Where to Apply for Visa...

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anonymous
anonymous

Swedish passport. Living in California, USA.

I'm trying to figure out how and where to obtain a Pakistani visa. The embassy in Washington states on their website that the processing time is 4-6 weeks. This won't work as I travel abroad every 2-3 weeks and need my passport. I read on this forum that the consulate in Los Angeles is very difficult (might require a trekking permit).

I also read that the embassy in Sweden seems very generous and efficient. I was thinking of sending my passport and application there (by Fedex), you think that sounds like a good plan?

Another option would be to apply for it in India or Bangladesh before going to Pakistan, but I won't have much time, and would need same or next day processing. Is there any consulate in these countries that provide that? My understanding is there isn't.

I will also spend a few weeks in Buenos Aires next month and could apply there, but since I'm not a resident there I think my chances are slim (I don't even find a website for that embassy).

WikiTravel talks about visa on arrival if you go through a tour operator who takes responsibility for you. Is this still available and would it be possible to pay the tour operator yet travel independently on such a visa, or you must stick to the group?

Many questions... thankful for any insight!

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edwardseco
edwardseco

Its illegal but you don't have a lot of options. You can not apply for a Pakistani tourist visa out of home country (unless you are a personal squeeze of someone importante). The only exception might be the US if you are a resident but that takes too much time as mentioned..

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anonymous
anonymous

Thanks Edwardseco for the response!

Its illegal but you don't have a lot of options.

Just to clarify, what is illegal, the "independent visa on arrival" part or the "send passport to sweden via fedex" part?

Yes, at least the embassy web site says that it's ok for me to apply in the US as long as I show proof of residency. But maybe that's outdated information, or they are more strict with foreigners?

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edwardseco
edwardseco

The sending. But, we just had succesful report so.. I trust the embassy will process an application in the US. The only issue is the length of time. Others would know more on that..

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anonymous
anonymous

The sending.

I did not know that. I googled a little, and the situation seems unclear. Surely it is not always illegal, for example the Pakistani embassy in Sweden accepts applications by mail for Finnish and Baltic people. But perhaps couriers in the US refuse to mail passports abroad. And the Pakistani embassy in Sweden might refuse to mail it back to the US. And US customs might have something to say about it. I'll look into this. Thanks for the heads up.

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fieldgate
fieldgate

I've heard it too that expediting your passport by mail, courier or otherwise is illegal (it's your responsibility if it get lost).
A couple of weeks ago there was a similar thread although the poster was a German citizen who needed Indian visa. He sent his passport by courier to Germany and got it back with visa within a few days. I can't see why it shouldn't work for you as well.

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saramaca
saramaca

It's very common to send your passport via mail when you apply to a visa, whether it's to a consulate or to an agency dealing with visas. Not everyone can afford a couple of return trips to a big city hosting a consulate at the other end of the country! That said, it is important to use mail/courrier service offering good insurance in case the passport is lost.

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edwardseco
edwardseco

One should make copies in case of demand by authorities as well (especially in Arizona)..

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Bedil
Bedil

Currently, Pakistani visas can only be obtained from your country of nationality or residence. Since you are US resident of Swedish nationality, you can apply in the US.

Processing times sound ridiculously long. Call the embassy to speak to some official directly and explain that you can't part with your passport for this long. See what they have to suggest.

Check the laws of both countries if you intend to courier your passport. Some countries don't allow sending passport abroad. Pakistan for instance doesn't. I don't know about US and Sweden.

Good luck and happy travels.

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k2_heights
k2_heights

LOI could be provided (50$) by LOST HORIZON if they ask for.

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