In 2023, more than 11,000 foreign climbers and tourists traveled to Gilgit-Baltistan

In the summer of 2023, 9,000 foreign tourists and climbers in particular were drawn to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) due to its breathtaking scenery and array of adventure activities. Notwithstanding this increase, difficulties with the visa application process turned into a major barrier for many.

Travel agents emphasized problems with the visa application procedure that prevented some prospective tourists. Speaking on behalf of the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, Mohammad Ali stressed how difficult and time-consuming it is to secure a visa for Pakistan. Many travelers were deterred from pursuing their plans to visit the nation by the lengthy process, which frequently took several months.

The online visa application form is only available in English, which limits accessibility for travelers from non-English speaking nations, as noted by British tour operator Asghar Ali Porik. He clarified the misunderstanding caused by the two different types of visas—the tourist visa and the mountaineering/trekking visa. While these visas are supposed to be issued in a certain amount of time, in practice, especially following security clearance, they frequently arrive sooner than anticipated. Many international visitors to Pakistan had to rethink or postpone their travel plans as a result of this uncertainty.

In addition to causing travel delays, the complicated visa application process presented a significant obstacle for prospective tourists. The region’s potential for tourism expansion was impacted because these problems turned off travelers and explorers. Resolving these obstacles could greatly increase Pakistan’s appeal as a travel destination and possibly spur additional economic growth for both GB and the nation as a whole. These measures include streamlining the visa application process, offering multilingual support, and guaranteeing adherence to promised processing timelines