SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES)

SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme Latest News

The Indian government recently announced that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES).

About SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme

• The SVES was launched in 1992.
• Under the scheme, certain categories of dignitaries from SAARC countries are issued a special travel document. 
• This special instrument exempts them from the need for visas and other travelling documents to travel among these countries.
• Currently, the list includes 24 categories of entitled persons, which include dignitaries, judges of higher courts, parliamentarians, senior officials, businessmen, journalists, sportspersons, etc.
• Visa stickers are issued by the respective member states to the entitled categories of that particular country. 
• The validity of the visa sticker is generally for one year.
• The implementation is reviewed regularly by the immigration authorities of SAAR member states.

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What is SAARC?

• The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established on December 8, 1985.
•  SAARC is an economic and political regional organisation of countries in South Asia.
• The Secretariat of the Association was set up in Kathmandu, Nepal, in January 1987.
• SAARC has eight member countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• SAARC aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in its member states through increased intra-regional cooperation.

Source: TH