ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan has introduced a mobile application, “Pak ID”, to facilitate citizens from 120 eligible countries for visa-on-arrival, making travel to the country easier and more convenient.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has developed the app. Besides applying for business and tourist visas, the applicants can now track the status of their applications in real time.
Eligible applicants could now get visa within 24 hours. Previously, the visa process traditionally took days and weeks.
“Pak ID”
The “Pak ID” app also offers a variety of other features, including document scanning, face recognition and photo upload capabilities. The app allows applicants to complete the process without visiting any offices, significantly reducing wait times and increasing accessibility for international tourists and business people.
The initiative is a step towards further digitising the country’s visa system, which is already open to citizens of 192 countries. With the launch of the app, travellers can also receive notifications and track their visa status directly from their mobile devices.
Pakistan aims to boost its tourism industry and make the process of obtaining a visa smoother for international visitors. The app is available for download on both iOS and Android platforms, allowing for easy access to the application process.
The app will also help simplify the process for overseas Pakistanis applying for identity cards. With this new application, the government is hoping to attract more international visitors while streamlining services for citizens.
At present, the app, available for free, only supports applications for Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA). For other types of visas, applicants must visit the POVS website.
The app is expected to significantly improve the country’s tourism and business engagement by cutting down bureaucratic red tape and making the visa application process more user-friendly.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has granted visas to all Indian journalists who wanted to cover the ICC Champions Trophy starting today. According to sources, seven journalists from India had requested visas for the event Pakistan is co-hosting.
