ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government will fine foreigners who overstay in the country, as the amnesty, in this regard, is set to expire.
According to the details, a general amnesty with a December 31, 2022 deadline was approved to allow foreign nationals who had overstayed their visas to leave Pakistan without paying overstay penalties.
The authorities have stated that those who fail to meet the deadline will face consequences.
Foreign nationals who do not leave Pakistan will be fined, according to a letter forwarded to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) by the interior ministry.
The Ministry of Interior issues exit permits to foreigners who have overstayed their visas in Pakistan.
Foreign nationals who have been overstaying for up to a year are issued these permits through the Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS), while those who have been overstaying for more than a year are issued manual exit permits after paying a fine.
It was also announced that those who took advantage of the amnesty programme would face no legal consequences. Overstaying foreigners face a three-year sentence under the Foreigners Act of 1946.
The relevant authorities are also considering barring overstaying foreigners from entering Pakistan again.
