OCI card holders from US, UK, Germany, France can visit India: Home Ministry

In the wake of covid-19 pandemic, the ministry of home affairs today issued  guidelines for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders, allowing them to visit India from countries with which India has signed ‘air bubble’ arrangements.

As per the new guidelines Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders from the US, UK, German and France will be allowed to visit the country.

Other foreigners from these countries have also been allowed to avail Indian visa facility for business, medical and employment purposes.

“Ministry of Home Affairs has permitted to enter India OCI card holders who belong to countries with which ‘air bubble’ arrangements have been finalized by Ministry of Civil Aviation,” a home ministry spokesperson said.

“Other foreigners from these countries also allowed to avail Indian visa facility for business, medical and employment purposes,” the order stated.

As of now India has established air bubbles’ with the US, UK, Germany and France during the coronavirus pandemic-related international travel restrictions.

Air bubbles, also known as travel bridges or green corridors, remove the waiting period for travelers from certain countries, by allowing the countries to operate their respective carriers.

Other countries may be included under this scheme in future, the notification said.