Family Visit Visa Pakistan: Eligibility, Documents & How to Apply

Family Visit Visa Pakistan - 5-year visa guide for Pakistani origin foreigners and spouses via visa.nadra.gov.pk

Note: This is a category within the Pakistan Online Visa System, a federal Government of Pakistan platform — not a Punjab provincial service.

The Family Visit Visa, applied for at visa.nadra.gov.pk/family-visit-visa, is designed for foreign citizens of Pakistani origin and their spouses who want to visit and stay with family members in Pakistan — with one of the longest validity periods of any Pakistani visa category. This guide covers eligibility, documents, validity, and how the process works.

What Is the Family Visit Visa?

This visa lets foreign citizens of Pakistani origin and their spouses visit and stay with family members in Pakistan for up to 5 years, with up to 1 year of stay permitted on each entry. It's one of the more generous visa categories in terms of long-term validity, reflecting its purpose of maintaining family ties for the Pakistani diaspora and their families.

Special note for Afghan-origin applicants: Afghan nationals are specifically requested to apply under the Family category only if their spouse is Pakistani — this category is not a general entry route for Afghan nationals otherwise.

Application Types

First Time (New): for applicants who do not currently possess a valid Pakistani visa
Extension: for applicants who already hold a valid Pakistani visa and are currently residing in Pakistan

Who Is Eligible?

Foreign citizens of Pakistani origin
Spouses of foreign citizens of Pakistani origin

Importantly, if you or your relative are of Pakistani origin, you may actually be eligible for a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) instead — in which case you may not need a visa at all. The official portal specifically directs applicants to check their POC eligibility before applying for a Family Visit Visa, since a POC grants visa-free entry, indefinite stay, and additional rights such as property ownership and banking access in Pakistan. Broadly, you may qualify for a POC if you were previously a Pakistani citizen who later renounced that citizenship, if a parent or grandparent was/is Pakistani, or if you're a foreign spouse of a Pakistani citizen (with some nationality-based exclusions that NADRA applies) — check your specific eligibility on NADRA's official POC page before deciding which route to pursue.

Required Documents

Photograph
Passport
POC (Pakistan Origin Card) or equivalent proof of origin
Marriage certificate (for spouse applicants)
Birth certificate
Proof of legal residence — mandatory if you are not present in your home country and are applying for the visa from a third country (uploaded under the "Other" supporting document type)
For Extension applications: proof of your valid Pakistani visa and the entry stamp on your passport (also uploaded under "Other")

Duration and Validity

Applicant Type	Validity
First Time (New)	Up to 5 years, with up to 1 year stay per entry
Extension — Pakistani-origin foreigners	Extendable up to 2 years
Extension — other foreigners	Granted yearly, or per relevant rules/policy

For any extension, you must have a valid Pakistani visa and actually be residing in Pakistan at the time of application.

Processing Time

First Time Entry: 7–10 working days
Visa Extension: 7–10 working days
Afghanistan and Somalia passport holders (First Time Entry or Extension): 4 weeks (working days)
If sent back for review, processing time restarts from the resubmission date, and the application is cancelled if not resubmitted within 7 days

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

Check whether you're eligible for a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) first, since this may eliminate the need for a visa altogether.
If a visa is needed, visit visa.nadra.gov.pk/family-visit-visa and select First Time or Extension, as applicable.
Register or log in to the Pakistan Online Visa System.
Upload your photograph, passport, POC (if available), and marriage/birth certificate as relevant to your relationship category.
If applying from a third country (not your home country), upload proof of legal residence there under "Other."
For extensions, upload proof of your current valid Pakistani visa and entry stamp under "Other."
Submit your application and pay any applicable fee online.
Track your status and respond promptly to any review request to avoid the 7-day cancellation deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa if I already have a Pakistan Origin Card (POC)?

Generally, no — a POC grants visa-free entry into Pakistan along with other rights like property ownership and banking access, so eligible applicants should check POC eligibility before applying for a Family Visit Visa.

Can Afghan nationals apply under the Family Visit Visa category?

Only if their spouse is Pakistani — this category isn't a general entry route for Afghan nationals without that specific family connection.

How long can I stay in Pakistan on a First Time Family Visit Visa?

The visa itself is valid for up to 5 years, but each individual entry permits a stay of up to 1 year before you need to re-enter or extend.

What happens if I apply for an extension without a valid Pakistani visa?

Extensions require that you already hold a valid Pakistani visa and are physically residing in Pakistan — without both conditions, an extension application won't meet the requirements.

For video guide, view this video

Final Thoughts

The Family Visit Visa offers one of the longest validity periods available to foreign citizens of Pakistani origin and their spouses — but before applying, it's worth checking whether a Pakistan Origin Card might serve you better, since it can remove the need for a visa entirely. Start at visa.nadra.gov.pk/family-visit-visa to confirm your specific eligibility and required documents.

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