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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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  #1  
Old 15 Sep 2012
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Pakistan Visa - more questions (LOI, general advice, tips)

Hi guys,

I have searched the forum and found some valuable info, but unless Im looking in the wrong places a lot of it seemed a bit dated. I wondered if anyone as applied for the visa recently?

I'm sat here with the Visa forms half filled in and my head is thoroughly boggled already. hah.

I've heard a few people say you shouldn't mention the 'motorcycling' part? Not sure how feasible that is? I'd like to submit my application this week and I'm cutting it fine time wise so I want to have all my ducks in a row when I visit the (by all accounts) dreaded London consulate.

So if anyone has processed this visa recently I'd love to hear your thoughts/tips/advice.

Which leads me to my apparent main hurdle - where did you guys get your letter of invitations? Will a hotel do it? Will a hotel letter suffice? How long did you allow to ride through Pakistan?
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Old 16 Sep 2012
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Sorry dude don't I have time to go over it again currently in Ecuador with crap wifi.
The info you have found is correct, if you choose to go to London, mention overland travel, motorcycling etc you WILL NOT get a visa, full stop.

These guys will do you a LOI Lost Horizon Treks and Tours - Northern Pakistan's friendly, professional tourism experts

Go to Birmingham, tell them you are flying into Islamabad and treking in Hunza, bingo 30 day visa in passport. They are a little less twitchy if you have visited before (which I assume you haven't?)

HTH
Pete
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Old 16 Sep 2012
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Thanks McGiggle! I'm just trawling through all your comments and looking at all the ones mentioning Pakistan... has lead me to some handy info!

Has anyone gone for the visa in London and told them the white lie about flying in?
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Old 16 Sep 2012
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yes I did, I booked a hotel room in ISB and Lahore. Trouble is they only gave me a 7 day visa. It works but make sure you have some sort of itinerary that means they give you a longer visa.

I did manage to extend in Gilgit a few days ago but it was a right hassle.

A co traveller went to Bradford, I think he mentioned m/cing and got a 3 month visa on the spot, same day. London is a nightmare.
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Old 16 Sep 2012
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Go to the consulate in Birmingham, very smartly dressed (suit,tie, etc), be very confident and professional, it will work out to your favour, you must remember that in countries like Pakistan the image you portray says a million words, rock up in jeans and a run down tee-shirt and wave goodbye to you ever seeing the country!
Don't see it as lying, the consulate want you to visit you just need to tick the right boxes and then they're happy.
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Old 16 Sep 2012
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Thanks again for this info. Crikey. Suit and tie? The plot thickens. Will have to visit a charity shop. haha.
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Old 5 Aug 2014
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I'm planning the same trip right now and leaving in September from Nepal. I'm from Holland but currently in new Zealand. I asked the high commission in new Zealand if they could make a exception since I'm not in my home country to apply. They said no problem. All I have to do is get a introductory letter from my own ambassy. (which they said they can't the %(#&*) .

I'm getting a loi from a tour company in gilit for 75$us. Other than that it seems not to hard?

planning to travel from Nepal to Holland
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Old 5 Aug 2014
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Only I'm not employed currently so wondering what to do with that letter from my employer

planning to travel from Nepal to Holland
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Old 11 Aug 2014
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Just make one up pretty easy to fake that one. Ill hopefully be in Nepal by September too. Hope to catch ya there bro
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Old 21 Aug 2014
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Jep, thats what I did.
Now I need a print of my bankstatments for the last 6! months, and then have thats signed by the bank, but Westpac says the can't do that. Any ideas on that?

Would be great to meet up! Hopefully I make it there around half of September, but I still have a lot to do What about you?
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Old 11 Sep 2014
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Also traveling overland, from Holland to India by motorhome/motorcycle.

Our LOI company advises us to leave out the overland part on the visa application and certainly not to mention Taftan and Quetta in the LOI and official application forms. Off course it's not a big problem to make up a bogus travel route and even book (&cancel) the flight tickets that accompany them.

But i'm worried, if we say we are flying (say Dubai) to Lahore, look around for 3 a 4 weeks and leave towards India. What will the border patrol of Taftan Border see of this? Will they leave us standing there? Or do they have to let us pass because we have the visa?

And, if we are not allowed into Pakistan at Taftan border.. how the h*ll do we get back into Iran? (visa will have expired and entries will have been used)

Thanks!

We will be in Pakistan end of october / beginning november. Anyone up for traveling as convoy or meeting up somewhere, send me a message.
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  #12  
Old 17 Oct 2014
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Hi all,

Have any Brits been through the Pakistan visa application process of late? Hearing that it's v hard to get a Pak visa nowadays, and that should factor that into my planning; I'm currently planning to do Oz back to the UK from Jan this year.

Thanks

Ed

Last edited by edwardbgill; 17 Oct 2014 at 17:14.
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