India has made e-Visa mandatory for all those who want to travel to the country from Afghanistan.

“Owing to the prevailing security situation in Afghanistan and streamlining of the visa process by introduction of the e-Emergency X-Misc visa, it has been decided that all Afghan nationals henceforth must travel to India only on e-Visa,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement released on Wednesday.

It further stated that keeping in view some reports that “certain passports of Afghan nationals have been misplaced, previously issued visas to all Afghan nationals, who are presently not in India, stand invalidated with immediate effect. Afghan nationals wishing to travel to India may apply for e-Visa at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in

On August 17, the Indian government had introduced a new category of electronic visa — ‘e-Emergency X-Misc Visa’ — to fast-track applications of Afghans for entry into India as the situation in Afghanistan worsened.

Earlier Afghans were not covered under the e-visa category and had to physically present themselves in the embassy. But now, given the situation in Kabul — where the embassy is also shut — the decision to open e-visa has been taken.

As per new e-Visa provision, all Afghans can apply. Applications will be scrutinised and decided in Delhi. A visa for six months will be given initially, and a full security review of the applicant will be done.