India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced the resumption of visa issuance for Afghan nationals, a move set to facilitate travel for Afghan students. This decision follows a letter from Afghan students seeking visas to continue their studies in India.
Since August 2021, many Afghan students have faced challenges due to visa renewal issues, preventing them from returning to Indian educational institutions. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed the decision, which aims to address these difficulties.
Previously, India urged Afghan nationals to apply through the e-visa program, but this six-month visa had limited availability. In 2022, only 300 Afghans benefited from e-visas, leaving over 2,500 students in limbo due to the lack of visa issuance.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) had offered 1,000 annual scholarships to Afghan students, providing financial support including stipends and housing rent. However, recent online scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year have not alleviated skepticism among Afghan students about studying in India.
A report from the Pie News highlights that India hosts more than 13,000 students from Afghanistan. Despite the new visa announcement, many Afghan students remain uncertain about their academic future in India due to past visa cancellations and ongoing delays.
Source: Visa Guide
