Questions about Travelling back to Pakistan

[Nostalgic]

I haven't made the trip back to the warm bosom of the motherland for over ten years. My wife insists that this year, we will, for a month or so. I had a few questions for those who have traveled there recently, and will probably have more. Here goes:

1. Is a valid NICOP/CNIC needed if we have valid Pakistani passports? I stupidly forgot to renew my wife's, which expired last month, and now I'm concerned that there isn't time enough to renew it before the travel, which is sometime in July. My eldest doesn't have one either. Both of them do however have valid Pakistani passports.

2. Do dual citizens need NICOP? The younger two children have US passports with valid Pakistani visas, but no NICOP.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Syed1]

Answers about travelling back to Pakistan

1. If you have Pakistani passport you do not need NIC or NICOP

2. If you have foreign passport and valid Pakistani entry visa you do not need NIC or NICOP.

However, since you will be there why not get the NICOPs made and next time you won't need a visa to enter. You can travel on any passport to Pakistan as long as you have NICOP.

 

[ExpressPacer]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] has pretty much answered your question perfectly. Have a safe journey and a fun visit! Let me remind you however, it is extremely hot in most parts of the country.

 

[Nostalgic]

1. If you have Pakistani passport you do not need NIC or NICOP

2. If you have foreign passport and valid Pakistani entry visa you do not need NIC or NICOP.

However, since you will be there why not get the NICOPs made and next time you won't need a visa to enter. You can travel on any passport to Pakistan as long as you have NICOP.

Thanks! What a relief. So since we have either valid Pakistani passports or valid US passports with valid Pakistani visas, we're good to go.

Yes, while we're there, we'll get the NICOPs made. The online process they have is apparently impossible to get right. I've heard so many people complain about how it just won't accept the uploaded photographs even when they are the right size, background color, format etc.

 

[Nostalgic]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] has pretty much answered your question perfectly. Have a safe journey and a fun visit! Let me remind you however, it is extremely hot in most parts of the country.

It is, but it can't be helped. Ramzan in June, schools reopening in August, so that leaves July. The intent is for my wife and kids to meet their maternal grandparents etc, so the plan is to spend the maximum amount of time indoors anyhow. I wonder what the electricity situation is in Islamabad.

 

[Tera Gawaandi]

it is extremely hot in most parts of the country.

Right now its very dry, low humidity. Late July-mid September is hell in subcontinent due to humidity.

 

[CricketCartoons]

It is, but it can't be helped. Ramzan in June, schools reopening in August, so that leaves July. The intent is for my wife and kids to meet their maternal grandparents etc, so the plan is to spend the maximum amount of time indoors anyhow. I wonder what the electricity situation is in Islamabad.

I would pay to see the look on your face when you step foot on Pakistani soil after all these years.

 

[Nostalgic]

I would pay to see the look on your face when you step foot on Pakistani soil after all these years.

I can just picture it: tears streaming down my face, me dropping down to my knees to kiss the turf... and then being trampled into said turf by my compatriots stampeding from behind me, because we quickly revert to the wild the moment we are no longer overseas.

 

[Pakistanian]

Right now its very dry, low humidity. Late July-mid September is hell in subcontinent due to humidity.

That's unusual cause I remember Lahore being like really muggy in April/May.

 

[ExpressPacer]

It is, but it can't be helped. Ramzan in June, schools reopening in August, so that leaves July. The intent is for my wife and kids to meet their maternal grandparents etc, so the plan is to spend the maximum amount of time indoors anyhow. I wonder what the electricity situation is in Islamabad.

The electricity situation in Islamabad is not too bad. Especially considering the elections are close and PMLN would want to win in Islamabad too, unlike last time. At the very least, you will have peaceful nights hopefully.

Considering you haven't visited in a decade, be sure to explore different areas around the city. Lots of new restaurants, malls and cafes.

 

[Nostalgic]

Another question:

Is an unlocked iPhone 6 going to work in Pakistan? We're planning on getting one for a relative. The ones I found online state that "Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers, as well as with GSM SIM cards. Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers"

What technology are the likes of Jazz, Ufone and others on? I've always had iPhones tied to ATT here. If the relative in Pakistan were to take the iPhone to their service provider, is it as simple as putting the SIM in and start using it, or is there some nuance I'm missing?

 

[Slog]

Another question:

Is an unlocked iPhone 6 going to work in Pakistan? We're planning on getting one for a relative. The ones I found online state that "Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers, as well as with GSM SIM cards. Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers"

What technology are the likes of Jazz, Ufone and others on? I've always had iPhones tied to ATT here. If the relative in Pakistan were to take the iPhone to their service provider, is it as simple as putting the SIM in and start using it, or is there some nuance I'm missing?

Seems like just putting in the relevant sim would work