New Visa Module for Afghan Nationals, People Can Apply in 6 Categories: MEA
Afghan nationals can now apply for Indian visas under six categories: medical, medical attendant, business, entry, student, and UN diplomatic
By : ANI
Update: 2025-05-29 12:39 GMT
New Delhi: India implemented a new visa module for Afghan nationals on April 29, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. Jaiswal stated that the new visa module will help further strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan.
While addressing a press briefing, Jaiswal noted that the old visa module for Afghan nationals has been discontinued. Afghan nationals can now apply for Indian visas under six categories: medical, medical attendant, business, entry, student, and UN diplomatic. He urged those who are in India under the old policy to get their visas converted in accordance with the new system.
When asked whether India had implemented a new visa module, the MEA spokesperson confirmed, “I would like to introduce you to the new visa module in place for Afghan nationals. This was, I think, put in place last month. The old visa module that we had, a program called E-Emergency Ex-Miscellaneous Visa, has been discontinued, and we have a new visa model for Afghan nationals, which came into effect on 29th April, so last month, 29th April.”
India has recently resumed issuing visas to Afghan nationals after a four-year suspension following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. This move allows Afghan nationals to apply under the six aforementioned visa categories. Afghan nationals who are already in India under the old visa regime must now approach the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi or in other parts of India to convert their visa status.
Jaiswal emphasized, “The new visa module will help strengthen India-Afghanistan people-to-people ties further.”
India had previously suspended visa services to Afghan nationals due to safety concerns for Indian officials in Kabul. However, India has now re-established its diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital and is actively engaging with the Taliban administration. The decision to resume visas follows growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Earlier on May 15, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Muttaqi’s strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and welcomed his “firm rejection” of attempts to create distrust between the two nations through false reports.
In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.” He added, “Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports. Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and our continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward.”
Both leaders also emphasized enhancing economic ties, particularly through the development of the Chabahar Port, easing visa processes for Afghan traders and patients, and addressing the issue of Afghan prisoners in India.
Sharing a post on X, the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mumbai wrote, “The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, held a telephonic conversation with Dr. S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India. During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations, promoting trade, and advancing diplomatic engagement.”
The post added, “FM Muttaqi referred to India as a key regional country and highlighted the historic nature of Afghanistan-India relations, expressing optimism that these ties will grow stronger. He also reiterated Afghanistan’s commitment to a balanced foreign policy and the pursuit of constructive relations with all nations.”
It continued, “In the conversation, FM Muttaqi requested facilitation in issuing visas for Afghan traders and patients, and called for the release and return of Afghan prisoners currently held in India.”
The Consulate also noted that EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed India's intention to continue cooperation with Afghanistan and assured that issues such as the release of Afghan prisoners and streamlining the visa process would be promptly addressed. Both sides underlined the importance of further developing the Chabahar Port to enhance regional connectivity and economic engagement.
While addressing a press briefing, Jaiswal noted that the old visa module for Afghan nationals has been discontinued. Afghan nationals can now apply for Indian visas under six categories: medical, medical attendant, business, entry, student, and UN diplomatic. He urged those who are in India under the old policy to get their visas converted in accordance with the new system.
When asked whether India had implemented a new visa module, the MEA spokesperson confirmed, “I would like to introduce you to the new visa module in place for Afghan nationals. This was, I think, put in place last month. The old visa module that we had, a program called E-Emergency Ex-Miscellaneous Visa, has been discontinued, and we have a new visa model for Afghan nationals, which came into effect on 29th April, so last month, 29th April.”
India has recently resumed issuing visas to Afghan nationals after a four-year suspension following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. This move allows Afghan nationals to apply under the six aforementioned visa categories. Afghan nationals who are already in India under the old visa regime must now approach the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi or in other parts of India to convert their visa status.
Jaiswal emphasized, “The new visa module will help strengthen India-Afghanistan people-to-people ties further.”
India had previously suspended visa services to Afghan nationals due to safety concerns for Indian officials in Kabul. However, India has now re-established its diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital and is actively engaging with the Taliban administration. The decision to resume visas follows growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Earlier on May 15, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Muttaqi’s strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and welcomed his “firm rejection” of attempts to create distrust between the two nations through false reports.
In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.” He added, “Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports. Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and our continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward.”
Both leaders also emphasized enhancing economic ties, particularly through the development of the Chabahar Port, easing visa processes for Afghan traders and patients, and addressing the issue of Afghan prisoners in India.
Sharing a post on X, the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mumbai wrote, “The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, held a telephonic conversation with Dr. S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India. During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations, promoting trade, and advancing diplomatic engagement.”
The post added, “FM Muttaqi referred to India as a key regional country and highlighted the historic nature of Afghanistan-India relations, expressing optimism that these ties will grow stronger. He also reiterated Afghanistan’s commitment to a balanced foreign policy and the pursuit of constructive relations with all nations.”
It continued, “In the conversation, FM Muttaqi requested facilitation in issuing visas for Afghan traders and patients, and called for the release and return of Afghan prisoners currently held in India.”
The Consulate also noted that EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed India's intention to continue cooperation with Afghanistan and assured that issues such as the release of Afghan prisoners and streamlining the visa process would be promptly addressed. Both sides underlined the importance of further developing the Chabahar Port to enhance regional connectivity and economic engagement.