Visa Services Resumption for Afghan Citizens by India
Resumption of Visa Services for Afghan Nationals in India
India has reinstated visa services for Afghan citizens seeking to visit the country for various purposes, including business, education, and medical treatment, as announced on the government's official visa portal. This move comes more than four years after visa services were suspended following the regime change in Afghanistan in August 2021.
The visa categories now open to Afghan nationals include business, student, medical, medical attendant, entry, and UN diplomat visas. Each applicant will be required to upload a copy of their Afghan National Identity Card (Tazkira) containing personal details such as name, date of birth, nationality, and expiry date.
The government has specified the necessary documents for each visa type, with all documents, including business cards and invitation letters, mandatorily required to be in English. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in application rejection.
Upon arrival in India, biometric details of the applicant will be captured. It is advised that applicants carry a copy of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) during their travel, and only do so once the ETA status is marked as 'GRANTED' on the official visa portal prior to their journey. Applicants can monitor their application status online.
Those traveling to India are recommended to familiarize themselves with the instructions available on the Bureau of Immigration's official website. refugees during their stay in India.
Minor children accompanying an Afghan parent seeking medical treatment, minor children from previous marriages of Afghan nationals married to Indian citizens or PIO/OCI cardholders, and Afghan UN diplomats will also be eligible for visas under their respective categories.
Diplomatic relations between India and Afghanistan were temporarily disrupted in August 2021 when India withdrew its personnel from the embassy in Kabul due to safety concerns. While India has yet to recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the Indian government has been actively working to provide humanitarian aid to the region.
In June 2022, India re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul by deploying a "technical team" in its embassy, and high-level contacts have since been maintained with Afghan authorities. In a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart on May 15, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar appreciated the condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack by the Afghan Foreign Minister.
The Afghan government, now under Taliban control, has been seeking international recognition and aid. Despite India's safety concerns, it has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Afghan administration to tackle common issues such as terrorism and drug trafficking.
An Afghan traveler seeking medical treatment might require a medical visa, given the resumption of visa services in India that caters to healthcare purposes. On the contrary, an individual planning a trip to India for leisure or exploring the Indian way of life may opt for a tourist visa, entirely dependent on their lifestyle preference and the travel intention.
