Intelligence agencies' nod now a must for visa extensions

Foreigners to be deported if they do not submit an application for a visa extension, source tells The Express Tribune


Sohail Chaudhry June 20, 2014
Cases will be registered against foreigners who do not submit applications for visa extensions on time. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has reviewed its visa extension policy wherein foreigners will now require clearance from intelligence agencies.

The policy has been reviewed in view of the current law and order situation in Pakistan. An official source told The Express Tribune that fines will be imposed on foreign nationals who are found with invalid visas. He said that no extension will be granted once the visa validity has expired.

The source said foreigners will be deported if they do not submit an application for a visa extension, adding that a zero tolerance policy will be adopted and there will be no exemptions.

Foreigners will be required to submit their application at least one month before the expiry of the visa as security clearance from intelligence agencies has been declared mandatory now, the source said.

He said cases will be registered against foreigners who do not submit applications for visa extensions on time as well as those with invalid visas.

COMMENTS (12)

Moiz Omar | 10 years ago | Reply

@bash gul: I agree. We need to deport most of these Afghans. But If some are exceptionally talented or intellectual in some field, and love this country then maybe we should let them stay and perhaps give them the option of citizenship. Why not keep the good Afghans we can benefit from?

someone | 10 years ago | Reply

Oh yeah, now Uzbkes and Chchens can't escape the eagle eye of Pakistan intelligence agencies. They would have to come to them for the VISA extension now. Wait......do they even have passports???

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