Govt restores most visas for foreigners

Govt restores most visas for foreigners

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.10.2020

The government on Thursday restored all existing visas — barring electronic, tourist and medical visas — with immediate effect though in the case of medical visa it has been stated that foreigners intending to visit India for medical treatment can now apply afresh for this category.

The easing of restrictions will mean foreign nationals will be able to visit India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research and medical treatment. Visas for foreigners visiting India for medical treatment will be issued on fresh applications and they can be accompanied by an attendant as well.

In case the validity of restored categories of visas has expired, fresh ones of the appropriate category can be obtained from Indian missions or posts, said an MHA release. The Centre on Thursday also permitted OCI and PIO card-holders who intend to visit India for purposes other than tourism, to enter by air or water routes.

US’s proposed visa limit may hit Indians

The US State Department in a notification on Wednesday proposed to make changes to its visa regulations under which foreign professionals, which would fall under H-1B, would not be issued temporary visa for business. The move may impact Indian firms who send their techies on B-1 visas for a short stay to the US. P 20

Rules relaxed for OCI, PIO card-holders

As part of a “graded” relaxation of Covid-induced visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals, the government also permitted OCI and PIO card-holders who intend to visit India for purposes other than tourism. This includes flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission, Air Transport Bubble arrangements or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the civil aviation ministry.

All such travellers will, however, be required to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the ministry of health and family welfare regarding quarantine and other health and Covid-19 matters. Medical visa for treatment in India is much sought after by foreigners, given availability of highly-skilled medical professionals and facilities. It is also a major forex earner for the country. With electronic and tourist visas still not restored, the earlier tendency of some foreigners to bend visa rules and seek medical treatment in India while on a tourist visa will no longer be possible.

In view of the situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had taken a series of steps to curtail inward and outward movement of international passengers since February 2020. However, the curbs have been eased in a graded manner, as part of ‘unlock’ regime since June. With this move, the badly affected travel sector, including the worst-hit segments of airlines and hotels, could see some revival.

Full report on www.toi.in