NEW DELHI: India has decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas, except electronic, tourist and medical, as part of a gradual relaxation in visas travel restrictions for more categories of Exterior and Indian citizens. the Union Home Ministry (MHA) decided on Thursday to allow all “Foreign Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders and all other foreign nationals who intend to visit India for any reason except with a tourist visa, enter by air or water routes through authorized airports and seaport immigration checkpoints. ”
Friday’s decision will allow foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research and medical purposes.
While schedule international flights remain suspended to and from India, people who are allowed to travel under Friday’s relaxed rules can do so on flights operated under the Vande Bharat Mission, air transport bubble agreements or unscheduled commercial flights as permitted by the Ministry of Aviation.
“All these travelers, however, will have to strictly adhere to the health ministry’s guidelines regarding quarantine and other health / Covid-19 matters,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
“The Government of India has also decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas (except e-visas, tourist and medical visas). If the validity of such visas has expired, new visas of the appropriate categories can be obtained from the corresponding Indian missions / posts. Foreign nationals who intend to visit India for medical treatment can apply for a medical visa, even for their medical assistants, ”he said.
India had suspended most visas issued to foreigners earlier this year as part of travel restrictions to control the spread of Covid. Now that the government is deciding to “gradually relax visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals wishing to enter or leave India,” the most affected travel sector, including the airline and Hardest hit hotels – Could see revival.
On video: The government relaxes visa restrictions for foreigners, restores most visas except tourist ones
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