USC visiting Pakistan

[SoS8:7 0]

I'm planning on visiting my fiance in Pakistan in the near future and applying for a tourist visa (I think this is the correct one I need). I was told by rep at Pakistan Consulate that I would need to get a signed "invitation letter" from him that states him inviting me & that he will be responsible for me during entire stay. Also a copy of his I.D. (front & back).

I researched online to see samples of invitation letters & got confused (didnt find any recent ones that were for a tourist visa in Pakistan for a USC..i.e. UK, Canada visiting relative or for business). Some were addressed directly to the Consulate & some were personalized to the individual they were inviting.

NOTE: APPLICATION SAYS ONLY BUSINESS VISA REQUIRES THIS..SO IT HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED WITH ADDTL REQUIREMENT

Has anyone recently applied for a tourist visa to Pakistan and able to help me in this??

Any other info regarding my submission of this application would be most appreciated.

***** She also told me that once they receive the application, she would be calling me and asking more questions...and if all was ok, she would submit it to the consul ****

(I've been to Jordan..and NEVER had to go thru this)

Thank you & God bless you to all who reply

IF THIS IS IN WRONG FORUM..SORRY & PLEASE MOVE..THNX

Edited February 24, 2012 by SoS8:7

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to Asia: South regional forum.

[Mohsin786 23]

I am a USC, and not a Pakistani by birth, and I went to Pakistan 2 times, once recently in Nov in 2011, and yes I had to get visa both times, I had to get an invitation letter, a copy of my fiance ID card and also a copy of his passport and u also need to have all information abt the person who is inviting you, cuz u will have to fill out an application at the consulate,which you will need to know the names of his parents, and address, also u will need 2 passport size pic and $120.00 money order, they didn't ask me any question i just hand in the application in the morning and picked up back my passport with the visa after 4 pm, I hope this helps you.

[SoS8:7 0]

I am a USC, and not a Pakistani by birth, and I went to Pakistan 2 times, once recently in Nov in 2011, and yessample letter invititation 1.rtf I had to get visa both times, I had to get an invitation letter, a copy of my fiance ID card and also a copy of his passport and u also need to have all information abt the person who is inviting you, cuz u will have to fill out an application at the consulate,which you will need to know the names of his parents, and address, also u will need 2 passport size pic and $120.00 money order, they didn't ask me any question i just hand in the application in the morning and picked up back my passport with the visa after 4 pm, I hope this helps you.

Thank you Mohsin786,

Was the invitation letter directed to you personally or to the consulate? Here is a sample letter I found, but am unsure if this is the way I would need have as my guide. This one is directed to the consulate. Sorry, I've seen some that are personal invitations to the individual that are being invited. ............Im open to any other "samples" that anyone wants to share on here (or my inbox)

Also, Im far away from the consulate here, so I would need to mail it.

sample letter invititation 1.rtf

[Mohsin786 23]

The invitation letter was a regular letter to me personally, where he stated that he wants me to visit him and to spend time together, it doesn't have to b directed to the consulate, and i never had any problems.

[SoS8:7 0]

The invitation letter was a regular letter to me personally, where he stated that he wants me to visit him and to spend time together, it doesn't have to b directed to the consulate, and i never had any problems.

Hmm.. Ok, then I think perhaps I will have him personalize it but following similar format as the sample letter. As Ive been researching online concerning the LOI, it seems to be a letter that is personal but formal with info to satisfy the consul who will be reading it. Thnx again.

[SoS8:7 0]

The invitation letter was a regular letter to me personally, where he stated that he wants me to visit him and to spend time together, it doesn't have to b directed to the consulate, and i never had any problems.

I was just re-reading my post & comments..then read the sample letter again and I was wondering if this would go over well in regards to the letter stating that I will be staying with him during my stay. Would that become a problem and cause for whoever it is that approves the visa..since we are not yet married. Sooooo... if theres some adjustments in the wording of this invitation, I need suggestions. I have heard from a couple people from a travel forum who said they just went with a tour company to just get a Letter of Invitation (without having to take the tours, because it is just an invite). I know Im not the only one getting frustrated with the need of a LOI for getting a tourist visa.. others are gritting their teeth too..and spending an extra $25-$50 for an LOI on top of the cost of the trip.

Maybe Im getting over-concerned about this.. but in it, im getting more informed which is always helpful.

[Musashii 21]

Your fiance needs to send you two letters. One addressed to you and One to the Pakistani Embassy or Consulate.

Letter to you:

Dearxxx,

I would like to invite you to Pakistan to stay with me and myfamily for 3 (three) months.

During your stay in [city],I will bear all your responsibilities including, but not limited to, financialresponsibilities, travel expenses within Pakistan, medical insurance,housing and food. You will stay with me at my house located at the abovementioned address.

During your stay here, you will also get anopportunity to see and experience eastern culture, meet different kinds ofpeople and a different variety of food. You will also enjoy the nice weatherand the nice city I live in.

We would have a nice time together and my family willbe very pleased to meet you. So, please begin planning for the trip. I ameagerly waiting for you to visit me.

Yourstruly,

Letter to Pakistani Embassy:

Sub: Issuance of visitor's visa.

DearSir or Madam:

I would like to invite Ms. xxx tovisit Pakistanfor tourism purpose and to meet me. She will be staying with me at my home atthe above mentioned address for 3 months.

During her stay in Pakistan,I will bear all responsibilities including, but not limited to, financial responsibilities, travel expenses within Pakistan, medical insurance,housing and food. I will personally make sure that she leaves Pakistan before the expiration ofher authorized stay. I will also personally make sure that she will not becomea public charge on the part of Pakistangovernment.

So Irespectfully request you to grant Ms. xxx a visitor's visa.

Thankingyou in anticipation.

Yourssincerely,

Also he should send you a notarized copy of his National Identity Card and passport. Both letters should be notarized.

Hope this helps.

Edited March 10, 2012 by Musashii

[SoS8:7 0]

Thank you so much Musashii! Really appreciate this too.

I called the consulate & they told me my limit stay when applying for tourist visa was 30days. Also she (from consulate in Houston) informed me to address it to the Consulate of Pakistan. So the letter composed was similar to the second one you shared with me here , but it has the invite saying "May 1 -30, 2012 or whatever is convenient" . They also said to submit an Invitation letter from Pakistan along with a copy of inviter’s Pakistani passport or CNIC(Computerized National Identity Card ). I checked different Pakistan Consulates of USA and they all seem to vary a little..so it gets confusing as to what is needed. So in Texas app they had different choices for types of visas (like Business, Tourist and Other), so I checked off Tourist. But for when asked What is the reason for my visit, I put vacation to visit friends. I hope this was ok. Also I saw in some sites requiring 4 photos, but mine said only 2. They told me that the letter was to say that he would be responsible for me during entire stay there. So that is what was written.

Going with a tour company such as Lost Horizons would have saved some headache in writing this letter, but I didnt have an extra $50 at this time for them. I just sent my app out with a prayer and all documents required (verbally told to me & in the application). Also $120 (postal) money order (cost $1.15), plus self-addressed paid Express envelope ($18 or $19)and sent it Priority with confirmation.

My advice would be to read what your consulate site & applicaton instructions say.. dont stop there.. Read thru application & jot down "Any" questions you have (even if they sound dumb).. Then Call them..and keep calling until you speak with the right person who deals with this. Ask your questions. Then go for it. Its good to do because not all visas are the same..and not every Consulate is the same..some add more requirements.. And changes happen periodically..so good to be up to date.

Edited March 10, 2012 by SoS8:7

[Musashii 21]

My wife came to visit me in November 2011 (she was my fiancee at that time and we married later).

I only sent to her two letters. One was direct invitation to her and other was a letter for her to show or mail to Pakistani Embassy. I sent her a notarized copy of my National ID card, a notarized copy of my passport. Both the letters were also notarized.

Basically, the embassy wants to know that you will not become a public charge while your stay in Pakistan just like any U.S embassy would ask for it if your fiance was to visit you. For the fees and other charges you can search for the nearest consulate. My wife had to go in person to Washington D.C embassy to get her visa and it was done on spot.

[SoS8:7 0]

Hi Musashii,

Yes, I have heard that for some that they were able to get it on the same day too. I was considering to do that, but its 3hrs away & when I spoke to the woman at the Consulate, she said that they would receive it, then look at it & call me, ask me questions, then if all was fine, she would send it to the Consulate General (I guess) and it would be decided if visa is granted. She also informed me about the letter of invitation & what it should say. She said it was fine to have him sign it and scan the letter & both sides of his CNIC then email it to me. She never mentioned a notarized letter ..or anything notarized. I double checked again on it with another rep, because I had more questions as to answering application questions and they said the same.. soooooo... maybe it just depends on the location of the consulate, because I think California & NY is also a little different then Houston & each other. Also, on the sites, not all the info is there in reference to a tourist or visitors visa. I know it changes again once you are married. If they do have any questions or I missd something that Houston center wants..I REALLY hope n pray they will call me. Will let ya know

[SoS8:7 0]

Below is from the Consulate General -Houston site and what it says is required for issuance of visa. Added to this was a "signed- letter of invitation" (info given when I calld consulate). On their site & application it shows that it is a business visa that is noted to require a letter of invitation & FAILS to says there are other visas that need it as well (so I really hope they update this info there, because not everyone is going to call them or even see it noted by others on sites like these) Thats why Im so thankful for sites like visajourney and for people like you all for posting good info:

Issuance of Pakistani Visa

- Valid Passport and one photocopy of first page (must be valid at least for 6 months from travelling date). Complete Visa Form.

- 2 Passports size Photographs. For non-us passports holders a notarized copy of proof of legal resident status in USA (alien registration card).

- Visa fee for US passport is $120.00. For other countries please find the FEE. The Fee should be in the form of Money Order or Cashier’s Checks made payable to Consulate of Pakistan Houston. CASH AND PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Each Application would be treated separately and all required documents’ copies must be attached with each application.

- Proof of Residence like copy of state ID card or Driving License

The Houston Consulate’s consular jurisdiction is only for Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas).

- Prepaid return envelope for applications sent by Fedex, UPS and Certified mail (US Postal Service is preferable).

- For children under 12 years of age, mother’s notarised consent letter conveying no objection to issuance of visa to her child must be attached with visa application form. In case of joint custody of child awarded by a court, consent of both parents is required be attached.

[Musashii 21]

Hi Musashii,

Yes, I have heard that for some that they were able to get it on the same day too. I was considering to do that, but its 3hrs away & when I spoke to the woman at the Consulate, she said that they would receive it, then look at it & call me, ask me questions, then if all was fine, she would send it to the Consulate General (I guess) and it would be decided if visa is granted. She also informed me about the letter of invitation & what it should say. She said it was fine to have him sign it and scan the letter & both sides of his CNIC then email it to me. She never mentioned a notarized letter ..or anything notarized. I double checked again on it with another rep, because I had more questions as to answering application questions and they said the same.. soooooo... maybe it just depends on the location of the consulate, because I think California & NY is also a little different then Houston & each other. Also, on the sites, not all the info is there in reference to a tourist or visitors visa. I know it changes again once you are married. If they do have any questions or I missd something that Houston center wants..I REALLY hope n pray they will call me. Will let ya know

My wife traveled 7 hours (one way) all the way from NC to Washington just so she could get it done same day.

If you have more time, you can use USPS mail or some other service.

Good luck

[SoS8:7 0]

My wife traveled 7 hours (one way) all the way from NC to Washington just so she could get it done same day.

If you have more time, you can use USPS mail or some other service.

Good luck

Thats great! Im glad she was able to drive there & had a safe trip there & back. That would not have worked out for me at this point in the process. (Altho, Im very certain there will be more situations coming up that will be more so expedient to travel distance, wait longer, cost more, make arrangements etc..) In relation to visitor visa application process and traveling there to drop it off & get decision personally, besides other personal/business reasons, I also added these things that were wise to consider- 1)If for whatever reason they prolonged the decision (as they, in that particular office, implied over the phone with me), I would also have to find a place to stay overnite (hoping they would only take an extra day at the most). 2) Or if they gave me a decision of not issueing the visa (which is possible, unfortunately but a fact) then more so that would REALLYYYYY make me soooo downhearted.. but Not give up..just delayed..

And so is the common life challenges of this visa journey. I know, because I have been down this road before years ago, but just a different country (K-3, Jordan). As I said before. this requirement of a letter of invitation is new to me, and so is the country (altho there are some similarities).

Its been sent priority with express return envelope...So now I wait & trust in God for what comes next. I trust God, pray & ask, plan, pray, listen to Him, take needed steps, pray, listen to Him & trust Him & give thanks & praise to Him all the way thru.. Just because He is Worthy of All praises & thanksgiving in every season of our lives.

Edited March 12, 2012 by SoS8:7

[Musashii 21]

1. As you have applied for visa, it may take them 7-10 business days to process your application.
2. Do call them and check the status after 5 business days.
3. Only purchase airline tickets after you have your visa in hand. You may use www.expedia.com or some other site for this purpose if you have facility to pay using credit / debit card.
4. Once you have confirmed the ticket and know when exactly you are travelling to Pakistan and which city, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/ and check their instructions for United States Citizens travelling to Pakistan. You may want to register with them in some smart traveler program but that is up to you.
5. Do leave a copy of your important documents such as passport, birth certificate etc with your parents or relatives. Also they should know where in Pakistan you will be staying and any contact information / numbers.
6. Don't be discouraged but keeping the current circumstances and situation in Pakistan, do not try to go out unless necessary. Don't do anything which may draw any attention to you.

All the best.