India suspends visas after Kashmir attack, cancelling visas across 14 categories including SAARC, medical, and tourist visas. This sweeping move signals India’s strong response toward Pakistan following the deadly Kashmir attack and marks a significant escalation in diplomatic actions.
India revoked all currently valid visas for Pakistani nationals on Friday, with the exception of official, diplomatic, and long-term visas, and suspended all visa services for Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. Following the revelation of Pakistani connections in the Pahalgam terror assault earlier this week, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, the action is one of several stringent diplomatic actions.
No new visas will be granted to Pakistani nationals in any of the 14 categories, according to a directive from the foreigners division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. These include the SAARC visa, the arrival visa, the business visa, the film visa, the journalist visa, the transit visa, the medical visa, the conference visa, the climbing visa, the student visa, the visitor visa, the group tourist visa, the pilgrim visa, and the group pilgrim visa granted to Pakistan’s minorities.
As part of the India suspends visas after Kashmir attack measures, the order also set strict deadlines for Pakistani nationals currently residing in India to exit the country. Holders of visas under the 12 affected categories must leave by April 27, SAARC visa holders by April 26, and medical visa holders by April 29. Failure to comply with these deadlines will result in individuals being treated as overstaying foreign nationals and facing legal action under the newly enacted Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025.
India Suspends Visas After Kashmir Attack: Diplomatic and Long-Term Visas Exempted from Crackdown
Even as India suspends visas after Kashmir attack, diplomatic and official visa holders have been exempted from the exit deadlines, with their cases to be handled separately by the Ministry of External Affairs. Long-term visas issued to Pakistani citizens will also remain valid, and India clarified that no restrictions will apply to the issuance of new diplomatic, official, or long-term visas.
The ruling is among the most severe diplomatic actions India has taken against Pakistan in recent memory. As tensions rise rapidly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault, it comes after a series of actions that include closing the Attari land transit station, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and expelling Pakistani military attachés.
