Ministry of Interior achieves high visa approval rate following PM directives

ISLAMABAD (Zubair Kasuri):  The Ministry of Interior has reported a significant achievement in visa processing, granting over 104,000 visas out of 126,831 applications received between August 14, 2024, and January 7, 2025.

This success follows directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aimed at streamlining and strengthening the visa application process.

The Prime Minister’s directives mandated the Chairman of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) to appoint a focal person for manual verification of visa applicants, enhancing the scrutiny process. The Ministry of Interior also established a dedicated scrutiny team to ensure thorough evaluation of applications.

“The high number of visas granted reflects the Ministry’s commitment to facilitating legitimate travel while maintaining robust security measures,” stated a spokesperson from the Ministry of Interior. “The Prime Minister’s directives have been instrumental in optimizing the visa process, ensuring timely and efficient approvals.”

Key highlights from the Ministry’s data

Total Applications Received: 126,831
Visas Granted: 104,105

In addition to the high approval rate, the Ministry has implemented a policy restricting Afghan nationals with third-country nationalities from utilizing the Visa-on-Arrival (VPA) facility, further strengthening security protocols.

The Ministry emphasized the efficiency of the newly implemented system, demonstrating its ability to handle a large volume of applications effectively. The continued focus on refining the process aims to ensure that legitimate travelers experience a smooth and timely visa approval process.

This achievement highlights the Ministry of Interior’s dedication to balancing security concerns with the facilitation of travel, contributing to a positive and efficient visa experience for applicants.