All Afghan nationals, who planned to seek refugee in India due to the crisis in Afghanistan after the return of Taliban, must travel to the country on e-visa, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Wednesday.
“Keeping in view some reports that certain passports of Afghan nationals have been misplaced, previously issued visas to all Afghan nationals, who are presently not in India, stand invalidated with immediate effect,” the MHA said in a statement.
The development comes a day after Union minister Hardeep Puri said India had organised seven evacuation flights on which 626 people including 228 Indians have been evacuated.
Earlier, India announced a new category of electronic visa called “e-Emergency X-Misc Visa” for the Afghans to fast-track visa applications for their entry into India.
Earlier, the Centre had announced that it would “facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan” and said Hindus and Sikhs from the country will be given priority.
Keeping in view some reports that certain passports of Afghan nationals have been misplaced, previously issued visas to all Afghan nationals, who are presently not in India, stand invalidated with immediate effect, said the MHA.
Afghan nationals wishing to travel to India may apply for e-visa at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in, the Ministry added in the statement.
Officials said since Indian missions in Afghanistan are shut, the visa can be applied online and applications will be examined and processed in New Delhi.
The visa will initially be valid for six months, they said.
Security issues will be looked into while processing the applications and granting the visa to Afghan nationals, the officials then said.
All Afghans, irrespective of their religion, can apply for the travel document.
Thousands of Afghans rushed into Kabul’s main airport on August 16, some so desperate to escape the Taliban that they held onto a military jet as it took off and plunged to their deaths.
The crowds came while the Taliban enforced their rule over the capital of five million people after a lightning advance across the country that took just over a week to dethrone the country’s Western-backed government.
