Legal loophole? Pakistani man's visa-free India travel stuns social media, video goes viral

Dubai: A Pakistani entrepreneur has gained attention on social media by legally transiting through Mumbai, India, on a connecting flight, revealing a travel option many were unaware of.

Waqas Hassan, flying from Singapore to Saudi Arabia, had a six-hour layover in Mumbai—and surprisingly, he didn’t need a visa. Despite stringent visa requirements for Pakistani nationals entering India, transit layovers are allowed under specific conditions.

Transit visa option

Hassan, sharing his experience on Instagram, explained that Pakistani passport holders can use connecting flights with layovers in India, but they must remain within the airport during the layover. Indian transit visa rules allow stays of up to 36 hours for travelers transiting through airports in Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai.

Fun experience at Mumbai airport

During his Mumbai layover, Hassan, the founder of AiForAll, enjoyed his time at the airport lounge, bought souvenirs, and even tasted Mumbai’s famous snack, vada pao, describing it as a “pretty fun feeling.”

Despite being a seasoned traveler for 15 years, Hassan said he was unaware that Pakistanis could transit through India until he discovered this opportunity.

Unusual transit stuns airport staff

When Hassan presented his Pakistani passport at the Mumbai airport, the officials were taken aback. Hassan noted that not many Pakistani nationals travel to India in this way, making the experience a novel encounter for both him and the officials.

Hassan explained he chose IndiGo for its cost-effective routes from East to West, making it an ideal option for his trip from Singapore to Saudi Arabia.

Viral video sparks mixed reactions

Hassan’s video, now viral on Instagram, has over 20,000 likes and nearly 770,000 views.

The video has sparked mixed reactions from viewers. Some users advocated for relaxed travel restrictions between India and Pakistan, while others questioned the value of a brief airport layover.

The reports reiterate that while tourist visas for Pakistanis are difficult to obtain due to security concerns, transit layovers are a permissible, albeit lesser-known, travel option.