October 8, 2020
The newly approved Pakistan’s friendly visa regime for Afghanistan is hailed to be more people-centric and broader in its scope. It seeks integration of various policy measures adopted by Government of Pakistan, to improve Pak-Afghan bilateral relations. The new visa regime covers various aspects like duration of stay, validity of visa and number of entries. It aims at facilitating common Afghans, who need to cross the border on daily basis, seeking medical aid and trade activities. The salient points from the new visa policy for Afghanistan are as follows:
- Visa for PoR Card Holders: Afghan refugees in Pakistan, having Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, to be granted visa upon withdrawal of their PoR cards.
- Visit Visa: Visit visa to be granted to Afghan Nationals through Pakistan Missions abroad excluding Afghanistan, for 45 days with single re-entry after security clearance from Pakistan’s security agencies. However, Pakistan Missions in Afghanistan, may issue multiple entry visit visa to Afghan Nationals for 60 days duration, with validity up to one year.
- Health Visa: On arrival visa for Afghans, seeking medical aid and treatment at Torkham border, for three months. The Pakistan Missions in Afghanistan, may grant multiple entry, treatment visa for 06 months duration, with further extension upon intimation to the concerned authorities.
- Family Visit Visa: Pakistan Missions abroad may grant a 5 years duration with multiple entries to Afghan nationals having spouse of Pakistani origin. There might be probable extension of one year, as well.
- Business visa: The new visa regime also intends to facilitate Afghan businessman with an investment plan of at least 50 million rupees in Pakistan, by offering 5 years multiple entries visa. Those Afghans intending at investing 20-50 million rupees would be offered multiple entry visa for 2-3 years.
- Work Visa: One-year work visa with multiple entries, to be offered to Afghan nationals by Pakistani Missions in Afghanistan, upon recommendation of Board of Investment (BoI).
- Diplomatic and Official Visa: Diplomatic and official visa for the duration of one year with multiple entries to be offered, on the basis of reciprocity. The duration of this type of visa can also be extended but on reciprocal basis.
- Study Visa: Afghan students seeking entry in Pakistan’s universities and colleges, would be granted multiple entry visa for entire duration of their university education, with extensions as the circumstances may require.
The author Tooba Altaf is an International Relations’ graduate, while working as a Researcher at Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad.
© Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
