NEW DELHI: India on Friday announced the suspension of visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect, along with revocation of all existing valid visas issued to Pakistanis, barring long-term visas, diplomatic visas and official visas.
While Saarc visas expire on April 26, medical visas will cease to be valid after April 29. Visas of all other categories will not be recognised after April 27. In case Pakistani citizens fail to leave India by specified deadlines, they will be considered as overstaying foreign nationals.
Pakistanis failing to leave India to face action under law
In case Pakistani citizens fail to leave India by specified deadlines, they will be considered as overstaying foreign nationals and face suitable legal action under provisions of newly enacted Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025.
An order issued by the home ministry’s foreigners division — as part of harsh diplomatic measures unveiled by India since Pakistani linkages emerged in the Pahalgam attack — states that no new visas shall be issued to Pakistani citizens across 14 categories — namely, Saarc visa, visa on arrival, business visa, film visa, journalist visa, transit visa, medical visa, conference visa, mountaineering visa, student visa, visitor visa, group tourist visa, pilgrim visa and group pilgrim visa issued to minorities of Pakistan.
The order states that all Pakistani visitors to India admitted in 12 visa categories — visa on arrival, business visa film visa, journalist visa, transit visa, medical visa, conference visa, mountaineering visa, student visa, visitor visa, group tourist visa, pilgrim visa and group pilgrim visa issued to minorities of Pakistan — must exit India by April 27; Saarc visa holders by Saturday; and medical visa holders by April 29.
Diplomatic and official visas will, however, remain valid, with any deadline to exit India to be decided by the ministry of external affairs. Long-term visas issued to Pakistani citizens will also remain valid. There shall also be no restriction on the issue of new diplomatic and official visas or long term visas.
While Saarc visas expire on April 26, medical visas will cease to be valid after April 29. Visas of all other categories will not be recognised after April 27. In case Pakistani citizens fail to leave India by specified deadlines, they will be considered as overstaying foreign nationals.
Pakistanis failing to leave India to face action under law
In case Pakistani citizens fail to leave India by specified deadlines, they will be considered as overstaying foreign nationals and face suitable legal action under provisions of newly enacted Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025.
An order issued by the home ministry’s foreigners division — as part of harsh diplomatic measures unveiled by India since Pakistani linkages emerged in the Pahalgam attack — states that no new visas shall be issued to Pakistani citizens across 14 categories — namely, Saarc visa, visa on arrival, business visa, film visa, journalist visa, transit visa, medical visa, conference visa, mountaineering visa, student visa, visitor visa, group tourist visa, pilgrim visa and group pilgrim visa issued to minorities of Pakistan.
The order states that all Pakistani visitors to India admitted in 12 visa categories — visa on arrival, business visa film visa, journalist visa, transit visa, medical visa, conference visa, mountaineering visa, student visa, visitor visa, group tourist visa, pilgrim visa and group pilgrim visa issued to minorities of Pakistan — must exit India by April 27; Saarc visa holders by Saturday; and medical visa holders by April 29.
Diplomatic and official visas will, however, remain valid, with any deadline to exit India to be decided by the ministry of external affairs. Long-term visas issued to Pakistani citizens will also remain valid. There shall also be no restriction on the issue of new diplomatic and official visas or long term visas.
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