India unveils new liberal visa policy for Afghans

NEW DELHI (Pajhwok): The Indian government on Monday introduced a new liberal visa policy for the Afghan nationals to stay in India on humanitarian grounds for two years.

The policy is aimed to provide relief to hundreds of visiting Afghans. The policy will be implemented from Tuesday.
“The government is introducing a new liberal visa policy for Afghan nationals to stay in India on humanitarian grounds for two years from July 01, 2014. The new policy further streamlines procedures being implemented in the current visa policy for citizens of Afghanistan,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.
As per the policy, the government may allow Afghan nationals to stay in India on stay visa/resident permit upto two years at a time.
It will also exempt Afghan nationals from police reporting upto the age of 12 years or those above 65 years of age.
There would also 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 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.
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