Pakistan
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to Pakistan
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Pakistan based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Pakistan does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
Nothing in the list of documents required to request a visa, available on the website of the Ministry of Interior, suggests an HIV related restriction on entry.
The visa application form does not contain questions or fields in relation to any health condition or status.
However, Article 3 of the Foreigners Act 1946 gives powers to the government to require medical examinations of non-nationals.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Pakistan
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Pakistan based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Pakistan does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
There is no health requirement under the work (general, domestic aide or journalist) visas.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Pakistan
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Pakistan based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Pakistan does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
Treatment access in Pakistan
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Pakistan. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
Non-nationals in Pakistan, such as foreign workers or refugees, typically access healthcare through private clinics, employer-sponsored health insurance, or, in certain cases, public hospitals. Public healthcare for non-nationals might not always be free, and services like antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV are available, but access can depend on registration with local health authorities or specific programs like the National AIDS Control Programme.
The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) aims to provide HIV services for all people living with HIV, including non-nationals. As of June 2024, there are 91 ART centres across the country though specific details regarding targeted services for non-nationals may vary depending on regional policies and service availability.
Under various international treaties and agreements, Pakistan provides healthcare to certain non-national groups, including diplomatic personnel and expatriates working for international organisations, often through private arrangements. Refugees, especially Afghan nationals, have some access to healthcare services in Pakistan through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international organisations.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Pakistan page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | No |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
