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HOW TO TRAVEL TO KARTARPUR SAHIB VIA KARTARPUR CORRIDOR (FULL GUIDE)
Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib is where Sikhism’s founder, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, spent the last 18 years of his life. Access to the Gurudwara was cut off after partition. But
now Indian pilgrims can access it from India via the
Kartarpur Corridor that extends 4.5 km into Pakistan.
The Kartarpur corridor connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab with Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Sending My Indian Wife to PAKISTAN (Kartarpur Corridor & Gurdwara)
My wife has returned now and she says she had an incredible time and that Pakistan took great care of her. She was impressed by its cleanliness, infrastructure, and food. Now she wants to return there on holiday. Kartarpur Corridor is definitely a place bringing Indians and Pakistanis closer.
Who can use the Kartarpur Corridor?
Only Indian passport holders and OCI holders can visit Kartarpur. Foreigners are not allowed.
Indians of ANY religion can use the Corridor and Gurudwara. It’s not limited to Sikhs. All religions are welcome.
Pakistanis can visit Kartarpur Sahib, they do not need to use the Corridor.
How to register for Kartarpur Corridor
Due to the tight security around a corridor which lets Indians cross the border into Pakistan, I’m sure every person will be scrutinised by Indian and Pakistani authorities. There’s a lot of personal information you must give to use the corridor.
It is also likely that your local Police station will call you as part of a background check. This has happened to some people. The Police will ask basic questions like name, travel date, who are you travelling with, father’s name, workplace, and office location. They’re verifying your identity to check that someone isn’t trying to fake their application. My wife didn’t get a call, but the local Police know her and her father.
To register for Kartarpur Corridor visit
PILGRIMAGE TO KARTARPUR SAHIB and apply online. You must register at least 10 days before your visit. Here’s what you’ll need before filling in the online form:
- Indian Passport or OCI
- Your blood type
- Name of your local police station (if Indian)
- Scan of your passport in PDF
- Passport photo in JPG format
Beware: Registering for a group is complicated!
The group leader must register themself and the group. Then ALL members of the group must register individually! A group can only have 5 members total, including the leader.
Step 1. The group leader should register and select “Travelling as Group” then provide everyone’s names and passport number.
Step 2. Every person in the group must register individually too! But NOT select “Yes” for “Travelling as Group.” Only the group leader selects “Yes” for “Travelling as Group.”
What happens after you register? Confirmations & ETA
After you apply online you will receive an SMS and email confirmation. Here’s the registration confirmation my wife received:
You have been successfully registered with ID XXXXXXXXXX. Visit
https://prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in for status update. This is provisional registration, and does not confer a right to travel. Your final status will be intimated 4 days prior to the date of travel.
REGISTRATION EMAIL & SMS CONFIRMATION
Successful applicants will then receive a travel confirmation 4-days before the date they’ve applied to visit Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib. You will get this via Email and SMS, along with an Electronic Travel Authorisation. This is what we received:
Your registration for Sri Kartarpur Sahib Pilgrimage is confirmed. You may generate/download ETA through
https://prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in. Visit Passenger Terminal Building Dera Baba Nanak on XX/NOV/2019 with ETA and Passport/& OCI (cited in application).
CONFIRMED FOR TRAVEL EMAIL & SMS MESSAGE
Pilgrims must carry the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), along with their passport, when they arrive at the Passenger Terminal Building.
You download the ETA from
https://prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in/kpr/applicationStatus. After you submit your details you’ll see the download link at the bottom of the page, “Your Registration Has Been Processed
Please Click Here To Download ETA.” The downloaded ETA looks like this:
What it looks like Sri Kartarpur Sahib Pilgrimage Electronic Travel Authorisation ETA
This all means you’ll need to apply online and then book your travel without being confirmed to visit the Gurdwara. This isn’t exactly ideal! But that’s how it is. Make sure you book your travel with a full-refund option, just in case you are denied entry.
Is there an entry fee for Kartarpur Corridor
Yes. Pilgrims must pay $20 USD to Pakistan when entering the corridor.
There is a currency conversion booth at the Pakistan checkpoint. You can convert INR to USD there. But the exchange rate is bad. It’s better that you carry USD from India.
There’s a lot of debate about whether this fee is fair. Pakistan has invested a lot of money into this corridor for Indians. So I feel it’s only fair that they are reimbursed because only Indians will use this infrastructure. It’s similar to tolls on national highways.
Kartarpur Corridor Construction on Pakistan Side
How to reach Kartarpur Corridor Passenger Terminal Building
Kartarpur Corridor Passenger Terminal Building, Dera Baba Nanak
Amritsar is the major city nearest to the
Passenger Terminal Building. It’s Google Map’s location is “
Shri Kartarpur Saheb Corridor start.”
From Amritsar, you will need to reach the town of Dera Baba Nanak where the Passenger Terminal Building is located. It’s about 48.3 km from Amritsar and will take you about 70 minutes to reach.
Is there Indian cell network reception at Kartarpur?
Yes! You can call back to India. We tested Airtel. Other networks are also working with 4G data so you can video call there too.
What else is there to do at the Kartarpur Corridor?
Nearby the Passenger Terminal is a lookout point where you can see the India-Pakistan Border Fence, Pakistan’s Passenger Terminal, and Kartarpur Sahib – if visible if it’s a clear day.
There is a Gurudwara offering langar and various street food vendors around the corridor entrance.
Kartarpur Passenger Terminal and Gurudwara photos
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Kartarpur Corridor sign as you live India
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India’s Kartarpur Integrated Checkpoint Passenger Terminal Building
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Kartarpur Border Crossing Point after Indian Immigration
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Crossing the Kartarpur Border into Pakistan 2
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Crossing the Kartarpur Border into Pakistan 1
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Border checkpost security check on Pakistan side
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Welcome to Pakistan Sign
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Currency Exchange Office at Pakistan Integrated Checkpoint
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Pakistani Security at Kartarpur Sahib
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Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan 2
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Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan
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Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan 3
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Kartarpur Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall)
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Kartarpur Darbar Sahib Inside
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The Well at Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan
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Kartarpur Darbar Sahib Sarovar
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Kirpan with Imran Khan’s name on it at Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan
When is the best time to visit Kartarpur Sahib/Corridor
We arrived at 8.30 am on a Sunday and it was empty. Our driver got a car park near the entrance. At 10 am the area got very busy and congested with devotees coming to visit the viewpoint. Roads near the entrance were then closed. Earlier is better when visiting Kartarpur.
How long does it take to get to Kartarpur Sahib from the Indian Passenger Terminal?
It takes 45 minutes to reach Kartarpur Sahib on a good day. That includes immigration on both sides and currency conversion. Arrive early to beat the rush.
Is langar and prasad available at Kartarpur Sahib?
Yes. Although on the day Manisha went the langar and prasad wasn’t served until 1.30 pm. Prasad also wasn’t available on day 1, but that will change.
Does Pakistan stamp your passport?
No.
Is the Polio Vaccination Mandatory?
Yes, after Indian immigration my wife was forced to take Polio drops. She didn’t want to, but there was no other option. It’s a vaccination.
Does India or Pakistan take your biometrics?
Pakistani Security at Kartarpur Sahib
Yes, both India and Pakistan will take biometrics from ALL your fingers and thumbs.
Enjoy your trip to Kartarpur Sahib and leave a comment if you have any more questions.
https://blog.karlrock.com/dont-leave-amritsar-without-eating-these-3-things/
How to Travel to Kartarpur Sahib via Kartarpur Corridor (Full Guide) - Karl Rock's Blog
IN PAKISTAN SIDE FOR GURDWARA SAHIB. *THINGS TO CARRY ALONG YOUR E TRAVEL FINAL VOUCHER, MINIMUM 20 USD EACH, PASSPORT, YOUR POCKET MONEY AND ONE PAIRS OF CLOTHES FOR ANY EMERGENCY* THE TRAVEL VOUCHER IS VALID FOR GURDWARA KARTARPUR AHUB ONLY AND HAVE TO RETURN BY 5 PM SAME DAY 
Jatinder Pal Singh Talwar, 9818722582
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