How to Get a Pakistan Student Visa: The Pahalgam terror attack that killed more than 20 people shocked the country, with increasing outrage and protests against Pakistan. One of the planners of this ghastly attack, Adil Ahmad Thokar, was found to have gone to Pakistan in 2018 on the pretext of seeking higher studies. He used the student visa channel to get training as a terrorist and came back afterwards to Kashmir to carry out the fatal attack in the Basern Valley of Pahalgam. His case also raised serious concerns regarding abuse of student visas. Here in this article, steps to get a student visa to Pakistan and documents needed for Indian students are discussed in detail below.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Get a Pakistan Student Visa
In order to get a student visa for Pakistan, one needs to begin with gaining admission to a Pakistani university. Once one gains admission, one is required to acquire a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from an applicable Pakistani government department, which may include the Ministry of Education, Economic Affairs Division, or the Ministry of Health. Once one has obtained this certificate, one can apply online via Pakistan’s visa portal. This involves uploading essential documents like a passport, updated photographs, and evidence of financial ability.
Required Documents for Pakistan Student Visa
To obtain a student visa, various essential documents are needed. These are an active passport, four passport photos, and an admission offer letter from a Pakistani university. The applicants also need to provide an NOC issued by a government agency like the Ministry of Education or Ministry of Economic Affairs. Evidence of sufficient financial resources, usually in the form of a bank statement, is required to demonstrate that the applicant would be in a position to take care of themselves while studying. Indian candidates must furnish identification documents like a PAN card, voter ID, or student ID with an address.
Visa Validity and Extension
A student visa for Pakistan usually lasts two years, extending to the duration of most undergraduate and postgraduate programs. If a student course exceeds two years, however, the student will be required to apply for an extension to the visa. The applicant will need supporting documentation from their university explaining why additional time is needed to finish the course in order to have the visa extended.
How Long to Obtain a Pakistan Student Visa?
The processing time for a Pakistan student visa is usually around a month. The duration, however, can be longer in certain cases, especially if there are other procedures like biometric testing to be done at the Pakistani embassy.
Security Issues with Student Visas
The recent news regarding Adil Ahmad Thokar brings to light the possible threat of student visas. The authorities need to make it harder for individuals to acquire visas by enforcing stricter visa application processes so that individuals are not misusing the avenue of student visas for criminal activities, including terrorism. Stricter checks and surveillance of students going to Pakistan for educational purposes may be able to curb such threats.