Letters for travel and trade
Visa recommendation letter
The Chamber writes to foreign embassies, high commissions and consulates in Pakistan to recommend a visa for a member firm’s proprietor, partners, directors, family or employees.
About this service
- Issued on GCCI letterhead, addressed to the embassy of the country you are visiting.
- Carries a serial number, date, signature and a QR code the embassy can scan to confirm it.
- Purposes include business visits, exhibitions and trade fairs, and buyer meetings.
Who can apply
Active, paid-up members. The traveller must be linked to the firm — proprietor, partner, director, family member or employee — and hold a passport valid for at least six months.
Documents required
- Request letter on the firm’s letterhead, signed by its authorised representative in the Chamber
- Completed visa recommendation application form
- Copy of the CNIC, with the original for sight
- Copy of the passport, including any pages with visas
- Bank statement for the last six months
- Copy of the membership certificate
- Invitation from the foreign customer (business visa) or a hotel booking
- One passport-size photograph
- Proof of National Tax Number showing the applicant pays income tax
Additionally, for an employee
- Service certificate showing the monthly salary drawn (six months)
- Undertaking signed by the firm’s authorised representative
Applying
How to apply
Online in the member portal, with the documents uploaded, or in person at the Chamber.
Sign in to the member portal and choose “Visa letter request”.
Enter each traveller, the embassy, the purpose and your travel dates, and upload the documents.
Pay the fee. The services desk reviews the request and the Secretary General approves it.
Download the signed letter as a PDF; you are notified by SMS or email.
Tracking your application
Requests made in the portal show their status at every stage — submitted, payment pending, under review, approved, issued — and each change is sent to you by SMS or email.
Track an applicationOffice hours
- Monday – Thursday, Saturday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- SundayClosed
Chamber Plaza, Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road
Questions
Frequently asked
Still unsure? Email the Chamber at gcci@gcci.org.pk
Does the letter guarantee a visa?
No. It confirms to the embassy that the applicant represents a member firm of the Chamber. The decision on the visa rests with the embassy.
Is there a limit on how many letters a firm can request?
The Chamber can set a limit per member per year. The portal shows how many you have used.
How will the embassy know the letter is genuine?
By scanning the QR code or entering the letter number on the Chamber’s verification page, which shows the letter’s status as recorded by the Chamber.
