The federal cabinet has approved changes to the visa rules which introduce new policies regarding the need for visas for work and health emergencies, as well as the reduction of the total number of categories from 18 to 11, it emerged on Monday.
A letter shared by the Ministry of Interior to the director-general (DG) of Immigration and Passports shows that the cabinet approved the aforementioned changes on Feburary 2.
Based on the merging of the previous categories, the new types of visas are tourist/visit visa, visa in your inbox for tourism or business purposes, family visit visa, business visa, work visa, study visa, religious tourism visa, official visa, NGO/INGO visa, medical visa and other.
Visa in your inbox can be applied for online and the confirmation would be given in the candidate’s email.
While the letter itself did not explicitly state there was a medical visa, interior ministry spokesperson Zafaryab Khan confirmed the category to a local news station. Elaborating on the details, security clearance would not be required for those seeking a short-term medical visa or an individual work visa. However, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) would be intimated.
These short-term medical visas would be approved or denied within a 48 hour period and would allow a single-entry within a 3-month time frame. Moreover, the visa holder would only be allowed to go to certain hospitals, and other security checks would be put into place.
An extended medical visa of up to one year, meanwhile, would be issued within a month after clearance from agencies. ISI, FIA and IB would also be intimated.
A similar time frame for application approval, agency intimation, and period allowed within the country would apply to those coming in on a short-term work visa. In this regard, the candidates would also be asked to share employment letter, undertaking of company letterhead, company profile, applicant’s resume, cover letter on company’s letterhead and registration of the company on the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
The spokesperson therein stressed that all unneeded and superfluous documents had been removed from the application process to make it easier for people.
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.
VISAGUARD COUNTRIES ECONOMIC PROGRESS:
Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Piotr Opalinski has said the Visegrad countries had grown rapidly in terms of economically and politically since the cooperation agreement was signed 30 years ago.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Ambassador of Hungry Bela Fazekas and a senior diplomat of Czech Republic to mark 30th anniversary of Visegrad cooperation, he said thirty years ago, on February 15, 1991, the presidents of Poland, Czech Republic, and the prime minister of Hungary had signed the ‘Declaration on Cooperation’ among the member countries including Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Hungary in “Striving for European Integration in the castle of Visegrad, Hungary”.
He further stated the Visegrad (V4) countries also played an important role in the integration of Europe. The V4 is not only a political advisory group but also an example of our cooperation.
Answering to a question about members of Visegrad countries visa policy for Pakistan, the ambassador of Poland said the coronavirus had slowed down the process, however, visa applications would be processed once the situation improves.
Moreover, after the pandemic is over, Pakistani businessmen, students would be welcomed in all four countries. “Our universities are also ready to welcome Pakistani students,” he added.
Explaining the role of Visegrad, the ambassador said the original aim of cooperation was the striving for the full recovery of the states’ independence, democracy and liberty, eradication of symptoms of totalitarian regimes, construction of parliamentary democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, establishment of free market economy, comprehensive participation in the European political and economic system, as well as the security and legislative system.
From a 30-year perspective, the Visegrad Group became not only one of the symbols of the new united Europe and a successful political and economic transformation of the countries of the region, but also an example of effective format of regional cooperation within the European Union which contributes to the shaping of European policies and enhancing its economic competitiveness, the ambassador of Poland told the media.
With additional input from APP
