Immigration

India | Suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals

Summary

Pursuant to the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists, the Government of India has taken steps including revocation of visas and suspension of visa issuance to Pakistani nationals. The Attari border checkpoint has also been closed until further notice.

The detail

Measures implemented

Following terror attacks that took place in Pahalgam, the Cabinet Committee on Security has announced the following measures:

1. Visa services suspended: Visa services for Pakistani nationals have been suspended with immediate effect.
2. Revocation of existing visas: All current valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals shall stand revoked effective April 27, 2025, except Medical Visas which remain valid until April 29, 2025.This section highlights the action we recommend in light of the update.
3. Diplomatic presence reduced: India has reduced its diplomatic staff including support staff of special advisors in Pakistan.
4. Land border closure: The Attari border checkpoint has been closed until further notice, impacting land-based cross-border movement between the two countries as well.
5. Long Term Visas (LTV) for Pakistani Hindus remain valid as an exception.

Impact analysis

Pakistani nationals in India

All Pakistani nationals presently in India are required to depart from India prior to April 27, 2025. In addition, medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will remain valid only until April 29, 2025.

An exception has also been carved out for LTVs issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals. Such visas are not impacted.

Organisations and institutions

The measures will impact organisations and institutions in the following way:

• Immediate compliance required: Organizations and institutions that currently host Pakistani nationals must ensure compliance with the revised visa validity dates and facilitate the departure of such individuals within the specified timelines.
• Enhanced record-keeping and reporting: Entities hosting/ sponsoring Pakistani nationals may be required to provide details to authorities upon request.
• Future mobilisations: All ongoing or upcoming plans to invite Pakistani nationals for any purpose must be put on hold until further notice.

What this means

These directives indicate a significant tightening of immigration and cross-border movement between India and Pakistan. This also marks a broader shift toward increased vigilance in immigration compliance amid heightened national security concerns.

Organizations, institutions, and individuals must ensure strict adherence to the new measures to avoid legal or regulatory implications.

Mobilisation of Pakistani foreign nationals to India would not be possible currently. Other foreign nationals with Pakistani origin, or who may have travelled to Pakistan recently may experience detailed scrutiny and timelines lags in visa processing.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Ishita Sengupta
Partner, India Lead (Mumbai)

Anand Dhelia
Partner (Bengaluru / Hyderabad)

Ravi Jain
Partner (Bengaluru / Kolkata)

Sundeep Agarwal
Partner (Mumbai)

Chander Talreja
Partner (Delhi NCR)

Hitesh Sharma
Partner (Mumbai / Pune)

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