India Reopens Its Doors to Afghan Nationals: 6 Types of Visas Granted, But No Tourist Visa Yet
- Jatinder Singh
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Jatinder Singh, JadeTimes Staff
Jatinder Singh is a Jadetimes news reporter covering South Asia news.
In a significant diplomatic development, India has resumed visa services for Afghan nationals, offering six categories of visas after a prolonged suspension due to the political turmoil in Afghanistan. While this move is seen as a welcome relief for many Afghan citizens seeking refuge, education, or medical aid in India, one key omission has caught attention: tourist visas are still not being issued.
India-Afghanistan Relations: A Long-Standing Connection
India and Afghanistan share a rich history of cultural, economic, and political ties. For decades, India has been a major destination for Afghan students, patients, businesspeople, and travelers. From Delhi’s famous "Little Kabul" area to shared Bollywood culture, the people-to-people connection between the two nations runs deep.
However, after the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021, India suspended its visa services due to security and diplomatic concerns. Since then, thousands of Afghan nationals—including students, medical patients, and stranded families—have been left in limbo.
The Six Types of Visas Now Allowed
In a recent update, the Government of India has started accepting applications for six specific types of visas for Afghan nationals:
Business Visa
Medical Visa
Medical Attendant Visa
Student Visa
Entry Visa (usually for spouses or children of Indian citizens)
Conference Visa
This decision marks a positive humanitarian and strategic gesture by India, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the Afghan people amid ongoing regional instability.
No Tourist Visa: A Noticeable Absence
Despite this progressive move, tourist visas remain off the table. This is particularly significant because:
Before 2021, India was one of the top tourist destinations for Afghans.
Thousands of Afghan citizens visited India annually for leisure, shopping, and cultural exploration.
Many Afghan families also used tourist visas to reunite with relatives living in India.
The exclusion of tourist visas signals continued security concerns, especially around potential misuse or undocumented overstays amid the Taliban’s influence back home.
Why Is the Tourist Visa Still Banned?
There are several reasons behind India’s cautious approach:
Security Risks: Post-Taliban takeover, there are growing concerns about forged documents or infiltrations using tourist routes.
Diplomatic Ambiguity: India does not officially recognize the Taliban regime, which complicates verification processes and embassy-level communications.
Migration Pressure: India wants to avoid uncontrolled immigration under the guise of tourism, especially when Afghan refugees are seeking long-term asylum.
Voices from the Afghan Community
Afghan citizens have expressed mixed feelings about the update.
Hopeful Students: Many welcome the resumption of student visas. “We were stuck. Now we can finally complete our education,” said a Kabul-based medical student.
Worried Families: Families trying to visit relatives in India for casual reunions or religious reasons are still disappointed. “Not everyone needs asylum. Some of us just want to see our families,” a woman from Mazar-i-Sharif shared.
Regional Significance
This policy also has geopolitical undertones:
India is reasserting its influence in Afghanistan, especially as China and Pakistan grow their footprint.
Offering limited visas shows India’s balancing act—providing humanitarian support while maintaining national security and diplomatic distance from the Taliban.
What This Means for the Future
The six new visa categories are a crucial first step in rebuilding ties and enabling people-to-people contact. However, until tourist visas are restored, Afghan citizens will continue to face restrictions on casual travel and cultural exchange.
If stability improves in the region and diplomatic channels normalize, India may eventually consider reintroducing tourist visas, which could be a game-changer for both countries—enhancing tourism, family bonding, and soft diplomacy.
India’s decision to resume six visa categories for Afghan nationals is a welcome move that signals humanitarian concern and regional responsibility. However, the exclusion of tourist visas underlines ongoing security and diplomatic challenges. For Afghan citizens longing for freedom of movement, this is a step forward—but not yet the destination.
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