Pakistan restarts issuance of visas for Afghan nationals

The Pakistan Embassy in Kabul and other consulates of Pakistan in different cities have started issuing visas for Afghan nationals.

The development comes after the process was suspended earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul has taken urgent measures to facilitate Pakistani visas for Afghan nationals. Pakistan’s Consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e-sharif have also started issuing visas to Afghan nationals in their respective jurisdictions,” the embassy said.

Under the new visa policy, long term multiple visas are being issued to the Afghan nationals for visiting Pakistan for medical treatment, family matters, business, education and other purposes.

It is pertinent to inform that Pakistani visa for Afghanis is without any charges. There are no agents and applicants are not required to pay any amount or charges, except for the visa fee on business category.

“As the visa facility has opened recently after many months of restrictions due to COVID-19, there is a significant backlog causing large crowds of visa applicants at Embassy’s and Consulates’ window,” informed the embassy.

“The Embassy seeks the understanding and cooperation of the applicants as well as the Afghan security authorities for ensuring effective management of the submission and collection of visa applications with a view to hopefully clear the backlog in the coming days,” it added.