Lok Sabha Question No. 508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-25
Subject: Visa Issued to Pakistani and Bangladeshi Citizens
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 508

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 TH  JUNE, 2019/ ASHADHA 4, 1941 (SAKA)

VISA ISSUED TO PAKISTANI AND BANGLADESHI CITIZENS

508.

SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens who have been issued visas under different category during 2016-17;
- (b) whether the Government has any authentic data regarding the number of citizens who have returned back to their country after expiry of visa period;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  any  arrangement  has  been  made  to  ensure  that  foreign  citizens particularly coming from neighbouring countries do not overstay illegally in the country after expiry of visa period; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) The  number  of  citizens  belonging  to  Pakistan  and  Bangladesh  who  were issued visas under various categories during the year 2016 & 2017  is as follows:-

| Visas issued under various categories   |   2016 |    2017 |
|-----------------------------------------|--------|---------|
| Pakistan                                |  52525 |   35144 |
| Bangladesh                              | 933695 | 1370420 |

(b) to (e) -  The Central Government is implementing a Mission Mode Project on Immigration,  Visa  and  Foreigners  Registration  & Tracking  (I.V.F.R.T.) which  is

## LS.US.Q.NO.508 FOR 25.06.2019

facilitating improved tracking of foreigners by integrating and sharing information  captured  during  various  processes  like  visa  issuance  process  at Missions, immigration process at the Immigration Check Posts (ICPs), registration  process  at  the  Foreigners  Regional  Registration  Offices  (FRROs)/ Foreigners  Registration  Offices  (FROs)  and  during  stay  of  foreigners  at  hotels, educational institutions etc.

The State Governments have also been entrusted with powers to detect, detain  and  deport  illegally  staying  foreign  nationals  under  Article  258(1)  of  the Constitution of India. Further, under Article 239(1) of the Constitution of India, the Administrators of the Union Territories have also been directed to discharge the functions  of  the  Central  Government  pertaining  to  detection,  detention  and deportation of illegally staying foreign nationals.

Law  enforcing agencies  maintain  a  vigil to intercept the foreigners overstaying  in  India.  In  genuine  cases,  where  overstaying  is  unintentional  or because of ignorance or under compelling circumstances, the period of overstay is regularized after charging the penalty and fees for the overstay period and visa is extended if required. Where the overstay is found to be intentional, the foreigner is served with Leave India Notice and penalty/visa fee for the period of overstay is charged  as  per  instructions.  Legal  action  under   Foreigners  Act, 1946  is  also

## LS.US.Q.NO.508 FOR 25.06.2019

taken  based  on  merits  of  each  case  which  includes  placing  the  names  of  the foreigners in the Black List after ensuring their deportation from India. Detection and deportation of such over-staying foreign nationals is a continuous process.

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