Can Pakistani Travel to India in 2025?
The question “Can Pakistani travel to India?” carries more weight than a regular travel query. It’s not just about hopping across borders—it’s about history, politics, emotion, and connection. Families divided by a partition. Pilgrims seeking sacred sites. Businesspeople eyeing opportunities. Tourists longing for heritage, spice, and soul. For someone like me, with roots stretching across the border, the idea of visiting India from Pakistan has always felt deeply personal.
Yet, the journey isn’t always straightforward. With strained diplomatic relations and evolving visa policies, the answer requires more than a yes or no. In this guide, we’ll unpack the realities of traveling from Pakistan to India in 2025, how the process works, and what you need to be aware of before planning your visit.
Table of Contents
Is It Possible for Pakistanis to Travel to India?
The Short Answer:
Yes, Pakistani citizens can travel to India.
But it comes with restrictions, conditions, and a detailed approval process.
The Long Answer:
The Government of India does issue visas to Pakistani citizens, but under tighter controls than it does for most other countries. That’s primarily due to national security concerns and bilateral political tensions. The types of visas available are limited, and the processing time is generally longer than average.
Types of Indian Visas for Pakistani Citizens
If you’re a Pakistani national, you must apply for a visa through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad or the Indian Consulate in Karachi. Here are the main visa categories available:
1. Visit Visa
For family reunions or general tourism.
Requires a letter of invitation from someone in India.
Limited to specific cities declared in the visa.
2. Medical Visa
For treatment in approved hospitals in India.
Requires documentation from both Indian hospitals and Pakistani doctors.
3. Pilgrimage Visa (Religious Visa)
For visiting religious sites like:
Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan)
Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi)
Dargah of Hazrat Amir Khusro
Other Sikh gurdwaras, especially via the Kartarpur Corridor
4. Business Visa
Granted rarely and under strict scrutiny.
Requires invitation letters from registered Indian businesses and detailed documentation.
Note: Tourist visas, student visas, or employment visas are extremely rare and granted under special circumstances.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step Visa Process
Step 1: Get a Sponsor in India
Whether you’re visiting family, seeking medical help, or going for religious reasons, you need a sponsor in India—either an individual or institution.
Step 2: Apply at Indian High Commission
You’ll need to:
Fill out the visa application form online.
Submit biometric data at the High Commission.
Submit the required documents:
Valid passport
Invitation letter or hospital documents
Identity photos
CNIC/NADRA information
Step 3:Security Clearance
Unlike most visa processes, applications from Pakistani nationals are sent for background checks to both the Ministry of Home Affairs in India and sometimes to Pakistani agencies as well. This is why the process can take 4 to 8 weeks or more.
Step 4: Visa Approval with Conditions
If approved, the visa will:
Mention the specific cities you’re allowed to visit
State your entry/exit point
Limit the duration of your stay
Require you to report to the local police (FRRO) upon arrival in India
The Kartarpur Corridor – A Unique Exception
In 2019, India and Pakistan opened the Kartarpur Corridor, allowing Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan without a visa.
But does it work both ways?
For Pakistanis Going to India via Kartarpur:
Unfortunately, Pakistani citizens still require a visa to visit Indian Gurdwaras or temples. The Kartarpur model is currently unilateral, with visa-free access only for Indian pilgrims.
However, Pakistanis can apply for pilgrimage visas to visit Indian religious sites through standard channels.
Who Is More Likely to Get Approved?
Favorable Profiles:
Elderly individuals visiting family
Pilgrims traveling in group tours
Medical patients with Indian hospital references
Pakistani nationals with dual citizenship (particularly of Western countries)
Difficult Cases:
Young men traveling alone
First-time applicants with no strong reason
Applicants with unclear travel intentions
Travel Routes – How Do Pakistanis Enter India?
Most visas specify the port of entry and exit, which must be followed strictly. Options include:
By Air:
Lahore to Delhi via Wagah and Amritsar (by land + domestic flight)
Karachi to Mumbai/Delhi via third countries (if dual nationals)
By Land:
Wagah Border (near Lahore) to Attari/Amritsar is the primary route for overland travelers.
Travelers crossing the Wagah border often continue to Delhi via train or bus. Keep in mind that you need pre-approval for the entry/exit port and cannot change it after visa issuance.
Can You Visit Multiple Cities?
Not really.
Your Indian visa will mention specific cities or states you’re allowed to enter. You must stick to these cities and cannot visit others, even if you’re near them. Violation can lead to deportation or blacklisting.
If you want to travel to multiple destinations, you must:
Justify each location in your visa application
Get pre-approval for every city
Reporting Requirements for Pakistani Visitors
Upon arrival in India, Pakistani travelers are required to:
Report to the nearest Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO) within 24 hours.
Register details of your stay, sponsor, and purpose.
Report to local police stations in some areas.
This is a mandatory process and failure to comply can result in fines or detention.
How Long Can Pakistanis Stay in India?
Usually granted for 15 to 45 days, depending on the purpose of the visit.
Extensions are rare and must be approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Overstaying can lead to serious legal consequences, including blacklisting.
Challenges and Limitations
Political Tensions
Each diplomatic fallout (e.g., cross-border incidents, terror attacks, cricket tensions) affects visa policies. Sometimes, the visa process is paused altogether for months.
Lack of Consular Access
India and Pakistan do not have active consulates in each other’s countries except in Islamabad and New Delhi. This makes emergency support difficult.
Media Scrutiny
Visiting Pakistanis in India (and vice versa) often attract attention—especially if they’re journalists, celebrities, or part of politically sensitive events.
The Human Side – Why People Still Try
Despite all odds, hundreds of people apply each year. Why?
To visit grandparents across the border.
To see ancestral homes or sacred places.
To pursue life-saving treatments unavailable locally.
To foster peace through cultural exchange.
And despite challenges, many succeed.
Can Pakistani Travel to India in 2025?
Yes—but cautiously, purposefully, and with patience.
It’s not a typical travel experience. It’s layered with paperwork, emotions, and politics. But for those who go, the journey is unforgettable.
If you’re planning a trip:
Start early
Have a strong reason
Follow every rule
Stay informed of political developments
The bureaucracy might be thick, but it hasn’t stopped determined travelers from crossing borders—geographical and emotional—between Pakistan and India.
The Takeaway
Traveling in Pakistan is both exciting and accessible because to its varied transportation system. Every type of traveler has an alternative, from the convenience of ride-hailing services to the affordability of buses and trains.
Metro busses, Careem, and Uber are the most convenient means of transportation for brief city excursions. Pakistan’s picturesque train routes and opulent bus services offer comfortable and reasonably priced long-distance travel. The quickest option to travel long distances is still by domestic flight, particularly when traveling to far-flung northern locations.
Are you prepared to travel to Pakistan? Plan your vacation now to take advantage of the amazing nation’s transportation infrastructure!
Explore carefully planned tours to see the best of this fascinating nation. Please get in touch if you would need more travel advice; we are happy to assist you in organizing your upcoming journey! Additionally, by completing this form, you can personalize your journey.
FAQs – Questions About Pakistanis Traveling to India
Can Pakistanis apply for a tourist visa to India?
No, regular tourist visas are not issued. You must have a purpose like family visit, pilgrimage, or medical treatment.How long does the visa process take?
It usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer due to security checks.Can Pakistanis visit multiple cities in India?
Only the cities specifically approved in your visa application.Is it safe for Pakistanis to travel to India?
Generally yes, but it depends on the political climate. Avoid politically sensitive areas.Can I travel to India without a visa from Pakistan?
No. All Pakistani citizens require a visa. There is no visa-free entry.Can dual nationals travel to India from Pakistan?
Yes, but if you hold a Pakistani passport, Indian visa rules for Pakistanis still apply.Is the Kartarpur Corridor usable by Pakistanis to enter India?
No. It only allows Indian pilgrims to visit Pakistan visa-free.Can Pakistanis get a student visa to study in India?
Extremely rare. Only granted in special diplomatic cases.Are Pakistani journalists allowed to visit India?
Only with prior clearance and restricted movement.Can I extend my Indian visa while in India?
It’s very difficult. You must apply through the Ministry of Home Affairs.What happens if I overstay my visa?
Heavy fines, possible detention, and blacklisting for future visits.
Daniel loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations and making new friends. Writing blog posts since 2015, Daniel says it helps him to document his travels and cherish them. He loves the fact that what he writes might actually help someone have a better experience in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In his spare time, he loves listening to Tchaikovsky and spend time with his dog Coconut.
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