India tightens visa rules for Pakistani nationals; medical visas expire April 29

Medical visas will remain valid only till April 29, after which they too will stand invalid.

In a significant move amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, India has revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, except for medical, diplomatic, and long-term categories, with effect from April 27.

Medical visas will remain valid only till April 29, after which they too will stand invalid, the Delhi Government announced on Friday.

“No new visas will be issued to Pakistani nationals henceforward. Please read the official notification for further information,” the Delhi Government said in a post on microblogging site X.

Government of India has revoked all visas for Pakistani nationals, except Medical, Diplomatic & Long-Term visas, effective April 27, 2025. Medical visas will remain valid only till April 29. No new visas to be issued. Please read notification for further information. pic.twitter.com/k9lXhlO7oD

Delhi Government (@DelhiGovDigital) April 25, 2025

Reiterating the Centre’s decision, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also posted on Saturday, “The Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, has revoked all Visas issued to Pakistani Nationals, except Medical, Diplomatic & Long-Term visas, with effect from 27th of April, 2025."

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, has revoked all Visas issued to Pakistani Nationals, except Medical, Diplomatic & Long-Term visas, with effect from 27th of April, 2025. The existing medical visas shall also stand invalid after 29th of April, 2025. No new visas will https://t.co/XhND4LzP0L Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) April 25, 2025

She further added, "The existing medical visas shall also stand invalid after 29th of April, 2025. No new visas will be issued to Pakistani Nationals henceforward. Delhi Government is ensuring strict compliance with these orders. Every violation is being sincerely tracked, and necessary action will follow.”

The sweeping visa restrictions come in the wake of Tuesday's ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and has sharply strained diplomatic ties between the two neighbours.

Following Tuesday's deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Narendra Modi government, on Wednesday, announced sweeping diplomatic and security measures against Pakistan.

In a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, the Indus Waters Treaty was temporarily suspended, effectively halting the flow of water from key rivers.

The Wagah-Attari Integrated Check Post has been closed, and all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals have been cancelled, with a 48-hour window for those already in India to leave.

India will also withdraw its military attaches from Pakistan and has declared Pakistani military officials in India as persona non grata, ordering them to leave within a week.

Additionally, both countries will reduce their high commission staff strength from 55 to 30.