Iranian and Pakistani Visas
 

Hi, going to be applying for the Iranian and Pakistani visas soon, and looking to get any advice from people who have done it. Things I should make sure I include or exclude. Wanting to drive from India to Europe through the middle east. How long are the visas valid for before arrival? We are American.
Thanks for any help

Hey,
I can only tell you my experiences with a German passport. But maybe interesting for others as well.
Applied for Pakistan visa back home in berlin 2 and a half months ago. Said that I will enter from Iran and exit to India. Had a contact address in Karachi. Didn't say anything babout motorcycles or how I will travel. Got the visa without any trouble one week later.

Iranien visa some days ago in Trabzon, turkey. Within one day without trouble. Again said that I will enter from turkey end exit to Pakistan. I think its good to have the Pakistan visa before. Because they ask for the visa for the following country. Again had a contact address in Teheran, which is always good. As before no word about motorbikes. No question about guides or any needed application numbers. Five hours later we had the visa.

Can only tell you how it is for a German. No problem at all. But I think as american its quite different.

Cheers gatow

In 2012 Iran required an escort for Americans. It's pricey but there are many tour operators you can book with. We were looking at this route but ultimately decided to take the north thru the stans.

Pakistan required that you apply in your home country. Make sure you are very specific about the dates. They gave us 30 days but the wrong month so we had to apply & pay again. The turnaround is like 6 weeks, 2nd passports come in handy. They will mail them to you. People will advise keeping mum about traveling overland but you have to tell them something. Only tell them what they ask. They required us to have a LOI which we got from Lost Horizons.

Good luck