70+ Pakistani Women with NORI Certificates Allowed to Cross into India After Visa Issues Resolved

CHANDIGARH: In a breakthrough for cross-border families, over 70 Pakistani women married to Indian nationals were allowed to enter India through the Attari Border after being stranded for several weeks due to visa-related issues. These women held NORI (No Obligation to Return to India) certificates along with Long-Term Visas (LTV), which had been issued to them for their extended stay in India.

The issue stemmed from the Union Government’s revocation of all visas for Pakistanis following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 tourist lives. As a result, many Pakistani nationals, including married women, were denied entry into India after visiting their families in Pakistan — even though they held valid documentation. Pakistani immigration authorities initially prevented these women from crossing back into India, despite their LTV status and NORI certificates.

However, after discussions between the two nations’ authorities, an exception was made for women who were married to Indian nationals and held the necessary documentation. Sources confirmed that 240 Pakistani nationals, including the more than 70 women with NORI certificates, crossed the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari. Meanwhile, 140 Indian nationals returned to Pakistan.

Among the families reunited was Dr. Vikram Udasi from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, who had been anxiously waiting since April 25 for the return of his wife Priya, a Pakistani national, and their 4-year-old child Ahan. “Finally, I have met my wife and child after the long wait, and now we are heading back home. Thank God,” Udasi shared. His wife, who has held a Long-Term Visa (LTV) for eight years, is expected to stay in India until 2026.

Rishi Kumar from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, also shared his relief as he was reunited with his wife, Savita, and their 10-year-old twins, Saysha and Revansh, after a lengthy wait. Savita, originally from Balochistan, had traveled to Pakistan to visit her family. Initially, only the children, who hold Indian passports, were allowed to enter India. However, after much negotiation, the entire family was allowed to cross the border.

“I’ve been married for 12 years and have visited Pakistan three times without facing such issues. I am grateful to the authorities for finally allowing us to reunite,” Savita said.

Another beneficiary, Asma, who had been stranded at the border for two months after visiting her parents in Pakistan, expressed her happiness at being allowed to return to India. She was holding the NORI certificate and LTV and had been awaiting her chance to return.

The NORI certificates are issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to individuals making brief visits to Pakistan, allowing them to return to India without restrictions. Ramesh Singh Arora, the president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC), had raised the issue with the Pakistani government, which led to this resolution.

This diplomatic breakthrough underscores the importance of family reunification and the critical role of NORI and LTV documentation in facilitating smoother cross-border movement for those with long-term ties to both nations.