Student visa & permits in Pakistan
Student visa, residence permit, registration, fees, deadlines and document guidance for studying in Pakistan.
Read the complete Pakistan study abroad guide.
Visa & Immigration
Use the official Pakistan visa system and the process confirmed by your university. DGI&P says study visas are granted after the relevant government NOC(s) and security clearance. Your university's International Student Office normally handles the HEC NOC stage after admission.
DGI&P's explicitly labelled revised study-visa policy states that a Study Entry Visa or extension is issued for two years after due security clearance, with a stipulated 30-day security-agency period. It lists routine visa documents, passport copy, photo, an admission/bona-fide letter, and relevant Pakistani and home-country NOCs. Treat the 30-day figure as a policy timeframe, not a guaranteed end-to-end decision date.
The same DGI&P page still preserves older historical text elsewhere on the page, but its 'Revision in Study Visa Duration' section and later summary both state two years. Use the live e-visa outcome and mission instructions if your individual case differs.
Visa fees are reciprocal by nationality rather than one universal student price. Check the official fee list and online application at the point you apply.
Source: https://dgip.gov.pk/visa/categories.php
Common questions
What should international students know about visa in Pakistan?
The revised DGI&P policy states a two-year study entry visa/extension after clearance; fees vary by nationality.