Hi Fern,

Have you got your Pakistan and Chinese visas sorted already? It's something I was going to speak to you about if we manage to meet this coming weekend.

I was contemplating the option of a Visa at the border in Sost assuming they start doing them again?!

John

Hi John

I'll apply for Pakistan in mid april, using CIBT and China in May,

China is no prob for me as I get annual multi entry business with work. I was in the China visa centre this morning actually.

Never known anyone to have a delay on a China visa, and friends have travelled as tourists. Its a 4 day service.

Hi,

Have you used CIBT before? If so, do you recommend them? And if you haven't, were they highly recommended to you? I'm not sure what company is best for me to use but CIBT looks really professional.

Thanks!

Were leaving oz in jan and expect to go through pakistan may/june,so really we are cutting it tight to fit se asia in ,i am contenplating getting a cheap flight back to oz april time then get the visa then fly back to thailand then resume are journey at leisure,is this a crazy idea or a master stroke,the :smartass:

Iran/Pakistan visa
 

Sorry to take so long getting back to you with an answer - I was between major towns. The plan is to cross the border into Pakistan in about 4 weeks from now. The visa has to be used within 6 months and I'm permitted 90 days in Pakistan, more than enough time to reach Iran.

Hope that helps.

Ron

Interesting thread, I got a Pak visa in Birmingham UK, 3 years ago, it was 30 days valid for 3 mths. I've just been granted another one in Lisbon, and that is also 30 days valid for 3 mths. Now, I know I can extend it once I'm in Pak, because I did that the last time, but I just wonder why I wasn't offered the option of 90 days valid 6 mths ? The rules and requirements really do seem to change with the wind nowadays !

Dear Ron,
You are on the opposite direction and we are impatient to meet and host you and your 1910 FN. bike in our club.
Please inform us when you enter Turkey in Doğubeyazıt.Some friends in other cities would like to meet you also.
In Doğu beyazıt(border town with Iran) stay a night in Hotel Ararat.Our friend ertan runs this hotel.
And in Tokat, you are requested to share your experiences on TV.Canal TV.60
Wish you all the best.

spoke to Cibt, the tone of their voice they don't want to touch my application with a barge pole, told me to email all the details about my trip in, and a senior adviser will advise if its something they can deal with, but said that unless you fulfill all the requirements on the pakistan visa forms, they cannot offer any guarantees of speedyness.

Some accounts say it takes ages, some accounts say speedy.
Time will tell!

I am using Visum China - Visum Russland - Visum Indien - Visumservice | Visumpoint to organize my Visas for the start of the trip.
Not received any information yet, but will keep you posted if it works without a problem with Pakistan visa.

Overland Pakistan & Iran
 

Fern

Pity to hear you're response for a Pakistan visa has been negative. I'm in Pakistan now & loving it. I received my Iran authorization number while in India and the visa process in Lahore took only a couple of days. Very friendly staff at the Iranian embassy & no hassles what-so-ever. My wife just received her Pakistan visa after only a week after she sent off the application direct to the embassy in Canberra.

I've just done the KKH, not on the FN, as I had nothing to prove pushing the old girl to that degree. I went instead by bus, hoping to pick up a small bike just to chug around on. Thirty five torturous hours with police escort in parts made the FN seem like heaven! Still, it was a great experience, meeting many wonderful people including Raja at the Tie Net Cafe in Gilgit. For travellers who make it up that way do stop by, Raja and his dad are gems. Seems there's a fair few heading this way in a few weeks time.

For those fortunate enough to acquire a visa for Pakistan, (seems many outside of Australia have difficulties), you'll find the people fantastic. Do stop by and say Hi to Omar & the Pakistan Bikers Club. They're doing a great job of promoting safety for younger riders. Thank you Omar, Ali & Akbar for everything - you're true friends and prove that what makes riding around the world so amazing is the people one is priviledged to meet.

Pakistan's a great country and I've no doubt Iran will prove to be the same. Once I get back to Lahore I'll be heading south to Multan then Quetta. I'm itching to get back on the bike. A week of not riding and she's likely to seize up. LOL

Ron
Old Bloke on a Bike | Travels of an old guy on an old bike, from one side of the world to the other

Hi guys,

Leaving London on 1st of May. I was under the impression that the Pakistani visa was relatively simple. A group i spoke to said, they visited the consulate in London and was issued same day with there VISA. So am a little worried now that other people are experiencing delays. I am an Australian and i just looked at the website for the Pakistani visa in Canberaa\Sydney and it seems that i can do the application by post to Australia and should be issued within 7 to 10 days (from the time they recieve the documents).

I think i am going to see the consulate in London first just in case, however i may end up doing the postal route to Australia. What does everyone think??

an update on my postal application for Pakistani visa via London consulate

applied with
-form
-letter from employer as per CIBT template
-driving licence
-3 months bank statements
-1 night hotel booking for hotel in islamabad (must remember to cancel that booking now)
-1 night hotel booking for lahore (didn't have to give card details)

on the form, I put Islamabad as entry point, and Waggah as exit. Wrote the purpose of trip as tourist trip, no mention of overlanding.
Website did mention needing LOI somewhere, but I didn't bother with one.

Posted the form off on the 4th April, and visa/passport will arrive 17th April.

Spent two whole days ringing solid to try and chase. Bit un-nerving as I rang on friday, was told that they couldn't find my application, not sure what building it was in?!?

Big relief. beer