Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Delhi HC asks Centre to review Afghan trader's visa extension plea
An Afghan businessman named Ali has been living in India since 2014, working to trade dry fruits.
His visa to stay in India was about to expire, and he asked to extend it.
However, the Indian government recently changed its rules because of the situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over.
The new rules say Afghan people can't get visa extensions in India and must go back home to apply again.
Ali was worried he might not get a new visa if he went back.
He asked the court for help.
The court told the government to think about Ali's situation, especially since he has important business dealings in India and has received visa extensions before, even after the new rules were made.
The court is waiting for the government's decision.
An Afghan dry fruit trader, Ali Ahmad Nazari, faces uncertainty as his visa extension request was refused by the Indian Centre.
A March 19 office memorandum from the MHA mandates Afghan nationals to return to Afghanistan to reapply for visas, discontinuing extensions.
The Delhi High Court urged the Centre to review Nazari's case, citing peculiar facts and noting that the OM's rationale might be outdated.
The Centre's counsel stated a policy of not extending visas for Afghan nationals due to security risks associated with the Taliban regime.
Nazari has substantial business transactions and financial obligations in India, necessitating his continued physical presence.
- Who
- Afghan dry fruit trader Ali Ahmad Nazari and the Indian Centre (Ministry of Home Affairs)
- What
- The Delhi High Court urged the Centre to review the case of an Afghan trader whose visa extension was refused.
- When
- The trader's visa expired on Tuesday (October 28), the court heard the plea on Wednesday, and the next hearing is on November 6.
- Where
- Delhi High Court
- Why
- The Centre refused visa extension based on a March 19 office memorandum that halted extensions for Afghan nationals and requires them to reapply from Afghanistan, citing security concerns due to the Taliban takeover.
Afghan Trader's Stance
Indian Government's Stance
Visa Extension Necessity
Afghan Trader's Stance
Nazari requires his continued presence in India to manage ongoing business transactions worth approximately Rs 2.5 crore and to recover outstanding amounts of Rs 1.5 crore from Indian traders.
Indian Government's Stance
As a matter of policy, visa extensions for Afghan nationals are not being granted due to security concerns following the Taliban takeover, and they must return to Afghanistan to apply for new visas.
Impact of Policy Change
Afghan Trader's Stance
Nazari argues that the OM might prevent him from obtaining a visa if he returns to Afghanistan, especially since he received a visa extension after the OM was issued, indicating a potential for flexibility.
Indian Government's Stance
The policy aims to control entry and manage risks, acknowledging that the security situation in Afghanistan, now run by the Taliban, makes it difficult to grant extensions without fresh applications and assessments.
Court Intervention
Afghan Trader's Stance
The High Court is urged to consider the 'peculiar facts' of Nazari's case and 'much water has flown since March', suggesting the OM's strict application might be unreasonable given subsequent events, like the Afghan Foreign Minister's visit to India.
Indian Government's Stance
The Centre's counsel initially stated that as a policy, they are not extending visas and that the trader must go back and apply, indicating a procedural adherence to the MHA's directive.
- Trader's Name
- Ali Ahmad Nazari
- Trader's Business
- Dry fruits export
- Trader's Residence in India
- Since 2014
- Visa Expiry Date
- October 28 (Tuesday)
- Previous Visa Extension Granted
- May 6, valid until October 28
- MHA Office Memorandum Date
- March 19
- Court Hearing Date
- Wednesday
- Next Court Hearing Date
- November 6