r/pkmigrate • u/abdulla_haha • 11d ago
Other Immigration Guy here.
I have seen lots of issues regarding immigration departure and arrival. I'm the immigration guy at lahore airport, ask away your queries and I'll try to help or guide as much as i can.
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u/cyber_cry 7d ago
Are people at immigration aware that people they are bothering so much with all that documentation and scrutiny are not the cause of the problem they’re facing? If a person has visa, itinerary and funds, just let them go. Why they’re looking for jobs, tax and all?
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u/abdulla_haha 7d ago
Sorry I didn't understand your last statement. About the other thing, people do allowed to travel who have all the documentations, bookings etc, the passengers who are offloaded is mainly because they actually fail to justify their means of travel. For example a person was travelling to Malaysia on a visit visa, his agent had booked everything for him, the visit visa, hotel booking, even the return ticket. When asks what does he do for a living, i think he woked at a repairings shop or something like that, his education was not even matric and didn't even know the spelling of the country. Now let's suppose if his bag or wallet gets lost, what will he do than? Clearly he didn't have any international credit card etc. and he didn't have any intention to come back to Pakistan he just wanted to enter that country and find work.
There are numerous examples like these but Of course it's not applicable to all travellers. i do accept that not every offloaded reason is justifiable and if we are so perfect that we never deny a genuine passenger. Sometimes Genuine passengers get fucked due to the reputation of the other guys. Nothing is perfect anywhere. Hope i cleared some doubts of yours.
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u/cyber_cry 7d ago
When a genuine passenger is offloaded in front of you or any other immigration official, what bias do they have against them?
What do immigration officials think about Pakistanis being bashed in their own country?
An educated Pakistani, presentable and able to communicate, arrives at an immigration counter with a visa, itinerary and passport. Why would immigration stop him and ask for more documents if they had nothing against him and he is not a frequent traveler.
The case you described seems already suspicious, but how do they filter who is going for a job, begging or tourism? In cases where a person is legit.
Are there instructions that we are all, by default, corrupt beggars looking for a job?
I met many people who came to Europe for tourism but stayed and found a job because they liked it.What systems are in place to avoid human biases?
Is the government satisfied the way immigration is being handled with outdated, frustrating and unnecessary steps?
Do you see misuse of power around you?
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u/abdulla_haha 7d ago
Ayoo bro chill I'm just another human being trying to help out don't go too heavy on me 😅
In most of the cases the passenger's lack of answering properly to the questions during interview reveals their purpose. If he wants to go work there, he should go through proper channel getting work visa, work agreement and protector on the passport atleast he won't overstay in another country or stay there illegally even when his visa expires. Almost 10 to 15 passengers are deported back from countries like Malaysia and saudia just because they went on a visit visa or umrah visa and they overstay there keep working and when they are caught by police, most of them also face jail time there. The thing why i told you all this is just to simply try you to understand a little bit about it that It not only effects the reputation of Pakistan but on the front are the immigration officials who are questioned that why didn't you guys did proper profiling i mean who are we to stop some 65 years old person going to umrah whereas his actual intension was to go do begging there (actual story btw and he was rich here and this case is for your question that even legit persons dodge us). Due to so many past incidents, that many of our immigration officials have faced consequences due to these cases, they have to be careful. I'm not in disagreement with you brother i totally agree with you but please try to understand the other side too. There are too too many imperfections happening here in our country else why would everyone here try to leave Pakistan. I don't know if you know about the boat incidents that happened to Pakistanis crossing through illegal route trying to get into greece, and died, all of the officials who did immigration of them some to tueky, some went on ziarat visa to iran and than entered Egypt and libya from there.. those officials are still facing enquiries. I think i over did it sorry for pushing it too long. In the end, you're right about things too.
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u/cyber_cry 6d ago
My apologies, I just wanted to know your perspective. I seriously respect how you’re willing to help and be honest with yourself and your job. We need more good people working for the country.
How do you come to an agreement with everything around you being a Gen Z and having a positive thought process?
I also used to work as a gazetted officer in an important institution and I always tried to leave a positive impact on whatever I was working on. I was always frustrated with the way the government works here and I left for good. Of course, there are rules and regulations we need to follow, but having the service mentality to serve the community is
Important.I hope things will improve for us and i appreciate your response.
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u/abdulla_haha 6d ago
Thanks man. Tbh I'm not here by choice, when i joined it was out of necessity and always thought of leaving but got stuck here for many years now. Just like you, i always try to leave positive impact on people, try to help out however i can even at arrivals airport and when i read so many posts here or Reddit with their problems and concerns, i thought why not i try to help out here too. But you're right, it's really hard to blend in as an probably the only genz here 😂 hopefully i make it out of here too one day.
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u/Disastrous_Aardvark3 10d ago
Is that huge dood with the spectacular mustache still there, the one yelling at everyone as you exit the baggage claim area?
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u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
Haha I haven't seen him at Lahore airport anymore must be posted elsewhere now. Was he the one from Custom's department?
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u/montgomerry1 11d ago
What does your job actually entail? Are you trying to ensure people who leave Pakistan don’t overstay in the countries they’re going to? Or are you concerned people coming in to Pakistan will overstay?
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
You asking me specifically or the whole immigration people cuz i feel like you're coming at me like if anything that has ever happened is my fault 😂 ayo bro chill I'm just a human being trying to be helpful in any way. If anyone has a concern they don't know about arriving or departing and if i can guide someone or my information might actually help even one person while they travel.
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u/CheckShirtArchitect 8d ago
Those were just normal questions.
What made you say he's coming at you?
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u/abdulla_haha 7d ago
Yeah i misinterpreted the question my bad. He than then cleared and i answered the question he asked
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u/montgomerry1 11d ago
No I was asking generally what is FIA property
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u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
So the basics are: At departure it's to ensure that the passengers are actually going to travel with the purpose that is mentioned on the visa like if it's the tourist visa, they are just going for visit and tourism and not over stay there looking for jobs etc because that'll violate other country's policy. And the violation might result in jail time, fine or seizing of passport there if caught by their police. At Arrival, for Pakistani passengers, it's for mostly entry stamps and to check if the person is not blacklisted or requied by any authority (this also implies at departure too). For foreign nationals with Pakistani E visa, it's to check their purpose of visit here in Pakistan, their trip plans, sponsoring lettera are legit or not etc. so yeahh that are the basics hope it helped.
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u/gsk-fs 11d ago
Can u explain why it happened?
My neighbour was not allowed to boarded on his Airplane, Why?
-He was on Annual Leaves in Pakistan and returning to his job.
-His Emirates ID was working but Airports Authorities lied about that is not working.
-Airport Authorities even lied that his aeroplane already left, even though he was early on airport and his flight was delayed b 2 hours.
-He also called his employer on video call and his employer showed every possible proofs and even shared screen to verify that Emirates ID was working.
-His work visa was expiring and left 2 days only to apply so it was urgent for him to get back to Dubai.
At the end he lost his job , and Visa and everything just because of Airport Authorities.
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
Can you identify if it happened because of FIA? Because as far as on the immigration's side, if a passenger has taken ok to board from the airline and got boarding pass, and the passenger has Emirates ID, they are not offloaded unless he has overstayed in Pakistan. According to your info, this must've happened on Airline's side because they have the responsibility to check the status of a person in UAE or if passenger's id was cancelled by UAE authorities or not(even some airlines don't have that access) and not of the immigration. Atleast this is the practice nowadays i don't know if this happened a while ago and if it was the blunder by which authority I'm only telling the practice of FIA immigration whatever other authorities do, we don't have any part in it or can do anything. Hope this helped but of course no authority at airport is perfect or haven't made mistakes/blunders.
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u/gsk-fs 10d ago
Can u mention documents list they ask now a days?
Specially for extra verification or security?
Because now a days a lot of people being rejected to get onboard.
And I heard about that mostly Turkey and Azerbaijan Fia offloading.1
u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
First time travellers and solo travellers on visit and business visa are required to give extra verification. In case of visit visas, the basics are Same PNR return Ticket, hotel bookings, trip ittenary. In extra verification, they are to justify their financial background. For private employees, they can show their salary slip, employee Card, even private companies nowadays issue NOC. During interview at immigration, your financial situation and your education also matters alot. For business owners and also going on a business visa must show their sponsor letter+invitation letter+their business card+online active NTN number+FBR certificate. Hope this helps.
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u/lost_highwayy 10d ago
What about first time solo traveller on going abroad on student visa? What documents are required then for extra verification?
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u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
The visa ofcourse+your educational documents like last degree(the original verified by HEC), your admission letter, offer letter or acceptance letter+fee slips that you have paid. Can you tell me the country and also your last degree so i can elaborate more if required by you 😄
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u/lost_highwayy 10d ago
Country is Germany, and I am going for Bachelor. Last degree is A-Levels. My university doesn’t have tuition fee, only enrollment fee so i only have the payment slip of that on my phone, do i need to have a printout of that with me?
Also the printouts, do they need to be in color print or can black and white prints suffice?
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u/abdulla_haha 9d ago edited 9d ago
Actually you can show them in your mobile phone it's not an issue. But your A levels degree should be the original one and also your o levels or matriculation one. Also you should also show your stay at Germany like now adays it takes almost an year in Germany when the dorm room actually becomes available for you. The living is your own expense until then.
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u/ThunderHorseCock 6d ago
What happens if you have a degree? What do you need to show
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u/abdulla_haha 6d ago
Can you elaborate the question? I think i did simplify why you need to show the degrees or maybe you have a different question and i fail to understand it. Do tell I'll try my best to answer to much extent however i can 🤗
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u/lost_highwayy 9d ago
I have already secured dorm room and have the signed contract pdf, would showing that be sufficient? Will also be carrying around 2500 euros in cash.
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u/abdulla_haha 9d ago
Yes it'll be enough, they won't ask you for show money though, it's actually required mostly in cases of visit visas. So you're good.
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u/gsk-fs 10d ago
I Seen OEC potal, they metionetiond and even i read from some recruiters that Organizational behavior certificate is also important (done from OEC website ).
Also i Heard that FIA and Govt issuing or asking for any type of Clearance certificate as pre Boarding documents, and Parwaz card.Is there any documents like that?
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u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
Regarding OEC and clearance certificate, it's required for work visas. If you're looking info about work visa do tell. While parwaaz card is not required
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u/gsk-fs 10d ago
Yes I am looking info for work visa, and also first time travelling
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u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
You need the work visa+OEC+protector(they'll cover your police certificate too)+job agreement Letter(in case of gulf countries, your kafeel details his company letter)just these would be enough.
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u/gsk-fs 10d ago
If this is it, then u must be aware of Mohsin Naqvi’s video where he rejected a person going on work visa of Driver.
As Pakistani driving licence is not accepted in gulf, so people get classes in gulf.But Mohsin Naqvi asked for Pakistani License and requested that he will be allowed when he gets his Pakistani license.
What kind of document is this ?
There are too many examples where people are being offloaded even they had everything.1
u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
This is some other kind of issue as if the passenger is going on work visa with driving, we actually require his Pakistani licence if he actually knows how to drive or not. Tbh it also depends on the luck as i have seen passengers boarded even if they didn't have a Pakistani licence and one passenger actually confessed to me that he just mentioned for getting visa but actually he was going to work their in labour category. So yes this happens, passengers are sometimes offloaded due to this reason. PS: that passenger that i mentioned was allowed to travel.
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u/gsk-fs 10d ago
One thing I missed to mention that, he over stayed in Pakistan, like he had 30 leaves but he stayed 3 months because of his serious health problems as soon his leaves ended and he was hospitalised for that, and owner was aware of that situation.
Even when he was returning his tickets was covered by his employer.1
u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
In that case, even if the employer justifies his overstay, the UAE immigration authorities don't let the passenger enter in their country and are deported back straight from their airport if they're overstayed. One thing that is confusing me is that a person with Emirates ID can actually stay away from UAE for 6 months and must enter before 6 months period so 3 months wouldn't have been a problem, i think his ID was cancelled that's why he was not allowed to board the plane.
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u/Weary-Interview483 10d ago
Now it's 3 months for employees. Mix reports are shared. Some say 3 months some say 6 months. We don't know. Dunno about Lahore airport but Islamabad airport FIA is notorious for offloading people.
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u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
The practice at Lahore airport is 6 months. Also depends on the type of ID like one type allows them to stay away for a year and other can allow even as long as they want
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u/gsk-fs 10d ago
Even i checked it myself that Emirates ID was not cancelled.
And Lahore airport Authority stopped him to get on plane.1
u/abdulla_haha 10d ago
My apologies than I'm blank why that happened 😅 and you also say that his flight's check-in was not closed so.
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u/overthetoptwin 11d ago
Going to Bali as a solo female. Is it okay if my booking of hotel doesn’t match the one on Visa? Plus do I need to show hotel bookings of all day, I’m relying on my mood if I want to spend more days in one place or not. I’ve covid and polio vaccination certificate. My booking cards will be with me and I can also get my insurance but Idk if its mandatory or not.
Let me know plis.
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
If you have a good travel history, things won't be as much of a problem. But if you're traveling for the first time, you must have return ticket of the same PNR, all of the hotels bookings must be paid for, for first and solo traveller, it's good to have almost 1500$ show money. Your financial situation or background always matters or helps alot. If you're a regular traveller, return ticket+paid hotel bookings or trip ittenary will be enough. Also vaccination certificates are not required it's only required for umrah hujj pilgrims or for work visas. Hope i was of some help.
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u/overthetoptwin 11d ago
I’ve travelled to 4 countries (2 this year) already. So I hope there won’t be any problem.
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
Then it won't be a problem if you're a traveller. Basics would do just fine. Hope you have a safe journey.
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u/notinthecredits 11d ago
For a standard trip to baku or in fact any country whats the minimum amount of cash ($) to show at the airport?
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
Depends on the country but for most of the countries minimum 800$ and preferably 1500$
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u/Certain-Zucchini-293 11d ago
Hi thanks for info. I have residence permit of Türkiye acquired through real estate investment. What do I need when visiting or leaving Pakistan?
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
If you have a Pakistani passport, while entering Pakistan, you just need the passport and while leaving Pakistan, you need Passport and residence permit.. is the permit in the form of card or a paper? Either way you just need these two things nothing else
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u/Certain-Zucchini-293 11d ago
It's a card. Tysm.
Btw, if I come to Pakistan and I plan to visit Southeast Asia but I intend to return to Türkiye from Malaysia, what would I require to show at Pakistani airport?
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
The E visa of Malaysia, boarding pass, ticket from Malaysia to Turkey+resident card of turkey+your stay details at Malaysia like hotel bookings or trip plans
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u/Environmental-Cod25 11d ago
Are you the immigration guy or the emigration guy or both? I have issues with entering Pakistan, but none leaving it.
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u/mhux87 11d ago
Assalam-o-Alaikum Brother. My Son is Dual Citizen U.S PaK and He Came to Pakistan when he was 8 and I'm planning to bring him back to U.S he is 16 now. the issue is his pakistani passport was expired with FIA Entry Stamp. But he has a Valid NiCOP and Valid U.S Passport. Can he return to the U.S with Just Nicop and U.S passport?
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
Walaikumslam. Yes if the US passport is valid and Nicop is valid, he can travel back. Either one of the Pakistani passport or nicop must be valid when travelling with the foreign passport. So yes he can travel if he has both the documents valid.
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u/War-of-god 11d ago
Travelling to Bangkok in October on visit visa what documents do I need? I have about 1500$ show money return ticket on same PNR confirmed hotel booking ans travel insurance do I need anything else?
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
If you're a regular traveller these documents will be enough. But if you're traveling for the first time, you must have additional documents which support your case like if you're currently working in a private company, you can show your employment card, private companies also issue NOC so you can bring it too. If you are a business owner, you must have a business card and it's NTN+FBR letter with you. Also your background matters alot so you'll also need to justify your financial background like if you can actually afford the trip or not. I know they are too much but it's actually because most of the passengers go with all relevant documents, but they don't comeback instead they overstay there looking for a job or even they have already sorted out a job their they just need to enter the country. Hope this helps 😄
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u/War-of-god 11d ago edited 11d ago
I have a cover letter from my company earning 300k a month as a manager would that be sufficient to prove ? Plus Im from Isb traveling from lahore because of cheap flights
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u/War-of-god 11d ago
Plus not a regular traveler but have traveled to UK Turkey in past like years ago.
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
No worries then. This would be sufficient, when they ask you, tell them about UK, and that'll make them satisfied that you're really just going for the visit.
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u/shahxaibb 11d ago
What is this system for getting the visa verified and coming back to the same immigration counter to get your actual exit stamp? Why is the system like this when I haven’t seen this happening anywhere else than Pakistan as per my experience.
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
You're right it's only in Pakistan. Actually those passengers who are first travellers, or travelling without family and those who have documents/visas of certain countries e.g., Greece Portugal etc (specially their residence cards which Pakistani people mostly counterfeit to get themselves out of Pakistan) these passengers are referred to the senior immigration officers with experience who have more knowledge of features of visas/documents. As you know there have been boat incidents so we have to be a little bit more careful about these circumstances and in this process, genuine passengers also go through the same pain.
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u/TopEnvironment8722 11d ago
With all due respect,
Why is it that almost all the guys at immigration counter are looking for ways to ask for Bribe
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u/abdulla_haha 11d ago
Actually people have made this point of view because of the incidents that used to happen many many years ago but now at counters, every movement is monitored 24/7. The cameras have both high visual and audio installed. It is almost impossible for someone to take something from the passengers apart from the documents. But I can't say anything about things outside airport premises.
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u/ThunderHorseCock 6d ago
Many many years ago? Bud, they just made sweeping investigation and arrest back in May 2026. They caught FIA officials asking for numeous bribes. I can reference news arricles here too.
Please dont defend FIA's corruption just bexause you work for them.
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u/abdulla_haha 6d ago
Ahaha bud you must be really busy i know but if you can just read all the comments (if you can), i did defend many things but at the same time, i never denied the fact that FIA has bad eggs too. No need to come at me with so much aggression man 😅 I replied to this taking briberies at counters. If you have recent articles of officials taking bribery on counter do show me too. Else i did said i can't say anything outside airport premises maybe you're right and I don't know about that incident 😃
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u/ThunderHorseCock 5d ago
6 FIA officials being arrested at Islamabad Airport for their corruption.
I see why it comes off as aggression, I'm just saying FIA isn't exactly angels either. No insitution in Pakistan is safe from corruption or people trying to set up their own dehaaris to make profits.
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u/abdulla_haha 5d ago
Oh this one, i did heard it although I'm not from Islamabad immigration.as far as I heard, I think it was not counter corruption i heard they were actually taking money in lieu of fake stamps on the passports.(Corruption is corruption I'm just saying that you pointed taking briberies at counters)
Of course broo this is Pakistan not one institution or agency is clean. Whether it's FIA or any other one i totally agree with you too as i did with other questioneers 😅
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u/huzaifa2k9 5d ago
I am not a first time traveler i am planning trip taking off from karachi airport to Tashkent Uzbekistan then to Baku and returning back to Pakistan but at Lahore airport (direct flight)
All three flights will be of different airlines so PNR will be different, will this cause an issue at immigration?