polio Vaccination requirement for travel to India

The High Commission of India follows a streamlined process while considering visa requests from Pakistani passport holders. In order to assist you to obtain your visa in a timely manner, please be advised that the following steps are taken before a visa application is processed:

Please visit the relevant webpage before applying for a visa:

Important points to note for all Visa applicants

• Visa processing for Pakistan/ Pakistan origin nationals can take any time between 15 to 90 days depending on the requirement of prior clearance and time taken in receiving prior clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs of India. If any applicant wishes to withdraw their Passports in the meantime, their application will be rejected and passport returned. The applicant will have to apply afresh for visa. 
• For returning of Passports, applicants may contact TCS/ Gerry's submission centre and give them the request at least 4 working days in advance. We will only entertain consolidated list of all such requests received from TCS/ Gerry's and will need at least two working days to trace and process those application and hand over passports. Only those Passports of Pakistan nationals will be returned where the visa application has been submitted at least 30 days before. There applicants may like to keep this in mind before applying for Indian visa. 
• All columns must be correctly and carefully filled in the Visa Application form. Incomplete forms/ Forms with incorrect details/ typos will be rejected summarily. After completing and submitting successfully the online visa application form, the printout of the form along with prescribed supporting documents and fees are to be submitted at any of the TCS Visatronics / Gerry's International- Visa Drop Box. More details may be seen under the heading ‘ Technical Aspects for Visa processing’.
• All necessary documents must be attached with the visa application. Original must be shown, if called for an interview .
• Acceptance of visa application does not necessarily mean grant of visa. The High Commission of India reserves the right to delay/refuse visa without assigning any reasons. Visas are issued subject to various checks and clearances. Visa fee once deposited will not be refunded. 
• Suppression of facts or furnishing misleading/false information will result in denial of visa without assigning any reasons. 
• Granting of visa does not confer the right of entry which is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities. 
• Canvassing for visa, suppression of material facts or submission of forged / false documents is a disqualification. Overstay of visa or violation of visa rules is a disqualification for grant of future visa. 
• No objection letter from either of the parents is required if a minor is traveling with one parent. In cases where one spouse is Indian national and the family is applying for visa of their minor children, NOC should be attached by the foreign national spouse if they are comfortable with their children travelling with the Indian national spouse. 
• Please be advised that the visa process for Pakistani/ Pakistan origin nationals is a 100 percent prior reference process and the clearance from India is mandatory. The clearance can take upto 90 days for Pakistan/ Pakistan origin nationals, after which the Visa will be processed. 
• Pakistan origin means an applicant from a foreign country who is married to Pakistan national or whose parents or grandparents have held a Pakistani passport in the past. 
• Pakistanis holding dual nationality must apply only on their Pakistani passports. Those who have either renounced Pakistani nationality or cancelled their Pakistani passport would need to submit documentary proof in this regard.Foreign passport holders of Pakistani origin may kindly submit the online visa application form along with the foreign passport and a valid Pakistani visa or copy of a Pakistan Overseas Card (NICOP) or a Citizenship Renunciation Letter issued by Ministry of Interior of Pakistan.
• Ban on use of Thuraya/Irridium and Other Satellite Phones in India.
  Satellite telephone services are not permitted in India and therefore handsets of Thuraya, Irridium and other such satellite operators are not allowed in India. In case those visiting India are found to be in possession of any of these sets, these would be seized and the holder could be prosecuted under Section 6 of Indian Wireless Act and Section 20 of Indian Telegraph Act.
• Visa applications of non-resident foreign nationals will be entertained for short term Tourist visa (3 month/ single entry) only subject to fulfilment of all criteria. They are advised to obtain long term Tourist visas and other categories of visas from the country of their origin.
• Tourists who plan to enter by Wagah Border on a motorcycle or car tour may also submit supporting documents/ proof related to their travel by these means.
• Non-resident Foreign Nationals should be prepared to be called for interview to understand the purpose of travel to India.
• Foreign Nationals working with Diplomatic Missions, UN and International Organisation , travelling to India are required to submit their visa application at the Embassy counter directly. Their Visa application should be accompanied by a Note Verbale, stating dates/ purpose and places of travel. Production of Passport at the time of submission is mandatory, thereafter it will be returned immediately. Passport will then be required only for the stamping of Visa.
• The Visa application for Diplomatic Missions, UN and International Organisations is processed generally in 10 working days. However, for specific cases, we may take more time. Therefore, applicants need not provide us with confirmed itinerary and travel tickets. Tentative itinerary along with Note Verbale is fine.

Technical aspects for Visa processing

• Online Visa Form can be filled at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/>>For Regular/ Paper visa by Mission/ Post, apply Here >> Regular/ Paper Visa application. The Online Visa Form will open.
• Select Pakistan as the Country/ Region you are applying Visa from; PAKISTAN-ISLAMABAD as the Indian Mission/ Office and your Nationality.
• Maximum characters accepted by the Website for filling the online application form in the address field is 50 characters including commas,dash and spaces .
• When filing the Online Form, please ensure all details entered are accurate. The option to edit form is not available once the form has been saved. In such case, a new form needs to be filled with correct information. Any visa application form with incorrect detail will be summarily rejected by the Indian High Commission.
• After data fields have been filled, the applicant will be asked to upload his/ her Passport size photograph. Technical specification as below:
• Format – JPEG; Size - Minimum 10 KB , Maximum 1 MB; The minimum dimensions are 350 pixels (width) x 350 pixels (height); Recent front facing photograph with white background and full frontal face (ear to ear to be visible) to be uploaded by the applicant; Do not crop the Passport Image to use it as your recent photograph; Upload clear front facing photograph with preferable white/light coloured background; The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded photograph are not clear and as per specification.
• You can use either an Ink-Jet or Laser printer to print the completed Visa Application Form once you have submitted online. 
• This site is best viewed in Internet Explorer (Windows) version 8.0 and above. 
• You must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or a higher version installed on your computer in order to download and print the completed application form. 
• Printout of the completed form, signed by applicant is to be submitted. Unsigned form will be summarily rejected.
• It is a mandatory requirement to ensure that your photo is 2 inch x 2 inch (51mm x 51mm) in size with white background and full frontal face (ear to ear to be visible) is pasted on Visa Application form before submission. Photos which do not meet this specification will not be accepted. The applicants photograph should be most recent one. Detailed requirements regarding the photo can be found in the Indian Online VISA Site.

ALL visa applicants are requested to approach the TCS Visatronics / Gerry's International- Visa Drop Box available in the following cities in Pakistan: Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Mirpur Khas, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Sialkot and Sukkur.

What is the visa fee?

Visa fee for Pakistani passport holders for all types of visas is PKR 100/-.

Can I submit hand filled visa application forms?

The High Commission does NOT accept hand filled visa application forms. You have to fill the online visa application form and follow the steps mentioned above.
However, filling the online visa application form is only one of the steps in the visa application process.

Processing of the visa application will only commence when the High Commission receives the printed signed online application form along with your passport (or copy of the passport) and requisite documents.

Till when can I undertake the journey?

The visa is valid from the date of its issue and not from the date of entry into India. Also, you have to complete your journey, i.e., leave India before the date of validity of visa, as endorsed on it. Applicants may like to keep this in mind while filling the online visa application form. Please do not finalise your travel arrangements to India before obtaining the visa. 

What is a group case? Is there a different process if I am applying in a group? How do we apply our cases in a group?

In case two or more of you intend to visit India together and would be traveling to all the destinations at the same time, then you can fill the online visa application form from the following weblink: Online Application Form for Group Case

This weblink has been made for your convenience as it will allow you to fill the online forms faster, as this link will allow entry of common details in India only once and not filled separately for all the applications individually.

This is useful if you are visiting India as a family, for purposes such as visit, pilgrimage, conference, medical or business exhibition.

I am having a problem filling the online visa application form. Whom should I contact?

For any assistance in filling the online visa application form, you can contact the respective Visa Drop Box centre. For any technical issues being faced while filling up the application, you may write to ssit.islamabad@mea.gov.in 

Can I submit my application without documents?

Submission of documents is MANDATORY and such documents must be clear and legible. Since the documents to be submitted depends on the type of visa applied for, please see the relevant webpage for the visa type to see the list of documents required.

Documents will have to be submitted along with the visa application form and passport (or its copy) for the High Commission to process the visa request.

In case you are not in a position to submit necessary documents, the visa application will not be accepted by TCS Visatronics / Gerry's International- Visa Drop Box 

Why am I being called for an interview?

You may be requested to come for personal interview to Visa Counter of the High Commission, Islamabad when contacted.

Please ensure that the correct contact numbers are mentioned in your application. Time and date of such interviews will be fixed in consultation with the applicant.
You may be called for an interview so that the High Commission can personally verify the purpose of your visit as well as confirm the documents submitted by you.

Why is there a delay in issuing visas?

Once a visa application is received by the High Commission, all applications are scrutinized and electronically referred to the Foreigner Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, India for necessary clearance.

Once clearance is received, the visa is endorsed and dispatched to you through TCS Visatronics / Gerry's International- Visa Drop Box availed by you.

The average visa processing time for each application is 60 working days,from the day of receipt by the High Commission.

It is advisable to plan your travel accordingly.

Can I submit the passport later for endorsement of visa?

In case you intend to travel and need your passport, you can initially submit only a copy of your valid passport at the time of submission of your visa application at TCS Visatronics / Gerry's International- Visa Drop Box.

You can submit your passport once you have been informed that clearance for issuance of visa has been issued through TCS/ Gerry's.

Please note that the High Commission will reject all visa applications which are older than 3 months and/or submitted without the passport after that period.

Why am I asked to specify names of cities that I intend to visit in India?

Visa issued to Pakistan nationals are city specific and ordinarily a visa is endorsed only for travel to 5 (five) places during each visit.

Why have two immigration sheets been sent with my visa?

Along with the visa, two immigration sheets are also issued (one each for entry & exit) which you are required to carry while traveling to India and submit to the Indian Immigration Officer.

Why was I issued a different visa then than I had requested?

The issuance of visa, its type and duration are determined on the merits of each case.

Till when can I undertake the journey? Till when is my visa valid?
The visa is valid from the date of its issue and NOT from the date of entry into India.

You have to complete your journey, i.e., leave India before the date of the expiration of the visa, as endorsed on it.

Applicants should consider these aspects while filling the online visa application form. Please do not finalize your travel arrangements to India before obtaining a visa. 

Where is the High Commission of India, Islamabad located? How can I reach it, in case I want to submit a medical or family emergency visa application?

All Visa applications can only be submitted through TCS/ Gerry's. Only Visa applications along with a Note Verbale from the host Government/ resident diplomatic representations, UN & Specialized Bodies is received at the High Commission Counter from 9 am to 12:45 PM, Monday to Friday.

The Visa Section is located at Street 3, High Commission of India, Diplomatic Enclave, Sector G-5, Islamabad. You can reach the Visa Section by taking the Diplomatic Shuttle Service from Islamabad Convention Centre, Islamabad.

For Visa Status enquires, you can email to visa.islamabad@mea.gov.in.

List of holidays in 2022 for the High Commission are available here

Whom should I contact if I have to make a complaint against TCS Visatronics or Gerry’s International - Visa Drop Box?

You can contact Mr. Venkateswarlu Sridhara, First Secretary, Email: cons.islamabad@mea.gov.in or Mr Mukesh Kumar Soni, ssit.islamabad@mea.gov.in and register a complaint. The High Commission takes all complaints seriously and necessary action will be taken against the concerned.

Is there any different process to visit restricted/protected areas in India?

Foreigners may visit restricted/protected areas only after obtaining a valid permit as your entry visa alone does not allow travel to these areas.

Do I need any vaccination certificate prior to visiting India? 

All applicants applying for visa in Pakistan require a Polio Certification.

Foreigners coming from or through Yellow Fever countries must be able to produce a valid vaccination certificate. All Applicants are also advised to check latest guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in respect of COVID 19 and carry necessary certificate of vaccination/COVID-test.

Can I buy or procure in India any wildlife or wildlife products such as ivory, fur or animal skin article?

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 bans all forms of wildlife trade. Violations of the provisions of the Act are punishable with heavy fines and imprisonment. Foreigners are, therefore, advised not to buy any wildlife or wildlife products or derivatives - especially ivory articles, fur and skin articles derived from wild animals such as Shahtoosh.

Is possession of narcotics or psychotropic drugs illegal?

Please by forewarned that buying, selling, using or being in possession of psychotropic drugs or any other narcotic substance while in India is a cognizable offence punishable by imprisonment under The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

What does Police Reporting on my visa mean? Does every member of my family need to report to the police? Can someone else report on my behalf? Do medical patients also have to report to the police?

All Pakistani nationals, except those holding Indian visas endorsed "exempted from police reporting", will be required to register, in person, at the nearest police station / Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) / Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) within 24 hours of reaching the specified place of stay.

You will also have to make a similar report 24 hours prior to your intended time/ date of departure from each place of stay to the nearest police station / Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) / Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO).

In addition, please note the following:

• You are not required to register with the police station, if you are only transiting a particular city and not going to stay overnight. 
• In case you do not visit any particular city which has been endorsed on your visa, you do not have to report to the police in that city. 
• You do not have to report to the police in the order in which places have been endorsed on your visa. 
• If you are traveling with family, only one member of the family will be required to appear before the registration authority for registering on behalf of the family. 
• If you are holder of a medical visa, patients as well as accompanying attendants must register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 7 days of arrival. Accompanying attendants can also register on your behalf along with necessary document from the hospital concerned, where you have been admitted for treatment. 
• If you are a bonafide business person going to India on a business visit, you can personally report to police for registration or depute an authorized representative to report arrival, in writing, to the nearest police station / Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) / Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) within 24 hours of your reaching the specified place. The authorised representative shall also make a similar report on your behalf 24 hours prior to your intended departure from each place of stay. 
• In case you are holding a transit visa, valid for a period not exceeding 36 hours, you will be required to register only at the immigration point of entry. 

What do I do in case there is a mistake on my visa or I need to change certain specifications of my visa?

On receipt of visas and immigration sheets, please verify all particulars on the visa. In case of any discrepancy, please get contact the High Commission immediately, before undertaking the journey.

The High Commission will not be responsible for any inconvenience caused to you due to discrepancies in the visa, not brought to the notice of the High Commission.

The High Commission takes every reasonable precaution while handling passport, applications as well as documents of applicants and shall not be liable in any manner whatsoever to the applicant for any loss in transit, accident, fire, theft, natural calamities or any other reason outside the control of the High Commission.

Can I perform some commercial activity like sale purchase or signing any contract while on a visitor visa?

Any misrepresentation or undertaking of activities in India incompatible with the visa category can result in an immediate revocation of the visa and deportation from India. For example, if you have been given a visitor visa and you perform activities which are commercial in nature, then you are likely to be deported from India and denied a visa for subsequent entry into India.

Why was I not issued a visa?

Applications which are incomplete or contain incorrect information will be returned without being processed by the High Commission. This includes incorrect photographs ( ear to ear full frontal face should be visible), absence of signature or enclosed documents, incorrect name of Mother/ Father or Birth details.

Additionally, the High Commission reserves its right to return/reject any application without citing any reason.

How much money can I carry with me while going to India? Can I carry Indian currency with me?

You can bring into India any amount of foreign exchange, subject to the condition that on arrival a declaration is made to the custom authorities in a Currency Declaration Form. It is necessary to fill out a declaration form if the foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank notes, traveller's cheques etc.) exceeds US$ 10,000 or its equivalent and /or the aggregate value of foreign currency notes is US$ 5,000 or its equivalent.

Bringing Indian currency by any foreign national into India is prohibited and punishable under Indian law. If Indian currency is found in your possession, you may be arrested or deported immediately from point of entry itself. Therefore, please do not convert foreign exchange into Indian currency in Pakistan for taking into India.

Travellers cheques in US$ and pounds are easily exchangeable and ATMs are available in major Indian cities. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and large stores. If you are carrying any foreign currency notes, carry them to India and exchange them into Indian rupees in India itself.

What surrogacy arrangement rules should I be aware of?

Any person seeking a visa to visit India for purposes of entering into a surrogacy arrangement must ascertain beforehand from relevant authorities in Pakistan whether surrogacy would be permitted by law and the child will be provided appropriate travel documents for accompanying the surrogate parents to Pakistan. Entering into surrogacy arrangements without prior intimation that the travel is for this purpose is punishable under Indian law.

When was the last time that information provided on the website was updated?

The High Commission, in its sole discretion, may change, amend, cancel or withdraw any or all the terms and conditions mentioned on this website at any time without prior notice.

Please check the date mentioned at the bottom of each webpage to know the date of last update.

The High Commission assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information mentioned on this website.