Pakistan, India sign comprehensive visa agreement

Interior minister Rehman A Malik and Indian external affairs minister SM Krishna inked the agreement. Under the new agreement citizens, aged 65 and above, would now be able to walk across the border between the two countries and need not go through the hassles of getting a visa from embassies in New Delhi and Islamabad. Artists would be able to have triple entry while people aged more than 65, children below 12 and eminent businessmen are exempted from police reporting. The new visa policy between India and Pakistan, has eased restrictions on visitors from both the countries. Another ease for senior citizens is that they will be granted visas on arrival at the Attari and Wagah border in India and Pakistan respectively.There was no such provision available for senior citizens of both countries. Under the new arrangement, senior citizens will be granted a visa on arrival valid for 45 days. "The senior citizens can visit the other country easily now," an official said. The new accord will bring about several changes aimed at easing the visa regime. There will be a single-entry visitor visa for a maximum period of six months but the stay cannot exceed three months at a time and for five places (currently limited to three places). Group tourist visas, for groups of 10-50 people, has also been introduced for the first time. This will also be available for students provided they do not seek admission in the other country. Also, business visa has been separated from visitor visa, a communiqué said. The business visa will have to be issued within five weeks. Another simplified rule will allow people to enter and exit from different check posts and change their mode of travel. This was not permitted earlier. "However, this is subject to the exception that exit from Wagah/Attari, by road (on foot) cannot be accepted, unless the entry was also by foot via Attari/Wagah," the communiqué said. Under a new category, a visitor visa for a maximum of five specified places may be issued for a longer period of up to two years with multiple entries to senior citizens (above 65); spouse of a national of one country married to person of another country and children below 12 accompanying parent(s). Also, transit visa will now be issued within 36 hours instead of 72 hours.