India’s new visa module for Afghan nationals came into effect on April 29

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that the new visa module for Afghan nationals came into effect on April 29.

During his weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Afghan nationals can now apply for Indian visas under six specific categories: medical, medical attendant, business, entry, student, and UN diplomatic.

He noted that the previous visa arrangement, known as the E-Emergency Ex-Miscellaneous Visa, has been discontinued. Afghan nationals currently residing in India under the old system are required to transition to the new policy.

The move comes after India resumed visa issuance for Afghan nationals following a four-year suspension in the wake of the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in August 2021.

“All Afghan nationals can now apply for an Indian visa in six categories: medical visa, medical attendant visa, business visa, entry visa, student visa, and UN diplomatic visa. Afghan nationals who are in India on visas that were issued as per the old policy will now have to get it converted as per the new policy. They will have to approach the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) here in Delhi or any other part of India, as the case may be. The new visa module will help strengthen India-Afghanistan people-to-people ties further,” Jaiswal said.