Trouble getting a visa to Pakistan from US

[RWAC]

I’ve been trying to get a tourist visa for Pakistan, but the embassy in DC is giving me the runaround.

First they told me to get the original notarized invitation letter from Pakistan, even though their website is not clear on it. I got my friend to send those, but now they are telling me I cannot apply for the visa in US as I’m a Canadian citizen.

They want me to actually fly back to Canada and apply from there! I tried to reason with them that this means I can’t come back to my work in the US for 4-6 weeks until I get my passport back.

I even said it was for a friend’s wedding in March to see if they would sympathize, but the guy at the embassy said I could tell my friend that I can’t make it to his wedding.

Anyone else face similar issues here, especially if they’re not a US citizen/green card holder? I have a feeling it’s probably due to my previous Indian citizenship.

Man I just wanted to go for a close friend’s wedding, and go see places where my grandparents grew up.

 

[MenInG]

Isnt their a 3rd party service which handles these? In London Gerrys' guys do it - no one goes to embassy for visas

 

[KingKhanWC]

I have a feeling it’s probably due to my previous Indian citizenship

You cant blame them for being cautious.

I heard you can now get a visa on arrival?

 

[Madplayer]

I’ve been trying to get a tourist visa for Pakistan, but the embassy in DC is giving me the runaround.

First they told me to get the original notarized invitation letter from Pakistan, even though their website is not clear on it. I got my friend to send those, but now they are telling me I cannot apply for the visa in US as I’m a Canadian citizen.

They want me to actually fly back to Canada and apply from there! I tried to reason with them that this means I can’t come back to my work in the US for 4-6 weeks until I get my passport back.

I even said it was for a friend’s wedding in March to see if they would sympathize, but the guy at the embassy said I could tell my friend that I can’t make it to his wedding.

Anyone else face similar issues here, especially if they’re not a US citizen/green card holder? I have a feeling it’s probably due to my previous Indian citizenship.

Man I just wanted to go for a close friend’s wedding, and go see places where my grandparents grew up.

You are another undercover spy like Kulbhushan arent you? These tricks dont work anymore

 

[Pakistanian]

Yeah it's cause you're Indian so that flags the system. Most people do apply for a visa from their home country so you should've applied from Canada.

 

[Napa]

You are another undercover spy like Kulbhushan arent you? These tricks dont work anymore

Of course he is. RAW frequently uses PP for information about how to work the Pakistani system.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

You could go back to Canada and apply for a second Canadian passport. Then submit passport 1 for the Pakistani visa and fly back to the US with passport number 2 whilst you wait on passport 1 being returned to you.

https://legalbeagle.com/6610155-obtain-duplicate-canadian-passport.html

https://www.quora.com/Can-Canadians...or-the-same-person-like-other-countries-allow

 

[Syed1]

Of course he is. RAW frequently uses PP for information about how to work the Pakistani system.

And the award for best sense of humor goes to Mr. Nappy )

 

[Syed1]

Your Indian citizenship might have something to do with the callous attitude... I thought the government recently announced that US, UK citizens of Indian background can easily get visas on arrival now. I think the policy might not have gone in place yet.

 

[slipcatch]

You could go back to Canada and apply for a second Canadian passport. Then submit passport 1 for the Pakistani visa and fly back to the US with passport number 2 whilst you wait on passport 1 being returned to you.

https://legalbeagle.com/6610155-obtain-duplicate-canadian-passport.html

https://www.quora.com/Can-Canadians...or-the-same-person-like-other-countries-allow

Hold up.

Doesn’t passport 1 get cancelled out when you apply for passport 2?

 

[slipcatch]

Your Indian citizenship might have something to do with the callous attitude... I thought the government recently announced that US, UK citizens of Indian background can easily get visas on arrival now. I think the policy might not have gone in place yet.

I don’t think US and Canadian citizens can get visa on arrival.

 

[slipcatch]

“Foreign nationals can only apply for Pakistan visa from their country of origin OR from the place of legal permanent residence. Request for visas of a THIRD COUNTRY origin will be decided only by the Ambassador/High Commissioner/Head of Mission/Consulate.“

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Hold up.

Doesn’t passport 1 get cancelled out when you apply for passport 2?

Nope many countries let you have more than one passport. You just have to give a valid reason. For example you travel a lot and your passport is often held up for weeks waiting for a visa. Or you travel to both Israel and say Iran on business. The Iranians won’t let you in if they see an Israeli stamp.

 

[slipcatch]

Nope many countries let you have more than one passport. You just have to give a valid reason. For example you travel a lot and your passport is often held up for weeks waiting for a visa. Or you travel to both Israel and say Iran on business. The Iranians won’t let you in if they see an Israeli stamp.

Didn’t know.

Thanks

 

[JaDed]

Nope many countries let you have more than one passport. You just have to give a valid reason. For example you travel a lot and your passport is often held up for weeks waiting for a visa. Or you travel to both Israel and say Iran on business. The Iranians won’t let you in if they see an Israeli stamp.

No offense but that's a terrible policy!

 

[Napa]

Or you travel to both Israel and say Iran on business. The Iranians won’t let you in if they see an Israeli stamp.

I believe countries (for example Cuba for US tourists) deal with such issues by adding a paper slip to the passport rather than stamping it.

 

[Napa]

And the award for best sense of humor goes to Mr. Nappy )

Andar wail baat hai
PP hamare saat hai

 

[sjahmed23]

Atleast you're in Canada. One of my relatives who works in the bay area was told to go to Pakistan to apply for Indian visa!

 

[RWAC]

Well, well...how things change over 2 weeks.

I flew back to Canada last week, got the runaround from the embassy there too. Then I decided desis need to be dealt in the desi way.

Found some jugaad and went with a Pakistani friend who knew someone who worked in the embassy. The guy at the embassy still tried to ask for 10000 documents, but then him and my friend would talk in Pashto and he’d move on.

Finally, accepted my application and let me keep my passport so I could fly back to the US.

But the elephant in the room now - even if is approved, is it probably a good idea to go now? My family (and extended family and friends calling from India) have been actively discouraging me since Pulwama, and I kept brushing them off by dismissing statements from India/Pak as mere statements. But I don’t have any rebuttals since the past two days.

Personally, this is the first time even I’m doubting if it’s a good idea to go now. I’m not afraid of the local population because my friends are feudal landlords in the area so they pretty much run the villages. I’m more worried about the state/police/agencies. Also the possibility of being stuck if a war breaks out and commercial flights are suspended. What do you folks think?

 

[Syed1]

The local population will treat you with utter respect (heck we even served chai to the downed pilot )


But my opinion would be to hold off on your trip for a bit until things cool down.

 

[Varun]

Personally, this is the first time even I’m doubting if it’s a good idea to go now. I’m not afraid of the local population because my friends are feudal landlords in the area so they pretty much run the villages. I’m more worried about the state/police/agencies. Also the possibility of being stuck if a war breaks out and commercial flights are suspended. What do you folks think?

Well, when are you scheduled to fly out? There are no flights flying in Pakistan as we type.

 

[RWAC]

Well, when are you scheduled to fly out? There are no flights flying in Pakistan as we type.

Didn’t book my flight. Was planning to book for the next day or so if the visa got approved.

 

[Slog]

You will be treated like a star in Pakistan and everyone will be hospitable. Don’t worry