The government is set to fulfil the promise Prime Minister Narendra Modi made to business persons from the neighbouring countries during the Kathmandu SAARC summit in November 2014.
Sources in the government said, “We have finalised details of offering the SAARC India Business Card (Visa) facility to business persons from the neighbouring countries. The card will be valid for three years. It will entitle the holders multiple entries into India.”
“In case of Pakistani nationals, however, it has been decided that only such persons will be allowed this facility whose annual income is not less than 10 lakh in Pakistani rupee and who brought a minimum Rs 1 crore worth of business in the preceding financial year,” they said.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently gave the go-ahead to the scheme and the cards would come into force soon, sources said. “It will enable hassle-free entry for all SAARC business travellers, cutting down their screening time at immigration points once they flash the card,” they added.
An order prepared by the MHA reads: “A Pakistani national who has not been issued a one-year multiple-entry visa and the total value of imports and exports with India (of goods and services) of the business establishment for which the Pakistani national is working exceeds Indian Rs 1 crore in the preceding financial year, and (if) such Pakistani national is a member of any national chamber of commerce of Pakistan recognised by India, she/he will be eligible for the SAARC India Business Card.”
Thus, the criteria for availing the card facility are the tightest for Pakistani nationals. Nepalese and Bhutanese do not require visa to enter India and businessmen can avail special treatment at immigration.
Sources in the government said, “We have finalised details of offering the SAARC India Business Card (Visa) facility to business persons from the neighbouring countries. The card will be valid for three years. It will entitle the holders multiple entries into India.”
“In case of Pakistani nationals, however, it has been decided that only such persons will be allowed this facility whose annual income is not less than 10 lakh in Pakistani rupee and who brought a minimum Rs 1 crore worth of business in the preceding financial year,” they said.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently gave the go-ahead to the scheme and the cards would come into force soon, sources said. “It will enable hassle-free entry for all SAARC business travellers, cutting down their screening time at immigration points once they flash the card,” they added.
An order prepared by the MHA reads: “A Pakistani national who has not been issued a one-year multiple-entry visa and the total value of imports and exports with India (of goods and services) of the business establishment for which the Pakistani national is working exceeds Indian Rs 1 crore in the preceding financial year, and (if) such Pakistani national is a member of any national chamber of commerce of Pakistan recognised by India, she/he will be eligible for the SAARC India Business Card.”
Thus, the criteria for availing the card facility are the tightest for Pakistani nationals. Nepalese and Bhutanese do not require visa to enter India and businessmen can avail special treatment at immigration.