Visa policy for Afghan nationals streamlined

The Indian Government has streamlined the visa policy for Afghan nationals to stay in India on humanitarian grounds from today.

"The government is introducing a new liberal visa policy for Afghan nationals to stay in India on humanitarian grounds for two years with effect from July 01, 2014. The new policy further streamlines procedures being implemented in the current visa policy for citizens of Afghanistan," said a Home Ministry release here.

As per the broad elements of the policy, the government may allow Afghan nationals to stay in India on stay visa/resident permit upto two years at a time and exemption from police reporting will be granted for Afghan nationals, upto the age of 12 years or those above 65 years of age.

"There would be liberal provisions in relation to exemption from the requirement of police reporting under various categories, including for Afghan students, medical patients, short-term visitors, businessmen, scholars, eminent persons etc," the release said.

"The amenities at Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Delhi have been upgraded for the Afghan nationals visiting FRRO office. A system of biometric enrolment and photography would be introduced to ensure that such facilities are not misused by unscrupulous elements," the release added.