The Indian Government has decided to make a graded relaxation in visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who wish to enter or leave India.
Highlights:
- The Indian Government has decided to make a graded relaxation in visa and travel restrictions.
- All OCI and PIO cardholders and foreign can visit India for any purpose, except on a Tourist Visa.
- India has restored with immediate effect all existing visas (except electronic visa, Tourist Visa and Medical Visa).
“In view of the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India had taken a series of steps to curtail the inward and outward movement of international passengers since February 2020,” reads the statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs in India.
As per the relaxations, all OCI and PIO cardholders and all other foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose, except on a Tourist Visa to enter by air or water routes.
The statement reads, “This includes flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission, Air Transport Bubble arrangements or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
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All such travellers will however have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding quarantine and other health/COVID-19 matters.
Foreign nationals will be able to visit India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical purposes etc.
India has restored all existing visas (except electronic visa, Tourist Visa and Medical Visa) with immediate effect
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“If the validity of such visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian Mission/Posts concerned. Foreign nationals intending to visit India for medical treatment can apply for a Medical Visa including for their medical attendants,” the Indian government has said.
Melbourne-based travel agent Manpreet Walia says it is a welcome step.
"Following the COVID outbreaks, all visas were suspended and Foreign nationals holding OCUI & PO cards or emergency visas were allowed to travel to India and with this new liberal approach the ministry has expanded the visa categories for people to travel to India.
"Minor children of Indian nationals or foreigners married to Indian nationals are also allowed to travel," said Ms Walia of Journey Hub travels.
India had closed its border in March following the announcement of world’s largest lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
India has recorded 7.75 million cases of Covid-19 so far. Infections have been on the decline since a September peak with 117,000 deaths. Experts have warned there could be a surge as the festival season approaches.
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