Kabul: The Pakistani Embassy in Kabul has dismissed reports of a black market for Pakistani visas, reiterating its firm commitment to a fair and easy visa system for Afghans.
An Arab News investigation published last month found that Afghans are resorting to tour agents to obtain Pakistani travel documents and paying exorbitant prices, with distressed applicants paying between $1,300 and $1,800 for visas that cost more than 50 times the official price.
In a response shared with Arab News, the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul said it “does not have any official agents, middlemen, or associated travel companies to collect money from visa applicants.”
In a statement to Arab News, Syed Khizar Ali, the embassy’s press counselor, said, “The embassy’s official visa fee is transparently published and must be paid directly by credit card. We are aware that many applicants do not have credit cards and often rely on local agents to assist with online payments.” “Our commitment to a transparent, fair, and easy visa system for our Afghan brothers remains firm.”
Several travel agencies in Kabul and Nangarhar previously confirmed to Arab News that Pakistani visas are traded on the black market, but they stand by their statements.
A travel agency manager, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Arab News this week, “When we send applications and they come back approved within three days, how can this be beyond their control?”
“The embassy stamps the visas. They know where they come from.”
He said his agency has been processing dozens of visas every week since October, when tensions escalated after a week of deadly clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan along their shared border.
“We are the only route for travel agencies registered with them. If you don’t go through us, you won’t get a visa,” he said.
Despite the embassy’s denial that it doesn’t work through travel agents, public advertisements from several tour agents offering “guaranteed” medical and tourist visa services can be seen both online and on their storefronts. Although prices are negotiated privately, many openly promise quick turnaround times within a few days.
Despite repeated attempts by Arab News, the Afghan Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to requests for comment.
The Pakistan visa fee for Afghan citizens is approximately $25, and payment is made through a fully digital online system. However, applicants who attempt this process told Arab News that the process is often silently rejected after months of waiting.
Asma, an Afghan national trying to travel to Switzerland with her fiancé, had to go through a tour agent to obtain Pakistan visas for herself and her father.
Asma previously told Arab News, “I applied online through the official channel. That was four months ago. I never received a response. No answer, no explanation—just complete silence.”
The cost of obtaining travel documents was double for her, as her father also had to apply to accompany her due to Afghanistan’s strict travel rules for unmarried women.
“We heard from neighbors that some agencies in Kabul could do it faster… We went there,” he said, adding that he received his visa three days later via WhatsApp—not through official channels, but through a cousin’s contact.
An agency employee, who initially agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, described a system based on waiting lists and contacts at the Pakistani embassy and consulates in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kandahar, and Mazar-e-Sharif.
He said, “We have lists. Each list works like seats on a plane. When one list is full, we start filling the next. Every day, a list is released—meaning visas are issued every day.”
“These days, no visa costs less than $1,300 and none more than $1,800. This rate has remained stable for more than a month.”
However, the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul said the reports were “baseless and very unfortunate.”
“Any extra money these private agents may charge applicants is an illegal and unofficial practice that is completely outside the scope and control of the Embassy.”
