ISLAMABAD: The travellers seeking entry in Pakistan in medical emergencies will no longer require security clearance for issuance of visa, a document available with Dawn reveals.
According to a letter written by the interior ministry to the Director General of Immigration and Passports on February 12, the federal cabinet approved new changes to the visa policy on Feb 2.
“Pak missions abroad will issue short-term medical visa to cater emergencies (Visa type: Single entry, individual/family/attendant) to individual/family/attendant with duration up to three months within a stipulated time frame of 48 hours subject to submission of requisite documents by the applicant,” the document reads.
Under the new guidelines, security clearance will not be required for a short-term medical visa or an individual work visa.
‘Visa on arrival’ rephrased as ‘visa in your inbox’ as applicants will apply online from their home country
However, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) would have to be intimated.
A short-term medical visa of up to three months can be issued to an individual, family and attendant to cater to emergencies. The visa would be issued within 48 hours of submission of the application.
The ministry of national health will furnish a list of hospitals for enlisting in physicians’ office visit. The patients will take consultations and consent letter from the enlisted hospitals only.
An extended medical visa of up to one year, meanwhile, would be issued within a month after clearance from agencies. The ISI, FIA and IB would have to be intimated.
The ministry of interior will approve the extended term multiple entry medical visa after security clearance. However, a case would be assumed as approved in case agencies response is not received within specified time.
A single-entry work visa would be issued to an individual for up to three months, within 48 hours of the application’s submission. Security clearance would not be required but intelligence agencies would have to be intimated. Along with photos and passport, the applicant would be required to submit an employment letter, undertaking of company letterhead, company profile, applicant’s resume, cover letter on company’s letterhead and registration of the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
Security clearance, however, would be required if an individual, who has been issued a single-entry work visa, seeks an extension. The applicant would also be required to submit a BOI letter of recommendation. An extension of up to two years with multiple entries may be granted.
Security clearance would also be required for students who seek an extension in the duration of their stay. An extension of up to two years may be granted within 30 days after clearance from security agencies.
The ‘visa on arrival’ phrase in the previous policy has been rephrased as ‘visa in your inbox’ as applicants under the new mechanism will apply online from their home country and will get electronic authorisation to travel. On arrival they will be required to show the authorisation at immigration for stamping their passport.
The government has also merged several visa categories, reducing the number from 18 to 11. The new categories include tourist/visit visa (for tourism, visit, mountaineering, visa in your inbox (for tourism and business purposes), family visit visa business visa, work visa, student visa, religious tourism visa, official visa, NGO/INGO visa and medical visa.
“It is requested that further necessary action may be taken accordingly,” reads the letter, copies of which have been sent to all relevant authorities.
Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2021