For those who are new to international travelling, there are many requirements that they need to be aware of. For instance, if you have to board an international flight from Pakistan, you need to have your passport, visa and NICOP (if applicable). However, owing to the availability of online portals and advanced tracking systems these days, the procedure of applying for a passport and NICOP in Pakistan has become easier than ever.
Similarly, many first-time flyers are usually unaware of the international departure process that they need to undergo at the airport, which is why in this blog, we will be sharing with you a step-by-step guide for boarding an international flight from Pakistan.
Quick Tip: All international passengers should check the validity of their passports, ticket information as well as updates on security measures, immigration and customs procedures for the completion of international departure process in Pakistan.
Step By Step Process To Board an International Flight From Pakistan
Here is the process that you need to go through while boarding an international flight from Pakistan.
- Required Documents
- Health Checkup Counter
- Screening of Luggage
- Airline Check-in Process
- Immigration Procedure
- Departure Lounge
Now, let’s describe each of these steps in detail.
Required Documents
If you are an international passenger who is flying from Pakistan, you need to carry the following documents.
- Valid Airline Ticket
- Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) / Smart Card / NICOP
- Health Certificate (if applicable)
- Valid Passport/Valid Visa (if applicable)
- NOC or Ex-Pakistan Leave Document (Mandatory for Government Employees)
Note: International passengers should get into the airport through an entrance gate having the signboard of international flight by showing their respective airline tickets. Plus, you need to make sure that you reach the airport around 2 hours prior to the international departure process in Pakistan.
Health Checkup Counter
In this step, you need to proceed to the Airport Health Desk. Here you have to present your Polio Health Certificate (in case you have one) to proceed with the further process. If you do not have Polio Health Certificate, then you need to follow the instruction of the representative from the Airport Health Department to obtain one.
Note: Polio checkup and vaccination is free all over Pakistan
Screening of Luggage
The process of baggage screening is carried out in the following steps
- Visit the Airport Security Force (ASF) screening desk.
- Put your luggage on a conveyor belt and let it pass from the scanning machine,
- Present yourself for a body search (if necessary) and move towards your airline counters to check-in.
Baggage Safety
Check on the following pointers for yours and your baggage safety.
- Refrain from carrying any item on the request of an unknown person.
- Leave a special marking or write your name or address on your luggage to make it easily spottable.
- If you are carrying currency, get it declared at Customs, by visiting the Customs declaration counter.
In this regard, you might also want to take a look at one of our previous blogs in which we have enlisted the items that you cannot take on a flight in Pakistan.
Note: In case of violation of any of the baggage rules, you may face confiscation of items along with detention for a certain period. For further details in this regard, you can visit the official website of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Airline Check-in Process
In this step, you need to proceed to your respective airline check-in counter where the validity of your visa and ticket information is checked and verified by the airline representatives.
Immigration Counter
The International Departure Immigration desks are categorised into different sections:
- All Passports Desk
- Overseas Pakistanis Desk
- Diplomats / Foreigners / Taxpayers Desk
- Old Citizens / Special Person / Women / Children Desk
Process to be followed at Immigration Counter
Make sure that your documents are ready before visiting the immigration counter and then undergo the following steps:
- Join your respective queue at the immigration counter.
- Submit your Passport with a valid visa stamp, Polio Certificate and embarkation card (not for foreigners) and other requisite documents, for example, NOC and Photo ID (if applicable).
- Once your passport is returned, check whether it is stamped or not before leaving the counter.
- After getting done with the immigration process, you may have to wait for boarding.
Note: Passengers flying out of the country for the very first time are the only ones required to submit the polio certificate at the Immigration Counter.
Departure Lounge
Once you successfully pass through customs and immigration clearance counters, you will be given a boarding pass and your activities are restricted to the departure lounge area, where you have to wait for the departure of your flight. Once your flight name is called out, you can board the plane.
Note: Double-check the flight information monitor and boarding pass to board the right flight.
Have a safe flight!
This was a complete overview of the procedure to board an international flight from Pakistan. In case you have any questions or useful information based on your personal experience that can be incorporated in this piece to make it more helpful for our readers, feel free to share it with us at blog@zameen.com.
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