As India intensifies its visa crackdown on Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack that killed 26, it has revoked 12 types of visas, requiring holders to leave the country by a specified deadline. The government has revoked most visas issued to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. India has cancelled medical visas, visas on arrival, and journalist visas, apart from SAARC visas. Authorities will treat any Pakistani citizen who does not leave India by the given deadline as an overstaying foreign national.
Confusion surrounded which visas were canceled, the exit deadlines, and which visas remained valid. To clear this up, the home ministry communicated with all state governments on Friday. Here is the list of suspended Pakistani visas and the deadlines set by the Indian government for departure.
- Pakistan nationals with SAARC visa will have to leave by April 26
- Those with Medical visas have to leave by April 29
- No new visas will be issued to any Pakistani national
- Diplomatic and official visas given to Pakistani nationals are still valid for now. However, if a visa holder is expelled, their visa will no longer be valid.
- These Visa Holders Should leave by April 27
- Visa on arrival
- Business visa
- Film visa
- Journalist visa
- Transit visa
- Conference visa
- Mountaineering visa
- Student visa
- Visitor visa
- Pilgrim visa
- Group tourist visa
- Group pilgrim visa (issued to Pakistani minorities)
What About The Long-Term Visas?
According to the home ministry, Long-term visas (LTV) remain valid. Pakistani nationals who come to India with a valid passport and visa, and who plan to permanently settle and become Indian citizens, are eligible under certain categories. They must meet these conditions to apply for citizenship:
- Members of minority communities in Pak- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians
- Pakistani women married to Indian nationals and staying in India
- Indian-origin women with Pakistani nationality, who married Pakistani nationals, are returning to India after becoming widowed or divorced, with no male family members to support them in Pakistan.
