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Before you go to Pakistan: what to know

Must know

  • Apply for the appropriate visa before travelling; do not assume approval on arrival.
  • Check regional travel restrictions and border closures before every journey.
  • Internet interruptions and monsoon flooding can disrupt travel and communications.

Entry and visas

British and US citizens must obtain a visa before travelling, unless covered by a valid qualifying Pakistani identity document. Use the official NADRA visa service and confirm the category, permitted entry points and stay. Do not assume that an online application is approval. Nationality-specific exemptions and fees are not generalised to other passports.

Online arrival forms and permits

  • Pakistan Online Visa System ↗ optional
    Before travel; obtain approval for your applicable category · Applicants needing an online visa or pre-travel authorisation

Passport validity: GB: six months from visa application. US advice: six months beyond arrival; confirm with NADRA.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Make sure your passport is stamped on entry.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗

Money

Mostly cash is used. Cards are rarely accepted.

Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data

  • Larger establishments may accept cards; much of the economy is cash-based.
  • City ATMs may not accept foreign debit cards. Arrange a cash backup.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.gc.ca ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Blasphemy, including online comments; severe penalties apply.
  • Illegal drugs.
  • Photography of military sites, airports and sensitive infrastructure.
  • Public drinking and drunkenness.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Non-Muslims need a licence to drink alcohol; Muslims may not drink it.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Islamic customs shape public behaviour.

Clothing: Cover shoulders and legs. Women should carry a headscarf for mosques, holy places and rural areas.

Etiquette

  • Respect Ramadan fasting in public.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Climate

Strong regional and altitude differences. Winter brings rain in the north and mountain snow; May-June is hot and often dry. Summer monsoon rain is concentrated around July-September.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: Winter; northern rain and mountain snow
  • February: Feb: Winter; northern rain and mountain snow
  • March: Mar: Winter-rain period can continue
  • April: Apr: Spring; route and altitude matter
  • May: May: Hot, often dry pre-monsoon
  • June: Jun: Hot pre-monsoon; rains may begin late
  • July: Jul: Summer monsoon; flood risk
  • August: Aug: Summer monsoon; flood risk
  • September: Sep: Monsoon can continue
  • October: Oct: Generally drier autumn
  • November: Nov: Generally drier autumn
  • December: Dec: Winter rain and mountain snow

Best season: Choose by region and altitude; avoid flood-hit routes and check mountain-road access.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: pmd.gov.pk ↗, ndmc.pmd.gov.pk ↗, travel.gc.ca ↗

What to pack

  • Modest clothing and headscarf where appropriate
  • Visa approval and passport copies
  • Offline contacts and maps
  • Rain and altitude-appropriate layers

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Alcohol imports
  • Illegal drugs

Practical

Plugs: Types C and D; 230V, 50Hz.

Water: Use boiled or sealed bottled water; tap water is not potable.

Traffic: drives on the left

Internet: Mobile data and internet can be cut during civil unrest. Keep offline alternatives.

Health: High-altitude routes require preparation; check current polio documentation requirements before departure.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.