Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Amnesty scheme for foreigners staying over an extended period in Pakistan will be expired on December 31, 2022.
According to the notification, issued by the Ministry of Interior on Thursday, it had directed the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to stop extending the amnesty scheme to the said individuals residing in Pakistan after the expiry of the due date, said a press release.
The ministry of interior had given a general amnesty scheme for overstaying foreigners to exit Pakistan without paying charges with a cutoff date of December 31, 2022.
After the expiry of the amnesty scheme’s period, foreigners who have overstayed for more than one year may be put into the blacklist category, barring their entry to Pakistan in the future, the release added.
The NADRA received online applications till December 29, 2022. The penalty charges would be imposed on those overstaying in the country after the date of January 01, 2023.
According to NADRA official Website, exit permits through Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS) were issued to the foreigners who have overstayed up to one year and manual exit permits are issued to the foreigners who have overstayed beyond one year, on payment of penalty.
A general amnesty has been approved for overstaying foreigners to exit Pakistan without paying overstay charges with a cut-off date of 31st December 2022.
Overstaying Foreigners shall apply for exit permit on POVS and can leave Pakistan after obtaining the exit permit. Overstaying Foreigners of India and Somalia shall apply for exit permit manually in concerned Section of Ministry of Interior, NADRA had directed expatriates.
NADRA said after 31st December 2022, action will be initiated against overstaying foreigners who are overstaying more than a year. Moreover, they will be black listed for further entry into Pakistan.
