Pakistani Nationals Face Arrest, Fines After Visa Deadline Expires in India

The deadline for Pakistani nationals with short-term visas to leave India has officially expired, triggering strict enforcement measures under the newly implemented Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025. The Indian government had given clear warnings: those who overstay their visas may now face arrest, prosecution, imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to ₹3 lakh, or both.

The last date for Pakistani citizens holding visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) was April 27. For those on medical visas, the final date to exit is April 29. The visa restrictions and cancellations follow the brutal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed by terrorists allegedly linked to Pakistan.

Under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, effective since April 4, anyone violating visa conditions — such as overstaying, lacking valid travel documents, or entering restricted areas — will be punished. The law prescribes penalties not only for overstaying but also for any contravention of visa conditions unless specific punishments are otherwise provided.

The stringent steps reflect India’s escalating diplomatic response to the Pahalgam attack. Last week, the Indian government announced that Pakistani citizens would no longer be eligible to enter India under the SAARC visa facility. Those already in the country on SVES visas were ordered to exit within 48 hours.

The government has made it clear that overstaying or violating visa conditions will invite serious consequences. A total of 12 categories of visas, including business, journalist, tourist, pilgrim, and student visas, were affected by the new directive.

Meanwhile, official figures show that 537 Pakistani nationals have left India via the Attari border over the past three days, complying with the government’s directive. On Sunday alone, 237 Pakistanis crossed over to their country, while 116 Indian citizens returned to India.

This visa crackdown is just one of several punitive measures taken by India post-Pahalgam. India has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and shut down the only operational land border crossing at Attari, reflecting a hardening of its stance against Pakistan.