The Saarc India Business Card facility will only be given to those Pakistani nationals whose annual income is not less than Pakistani rupees 10,00,000.
The Saarc India Business Card facility will only be given to those Pakistani nationals whose annual income is not less than Pakistani rupees 10,00,000.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh has given approval and the cards will come into force soon. It will enable hassle-free entry for all Saarc business travellers, cutting down their screening time at immigration points once they flash the card.
“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 rupees one 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”, s/he will be eligible for the Saarc India Business card.
While the initial proposal, as announced by PM Narendra Modi during his Nepal visit, was to ensure that smart cards suffice at immigration points, now due to security concerns, the cards will be in addition to visas for those travelling from Saarc countries. The criteria for availing the card facility, however, remains the tightest for Pakistani nationals. Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan do not require a visa to enter India and hence these businessmen can avail special treatment at immigration.
A holder of a business card will enjoy three-year multiple entry, exemption from police reporting and visits to a maximum of 15 places, excluding restricted and protected locations.
