In a significant diplomatic move, the Indian government has revoked 14 categories of visas for Pakistani nationals and suspended visa services for them with immediate effect. All existing valid visas, except for diplomatic, official, and long-term visas (LTVs), stand cancelled.
This decision follows the emergence of Pakistani links in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the directive under the newly enacted Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025.
Who Must Leave and Deadlines to Exit India
Visas That Remain Valid
Diplomatic and Official Visas: Remain valid for now. Any decisions regarding exit deadlines for holders of these visas will be taken by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Long-Term Visas (LTVs): Continue to remain valid. No restrictions have been placed on the issuance of new diplomatic, official, or long-term visas.
Who Is Eligible for Long-Term Visas (LTVs)?
Note that no new visas will be issued to any Pakistani national under the 14 suspended categories, and those already in India must comply with the exit deadlines to avoid legal consequences.
This decision follows the emergence of Pakistani links in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the directive under the newly enacted Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025.
Who Must Leave and Deadlines to Exit India
- Pakistani nationals holding the following visa types must leave India by the specified dates:
- SAARC Visa: Valid until April 26
- Visa on Arrival, Business, Film, Journalist, Transit, Conference, Mountaineering, Student, Visitor, Group Tourist, Pilgrim, Group Pilgrim (for Pak minorities): Valid until April 27
- Medical Visa: Valid until April 29
- Those who remain in India beyond the deadlines will be treated as overstaying foreign nationals and will face legal action under Indian immigration laws.
Visas That Remain Valid
Diplomatic and Official Visas: Remain valid for now. Any decisions regarding exit deadlines for holders of these visas will be taken by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Long-Term Visas (LTVs): Continue to remain valid. No restrictions have been placed on the issuance of new diplomatic, official, or long-term visas.
Who Is Eligible for Long-Term Visas (LTVs)?
- Pakistani nationals eligible for LTVs must have valid passports and visas and must intend to permanently settle in India with a view to acquire Indian citizenship. The following categories qualify:
- Members of minority communities in Pakistan (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians)
- Pakistani women married to Indian citizens and residing in India
- Indian-origin women holding Pakistani nationality, married to Pakistani men, returning to India due to divorce or widowhood, with no male support in Pakistan
- Cases of extreme compassion
- LTVs for the first three categories may be granted for five years at a time.
- For the fourth category, LTVs are issued for one year initially, with extensions available for two years at a time.
Note that no new visas will be issued to any Pakistani national under the 14 suspended categories, and those already in India must comply with the exit deadlines to avoid legal consequences.
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