India has made e-visa required for all people who desire to travel to India from the war-torn country, just a week after introducing it for Afghans. The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement that all other visas issued are now invalid.
“Due to the current security situation in Afghanistan, all Afghan nationals must now enter India only with an e-visa. Afghan nationals interested in visiting India can apply for an e-visa at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in, according to the MHA.
“Any previously issued visas to all Afghan nationals who are currently not in India are revoked with immediate effect,” the statement continued.
Officials claimed the decision to reject visas was made in response to concerns that several Afghan passports had gone missing. “These passports could be exploited if they fall into the wrong hands,” officials told News18.
In response to fears that this capability could be abused by those who wish to harm India’s national interest, India has urged for full security vetting before providing visas to Afghans.
As the situation in Afghanistan worsened, the Indian government issued a new type of electronic visa — the e-Emergency X-Misc Visa — on August 17 to expedite Afghans’ applications for entrance into India.
Afghans were previously not covered by the e-visa category and had to physically present themselves at the embassy, according to sources. However, given the circumstances in Kabul — where the embassy is also closed — the decision has been made to open the e-visa system.
All Afghans are eligible to apply under the new e-visa provision. In Delhi, applications will be reviewed and decisions will be made. A six-month visa will be issued initially, after which the applicant’s security will be thoroughly examined.
“The necessity to shorten the visa process was also felt when a specific category of e visa was introduced for Afghans,” another officer remarked.
