ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Embassy in Kabul and other Afghanistan-based diplomatic missions of Pakistan have started issuing visas for Afghan nationals after the process was suspended earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the embassy said on Monday.
Last month, Pakistan approved a new visa policy for Afghan citizens, including students and businessmen, as well as a new health visa.
“Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul has taken urgent measures to facilitate Pakistani visas for Afghan nationals,” the embassy said in a statement. “Pakistan’s Consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e-sharif have also started issuing visas to Afghan nationals in their respective jurisdictions.
Under a new visa policy, long term multiple visas would be issued to Afghan nationals to visit Pakistan for medical treatment, family matters, business, education and other purposes.
“It is important for Afghan brothers and sisters to know that Pakistani visa is without any charges,” the embassy added. “There are no agents and applicants are not required to pay any amount or charges, except for the visa fee on business category.”
The embassy said since the visa process was being restarted after a significant break, which had created a backlog, large crowds of applicants were expected at the windows of the Kabul embassy and the various consulates.
“The Embassy seeks the understanding and cooperation of the applicants as well as the Afghan security authorities for ensuring effective management of the submission and collection of visa applications with a view to hopefully clear the backlog in the coming days,” the statement said.