New Delhi — The recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of over 20 individuals, sent shockwaves throughout the country. Among those responsible for this horrific event was Adil Ahmad Thokar, who, in 2018, used a student visa to travel to Pakistan for terrorist training. After completing his training, Thokar returned to Kashmir and carried out the deadly attack in the Basern Valley. His case has raised serious concerns about the misuse of student visas, prompting questions on the scrutiny of such visas and the need for stricter regulations.

In this article, we provide a detailed step-by-step guide on how Indian students can obtain a student visa to Pakistan, along with the necessary documents and procedures involved.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Pakistan Student Visa

To apply for a student visa to Pakistan, applicants must first gain admission to a Pakistani university. Once admission is confirmed, the next critical step is to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant Pakistani government agency, such as:

• Ministry of Education

• Ministry of Economic Affairs

• Ministry of Health (for medical-related courses)

The Application Process

After securing the NOC, applicants can apply for a student visa through Pakistan’s visa portal. The online application requires uploading several essential documents to complete the process.

Required Documents for a Pakistan Student Visa

To successfully apply for a Pakistan student visa, you must provide the following documents:

1. Valid Passport (for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay)

2. Four Passport-Sized Photos

3. Admission Offer Letter from a recognized Pakistani university

4. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the appropriate government department

5. Financial Proof — Evidence of sufficient funds (bank statements) to cover living and tuition expenses

6. Indian Identification Documents — Such as PAN card, voter ID, or student ID with address

Visa Duration and Extensions

A Pakistan student visa typically remains valid for two years, which corresponds to the duration of most undergraduate or postgraduate programs. If your course extends beyond two years, you will need to apply for a visa extension. To do this, you will need:

• A formal request from your university stating the reason for the extension

• Proof of enrollment or academic progress

Processing Time for a Pakistan Student Visa

The processing time for a student visa is generally one month, though it may take longer depending on the complexity of the application, such as the need for biometric tests or additional security checks.

Security Concerns: Misuse of Student Visas for Terrorist Activities

The recent revelation about Adil Ahmad Thokar highlights a serious issue — the potential misuse of student visas for criminal purposes, including terrorism. Experts and authorities have raised concerns about the ease with which individuals may exploit student visa channels to travel to Pakistan for training in terrorist activities.

Given the severity of such incidents, security agencies have called for stronger visa screening procedures and surveillance of individuals traveling for educational purposes. These measures could help prevent the misuse of student visas while ensuring genuine students can still pursue their education abroad safely.