Short duration visas exempted from security clearance

The interior ministry has amended the country's visa policy and now short duration visas for Pakistan will be exempted from security clearance.

However, for longer duration work visas, it is still mandatory to submit the required security clearance, letter of employment and other documents.

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As per the new policy, one-month medical and three-month work visas will be issued within 48-hours of application. The security clearance for a one-year medical visa will be granted within 30-days.

Separately, a two-year visa will be issued to foreigners visiting Pakistan for academic pursuits; however, they will be mandated to present security clearance and a NOC from the security institutions, in order to obtain the visa.

Sheikh Rashid had announced major changes in his sub-ordinate departments after assuming the portfolio of the interior ministry and had also announced issuing of online visas.