Pakistan: Travel and Immigration Restriction Updates

• Visa suspension. Visa exemptions granted to Indian nationals under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) are revoked, except for Sikh pilgrims. The granting of this status is temporarily suspended until further notice.
  • Impact. Indian nationals under the SVES scheme in Pakistan must leave Pakistan by April 26, 2025.
• Land border closure. Pakistan closed the Wagah Border Post. All cross-border land transit through this route is suspended until further notice.
• Update May 8, 2025 - Flight restrictions:
  • Apart from Karachi airport, all airports in Pakistan are temporarily closed for all domestic and international flights.
  • All flights to, from or through Indian airspace are suspended until further notice.
  • Most Middle Eastern airlines have not reinstated their flights operating to and from Pakistan and may not reinstate them until at least May 10.
  • Given the fluidity of the situation, affected individuals should contact their airline prior to travel to confirm the situation, and at least four hours prior to departure and can check the Pakistan Airport Authority website for flight statuses.
• Update – May 9, 2025: Courier service delays affecting immigration document delivery: Due to flight cancellations and airport closures, delays in the delivery of immigration-related documents via courier services are being reported. Clients relying on document submissions or collections should factor in possible delays.
• Update – May 9, 2025: Consular impacts. Foreign consular posts in Pakistan are operating normally, but there may be additional security documents required to enter some posts; individuals should check with the individual post.
• Update – May 12, 2025: Following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, normal flight operations have recommenced in Pakistan with the exception of all flights to, from or through Indian airspace - which remain suspended.

These decisions follow increased security concerns following an attack in Pahalgam.

These measures are in addition to those taken by the Indian government in response to the same situation.

The situation is fluid. The Pakistani government could implement other restrictive measures.

Travelers to the affected areas should consult with their airlines, travel agencies, and local government for the most current information and recommendations.

We will report additional information in this alert as it becomes available.