South Africans planning to travel to Pakistan will now face higher costs and stricter visa requirements after the country quietly suspended its free “Visa Prior to Arrival” programme.
As of 1 January 2026, South African passport holders, along with citizens of 33 other African countries, will no longer be eligible for the free 90-day multiple-entry visa that has been available since August 2024.
Instead, travellers must now apply through Pakistan’s standard paid e-Visa system, adding both financial and administrative hurdles for tourists, business travellers and students.
What has changed
Under the suspended Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) system, eligible travellers could obtain a fast-tracked, zero-fee visa before departure, Business Insider reported.
That option has now been removed from Pakistan’s official visa portal, with applicants being redirected to the paid e-Visa process, which includes longer processing times and additional documentation requirements.
The change affects 126 countries and territories worldwide, including South Africa, and comes after the programme expired at the end of 2025.
African countries affected by Pakistan’s visa change
The suspension applies to travellers from 34 African countries, including:
South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, Mauritius, Morocco, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others.
For many African travellers, the VPA programme had offered one of the few low-cost, visa-free entry options to South Asia.
What travellers should expect now
Applicants from affected countries must now:
- Apply for a standard e-Visa
- Pay a visa fee, which varies by nationality
- Submit more detailed supporting documents
According to Travel News, standard e-visa requirements will apply, including a US$20 (R327) fee for a single-entry tourist/visit visa and $100 (R1 635) for a single-entry business visa.
The change is expected to hit African business and trade travellers hardest, particularly small businesses, entrepreneurs and students who relied on the low-cost visa option.
It also adds another layer of complexity for South Africans exploring tourism, education and commercial links with Pakistan.
Travellers are advised to check Pakistan’s official visa portal before making travel plans, as requirements may continue to change.
