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24 April 2025

India suspends the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals

The government of India has suspended the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals and announced several measures impacting Pakistani nationals, following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, a town in Jammu and Kashmir. On 23 April 2025, India announced the suspension of the SVES visa for Pakistani nationals. The SVES applies to individuals who fall under 24 specific categories, including diplomats, dignitaries, judges, parliamentarians, businessmen, journalists and sportsmen. Consequently, Pakistani nationals are no longer permitted to travel to India under the SVES visa. All existing SVES visas issued to Pakistani nationals have been canceled with immediate effect, and Pakistani nationals currently in India on an SVES visa have been ordered to exit the country within 48 hours.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY's People Advisory Services, and attached below, provides additional details.

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Attachment

Full text of Tax Alert

Document ID: 2025-0937

 

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