Pakistan Family Visit Visa from the UK: Documents & How to Apply

If you hold a British passport and want to visit family in Pakistan, you'll need a visa. This is different from a tourist visa — it's specifically for visiting relatives, and the application is processed through the relevant Pakistani authorities, such as the High Commission or consulate.

Quick answers

• Do British citizens need a visa to visit family in Pakistan? Yes - unless you hold a Pakistani passport or NICOP, which let you enter Pakistan without a visa.
• Single or multiple entry? A single entry visa is valid for 6 months for one stay of up to 30 days. A multiple entry visa is valid for 1 year for repeat visits.
• What documents do I need? A British passport with at least 6 months left, a recent passport-style photo on a white background, and proof of Pakistani origin - a POC, NICOP, Pakistani birth certificate or a marriage certificate. A British passport showing a Pakistani birthplace is not enough on its own.
• How long does it take? Usually 5 to 15 working days after submission to NADRA. Apply 3 to 4 weeks before you travel, and earlier for summer, Eid and December.

This guide covers everything you need to know: who can apply, what documents you need, how much it costs, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that delay applications.

Who Needs a Pakistan Family Visit Visa?

Any British national (or UK resident holding a non-Pakistani passport) who wants to visit family members in Pakistan needs a visa. If you hold a Pakistani passport or NICOP, you don't need a visa — you can enter Pakistan on your Pakistani travel documents.

The visa is specifically for family visits. This means visiting parents, siblings, in-laws, grandparents, and other close relatives. It's not for tourism or business — those have separate visa categories.

British citizens of Pakistani heritage are the most common applicants. However, any British passport holder with a provable connection to Pakistan (for example, through marriage to a Pakistani national) can also apply.

Types of Pakistan Family Visit Visa

There are two main options available to UK applicants.

Single Entry Visa — valid for 6 months from the date of issue. You can enter Pakistan once and stay for up to 30 days. This is the most common choice for a one-off family visit, and is the cheaper of the two options.

Multiple Entry Visa — valid for 1 year from the date of issue. You can enter and exit Pakistan multiple times during that year. The stay duration per visit varies depending on what is granted. This is a good option if you visit regularly, have family events spread across the year, or simply want flexibility to travel back and forth.

Both visa types are processed through the same application system. The main differences are the validity period, the number of entries permitted, and the price.

Documents Required

Getting the documents right is the most important part of the process. Incomplete or incorrect documents are the number one reason applications get delayed or rejected. You will need three essential documents.

1. Valid British Passport — Your passport must have at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of your visa application, with at least two blank pages available. You need to provide a clear photograph of the information page — that's the page with your photo, name, date of birth, and passport number. Place the passport flat on a table in good lighting and photograph it from directly above, making sure all text is readable with no glare from flash.

2. Passport-sized Photograph — this must be a recent photo (taken within the last 6 months) with a plain white background. You should be facing the camera directly, wearing formal attire. No hats, headbands, or tinted glasses are permitted, though prescription glasses are usually acceptable. Hijab is fine but must not cover any part of the face. The photo should be in colour, well-lit, and high resolution.

3. Proof of Pakistani Origin — this is the document that causes the most confusion. You need to prove a connection to Pakistan. Accepted documents include a Pakistan Origin Card (POC), a NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis), a Pakistani birth certificate, or a marriage certificate showing a connection to a Pakistani national. In some cases, a parent's Pakistani passport or NICOP may be accepted if you cannot provide your own origin documents.

A common misconception is that a British passport showing a Pakistani birthplace is sufficient proof of origin. It is not — you need a separate, dedicated origin document.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of a Pakistan family visit visa depends on the type you choose (single or multiple entry) and how many people are travelling. Prices can change, so the easiest way is to WhatsApp us with who is travelling and we will give you today's price for the whole family.

When we apply for you, we fill in the forms, check every document before it goes in and keep track of the application until the visa comes through - so you are not left dealing with the portal or any problems on your own.

Processing Times

Most single entry applications are processed within 5 to 15 working days after submission to NADRA. Multiple entry visas can take slightly longer. These timeframes assume your application and documents are complete and correct — any errors or missing documents will add days or weeks to the process.

During peak travel seasons — particularly summer holidays (July and August), Eid periods, and December — processing times can increase significantly due to higher application volumes. We strongly recommend applying at least 3 to 4 weeks before your planned travel date.

If you have an urgent travel need, some processing services offer expedited options, though these are subject to NADRA's capacity and cannot be guaranteed.

Common Mistakes That Delay Applications

After handling hundreds of Pakistan visa applications, these are the issues that come up most frequently.

Blurry passport photographs — the photo of your passport information page needs to be crystal clear with all text readable. Photos taken in poor lighting, at an angle, or with flash glare on the laminate are the single most common reason applications are sent back for resubmission.

Incorrect personal photo format — selfies, photos cropped from group shots, photos with coloured or patterned backgrounds, and photos where the applicant is wearing casual clothing are all rejected. The photo must meet passport-standard requirements.

Missing proof of Pakistani origin — if you cannot provide an accepted origin document, your application will likely be refused. Many applicants don't realise they need this until they start the application, which causes delays while they obtain the document.

Expired or soon-to-expire passport — Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your visa application date. If it expires sooner, you need to renew it before applying for the visa.

Incorrect names or dates — all information on the visa application must exactly match your passport. Even small discrepancies (like a middle name included on one but not the other) can cause problems.

Applying Through a Processing Service vs Direct

You can apply directly through the NADRA online portal, which involves creating an account, filling in the application form, uploading your documents, and paying the government fee. This is the cheapest option but requires you to navigate the system yourself and handle any issues or queries from NADRA directly.

Alternatively, a visa processing service handles the entire process on your behalf. This typically includes filling in the application form using the information you provide, checking all documents for errors before submission, submitting to NADRA, tracking the application status, and notifying you when the visa is granted. The processing service fee includes the government fee, so there's one all-inclusive price.

For most applicants, especially those applying for the first time or those who want to avoid the risk of errors, a processing service is the more practical option. The additional cost is relatively small compared to the peace of mind and time saved.

Children and Family Applications

Every traveller, including children of all ages, needs their own visa and passport. Children cannot travel on a parent's visa. For children under 16, a parental consent form may be required, particularly if the child is travelling with only one parent or with someone other than their parents.

If you're applying for multiple family members, each person needs a separate application with their own set of documents. We can apply for the whole family together, so everyone's application goes in at the same time.

Children born in the UK to Pakistani parents may not need a visa at all - they can often travel on a NICOP or a Pakistani passport instead. Our guide for British-born children travelling to Pakistan explains the options. For business, student or transit visas, see our Pakistan visa from the UK guide.

Extending Your Visa in Pakistan

If you need to stay longer than your visa permits, extensions are possible but must be applied for through local authorities in Pakistan before your current visa expires. Extensions are not guaranteed and depend on the reason for the extension and local authority discretion.

After Your Visa Is Granted

Once your visa is granted, you'll receive a Visa Grant Notice — a PDF document that you should print and carry with you when travelling. Airlines may ask to see this at check-in, and Pakistani immigration will check it on arrival.

Your visa is valid from the start date shown on the grant notice. You can enter Pakistan on any date between the start and end dates. Make sure your flight is booked within this validity window.