NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India has decided that all Afghan nationals henceforth must travel to India only on e-visa.
The government decided the same owing to the prevailing security situation in Afghanistan, and streamlining the visa process by introducing the “E-Emergency X-Misc visa.”
X Visa, also known as Entry Visa, is a visa provided for foreigners visiting India.
Keeping in view some reports that some passports of Afghan nationals have been misplaced, previously issued visas to all Afghan citizens, who are presently not in India, stand invalidated with immediate effect, said an official release by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Afghan nationals wishing to travel to India may apply for an e-Visa at the official website.
India, on Aug. 17, had also announced that it would issue an emergency e-visa to Afghan nationals who want to come to the country because of the prevailing situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban captured power there.
All Afghans, irrespective of their religion, can apply for the “E-Emergency X-Misc Visa” online; the applications will be processed in New Delhi.
The announcement came two days after the Taliban captured power in Afghanistan.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs reviews visa provisions because of the current situation in Afghanistan,” said a spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“A new category of electronic visa called “E-Emergency X-Misc Visa” introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India.”
Officials said since Indian missions in Afghanistan are shut, the visa can be applied online, and applications will be examined and processed in New Delhi.
“Keeping in view some reports that certain passports of Afghan nationals have been misplaced, previously issued visas to all Afghan nationals, who are presently not in India, stand invalidated with immediate effect. Afghan nationals wishing to travel to India may apply for e-Visa at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in,” said the release.
The visa will initially be valid for six months, they said.
The officials then said security issues would be looked into while processing the applications and granting the visa to Afghan nationals.
All Afghans, irrespective of their religion, can apply for the travel document.
Thousands of Afghans rushed into Kabul’s main airport on Aug. 16, some so desperate to escape the Taliban that they held onto a military jet as it took off and plunged to their deaths.
The crowds came while the Taliban enforced their rule over the capital of five million people after a lightning advance across the country that took just over a week to dethrone the country’s Western-backed government.
(With inputs from ANI)
Edited by Saptak Datta and Ritaban Misra
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