Pakistani Visa
 

I'm trying to obtain a visa for Pakistan. As an American it looks like I have to return to the states to apply in person from my country of origin.

I tried Travisa and they very nicely told me that I have to contact the consulate in Turkey (where I left the bike) to see if I can apply in person there. They said no way and kept repeating "country of origin". Again Travisa is awesome. They can get it for me but it can take up to a month. I don't really have a month.

I have an Iranian visa waiting for me but I can't enter Iran without a Pakistani visa so Tehran consulates are out.

Basically what I'm asking is if anyone, specifically an American, has gotten around the "country of origin" clause?

Thank you!

Hi Man,

you should be lucky, that you get it, even if is within a month.
I've been told the "Only in your home country"-story in GR and TR, when I have been there last year at Pak-emabssies. So back in Germany this spring I tried at Pak-embassy three times, 1st myself and 2 times with angencies, but got denied every single time.... :-(

Is this Travisa-agency operating all over the world or is it an american deal?

Good luck, I would like to have better suggestions, but that's my experience through the last months.

Bye Alex

Hi Alex

I think travisa is an American company. Google them and give them a call, ask for Aly. 001 857 250 2922. I'll try to call the NYC Pakistani embassy tomorrow. They close at one on Thursdays...

Take care my friend.

Hi Brennan,
Since the Raymond Davis massacre Visa issuance for Americans has been tightened and I doubt if you can get it from another country.

To me it feels that someone is overselling here. If I were you, I would start with a Pakistani visa in hand.

It would be great to have a lil chat with you in Lahore. I have spent some time in your lovely Fort Lauderdale too. Loved it.

Wishing you all the best.
Cheers
Omar

Omar,

Thanks for the invite! I've decided not to enter Pakistan for two reasons. 1 after a lot of phone calls and begging the only way for me to get a visa was to fly to Houston from Europe to it . 2 my country's relationship with Pakistan is getting more and more tense with embassies being evacuated. I don't normally worry about these things but considering that there is a strong taliban presence there and I hold a US passport I just figured it was a dumb time to ride through what I'm sure is an amazing country with the absolute wrong passport.

Maybe I made a mistake. I'm sure I'll find out as I ride through Iran that it would have been more fun to continue through to Pakistan. Oh well, I didn't want to fly home either...

Thanks anyway Omar!

I think you are right, we shouldn't visit a place we are scared off.

BTW nearly all my friends have US passports and they are doing fine here :).

Regards

Might I suggest a plan B of Iran into Turkmenistan, provided you can get the Turkmen transit visa, then onto Central Asia, it would be a shame to waste that Iran visa as I bet it was not easy for an American to get one.

I wish I talked to you before I changed my plans I probably would have rode into Pakistan especially if there are Americans living there without any problems.

It took me a week to decide after I found out that I would have to fly home from Europe to get the Pakistan visa. I spoke to the Pakistani Embassy in Houston where there was a very nice gentleman there who told me I could get the visa the same day.

Thanks for the input Omar!

I'm still going to Iran on the 25th. I'm doing a 10 day tour with the mandatory tour guide then I fly my bike out of Tehran, Iran to Mumbai, India. I'm very excited to experience the culture of Iran. So much incredible, tumultuous history!

Do you have any more information about your trip into Iran? Cost, tour company, etc? Or where you found the information?

My research has shown that it's all but impossible for an American to enter Iran on anything but a guided tour. Bringing your own vehicle would not be possible.

Jamie

You can bring your vehicle to Iran but they require a Carnet. For travelers with american passports they also require an escort so you have to hire a tour company.