Indian VISA for Pakistan citizens and persons of Pakistan Origin

This post provides details of Indian VISA types available for Pakistan citizens and Persons of Pakistan origin. Questions like, who is a ‘Person of Pakistan origin’? Is VISA on Arrival available for Pakistan Nationals or persons of Pakistan origin in India? Is E VISA available for Pakistani Nationals or persons of Pakistan in India? which VISA types are available for Pakistan Nationals etc. would be answered at length.

Who is a ‘Person of Pakistan origin’?

With respect to the Immigration policy of India and issuance of VISA, a person is considered to be a ‘Person of Pakistan origin’, if

• the person was born in or was a permanent resident in Pakistan (or)
• either of her/his parents is born in or were permanent resident in Pakistan (or)
• any of her/his grandparents(both Paternal and Maternal) was born in or were a permanent resident in Pakistan.

The relations between India and Pakistan are very sensitive and complicated. Both countries are much alike in more than a few ways, culture, shared history, language, food, geography, and so on. Yet, their relations always involved a lot of political friction due to many reasons. Hence, the VISA policy of one country towards another involves a lot of caution and reciprocity.

For an introduction, Pakistan Nationals are allowed only Sticker/Regular VISA for traveling to India. Schemes such as e Visa and VISA on arrival are not made available to them. However, there is an exception to this. Moreover, Tourist VISA is not available to Pakistan citizens. Read ahead for more details.

VISA On Arrival in India for Pakistan citizens

VISA on arrival in India is not available to Pakistan nationals or Persons of Pakistan origin. As an exception, a single entry ‘VISA on arrival’ with 45 days validity may be granted to Pakistan citizens above the age of 65 years and crossing Attari border ICP on foot. However, the maximum number of places allowed to visit under this VISA is restricted to five.

A fee of 100 INR or its equivalent in Pakistani rupees or USD is charged per individual for the grant of this VISA. This facility can be availed for a maximum of 2 times in a calendar year. Moreover, this VISA is non-extendable and non-convertible without the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Further, for this facility to be availed,

• The sole purpose of such a person should be to meet friends and relatives.
• She/he should not have a residence or occupation in India.
• Her/His passport should have at least 6 months of residual validity.
• She/he should not have been earlier refused an Indian VISA for any reason.
• She/he should not be a persona-non-grata, undesirable person, person in restrictive/blacklists.

Electronic VISA or e VISA

Not granted to neither Pakistan citizens nor Persons of Pakistan origin.

Regular or Sticker VISA

This is the traditional and main VISA scheme applicable, where a person gets a VISA sticker affixed on her/his passport from the mission (Highcommision/embassy/consulate) of the host country. Before going into detail about Indian VISA types applicable under this scheme to Pakistan citizens and persons of Pakistan origin, you need to be familiar with the following things and terminology:

Dual Nationality

If you are a foreign national of Pakistan origin, the foreign passport on which the Pakistan VISA is affixed or a copy of the Pakistan Overseas Card should be submitted along with the VISA application form.

Persons of Pakistan origin

Pakistan nationals who hold dual nationality should apply for Indian VISA only on Pakistan passports.

Submission of application forms

VISA applications are not received directly at the High Commission of India except in cases of medical and family emergencies. All other applicants can submit their VISA applications through the VISA outsourcing companies namely TCS Visatronics and Gerry’s international VISA DropBox.

VISA fees

Given the bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan, the VISA fee for all VISA types is pegged at 100 Indian rupees or its equivalent.

Estimated ETA for VISA issuance

All VISAs applied by the Pakistan nationals are referred to the Foreigners Division of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for approval. All Indian missions abroad issue VISAs only after this approval. Hence the whole process of VISA obtaining requires 30-45 days. Therefore, You should apply for an Indian VISA very much in advance. Also, you are suggested not to make travel arrangements until you receive your VISA.

Ports of entry/exit

The ports of entry/exit allowed for Pakistan citizens are restricted to –

• Airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai if you are traveling by air;
• Mumbai seaport, if you are traveling by sea;
• Attari if you are traveling by bus or on foot;
• Munnabao if traveling train.

Police reporting and registration

Unless categorically exempted by the form of an endorsement on the VISA sticker, Pakistan nationals are required to report to the concerned Police station/FRO/FRRO at the place of their stay within 24 hours. Also, you need to report within 24 hours of reaching each place of stay. This should also be done 24 hours before exiting every place of stay.

Others

You should have at least 2 empty pages in your passport to apply for an Indian VISA.

Your passport should have at least 6 months of residual validity.

It is illegal to carry Indian currency in and out of India. Therefore, it is suggested to exchange your currency after taking entry in India.

Coming back to the types of Regular/Sticker VISAs for Pakistan Nationals –

Visitor VISA

As mentioned, a Tourist VISA is not issued for Pakistan Nationals. In place of this, a ‘Visitor VISA’ is issued for meeting friends, relatives, or for any other legitimate purpose.

The validity of this VISA does not exceed six months with a stay limit of a maximum of three months at a time.

The number of entries is restricted to two in a calendar year.

However, the Head of the mission may allow for more than 2 entries considering rare and exceptional cases. Moreover, the reasons for seeking such extra entries should be recorded in writing.

Other VISA types available

Diplomatic VISA

Non-Diplomatic VISA

Official VISA

Business VISA

Transit VISA

Group Transit VISA

Student VISA

Medical VISA

Pilgrim VISA

Group Pilgrim VISA

SAU VISA

SAARC VISA

Special VISA

Return VISA