New Visa Agreement between India and Pakistan

New Visa Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Home Minister of India and Mr. A. Rehman Malik, Pakistan Interior Minister jointly operationalized the new Visa Agreement between India and Pakistan on 14^th December, 2012 at New Delhi.

However, the Visa-on-Arrival will come into effect from 15^th January, 2013 and the Group Tourist Visa from 15^th March, 2013. A Circular to this effect was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs today to all the Indian Missions, State Governments/ Union Territories, Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs), FROs and all concerned.

2. Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan had signed on 8^th September, 2012, a new Visa Agreement to facilitate travel for the nationals of both countries desirous of travelling to the other country and to promote people to people contact.

3. Key features of the new Visa Agreement:

    Visitor Visa

• Places of visit allowable increased from three to five places

• In exceptional cases visitor visa for one year could be issued in the past. Now provision made for issue of visa upto two years in following cases:

a.Persons above 65 years of age

b. National of one country married to national of the other country.

c. Children below 12 years accompanying parents in (b) above

      Visa on Arrival can be granted at Attari/Wagah check-post to persons more than 65 years of age for 45 days with single entry (effective from 15^th January, 2013).

     Business Visa Exemption from Police Reporting for Business visa granted to businessmen with an annual income above Pak Rs. 5 million or equivalent or annual turnover above Pak Rs. 30 million or equivalent.

     Group Tourist Visa

• Group Tourist Visa for 30 days may be issued for travel in groups, with not less than 10 members and not more than 50 members in each group, organized by approved tour operators/travel agents (effective from 15^th March, 2013).

     Entry and exit

• Now entry and exit from different designated Immigration Check Posts can be allowed, if indicated in application.

• However, exit from Wagha/Attari on foot cannot be accepted unless the entry was also on foot via Attari/Wagah.