Even as India continues to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic, the country on Thursday decided to reopen its borders to international visitors in a big move to revive economic growth.
As the country eased visa and travel restrictions imposed due to Covid-19, the Union Ministry of the Interior said that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and foreign nationals can visit India. for any purpose except tourist and electronic visas.
The Home Office said: “The government has decided to gradually relax visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who wish to enter or leave India.”
With that said, here are 10 points to help you better understand the new visa regulations:
1) “In view of the situation arising from the coronavirus pandemic, the Government of India has taken a series of measures to curb the movement of international passengers in and out since February 2020,” the government order said.
2) Indians as well as OCI card holders and persons of Indian origin (PIO) card holders will be able to enter the nation through authorized airports and immigration checkpoints at seaports.
3) All existing visas, except electronic, tourist and medical, will be restored with immediate effect, the government said.
4) Visa categories that people can now enter India with include business, conference, employment, study, research and medical purposes, Modi’s government said.
5) Anyone who has expired visas can apply again and foreigners who wish to visit for business, conferences, work, study, research or medical reasons may apply, according to government order.
6) Today’s decision is seen as part of a series of measures aimed at supporting others already taken to get air travel back on track and stimulate economic growth after a strict lockdown in early March that paralyzed economic activity.
7) In a statement, the Interior Ministry said: “While scheduled commercial flights remain off limits for the time being, foreign travelers can use other options, including flights under a government repatriation program, the so-called air bubble deals, and private charters. “
8) In addition to the Indian air bubble scheme, boats will also be allowed. However, all travelers will be required to “strictly adhere” to guidelines on quarantine and other coronavirus protocols.
9) “However, all these travelers must strictly adhere to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidelines regarding quarantine and other health / covid-19 matters,” the order said.
10) Meanwhile, India has also extended a government repatriation program to allow private carriers, including InterGlobe Aviation’s IndiGo and SpiceJet, to operate such aircraft with special permission. The nation has also reached air bubble agreements with 18 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Germany, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Canada, and others.
The Center had restricted air travel, both in and out, since February 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23.
After nearly two months of suspension to combat the deadly virus outbreak, the Center resumed scheduled domestic passenger flights on May 25.
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