Hello there
Today I received my visa at long last, a 30 day visa.
I plan to extend the visa for a further 3 months as soon as I get there.
My question is regarding booking an air ticket. Will it be a problem to book a return flight for 3 months and check in at the airport when my passport only shows a 30 day visa?
And if so how do I get round this without booking a one way ticket which would probably also raise issues?
Any help greatly appreciated
Yours Jonathan :)
I'm sorry I thought I posted it in the Pakistan sub category. It's for Pakistan and I'll probably be flying with PIA if that makes any difference. Extending the visa should be no problem, I'm just worried that they will let me fly.
they almost certainly won't check. extensions are free and relatively easy to obtain - so showing up with a visa and a one-way ticket and explaining your planned extension might be fine. i boarded an emirates flight from london to islamabad a week ago on a one-way ticket and will be extending my visa here. no-one asked me anything about having a return ticket. you could also always say you're picking indian visa up in pakistan and will cross the land border at wagah.
I go with post 3.
Yeah no one will really check whether you have one way or return ticket so no worries.
Thanks for the replies they've been a great help.
The other option that just came to mind is I believe PIA allow one free date change, so possibly booking a return flight within the 30 days and changing the date of return once I'm there might be another option.
For those who said a one way ticket should be fine, would the same apply to a return ticket (with the return beyond the 30 day visa)?
Thanks
Jonathan :)
I agree with other posters who say you won't have a problem boarding your flight. I've made several trips to Pakistan over the past two years and the only interest at check-in and Pak immigration is whether I have a current visa, not what onward travel I have booked.
As far as the airlines are concerned, you have a visa --> therefore Pakistan will accept you for entry --> therefore there is no risk the airline will have to fly you out again. The need to produce a return or onward ticket at check-in is relevant mostly for destinations where you will seek visa-free entry (without citizenship) or a visa-on-arrival.
i'd contact the airline but i always fly emirates in and out and it's a flat 150 GDP fee to change your dates, which i've always done over the phone and which has always worked out well, even on a return flight. i doubt changing a return date with pia would be an issue - other airlines i've flown have also changed return dates - once when the flight was already open for boarding. i'd imagine it's industry standard on international routes to change return bookings, ether free or for a fee.
Bonjour from Chitral,
Some airlines give 72 hours to change the date so you better check with PIA, what are the rules for that to avoid any hassles.
For American travelers, you could only extend your visa at Passport & immigration office in Islamabad through the recommendation of MOI no where else in Pakistan.
Safar Bakhair..
