New Delhi — India has officially resumed Afghan visa services after a four-year suspension. A new online portal, launched in late April 2025, is now accepting visa applications from Afghan citizens across multiple categories.
The portal allows students, investors, athletes, artists, and medical patients to apply for student, business, medical, medical-attendant, entry, and UN diplomat visas. It also includes options for cultural participants in unpaid events, property owners, and family members of students already in India.
Applicants must upload a front-facing photograph, a valid passport, and a national ID showing personal details and passport expiry date.
Visa Suspension Began After Taliban Takeover
India halted Afghan visa services in August 2021, following the fall of the previous Afghan government and the Taliban’s rise to power. It shut down its embassy and consulates in Kabul and cancelled thousands of issued visas. As a result, many Afghan students were unable to return to India to complete their studies.
While the Indian government has not made an official announcement, a senior official confirmed to The Hindu that the “New Afghan Visa” section is now live on the Ministry of Home Affairs website.
Diplomatic Engagement Sparks Change
This development follows a series of quiet diplomatic contacts between India and the Taliban regime. In April 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke by phone with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. He thanked him for condemning a terrorist attack in Kashmir. Earlier, in November 2024, Muttaqi met Indian diplomat JP Singh in Kabul. He urged New Delhi to ease visa restrictions, particularly for Afghan businesspeople.
India has not formally recognized the Taliban regime. Despite this, the reopening of Afghan visa services marks a clear shift in India’s approach. It reflects a move towards practical engagement and humanitarian support amid evolving regional dynamics. This change highlights India’s willingness to balance security concerns with the needs of Afghan citizens.
