.
Plan this with us
If you are weighing up a first trip, the Hunza and Skardu Highlights tour is the gentlest introduction and has the lightest paperwork. If you are heading for K2, send us your nationality and dates and we will outline the visa steps and permit lead time in plain terms. We answer from Skardu, usually within a day.
