India relaxes visa restrictions

The Indian government has decided to permit all OCI, PIO card-holders and all other foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose, except on a Tourist visa,  to enter the country by air or water routes through authorised airports and seaport immigration check posts.

“It has been decided to permit 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 through authorized airports and seaport immigration check posts,” said a statement from Ministry of Home Affairs on October 22.

“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,” the statement added.

Under this graded relaxation, Government of India has also decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas (except electronic visa, Tourist Visa and Medical Visa).

MHA has also said that 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 Livemint reports.

All the passengers will have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding quarantine and other health/Covid-19 matters, the MHA statement added.