A day after announcing the suspension of visa services for Pakistan nationals, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday directed all states to identify individuals residing in India under 14 different visa categories — including film, journalist, pilgrim, and business — and ensure their prompt return. In response, states like Gujarat and Odisha have already started taking steps to facilitate their departure.
The move comes in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 people — mostly tourists — were killed. The Union Home Ministry clarified that the suspension covers categories such as medical and student visas but exempts long-term, diplomatic, and official visas. According to an official MHA order, individuals under categories such as SAARC visa, business visa, visa on arrival, film, journalist, transit, conference, mountaineering, student, visitor, group tourist, pilgrim, and group pilgrim visas must exit India by April 26–27, while medical visa holders have until April 29.
In a video conference held Friday with all chief secretaries and Union Territory administrators, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan emphasized strict enforcement of these orders. Officials confirmed that existing visas issued to Pakistani nationals — except for Long-Term, Diplomatic, and Official visas — have been revoked effective April 27. The Ministry of External Affairs and Bureau of Immigration have been instructed to ensure compliance with the new directives.
Data from the Ministry of Home Affairs reveals that between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, India granted 1,112 Long-Term Visas to members of minority communities from Pakistan. These visa holders are not impacted by the latest order.
The visa cancellation is part of a broader series of retaliatory actions taken by India following the Pahalgam terror attack. India has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, downgraded diplomatic relations, expelled diplomats and senior defence officials from the Pakistan High Commission, and closed the Attari-Wagah border. Security agencies have stated that three of the five militants involved in the attack had infiltrated from Pakistan.
India shares a 3,323-kilometer-long land border with Pakistan, traversing Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Over the years, India has consistently accused Pakistan of sponsoring militancy and promoting secessionist activities within its territory.
