News
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
‘Visa on arrival’ facility at Wagah from today* Facility will be available daily between 10am to 4pm (IST) to elderly Pakistani passport holders crossing on foot at Attari
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India will start a new visa regime for people aged more than 65 years and provide them visa on arrival with effect from today (Tuesday).
While highlighting the implementation of this facility, the India High Commission in Islamabad said that the visa on arrival will be available daily between 10am to 4pm 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 the 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 of the Indian High Commission. For the latter category, applicants can approach the High Commission of India in 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 five 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. All such visa holders will be allowed to enter and exit only from Attari Immigration Checkpost on foot. Pakistani passport holders of more than 65 years of age intending to avail this facility should fill the prescribed form and present it along with the required documents at the Attari Immigration Checkpost.
These documents include copy of National Identity Card (NIC) with English translation, copy of a utility bill as proof of residence, Pakistani passport valid for at least six months, photocopy of passport, two passport sized photographs, confirmation of booking in case he/she is to stay in a hotel in India, name and address of the person he/she is visiting in India; and a fee of 100 Indian rupees or $2 per individual.
The immigration officer at the Attari Immigration Checkpost reserves his or her right to refuse visa, 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. Those applicants who have been refused Indian visa earlier, if they intend to visit India, can approach the High Commission of India in Islamabad and apply for the Indian visa, as per the procedure. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk