Centre suspends visas for Pakistani nationals, urges Indians in Pak to return at earliest

The Centre on Thursday announced the immediate suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam.

The decision, announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), is part of a series of retaliatory measures approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) following the terror strike that left 26 civilians dead.

“All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27, 2025,” the MEA said in a press release.

However, medical visas issued earlier will remain valid until April 29, it said.

Pakistani nationals currently in India have been directed to leave before the amended expiry of their visas.

Indian nationals have also been strongly advised to avoid travelling to Pakistan, while those currently in the neighbouring country have been urged to return at the earliest.

The move follows Wednesday’s decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan, including the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and immediate closure of the Attari land-transit post.

Announcing the measures at a late evening media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and those currently in India under SVES have 48 hours to leave the country.

Misri added that the defence, military, naval, and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and given a week to leave India. Reciprocal withdrawals will also be made from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, with support staff of service advisors to be pulled back as well.

The foreign secretary said the measures were decided after cross-border linkages to the Pahalgam attack were presented to the CCS in a detailed briefing.