Travel lock-down: India suspends all existing visas
Move applies to OCI card holders too
India has suspended all existing visas issued to national of any country, with very few exceptions, as the number of confirmed cases of corona virus (COVID-19) continues to rise. Visa-free travel facility granted to Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders will also be kept in abeyance till April 15.
The Bureau of Immigration, (Ministry of Home Affairs) in an official statement said that all visas except those issued to Diplomats, Officials from United Nations or International organizations, Employment Protect visas stand suspended till April 15, 2020 with effect from 1200 GMT March 13, 2020, at the port of departure.
The OCI card holder restriction will also come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020 at the port of departure of any foreigner for onward journey to India. “Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission for fresh visa,” an official statement said.
However, visas of all foreigners already in India will remain valid. “Any foreigner for onward journey to India may contact the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) through e-FRRO module for extension/ conversion etc of their visa or grant of any consular service if they choose to do so, “ Dinosh Adhikari Deputy Director, Ministry of Home affairs.
Visa restrictions related to COVID-19 were issued by the Bureau of Immigration in supersession of all earlier advisories issued in this regard. The decisions were a part of the second meeting of the group of ministers (GoM) held under the chairpersonship of Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare.
The recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Guaba were placed before GoM. After detailed deliberations on preventive measures, actions taken and preparedness for Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), the Group of Ministers took more major decisions.
India also announced that all incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, arriving from any destination and having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany on or after February 15, 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days with effect from March 13, 2020 at the port of departure of such travelers.
“Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return, they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately by ministry of Home Affairs,” said the statement.