IT Correspondent
New Delhi, Oct. 23:
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday relaxed visa restrictions allowing more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals to visit the country for any purpose except on tourist visa.
The graded relaxation allows all foreign nationals as well as all Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders to travel to the country via air or sea, through authorized airports and seaport immigration check posts. The government also said that it has restored all existing visa with immediate effect, except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa. If the validity of such visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian Mission/Posts concerned,” the MHA said.
OCI and foreign nationals can enter the country through authorised air or water routes, including flights operated under the Vande Bharat Mission air transport bubble arrangements or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
“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.
Foreign and Indian nationals can avail flights operating under the Vande Bharat Mission and Air Transport Bubble arrangements or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to enter or exit the country. However, all such travellers will be required to follow the COVID-19 related guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This decision will enable foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical purposes etc,” the MHA said.
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. Therefore, this decision will enable foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical purposes etc.” the statement read.
The government had taken steps to curtail the air travel both inward and outward from February. International flights were suspended in India since March 23. The domestic air travel was resumed from May 25 onwards, nearly two months after the suspension of flight. The flights initially operated at 33 per cent of its capacity and were later increased to 45 per cent.
