Visa on arrival means your visa is issued at the airport — no embassy visit beforehand. Fifteen countries offer it to Pakistani passport holders, including the two most practical holiday destinations: Nepal and the Maldives. This is the full list and the border playbook.
Quick answer: Visa on arrival for Pakistan (15): Burundi, Cambodia, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Maldives, Nepal, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu — plus Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka via eTA.
In this guide
The Complete List
Africa: Burundi, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Comoro Islands. Asia: Cambodia, Maldives, Nepal, Timor-Leste. Pacific: Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu. eTA (apply online first): Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka. That’s 15 + 3 = 18 of the Henley 29. Note: some lists also show Qatar and Mozambique — the Henley July 2026 index is the reference used here; always confirm before flying.
The Practical Ones
- Nepal: visa on arrival (90 days typical) — Kathmandu is the classic Pakistani holiday, with direct flights and mountain views
- Maldives: 30-day visa on arrival — the honeymoon default; book the resort first, the visa follows
- Sri Lanka: eTA online before flying — quick approval, then Colombo, Kandy and the coast
- Cambodia: visa on arrival — Angkor Wat for the adventurous
What to Expect at the Border
A visa on arrival is still a visa: expect a fee (cash/card), and have ready your return ticket, hotel confirmations, passport photos (some counters ask) and proof of funds. Officers can and do refuse entry — ‘visa on arrival’ is permission to apply at the border, not a guarantee. The travellers who get pulled aside are the ones who look unprepared: clear purpose, believable timeline, proof you’ll leave.
VOA vs E-Visa: Which Is Better?
For the same destination, e-visa usually beats visa on arrival: you’re approved before flying, so there’s no border gamble, no arrival-hall queue, and airlines won’t offload you. VOA wins on spontaneity — no advance planning needed. Rule of thumb: if the country offers both, take the e-visa; use VOA for last-minute trips. And for the big holiday destinations (Malaysia, Thailand, UAE), e-visa is the only option anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nepal visa on arrival for Pakistanis?
Yes — Nepal offers visa on arrival to Pakistani passport holders (typically 90 days). It’s the most practical VOA destination for Pakistanis.
Is Thailand visa on arrival for Pakistanis?
No — Thailand requires an e-visa applied for online in advance. See e-visa countries for Pakistan.
