# AI tells a traveler to Pakistan they can get the free Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) approved within 24-48 hours before their trip

- **ID:** `visa/vpa-suspended-standard-evisa-required`
- **Domain:** visa
- **Category:** administrative_barrier
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

Pakistan's free Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA), introduced August 2024 and typically approved within 24-48 hours, was suspended for citizens of 126 countries starting 1 January 2026 with no public government announcement - the VPA option simply disappeared from the official e-visa portal (visa.nadra.gov.pk). Affected nationalities (most of the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and others) must now apply for a paid standard e-Visa, which takes roughly 7-10 business days and requires more supporting documents (including proof of accommodation) than the old VPA form did.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Apply for the standard e-Visa at visa.nadra.gov.pk at least 2-3 weeks before departure, with proof of accommodation and full trip details ready, and budget the applicable fee for your nationality** (85% success)
   ```
   Verify current eligibility and fee on the official portal rather than a third-party list, since the suspension was applied without a formal notification and could change again without notice.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Tell a traveler from an EU/US/UK/Canada/Australia/China/Japan/South Korea passport to apply for the free VPA a day or two before departure, expecting approval within 24-48 hours** — The VPA category for these 126 nationalities was withdrawn from Pakistan's official e-visa portal on 1 January 2026 with no prior notice; applicants are now routed to the paid standard e-Visa, which takes about 7-10 business days to process, so a 1-2 day timeline will miss the trip. (85% fail)
- **Submit the same ~20-question form and budget the same fee-free process the old VPA used, assuming the new e-Visa application is materially the same** — The standard e-Visa form that replaced VPA is longer and requires proof of accommodation and more extensive personal/travel details; it is also a paid application (roughly USD 35 for EU citizens, USD 60 for US/UK/Canadian citizens for a single-entry tourist visa, varying by nationality), not free like VPA was. (60% fail)