Pakistan Suspends Key Visa Program, Imposing New Costs and Barriers on Travelers from 34 African Nations
In a significant policy shift, Pakistan has quietly suspended its “Visa Prior to Arrival” program, a move that lands hardest on travelers from Africa. The decision, effective January 1, 2026, ends a free, fast-tracked 90-day multiple-entry visa that had been available to citizens of 34 African countries since August 2024.
Affected nationals must now apply through Pakistan’s standard e-Visa system, which introduces application fees, stricter documentation requirements, and longer processing times. This creates new financial and bureaucratic hurdles for African businesspeople, tourists, and students, potentially slowing the growth of people-to-people and economic exchanges.
A Broad Rollback Affecting 126 Countries
The suspension is part of a wider rollback, affecting a total of 126 countries and territories that benefited from the program until the end of 2025. This includes 45 European nations, 36 from Asia, 14 from the Americas, and 2 from Oceania.
However, the impact is particularly pronounced for Africa, where the free VPA scheme was seen as a rare and friendly travel policy. The list of affected African nations includes major economies and travel markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, and Morocco.
According to the report, Pakistan has removed the VPA option from its official visa portal. Travelers are now redirected to the standard e-Visa system, where fees can be substantial—for example, $60 for citizens of the US, Canada, and the UK.
Potential Setback for Growing Africa-Pakistan Ties
Analysts note the decision comes at an awkward time, contradicting broader African initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area which aim to ease mobility for trade and investment. In recent years, easier visa access has supported rising travel for trade missions, medical tourism, and education.
Pakistan has been a key export market for several African nations; for instance, it was Kenya’s largest export destination in 2023. The new visa barriers could raise costs for African traders sourcing textiles and goods from South Asia and may dampen leisure travel from tourist hubs like Mauritius and Seychelles.
For now, the suspension creates uncertainty. Until Islamabad clarifies if this move is temporary or permanent, African travelers face a more expensive and less predictable system, highlighting the fragile nature of global mobility for much of the continent.
