NEW DELHI: The Centre has introduced new liberal visa policy for Afghan nationals that will allow them to stay in India on humanitarian grounds for two years.
It also exempts children and senior citizens from the mandatory police reporting. The new policy, which will come into effect from July 1, streamlines the visa procedures for Afghan citizens including liberal provisions for businessmen and students from the war-torn country.
The MHA, which came up with the new visa Policy, exempts Afghan nationals up to the age of 12 years and above 65 years from police reporting.
“There would be liberal provisions in relation to exemption from the requirement of police reporting under various categories, including for Afghan students, medical patients, short-term visitors, businessmen, scholars, eminent persons etc,” an MHA spokesperson said.
The MHA said the amenities at Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) at Delhi have been upgraded for the Afghan nationals. A system of biometric enrolment and photography would be introduced to ensure that such facilities are not misused by unscrupulous elements.