Washington DC, June 10: Pakistan has on Monday decided to present a five-year and multiple-entry visas to American nationals, though the United States government has changed its policy of five-year visas given to Pakistani nationals.
According to Dawn news reports, Pakistan’s ministry of foreign affairs has, in a note sent last month, advised its diplomatic officials in the US to follow the proposed new policy while providing visas to US nationals.
On Monday, the ministry first advised this change to the American embassy in Islamabad, while answering the queries related to tourist visas and duration of visas for the US nationals.
The note stated the ministry of foreign affairs “has the honour to state that the government of Pakistan, in line with its policy to encourage tourism, has allowed granting of multiple-entry visas to US nationals for up to five years with a maximum stay of three months”.
Washington has been long demanding this development in Islamabad’s visa policy and has recently changed its own visa policy when Pakistan appeared not responsive.
The US visa duration applicable for Pakistani nationals has been reduced to three months directly from a five-year visa duration, according to the US embassy in Islamabad.
The new visa policy will also be applicable for the Pakistani journalists, apart from civilians. The US government had also increased the visa application fees for Pakistani nationals up to USD 192 from USD 160.
The development, announced on March 6, has come after Islamabad took reciprocal steps into modifying visa policies for the American citizens as well as reduction of visa time-period and fees increment for applying for the documents, US embassy spokesperson said.
The American government has stated Pakistani diplomats in its embassy in Washington DC and consulates will be restricted to travel over 40 km from any of their posts without any prior permission, ARY News reported.
The US had repeatedly told Pakistan that it must take strict and effective steps towards terrorism, providing no support and safe haven to terror outfits operating from Pakistani soil.
Washington has also halted millions worth financial aid to cash-strapped Pakistan for not taking strong actions towards handling terrorism.