The Indian government has resumed issuing visas to Afghan citizens in six categories after a four-year hiatus.
Patients, their companions, students, businessmen, UN diplomats and ordinary entry applicants can now apply for visas, a foreign ministry spokesman said.
Randhir Jaiswal announced on Thursday (June 9) that the “emergency visa” system for Afghans has been abolished and replaced by a new process that will be activated from April 2025.
Afghans who have previously received a visa under the previous policy must renew or convert it under the new system.
India suspended visa issuance and closed its diplomatic missions after the fall of the previous Afghan government in August 2021.
Now, with the gradual resumption of interactions with the Taliban, the process of issuing visas has also begun.
The move comes as diplomatic contacts between New Delhi and Kabul have increased, with the Indian foreign minister recently calling Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Mottaki.
