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Religious Pilgrimage Visa — Sikh, Hindu or other pilgrim

PakistanCulture, faith and volunteering

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Pakistan Read the five questions ↓

What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

DGI&P lists Pilgrim (Sikh/Hindu/Others) under Religious Tourism. The Paris mission states Sikh citizens of foreign countries can apply for a Pilgrims visa, with eligibility for Sikh foreign nationals of Indian origin and Sikh Indian nationals with legal residence in France. The DGI&P pilgrimage section lists the places Lahore, Sheikhupura (Nankana Sahib) and Rawalpindi/Hasan Abdal (Punja Sahib).

See recorded sources

What organisation, institution, religious body, charity, teacher or host must support the activity?

A sponsor letter from the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore) is required, or alternatively an invitation/sponsor letter with the national ID of a person or body in Pakistan; the Paris Embassy asks for a sponsorship letter by a Sikh Gurdwara in Pakistan.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Requirements are published by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles for its applicants; other missions may differ.
  • Requirements are published by the Embassy of Pakistan in Paris for applicants in its jurisdiction; other missions may differ.
  • Sources address Sikh pilgrims only; Hindu or other pilgrims not covered.
  • https://mofa.gov.pk/los-angeles-visa-services
    Invitation /sponsor letter on the letterhead from “Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore Pakistan “for a pilgrimage visa.  Alternatively, an invitation/sponsor letter along with a copy of the National ID card of a person or body in Pakistan is also acceptable.
  • https://mofa.gov.pk/paris-e-visa
    - Sponsorship Letter by Sikh Gurdwara in Pakistan

What proves the placement, role, affiliation, experience or cultural/religious/voluntary activity?

For Sikh pilgrims, the proof is an invitation or sponsor letter on the letterhead of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, or alternatively an invitation or sponsor letter with a copy of the National ID card of a person or body in Pakistan. The Paris mission asks for a sponsorship letter by a Sikh Gurdwara in Pakistan, a valid Carte de Séjour for Sikh Indian nationals legally resident in France, and a livret de famille (family book) if a spouse or children apply. The official source does not state what proves the pilgrimage for Hindu or other pilgrims.

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Limits of the record
  • Independent literal and semantic review is pending.

Can the person receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement? Can they undertake other work?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm whether pay, pocket money, accommodation or other work is allowed.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Independent literal and semantic review is pending.

How long can they stay, can they change host/activity, can family accompany, and can the status be extended?

Sikh pilgrims holding foreign (non-Indian) passports are granted an entry visa by the missions for a fortnight. The Paris mission lists spouses and children of eligible Sikh applicants as eligible and asks for a family book if spouse/children apply. The official source does not state whether the visa can be extended or whether the activity can be changed.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Extension of the pilgrim visa is not stated.
  • Changing activity is not stated.
  • Stay rules for Hindu or other pilgrims are not stated.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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