Pakistan: Sikh pilgrims from UK, US and Canada to get visa within 30 minutes

The government of Pakistan has announced that Sikhs from the US, Canada and UK will receive free online visas within 30 minutes of arrival in the country to pay respects at their shrines located across the country.

The statement was made by Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a meeting with a 44-member delegation of Sikh pilgrims from the US held in Lahore on Thursday.

“You can visit Pakistan up to 10 times a year, and we will welcome you every time. Applicants only need to fill the form to get their visa within 30 minutes,” Naqvi told the Sikh delegation.

The minister said that this benefit also applies to Sikhs of Indian origin living in these countries.

Naqvi also announced that several Sikh heritage sites in Pakistan will be open to the public and no permission will be required in this regard. “The government wanted more and more pilgrims, including young Sikhs, to visit Pakistan,” he said.

Visiting Sikhs expressed gratitude for the free online visa, saying it made travel much easier. “We are also interested in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan,” they said.

The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), which manages the affairs of major historical gurdwaras under the patronage of the Pakistan Evacuee Trust Board (ETPB), welcomed the move.

“This will encourage visiting holy places including Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. The plan aims to host up to a million Sikh pilgrims annually, demonstrating strong community support,” the gurdwara organization wrote in a post on X.

Notably, the announcement was made 15 days before Parkash Gurpurb (birth anniversary of Guru Nanak), which is widely celebrated at Gurdwara Janam Asthan and Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. To attend the celebration, pilgrims from different countries, including India, the USA, the UK, and Canada, arrive at the sacred place.

Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh religion Guru Nanak and the final resting place of Kartarpur Sahib are located in Pakistan, besides many other historical gurdwaras such as Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda and Sikh heritage monuments. associated with the Sikh kingdom led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

In a major change in visa policy, Pakistan has completely waived visa fee for 124 countries from August 14 this year to boost tourism and investment.