Pakistan has launched a new mobile application called PAK-ID to facilitate visa-on-arrival services for citizens from 120 eligible countries, streamlining the visa application process through digital means. The launch builds upon NADRA’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, which include the modernization of Pakistan’s identity management infrastructure.
The PAK-ID app enables users to apply for business and tourist visas while tracking their application status in real-time, eliminating the need to visit physical offices. The application features advanced capabilities including face recognition, document scanning, and photo upload functions to enhance efficiency and security. These biometric verification features support Pakistan’s broader expansion of biometric verification systems across multiple sectors.
“The main goal is to resolve the issues faced by the public,” said Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving public services. The initiative follows several other digital identity developments managed by Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), including enhanced mobile services for national ID cards.
The system supports Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) applications, which can be processed within 24 hours without fees for eligible travelers under tourist, business, and Sikh pilgrim categories. Applicants must provide a valid passport with at least six months of validity and a recent photograph. The streamlined approach mirrors similar successful implementations in other regions, such as Australia’s mobile ID verification system for visa applications.
Available on both Android and iOS platforms, the app allows new users to register directly by entering their details and verifying their email address. Existing users of the Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS) website can access the app using their current credentials. The integration with POVS ensures continuity for current users while expanding digital service accessibility.
The initiative aims to boost Pakistan’s tourism industry by reducing bureaucratic processes and making the visa application system more accessible to international visitors. The digital transformation of the visa system through PAK-ID represents a significant step toward modernizing Pakistan’s immigration services, complementing NADRA’s broader efforts to enhance the country’s digital identity infrastructure.
Sources: The Express Tribune, NADRA Visa Portal, Xinhua
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