In a retaliatory measure following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has curtailed visa validity for Pakistani citizens, including medical visas, effective from April 27. This action reduces the previously available 16 visa categories to a mere two.

The Ministry of External Affairs is poised to make a decision on the fate of one of the remaining visa options shortly.

Indian security agencies have been directed to take stringent measures against Pakistani nationals residing illegally in the country.

Historically, India offered 16 visa types to Pakistani citizens. These included the Student Visa, Business Visa, Diplomatic Visa, Official Visa, Journalist Visa, Film Visa, Transit Visa, Visitor Visa, Medical Visa, Conference Visa, Mountaineering Visa, Long Term Visa, Group Tourist Visa, Religious Traveller Visa, Group Religious Visa for Pakistani minorities and Shark Visa.

Pakistani citizens holding long-term visas are now permitted to remain in India indefinitely, according to a new policy. The policy also allows those with diplomatic and official visas to stay in the country, subject to guidelines from the Indian Foreign Ministry. The Ministry has reserved the right to make further decisions regarding these visas.

As the medical visa grace period concludes today, Pakistani citizens in the country are left with only two valid visa categories. Authorities have announced that, effective immediately, stringent measures will be taken against individuals residing illegally in the country. This includes apprehension and deportation to Pakistan.