ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and India will start new visa regime for the elderly people of age 65 or more and provide them visa-on-arrival with effect from January 15 (today).
The India high commission in Islamabad, while highlighting the implementation of this facility, said the visa-on-arrival will be available daily between 10 am to 4 pm to Pakistani passport holders of more than 65 years of age, crossing on foot, only at Attari immigration checkpost and not through any other immigration/ border point.
The high commission further explained that Pakistani passport holders of more than 65 years of age could use this facility to visit any place in India except Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Kerala and other prohibited areas. This facility can be availed for the sole objective to visit India to meet friends or relatives. This facility cannot be availed for business, medical, conference, employment, pilgrim or any other purpose, said the press release.
For the latter category, applicants can approach the High Commission of India, Islamabad and apply for Indian visa, as per the procedure. A single entry exempted from police reporting visa for 45 days stay and maximum up to 5 places will be endorsed under the visa on arrival facility. This facility could be availed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year and will be non-extendable and non-convertible.
The immigration officer at Attari immigration checkpost reserves the right to refuse visa application, if the applicant does not satisfy any of the conditions illustrated above or the applicant was earlier refused an Indian visa, said the statement of the Indian high commission.
The facility will not be applicable to holders of diplomatic/official passports, the statement added.