SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: BT
Context: India has suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
About SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES):
What It Is?
A regional travel facilitation mechanism allowing select individuals from SAARC nations to travel visa-free across member countries using a SAARC Visa Exemption Sticker.
Signed In:
• Proposed at the 4th SAARC Summit in Islamabad (1988). It was officially launched in 1992.
Objective: To foster people-to-people contact, regional cooperation, and diplomatic ease among the eight SAARC countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan.
Key Features:
• Eligible Categories: Covers 24 specific categories such as dignitaries, judges, MPs, senior officials, journalists, sports persons, business leaders, etc.
• Visa Exemption Sticker: Issued annually by the home country’s government. Affixed to the passport for visa-free, multiple entries to other SAARC countries.
• Validity & Duration: Typically, valid for 1 year from the date of issue and permits multiple entries and exits within the validity period.
• Purpose of Travel:
• Travel permitted for official duties, business, cultural exchange, journalism, and regional cooperation events.
• Does not extend to tourism or casual travel.
• India-Specific Provisions:
• Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan don’t need a visa to enter India. Pakistani nationals were earlier eligible under restricted categories and city-specific conditions (10–15 designated cities). Post-2015, special provisions existed for verified Pakistani businesspersons for up to 3 years.
• Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan don’t need a visa to enter India.
• Pakistani nationals were earlier eligible under restricted categories and city-specific conditions (10–15 designated cities).
• Post-2015, special provisions existed for verified Pakistani businesspersons for up to 3 years.
• Security Oversight:
• SAARC nations reserve the right to deny entry on national security grounds. SVES is not a blanket waiver and is subject to scrutiny by immigration authorities at ports of entry.
• SAARC nations reserve the right to deny entry on national security grounds.
• SVES is not a blanket waiver and is subject to scrutiny by immigration authorities at ports of entry.
• Suspension Clause:
• The scheme is based on bilateral and multilateral trust, not a binding international treaty. Member countries may suspend or revoke access unilaterally in the interest of national security or public order.
• The scheme is based on bilateral and multilateral trust, not a binding international treaty.
• Member countries may suspend or revoke access unilaterally in the interest of national security or public order.