SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme: A Comprehensive Overview After The Pahalgam Attack
Updated: 24-04-2025 at 3:31 PM
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The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Visa Exemption Scheme functions as a regional collaboration mechanism that reduces travel barriers between member countries. The scheme included travel group selections, which earned them visa-free entry for establishing diplomatic and economic connections between nations. The recent political pressures between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack terror have resulted in important changes to how this scheme operates.
Overview
Initiated in 1992, the SVES was designed to enhance people-to-people contact among SAARC nations. The scheme permits individuals from specified categories to travel across member countries without the need for a visa, using a special Visa Exemption Sticker.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 1992 |
| Purpose | Facilitate visa-free travel for specific categories to promote regional cooperation |
| Validity | Visa stickers are generally valid for one year |
| Issuance | Stickers are issued by the respective member states to eligible individuals |
| Review Mechanism | Regular reviews by the Immigration Authorities of the SAARC member states |
Who Are The SAARC Member Countries?
The eight member states of SAARC join together to pursue regional cooperation as their main commitment.
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Afghanistan
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Bangladesh
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Bhutan
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India
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Maldives
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Nepal
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Pakistan
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Sri Lanka
Also Read: What To Know About The BHARATPOL Portal?
What Are The Eligible Categories Under The Scheme?
The SVES offers unrestricted travel benefits to 24 specific groups who are citizens of SAARC nations. These categories include:
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Dignitaries
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Judges of higher courts
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Parliamentarians
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Senior officials
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Businesspersons
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Journalists
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Sports personalities
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Academicians
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Artists
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Civil society members
Each member nation holds the responsibility to provide Visa Exemption Stickers to citizens of their group.
Recent Suspension of Pakistani Nationals
India ended Pakistani national access to the SVES after a terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam in April 2025. Security factors became the basis for this decision, which resulted in these actions:
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All visas that the government of Pakistan had issued under the SVES programme became null and void.
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All Pakistani individuals operating under the SVES in India received a 48-hour deadline to depart the nation.
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The Pakistani diplomatic personnel received Persona Non Grataa status and got seven days to vacate India.
A total revocation of the SVES happened for the first time in the history of the programme against a member country.
Also Read: What is the OCI Card (Overseas Citizenship Of India)?
What Are The Impact On Regional Cooperation?
The termination of the SVES benefits for Pakistani nationals affects the balance of diplomatic activities and friendship initiatives throughout the region.
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The current strained state of diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan could negatively influence all SAARC collaborative efforts.
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The relations between Pakistan-based business professionals and their Indian counterparts have become more complicated due to new impediments.
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Cultural and academic exchanges between populations will decrease because of the suspension, which harms mutual understanding among people.
The current situation highlights how security requirements compete against regional integration targets.
Conclusion
Through the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, member nations took a major step to develop closer regional relations. Easier movement between professionals and dignitaries previously possible through this agreement now demonstrates its susceptibility to security threats. Member countries must find solutions to ongoing security challenges since they committed to maintaining regional cooperation.
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