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Pakistan Visa - Taftan Update!!! Pakistan Visa - Taftan Update!!!
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  #1  
Old 27 Mar 2012
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Pakistan Visa - Taftan Update!!!
Gday all,

Spoke to a chap at Travcour. I was enquiring about Pakistani visa, i said i was overlanding and planning on entering Pakistan from Iran at the Taftan border, and he had the following to say:
  • The Taftan border (as of a week ago or so) has been closed. Well at the very least for British travellers (I am an aussie)
  • He said there would still be a chance for aussies perhaps (traditionally it has been easier to aquire visa's as an aussie for Pakistan)
  • This is all due to the current political relationship between UK and Iran.
I asked, theoretically, if i was to fabricate an itinerary (i.e flying into Islamabad, exiting to India via Lahore) would it be possible to obtain the visa without restrictions (he thinks that perhaps if Taftan isnt mentioned at all and it appears as a straight fwd visa, there would be no need to add any restrictions to the visa)

I think i am going to show up to the embassy in London and try my luck, if not try via post in Australia?

I have had advice from others whom have been given Pakistani visas not to mention troubled areas in my itinerary. So what are other oppinions on this?

My other question would be. If i obtain a visa and rock up to the Taftan border, what are my chances of getting through on it? Are there any very recent updates on crossing at Taftan?

Thoughts please??

Cheers
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  #2  
Old 27 Mar 2012
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wuw that's bad news, i'm also having trouble getting the pakistan visa (german passport).

Are there any options to get to india other than crossing pakistan?
Are there flights? ferries?
Anyone done that?

i read about the dhow's leaving from uae/oman, which were used by Michael Palin (Palin's Travels: Dubai, UAE, Around the World in 80 Days, Day 16)
any recent experience with that?

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  #3  
Old 27 Mar 2012
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I have sources this shipping company for my van. I emailed and the replied nearly straight away saying they can do this service no probs?

https://sites.google.com/site/secosh...va-sheva-india

then id assume it would be plane for yourself from iran to india... Im still banking on getting a visa from Australia for Paki.... but this is the backup plan i think
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  #4  
Old 28 Mar 2012
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Hi Andrew,

Hopefully you will get your Pakistan visa like we did. And that situation permits to cross that border. Else, keep us in the loop about your shipping plans, we might be interested for that as well.

Cu along the way! (we'll be in Bulgaria today)

Roemer
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  #5  
Old 28 Mar 2012
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(Pure speculation, and I could be just plain wrong, too... )

but is there any official confirmation available, that the Pakistan - Iran (Taftan - Mir Javeh) border is actually closed?? I mean, it´s the only one, where foreigners are allowed to cross between these two countries, and therefore critical for the overland-route from Turkey to India, unless you make a detour north side of Afghanistan.... so closing it down completely would be no small news I think.

And if Pakistani government did not want British passport holders to come into their country any more, they could just stop issuing visas for them, right? (Besides, I thought the real problem for UK travellers would be to get a visa for Iran, not necessarily for Pakistan).
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  #6  
Old 28 Mar 2012
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This was the information from a chap at Travcour. So this is just from them, he said he had about 15 visas denied for UK passport holders because of the proposed itinerary entering at Taftan.

I went to the London consulate today and asked of any restrictions for Australian passport holders, and he said there wasnt. (Today was sussing it all out, not applying yet) However i didnt directly say taftan as entry. I said unsure at this stage, perhaps Islamabad. They told me to submit my documents and wait 5 days for processing. So not sure what has happened with Travcour

My father spoke to the embassy in Australia and they confirmed it was a simple process without restrictions. They advised to send everything from my Australian address and it should take around a week....They gave the impression that it was no probs.....

My only concern is still if i should put Taftan as my proposed entry point or just say im flying into Islamabad.?

Cheers
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  #7  
Old 12 Aug 2015
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Pakistan Visa - Update August 2015
Hy All

I was just denied the pakistani visa for my overlander trip by motorbike. The reason stated is that the security situation has get worse. Nothing more has been stated.

Unfortunatelly, me travel buddy and me will now look for options to get the bike to india by plane or boat.

From what i heard from other overlander, a italian biker was also denied the visa in the last couple weeks.

greetings from Antalya, southern Turkey
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  #8  
Old 25 Aug 2015
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Hey philzphil

Sorry to hear that you were denied a visa for Pakistan due to 'security issues'. Sounds a bit strange that they gave this reason as my husband and I crossed into Taftan from Iran just over a week ago with our own vehicle.

We also know that a German biker crossed a few days before us, and another couple on their bike crossed a few days after us. During our time with the police escort, we were told that the situation had improved.

For shipping options, I believe you can ship your bike from Bandar Abbas in Iran to Mumbai.

Cheers

Claire
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  #9  
Old 13 Sep 2015
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hello!! any update from Iran-Pakistan border?
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  #10  
Old 28 Sep 2015
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Pakistan visa for Aussies
We got my Pakistan visas within a few days from the Pakistan embassy in Canberra. However, you will need to submit a copy of return air ticket, and LOI.

We got our LOI from Lost Horizon trek (Cost US$75). We did not mention anything about overland crossing by motorcycle. Listed cities to visit were safe cities such as: Islamabad, Lahore, Muree, and Faisalabad.

We got police escort from Taftan to Multan. We also got a couple of days of police escort from Chilas to Besham city and a bit beyond. Please also be aware that police escort is very slow, and is a costly exercise to the Pakistan government.

I would recommend entering Pakistan from China and ride the Karakorum Highway. Karakorum Highway is in great condition from Gilgit to Khunjerap Pass. but road condition can be quite bad in other sections. The scenery is absolutely amazing, and it involves less police escort. There is not a lot to see between Taftan and Multan, roads are in poor condition, and the area is dangerous.

It is dangerous to ride a motorcycle in Pakistan ( also Iran & India) because of the chaotic traffic and the dangerous driving habits, and road condition in some area are in terrible shape. Pakistan people are however very friendly to foreigner.
Last edited by Channey; 11 Oct 2015 at 11:56.
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  #11  
Old 3 Dec 2015
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Hey the Channey - I'm in the process of trying to get a Pakistani visa as we speak. I contacted one tour agency who said they'd be happy to help with the LOI, but after confirming details with them I've not heard anything back. I've just sent a similar email to Lost Horizon Treks and hopefully they're more helpful.

When you contacted these tour companies, did you tell them about travelling overland by bike (and request that they NOT tell the authorities) or did you also tell the white lie when requesting the LOI?

Cheers,

Jimmy
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