Pakistan starts eVisa from today. E-Visa will be issued to Turkey, Malaysia, United Kingdom, UAE and China.
Announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier in January 2019 initially, the first of the five countries mentioned above have been given the opportunity for e-visas so that they have ease in reaching as tourists, for business, bolster trade and foreign investment. In this new and changing Pakistan there would be no restrictions on visas for journalists and also there will be no restricted areas for visitors.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said “Tourists can now go anywhere in Pakistan, they don’t need no-objection certificates (NOCs) anymore,” he said.
So what is an Electronic visa or E-visa?
People usually do not understand the difference between an E-visa and on-arrival Visa. Here is what you need to know.
An E-Visa is an official document issued online by the Immigration of a country that allows a foreigner to enter and travel.
It is an alternative to a paper-based visa issued by the embassy. Instead of applying for visa at the embassy, Pakistan has now launched an E-Visa program which enables you to apply for a visa online.
E-Visa allows the management of the visa application process to take place entirely in a virtual environment. Everything is done with the help of the Internet: the visa application and supporting documents are submitted online, the payment is made online and the decision on the application is communicated online.
To obtain an eVisa, applicants must submit relevant personal information and pay the required fee by credit card (MasterCard or Visa). The eVisa will be issued after the submitted information has been assessed and found to meet relevant criteria.
When an eVisa application has been approved, the visa issuance system will send a notice to the applicant for a link to download and print the eVisa. You are required to present this eVisa at the immigration checkpoint for verification upon your arrival.
The Electronic Visa (e-Visa) has emerged as one of the most innovative services implemented in the area of freedom of movement and people-to-people contacts.
Turkey which is one of the most visited and toured country in the world had first adopted the eVisa services for its travellers to give them ease in reaching the country.
Why? Simply because it saves time that you would otherwise spend on visa application.
Whereas on-arrival visa is issued when you travel to a country and a visa is stamped on the airport.
Pakistan Government has for the very first time adopted this new unique way to attract travellers from five countries. This is a new Pakistan, with a new Government in place, where Prime Minister Imran Khan has a vision to see Pakistan move with the fast pace countries of the world. A world that has adopted ways which are being used in the 21st century to make things easy and quick for all those for whom time is of the essence.
