The Pakistan Government has commenced deporting Afghan nationals without a valid travel document and Pakistani visa back to their country of origin.
- Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) are no longer considered valid documents by the Pakistan Government.
- Proof of Registration (PoR) Cards will expire on 30 June 2025 and may no longer be recognised as valid after this date.
The Pakistan Government has ordered all Afghans without a valid passport or visa in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi area to relocate by 31 March 2025. This includes ACC and PoR card holders. The Pakistan Government has advised that any Afghans without a valid travel document and Pakistan visa in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area is at risk of being deported—regardless of your status with an Australian visa program.
According to the Pakistan Government, only Afghan nationals with a valid passport and Pakistani visa are permitted to enter and remain in Pakistan.
Even if you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an Australian visa holder, you must have lawful immigration status in Pakistan, or a valid exit permit, to be able to depart the country.
The Australian Government advises you to check your immigration status in Pakistan and to comply with all relevant Pakistani laws.
If you do not have lawful immigration status in Pakistan, you are at risk of being deported.
Australian visa holders and visa applicants
The Department of Home Affairs urgently requires the latest copies of your travel document and Pakistan visa status. Please update the department as soon as possible if you have:
- obtained/ renewed your travel document,
- regularised your immigration status in Pakistan, or
- new address and/ or contact details.
Further information on how to update your details is available on the Home Affairs website Changes in your situation.
Exit procedures for valid or expired Pakistani visa holders
If you have a valid Pakistani visa or a Pakistani visa that has expired in the last year, you can apply for an exit permit online through the Pakistan National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) website: Exit Permit - Pakistan Online Visa System. You must provide evidence of your:
- last Pakistani visa, and
- entry into Pakistan (stamp in your passport).
Only Australian refugee visa holders (subclasses 200, 201 and 204) are eligible to receive assistance with this process from the Australian Government.
If you have entered Pakistan irregularly or do not have a valid Pakistani visa
The Australian Government advises you to comply with the laws of Pakistan and ensure you have a valid travel document and Pakistan visa. We may not be able to assist you if you have entered Pakistan irregularly or do not have a valid Pakistani visa.
Australian refugee and humanitarian visa holders
From October 2024, Toll Group will be contacting individuals who hold the following Australian Humanitarian visas to schedule appointments for biometrics collection by the Government of Pakistan:
- subclass 200 Refugee
- subclass 201 In-country Special Humanitarian
- subclass 204 Woman at Risk
It is important that you are prepared to travel within Pakistan at short notice to attend your biometrics appointment. People who do not attend their scheduled appointments for biometrics collection may not be able to get an exit permit and depart Pakistan. After your biometrics appointment, Toll Group will facilitate your exit permit application with the Pakistan National Database and Registration Authority.
All other visa holders
If you require assistance with obtaining an appointment with the Pakistan Government for an exit permit, please email [email protected].
When you make contact, please attach to your email:
- a copy of your Australian visa grant letter;
- a copy of your passports and/or ImmiCards;
- full particulars about yourself and family, including your name, date of birth as it appears on your Australian visa grant letter; and
- information about your location in Pakistan and your contact email and phone number.
Once you have submitted the information above, a representative from the Australian High Commission in Islamabad will contact you.
The Australian Government will not assist you with making your online exit permit application, paying the fee, or arranging or paying for your travel to Australia.
If you need to travel inside Pakistan
You must consider the risks to you and your family before travelling within Pakistan to attend any appointments as part of a visa or exit permit process. If you or your family do not have a valid Pakistan visa, you could be detained or questioned by police while travelling inside Pakistan. Should you be detained or deported, the Australian Government would be unable to intervene on your behalf.
If you have been detained or deported by the Pakistan Government
Australian citizens or permanent residents
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has been detained or deported to Afghanistan by the Pakistan Government, please email [email protected].
Australian visa holders
If you are an Australian visa holder who has been detained or deported to Afghanistan, please email [email protected].
You will need to provide us with evidence of your Australian visa status. If possible, please provide at least one of the following:
- a copy of your Australian visa grant letter, and
- a copy of your passports and/or ImmiCards,
- full particulars about yourself and family, including your name, date of birth as it appears on your Australian visa grant letter, and
- information about your location in Afghanistan, your contact email and phone number, including a WhatsApp number.
If you are currently in Afghanistan or considering travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan
You must consider the risks carefully before attempting to leave Afghanistan by any route. The Australian Government cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to departure points. Any travel options, you pursue are taken at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety and that of your family. The Australian Government does not have a consular presence in Afghanistan and will not be able to assist you.
You must ensure that you have valid and genuine passports or travel documents before leaving Afghanistan, otherwise you may be prevented from travelling.
If you need to contact Toll Group
From October 2024, Toll Group replaced IOM as the contracted provider of Assisted Passage services for people who have applied or those who have been granted Australian Humanitarian visa.
If you need to arrange to collect an ImmiCard from Toll Group or have a query in relation to assisted passage to Australia, please email [email protected].
Migrants resettling to Australia (except government funded Refugee visa holders, subclasses 200, 201 and 204) must make their own travel arrangements and cover their own travel costs.
Contact with the Australian High Commission
Please do not call back the Australian High Commission, Islamabad if you have a missed call from us. We will contact you via email to arrange a time to call you again.
The Australian High Commission, Islamabad is unable to respond to general visa queries including advice on how to apply for an Australian visa or the status of an Australian visa application.
You can also find further information on the Australian High Commission website about Australian visas and citizenship.